Selected Readings for Spiritual Seekers and New Believers

Rondall E. Jones, Ph.D.

2nd Edition

2018

Note: This book is available in paperback for $7 on Amazon.com

All rights reserved for all material which is not a direct excerpt from the Holy Bible. Holy Bible quotations in this book are taken from the World English Bible, which has been placed in the public domain.

The cover art is by Patricia Allred (1934-2009). It is a scene from the first chapter of Revelation in the Holy Bible where Jesus is standing among seven candle stands. The original has been cropped here. See RevelationInPictures.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction to This Book                         3

A Synopsis of the Old Testament       5

The Good News According to Matthew   11

The Good News According to Luke  13

The Acts of the Apostles                         59

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians      87

The Letter from James..... .   95

The Revelation to John...... . 101

Going On with Christ.. 109

Introduction to This Book

The purpose of this book is to make it much easier for you to read for yourself the Good News (or Gospel) of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Biblical texts in this book are part of all Christian Bibles, whether Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox. Nothing has been added or subtracted to bias the reader toward any particular denomination. The translation used here is the public domain World English Bible. The World English Bible is a revision of the earlier American Standard Version (1901).

The material we have selected from the New Testament to include in this short book is what we think is essential to understanding the message of Christianity. We feel it is beneficial to put this set of extracts together in a small volume so it can be read through with minimal confusion and distraction. This material is about one fourth of the New Testament. The order of these selections is that same as they appear in the New Testament.

We have added explanatory notes where we felt such notes were needed to understand the text. These are parenthesized and in italics like this …

(This is a comment by the author of this book.)

Where appropriate, for clarity, to indicate that material has been deleted we put an ellipsis in parenthesis like this:

( . . . )

If you are new to the Holy Scriptures, please note that the Bible consists of 66 “books”, of which 27 are in the New Testament. For convenience of reference, standard chapter and verse numbers were added to the Biblical text many centuries ago. For example, “John 3:16” refers to the “book” of John, 3^rd “chapter”, 16^th “verse”.

A Synopsis of the Old Testament

This chapter is a summary of events of the Old Testament which may give the reader a better understanding of the background of the New Testament. All these events preceded the events of the New Testament. You are invited to skip this chapter if you prefer and go directly to the next chapter to begin reading about the coming of Jesus Christ. You can always return and read this chapter later if you decide you want this background information.

The Old Testament is approximately the Hebrew Bible, which was written over a period of more than a thousand years, ending well before the birth of Christ. It was written mostly in Hebrew and contains at least 39 separate “books”, depending on which version is being used: Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant.

The first book of the Old Testament is Genesis. It covers many historical events. Genesis begins with a description of the creation of the world and other heavenly bodies which is very different from all other preceding ancient creation stories. Most of those depicted creation as resulting from great struggles between god-like figures. But Genesis depicts all the acts of creation as simple tasks for the one and only Almighty God: He spoke, and things became as He said, including the sun, moon, stars, and earth; the land, seas, and skies of earth; and the plants, animals and people of earth.

God’s creation finished with man, and specifically with Adam and Eve, who are described as sinless and in a perfect environment called the Garden of Eden. But sin and evil entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s directive not to eat of the “Tree of Knowledge of God and Evil”, and they were excluded from their perfect environment and sent to farm an imperfect earth for their existence.

Adam and Eve and their descendants lived very long lives and had many children, who began to populate the earth. About a thousand years after Adam, humans had populated the whole Middle East and possibly much further. But their sinful nature inherited through Adam and Eve lead them to such evil lives that God decided to destroy most people on earth by a huge flood. God commanded Noah, one of the few right-living persons, to build a large ark as a haven during the flood. In turn, Noah’s family was saved, as were many animal species. God then promised Noah that He would never destroy the people on earth with a flood again. This arrangement is referred to as a “covenant’. It was the first of a sequence of covenants which defined or redefined the relationship of God and man.

About another thousand years later, when the world was even more widely populated than before, God chose the man Abraham to begin a group of His specially chosen people. Abraham was chosen because of his great faith in God. Abraham was promised that he would have so many descendants that they would number like the grains of sand by the sea, and that they would be given the land where the Canaanites and other idol-worshipping peoples were currently living. (This area, called the “Promised Land”, was roughly where Lebanon and Israel are today.) In turn, God required that Abraham and his descendants obey His laws and worship only Him. This was the second covenant between God and man. As an initial act in this covenant Abraham was told to move his family from where he was living, near what is now Iraq, to the Promised Land. In addition, God decreed that all male descendants of Abraham be circumscribed. 

Abraham’s family grew for the next century or so in the Promised Land and began to be called Israelites because of the new name God gave to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. Jacob had a vision in which God renewed His covenant with Abraham by confirming that Jacob and his family were now the focus of that covenant, and that the whole world would be blessed through them. (Christians look to this promise to Jacob as one of the first clear indications that Jesus Christ would be born to descendants of Jacob.) Eventually Jacob and his family of about seventy persons were forced to move to Egypt because of a prolonged time of poor harvests. Genesis ends with the Israelites living in Egypt.

About four centuries later God led the Israelites – now numbering many thousands – out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses. Their intention was to return to the Promised Land. But Moses and the Israelites paused for a generation, or forty years, in the wilderness southeast of the promised land, due to the lack of faith of that generation of Israelites. They did not believe they could defeat the intimidating forces of the people then living in the Promised Land, even with God’s help. Early in this forty-year period Moses received the Ten Commandments directly from God. These were written on tablets of stone by God himself while Moses was on the top of Mount Sinai. The events of Moses’ time and the full Law he was given are recorded in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The book of Leviticus contains extensive rules for how Israelites who break God’s law can be forgiven through various animal sacrifices. (Christians consider these animal sacrifices to have been an imperfect, temporary arrangement for sinners to be forgiven, up until Christ became the perfect, permanent sacrifice for all sin through His death on the cross.)

After those forty years, a new generation of Israelites, now better equipped and under the leadership of Joshua, gained control of the Promised Land. The proverbial Battle of Jericho occurred early in this effort. Each Israeli “tribe”, which had descended from one of Jacob’s twelve sons, was given a territory in or near the Promised Land for their permanent home. There were two exceptions: the Levites were given the specific job of caring for and serving in the Temple, and were not farmers, so were not given land. And the tribe of Joseph was honored by splitting it in two, giving each of Joseph’s two sons equal status with their uncles as leaders of tribes. These events are described in the book of Joshua.

A period of relative calm ensued, during which Israel had no single leader like Moses. Instead, God occasionally raised up leaders referred to as “Judges” to deal with specific issues or crises. Samson is perhaps the most famous of these Judges. Later, God raised up special “Prophets” as spiritual leaders for the nation of Israel. But there were still no specific political leaders. The events of this era are recorded in the Old Testament book of Judges.

About 400 years from the time of Moses, the people of Israel begged the primary prophet of that time, Samuel, to appoint a king to be their political leader, like other nations around Israel had. Thus began half a millennium of leadership of Israel by a long sequence of kings. Samuel appointed Saul as the first King, then David as the second. David’s son, Solomon, who is still known for his exceptional knowledge and wisdom, became the third king. David and Solomon were perhaps the best kings of Israel in this whole multi-century period. Solomon was charged by God with building a magnificent temple as a replacement for the portable tents that had been used to house holy artifacts and conduct required rituals.

After Solomon died, his Son Rehoboam became king. But God allowed Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, to lead the Northern tribes in a secession from the Southern Tribes because of resentment over taxation. After this there were two kings: one for the Northern Kingdom and one for the Southern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom consisted principally of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites who served in the temple in Jerusalem. Most members of the other tribes became part of the Northern Kingdom. The Northern Kingdom lacked a clear replacement for the Temple in Jerusalem, which was an ongoing problem to them. These events are recorded in the books of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel, 1^st and 2^nd Kings, and 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles.

The period of the Kings ended badly. The people repeatedly strayed from the Temple worship that the Law required and instead worshipped the idols of the local cultures that they had failed to eradicate when they took over the Promised Land. Such idol worship often involved practices detestable to God, such as infant sacrifice and “sacred” prostitution. Many prophets were sent by God to both the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms warning of their apostasy and sin. Eventually, God allowed Assyria, which had become a powerful neighbor country east of the Northern Kingdom, to repeatedly invade the territory of the Northern Kingdom and carry off many captives. The Northern Kingdom was never reconstructed, and those tribes are sometimes called the Lost Tribes of Israel. These northern tribes were not entirely carried away or absorbed by Assyria, as attested in part by the persistence till this day of some Northern Kingdom tribe names, such as Asher, as surnames of Jews. But they ceased to have a definable identity, territory or government.

Somewhat later, God used the nation of Babylon, which was geographically roughly modern-day Iraq, to invade and defeat the Southern Kingdom and carry many of the people away to Babylon. A remnant of the Southern tribes remained in the Promised Land, but the Temple had been destroyed and their life was disorganized. These events are recorded in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations.

Israel -- now referring to only the Southern Kingdom -- was captive in Babylon for seventy years, as predicted by the prophet Jeremiah. The prophets Ezekiel and Daniel prophesied to the captives while they were in Babylon about their situation and their future return to the Promised Land. Then a new king, Cyrus, came into power in Babylon and he was receptive to the idea of some of the Jews (as they were now called) returning to the Promised Land and rebuilding Jerusalem, including its protective walls, and the Temple. These events are described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The returning Jews were eventually able to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and a semblance of the original temple, though it was very much less wonderful than the temple built under Solomon. After the Babylonian captivity, Israel never again fell into idol worship. And many Israelites remained in Babylon, resulting in wider dispersion of Jews.

Various details and stories relating to the period of the Kings, the captivity, and the return to the Promised Land are given in the twelve minor prophet books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi. These prophets are referred to as “minor” because their recorded messages are relatively short – not because their messages were unimportant.

This concludes the story told in the books of history and prophecy in the Protestant Old Testament, except for the two short books of Esther and Ruth which are more personal stories. Other books in the Old Testament include the books commonly referred to as poetic or wisdom books, including Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

The Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible each contain several other books from the period between where the Protestant Bible ends and the birth of Christ. The major historic books of these Bibles are 1^st and 2^nd Maccabees (and 3^rd and 4^th Maccabees in the Orthodox Bible). During the period covered by these writings, Greece and Greek, or “Hellenistic”, culture came to dominate much of the known world of that time through the conquests of Alexander the Great. After his death, his kingdom was divided into four parts. One of those parts, the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, came to rule a large territory from portions of modern day Turkey eastward almost to India, and including the land of Israel. This empire heavily suppressed non-Hellenistic cultures and came close to wiping out Jewish culture completely. But a Jewish leader, Judas Maccabeus, led a revolt against the Seleucid rulers. A sequence of wars commenced, with independence of the Jews from these oppressors finally fully accomplished shortly after the death of Judas Maccabeus. His death inspired a final push by other Jewish leaders. But considerable Hellenistic influence remained, as exhibited by the fact that the New Testament was written largely in Greek.

Following these events there was a century or so before the birth of Christ which is not documented in any canonical Christian texts. During this time the Roman government became the ruling political and military force in the Promised Land. One of the Roman leaders, Herod, in order to gain favor with the Jewish people, rebuilt the Jewish Temple that had been built in Nehemiah’s time, changing it into a magnificent building.

This was the status of government at the time of the birth of Christ, which is the point where the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John take up. As the New Testament begins the Jews are under Roman domination but are basically going about their lives and performing the rituals of their law. But they also were expecting the prophesied Messiah to appear at any time. They were expecting that Messiah to rescue them from Roman domination. But God was planning something much bigger.

The Good News According to Matthew

(There are four “Gospels”, or stories of “Good news about Christ”, in the New Testament: those of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first few chapters of Matthew provide background on the birth of Christ that is not in any of the other three Gospels. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector who became an early disciple of Jesus.)

Chapter 1

( . . . )  ¹18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. ¹19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. ¹20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,

“Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ¹21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”

¹22 Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

¹23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child,

and shall give birth to a son.

They shall call his name Immanuel;”

which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”

¹24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; ¹25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus. ¹

Chapter 2

²1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ²2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” ²3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ²4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. ²5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

²6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are in no way least among the princes of Judah:

for out of you shall come a governor,

who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”

²7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. ²8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”

²9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. ²10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ²11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ²12 Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

²13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

²14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, ²15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

²16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. ²17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

²18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

lamentation, weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she wouldn’t be comforted,

because they are no more.”

²19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ²20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”

²21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. ²22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, ²23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene.

(Now we proceed to Luke, who begins his gospel account after the above details.)

The Good News According to Luke

(This Gospel was written by Luke the Apostle, who was the only Gentile, or non-Jew, to write a book of the Bible. He was a physician and paid attention to details.)

Chapter 1

¹1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, ¹2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, ¹3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; ¹4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

¹5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ¹6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. ¹7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. ¹8 Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division, ¹9 according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

¹11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. ¹17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”

¹18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

¹19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. ¹20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

¹21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. ¹22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. ¹23 When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. ¹24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, ¹25 “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”

¹26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ¹27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. ¹28 Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”

¹29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. ¹30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ¹31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ ¹32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, ¹33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”

¹34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”

¹35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. ¹36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ¹37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”

¹38 Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

The angel departed from her. ¹39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, ¹40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ¹41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ¹43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ¹44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! ¹45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”

¹Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord.

My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.

For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

For he who is mighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name.

His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

He has shown strength with his arm.

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

¹56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. ¹58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. ¹59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. ¹60 His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”

¹61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” ¹62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.

¹63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”

They all marveled. ¹64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. ¹65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. ¹66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him. ¹67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;

to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,

the oath which he swore to Abraham, our father, to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

¹80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel. ¹

Chapter 2

²1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. ²2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ²3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. ²4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; ²5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

²6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. ²7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. ²8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. ²9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ²10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. ²11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ²12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” ²13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

²“Glory to God in the highest,

on earth peace, good will toward men.”

²15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ²16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. ²17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. ²18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. ²19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. ²20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

²21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

²22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord ²23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), ²24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

²25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, ²28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

² “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

²for my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

² a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

²33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, ²34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. ²35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

²36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, ²37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. ²38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

²39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. ²40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. ²41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

²42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, ²43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, ²44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. ²45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. ²46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. ²47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ²48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

²49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ²50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. ²51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. ²52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. ²

Chapter 3

³1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ³2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. ³3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. ³4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

‘Make ready the way of the Lord.

Make his paths straight.

³Every valley will be filled.

Every mountain and hill will be brought low.

The crooked will become straight,

and the rough ways smooth.

³All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

³7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ³8 Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! ³9 Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”

³10 The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

³11 He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

³12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

³13 He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

³14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”

He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

³15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, ³16 John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, ³17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

³18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people, ³19 but Herod the tetrarch,^[1] being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, ³20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison. ³21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, ³22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

( The ancestry of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is detailed next, starting from her father and tracing back to Adam. A similar ancestry for Joseph, Mary’s husband, is given in Matthew, beginning with Abraham and going forward to Christ. These lists are omitted here.)

Chapter 4

 ^{( . .}

( . . . ) ⁴14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. ⁴15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

⁴16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. ⁴17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,

to proclaim release to the captives,

recovering of sight to the blind,

to deliver those who are crushed,

and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

⁴20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. ⁴21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

⁴22 All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

⁴23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’” ⁴24 He said, “Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.  ⁴25  But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.  ⁴26  Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.  ⁴27  There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”

⁴28 They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things. ⁴29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff. ⁴30 But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way.

⁴31 He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, ⁴32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. ⁴33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ⁴34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”

⁴35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”  When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

⁴36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” ⁴37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.

⁴38 He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her. ⁴39 He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them. ⁴40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. ⁴41 Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

⁴42 When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them. ⁴43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.” ⁴44 He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. ⁴

Chapter 5

⁵1 Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. ⁵2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. ⁵3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. ⁵4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” ⁵6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁵7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. ⁵8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” ⁵9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; ⁵10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”

⁵11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him. ⁵12 While he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

⁵13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.”

Immediately the leprosy left him. ⁵14 He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” ⁵15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. ⁵16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

⁵17 On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them. ⁵18 Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. ⁵19 Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the middle before Jesus. ⁵20 Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

⁵21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

⁵22 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?  ⁵23 Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’  ⁵24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), “I tell you, arise, take up your cot, and go to your house.”

⁵25 Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God. ⁵26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

⁵27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”

⁵28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him. ⁵29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them. ⁵30 Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” ⁵31 Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.  ⁵32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 

⁵33 They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”

⁵34 He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?  ⁵35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.” ⁵36 He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.  ⁵37 No one puts new wine into old wine skins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.  ⁵38 But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.  ⁵39  No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

Chapter 6

⁶1 Now on the second Sabbath after the first, he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate, rubbing them in their hands. ⁶2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”

⁶3 Jesus, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;  ⁶4 how he entered into God’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?” ⁶5 He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

⁶6 It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered. ⁶7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him. ⁶8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood. ⁶9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” ⁶10 He looked around at them all, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other. ⁶11 But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.

⁶12 In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. ⁶13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: ⁶14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; ⁶15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot; ⁶16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor. ⁶17 He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; ⁶18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed. ⁶19 All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out of him and healed them all.

⁶20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said,^[2]

“Blessed are you who are poor,

God’s Kingdom is yours.

Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich!

For you have received your consolation.

Woe to you, you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will mourn and weep.

Woe, when men speak well of you,

for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

⁶27 “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.  ⁶29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.  ⁶30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

⁶31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.  ⁶32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  ⁶33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  ⁶34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.  ⁶35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

“Therefore be merciful,

even as your Father is also merciful.

Don’t judge,

and you won’t be judged.

Don’t condemn,

and you won’t be condemned.

Set free,

and you will be set free.

⁶38 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

⁶39 He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?  ⁶40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.  ⁶41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?  ⁶42 Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.  ⁶43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.  ⁶44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  ⁶45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

⁶46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?  ⁶47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.  ⁶48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.  ⁶49  But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Chapter 7

⁷1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. ⁷2 A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. ⁷3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. ⁷4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, ⁷5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” ⁷6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. ⁷7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁷8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁷9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” ⁷10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

⁷11 Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. ⁷12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. ⁷13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” ⁷14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” ⁷15 He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

⁷16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” ⁷17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

⁷18 The disciples of John told him about all these things. ⁷19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” ⁷20 When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”

⁷21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. ⁷22 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  ⁷23 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

⁷24 When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  ⁷25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.  ⁷26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.  ⁷27 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

⁷28 “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”

⁷29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. ⁷30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

⁷31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?  ⁷32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’  ⁷33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’  ⁷34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’  ⁷35 Wisdom is justified by all her children.”

⁷36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. ⁷37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. ⁷38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. ⁷39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”

⁷40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” 

He said, “Teacher, say on.”

⁷41 “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  ⁷42 When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”

⁷43 Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.”

He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” ⁷44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.  ⁷45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.  ⁷46 You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  ⁷47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”  ⁷48 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁷49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁷50 He said to the woman, ⁷ “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 

Chapter 8

⁸1 Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, ⁸2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; ⁸3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions. ⁸4 When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable. ⁸5 “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.  ⁸6 Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  ⁸7 Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.  ⁸8 Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

⁸9 Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”

⁸10 He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ ⁸11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  ⁸12 Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.  ⁸13 Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.  ⁸14 That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  ⁸15 Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

⁸16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.  ⁸17 For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed; nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  ⁸18 Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”

⁸19 His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. ⁸20 Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”

⁸21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”

⁸22 Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. ⁸23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water. ⁸24 They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm. ⁸25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” ( . . . )

⁸40 When Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁸41 Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house, ⁸42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him. ⁸43 A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians and could not be healed by any ⁸44 came behind him, and touched the fringe^[3] of his cloak. Immediately the flow of her blood stopped. ⁸45 Jesus said, “Who touched me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

⁸46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.” ⁸47 When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. ⁸48 He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

⁸49 While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.”

⁸50 But Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.”

⁸51 When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother. ⁸52 All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.”

⁸53 They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead. ⁸54 But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!” ⁸55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat. ⁸56 Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done. ⁸

Chapter 9

⁹1 He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. ⁹2 He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick. ⁹3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two coats each.  ⁹4 Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.  ⁹5 As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”

⁹6 They departed and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News and healing everywhere. ⁹7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁹8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. ⁹9 Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him. ⁹10 The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done.

He took them and withdrew apart to a desert region of a city called Bethsaida. ⁹11 But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them of God’s Kingdom, and he cured those who needed healing. ⁹12 The day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place.”

⁹13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people.” ⁹14 For they were about five thousand men.

He said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ⁹15 They did so, and made them all sit down. ⁹16 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. ⁹17 They ate and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

⁹18 As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?”

⁹19 They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.”

⁹20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

⁹21 But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, ⁹22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.”

⁹23 He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  ⁹24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it.  ⁹25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?  ⁹26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.  ⁹27 But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom.” 

⁹28 About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. ⁹29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. ⁹30 Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, ⁹31 who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

⁹32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. ⁹33 As they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he said.

⁹34 While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. ⁹35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” ⁹36 When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

⁹37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. ⁹38 Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ⁹39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ⁹40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t.”

⁹41 Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

⁹42 While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁹43 They were all astonished at the majesty of God.

But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁹44 “Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.” ⁹45 But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

⁹46 An argument arose among them about which of them was the greatest. ⁹47 Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, ⁹48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”

⁹49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”

⁹50 Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”

⁹51 It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem ⁹52 and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. ⁹53 They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set toward Jerusalem. ⁹54 When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?”

⁹55 But he turned and rebuked them, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.  ⁹56 For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

They went to another village. ⁹57 As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.”

⁹58 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

⁹59 He said to another, “Follow me!”

But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

⁹60 But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.”

⁹61 Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.”

⁹62 But Jesus said to him, ⁹ “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”

Chapter 10

¹⁰1 Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. ¹⁰2 Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.  ¹⁰3 Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.  ¹⁰4 Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.  ¹⁰5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’  ¹⁰6 If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.  ¹⁰7 Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.  ¹⁰8 Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.  ¹⁰9 Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’  ¹⁰10 But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,  ¹⁰11 ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’  ¹⁰12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

¹⁰13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  ¹⁰14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.  ¹⁰15 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. ¹⁰16 Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

¹⁰17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

¹⁰18 He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.  ¹⁰19 Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.  ¹⁰20 Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

¹⁰21 In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”

¹⁰22 Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.”

¹⁰23 Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,  ¹⁰24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”

¹⁰25 Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁰26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 

¹⁰27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

¹⁰28 He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

¹⁰29 But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

¹⁰30 Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  ¹⁰31 By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  ¹⁰32 In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.  ¹⁰33 But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,  ¹⁰34 came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  ¹⁰35  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’  ¹⁰36 Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”

¹⁰37 He said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

¹⁰38 As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ¹⁰39 She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ¹⁰40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

¹⁰41 Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ¹⁰42 ⁰ but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Chapter 11

¹¹1 When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”

¹¹2 He said to them, “When you pray, say,

‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us day by day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

¹¹5 He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’ ¹¹7 and he from within will answer and say, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you’?  ¹¹8 I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.

¹¹9 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.  ¹¹10 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

¹¹11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?  ¹¹12 Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he?  ¹¹13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” ( . . . )

¹¹29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet.  ¹¹30 For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will also be to this generation.  ¹¹31 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.  ¹¹32 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.

¹¹33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light.  ¹¹34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.  ¹¹35 Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness. 36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light.”

¹¹37 Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in, and sat at the table. ¹¹38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. ¹¹39 The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.  ¹¹40 You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?  ¹¹41 But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.  ¹¹42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and God’s love. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. ( . . . )

Chapter 12

¹²1 Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  ¹²2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.  ¹²3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

¹²4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  ¹²5 But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna.^[4] Yes, I tell you, fear him.

¹²6 “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins^[5]? Not one of them is forgotten by God.  ¹²7 But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

¹²8 “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; ¹²9 but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels.  ¹²10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.  ¹²11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; ¹²12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”

¹²13 One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹²14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹²15 He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”

¹²16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly.  ¹²17 He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’  ¹²18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  ¹²19 I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’  ¹²21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

¹²22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear.  ¹²23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.  ¹²24 Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!  ¹²25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit^[6] to his height?  ¹²26 If then you aren’t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest?  ¹²27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  ¹²28 But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?  ¹²29 Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.  ¹²30 For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.  ¹²31 But seek God’s Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.  ¹²32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.  ¹²33 Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.  ¹²34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

¹²35 “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.  ¹²36 Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the wedding feast; that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.  ¹37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will dress himself, make them recline, and will come and serve them.  ¹²38 They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.  ¹²39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.  ¹²40 Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”

¹²41 Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”

¹²42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?  ¹²43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.  ¹²44 Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.  ¹²45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, ¹²46 then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.  ¹²47 That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, 48 but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked. 

¹²49 “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.  ¹²50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!  ¹²51 Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.  ¹²52 For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  ¹²53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

¹²54 He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens.  ¹²55 When a south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens.  ¹²56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time?  ¹²57 Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?  ¹²58 For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  ¹²59 I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.”

Chapter 13

¹³1 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. ¹³2 Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  ¹³3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.  ¹³4 Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem?  ¹³5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

¹³6 He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.  ¹³7 He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?’  ¹³8 He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  ¹³9 If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”

¹³10 He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. ¹³11 Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up. ¹³12 When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” ¹³13 He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.

¹³14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”

¹³15 Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water?  ¹³16 Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 

¹³17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

¹³18 He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?  ¹³19 It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his own garden. It grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky live in its branches.”

¹³20 Again he said, “To what shall I compare God’s Kingdom?  ¹³21 It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures ^[7] of flour, until it was all leavened.”

¹³22 He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. ¹³23 One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”

He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.  ¹³25 When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’  ¹³26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’  ¹³27 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’  ¹³28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside.  ¹³29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.  ¹³30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

¹³31 On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here, and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”

¹³32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission.  ¹³33 Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.’

¹³34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!  ¹³35  Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Chapter 14

¹⁴1 When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him. ¹⁴2 Behold, a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him. ¹⁴3 Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

¹⁴4 But they were silent.

He took him, and healed him, and let him go. ¹⁴5 He answered them, “Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”

¹⁴6 They couldn’t answer him regarding these things.

¹⁴7 He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, ¹⁴8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,  ¹⁴9 and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place.  ¹⁴10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.  ¹⁴11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back.  13 But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; 14 and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”   ( . . . )

Chapter 15

¹⁵1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. ¹⁵2 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

¹⁵3 He told them this parable. ¹⁵4 “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?  ¹⁵5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  ¹⁵6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’  ¹⁵7 I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.  ¹⁵8 Or what woman, if she had ten drachma^[8] coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?  ¹⁵9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’  ¹⁵10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

¹⁵11 He said, “A certain man had two sons.  ¹⁵12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.  ¹⁵13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.  ¹⁵14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.  ¹⁵15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.  ¹⁵16 He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.  ¹⁵17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!  ¹⁵18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.  ¹⁵19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’

¹⁵20 “He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  ¹⁵21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

¹⁵22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.  ¹⁵23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate;  ¹⁵24 for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

¹⁵25 “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  ¹⁵26 He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.  ¹⁵27 He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’  ¹⁵28 But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.  ¹⁵29 But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.  ¹⁵30 But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

¹⁵31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  ¹⁵32  ¹ But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”

Chapter 16

¹⁶1 He also said to his disciples, ( . . . ) ¹⁶19  “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.  20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores,  ¹⁶21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.  ¹⁶22 The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. ⁶23 In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.  ¹⁶24 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 in anguish in this flame.’

¹⁶25 “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted, and you are in anguish.  ¹⁶26 Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’

¹⁶27 “He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house;  ¹⁶28  for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’

¹⁶29 “But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’

¹⁶30 “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

¹⁶31 ¹⁶ “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”

Chapter 17

¹⁷1 He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come!  ¹⁷2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.  ¹⁷3 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.  ¹⁷4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

¹⁷5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

¹⁷6 The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.  ¹⁷7 But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table,’ ¹⁷8 and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’?  ¹⁷9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not.  ¹⁷10 Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’” 

¹⁷11 As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. ¹⁷12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. ¹⁷13 They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

¹⁷14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁷15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. ¹⁷16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷17 Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  ¹⁷18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” ¹⁷19 Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”  

( . . . )

Chapter 18

¹⁸1 He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, ¹⁸2 saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.  ¹⁸3 A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’  ¹⁸4 He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,  ¹⁸5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”

¹⁸6 The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.  ¹⁸7 Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?  ¹⁸8 I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. ¹⁸10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.  ¹⁸11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  ¹⁸12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’  ¹⁸13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  ¹⁸14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

¹⁸15 They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁸16 Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.  ¹⁸17 Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

¹⁸18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.  ¹⁸20 You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”

¹⁸21 He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”

¹⁸22 When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

¹⁸23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.

¹⁸24 Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!  ¹⁸25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

¹⁸26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

¹⁸27 But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

¹⁸28 Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

¹⁸29 He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake, ⁸30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

¹⁸31 He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.  ¹⁸32 For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.  ¹⁸33 They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”

¹⁸34 They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said. ¹⁸35 As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging. ¹⁸36 Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. ¹⁸37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ¹⁸38 He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” ¹⁸39 Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

¹⁸40 Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, ¹⁸41 “What do you want me to do?”

He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”

¹⁸42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 

¹⁸43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God. ¹⁸

Chapter 19

¹⁹1 He entered and was passing through Jericho. ¹⁹2 There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ¹⁹3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. ¹⁹4 He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. ¹⁹5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  ¹⁹6 He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. ¹⁹7 When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”

¹⁹8 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”

¹⁹9 Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.  ¹⁹10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”  ( . . . )

¹⁹29 When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, ¹⁹30 saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, which no man had ever sat upon. Untie it and bring it.  ¹⁹31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’”

¹⁹32 Those who were sent went away, and found things just as he had told them. ¹⁹33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ¹⁹34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” ¹⁹35 Then they brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt, and sat Jesus on them. ¹⁹36 As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. ¹⁹37 As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, ¹⁹38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”

¹⁹39 Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

¹⁹40 He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.”

¹⁹41 When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, ¹⁹42 saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes.  ¹⁹43 For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, ¹⁹44 and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”

¹⁹45 He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, ¹⁹46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!”

¹⁹47 He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him. ¹⁹48 They couldn’t find what they might do, for all the people hung on to every word that he said. ¹⁹

Chapter 20

²⁰1 On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. ²⁰2 They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”

²⁰3 He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:  ²⁰4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”

²⁰5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁰6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” ²⁰7 They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.

²⁰8 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

²⁰9 He began to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time.  ²⁰10 At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.  ²⁰11 He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.  ²⁰12 He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him, and threw him out.  ²⁰13 The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’

²⁰14 “But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’  ²⁰15 They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?  ²⁰16 He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.”

When they heard that, they said, “May that never be!”

²⁰17 But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written,

‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone’?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”

²⁰19 The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. ²⁰20 They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. ²⁰21 They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. ²⁰22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

²⁰23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me?  ²⁰24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” 

They answered, “Caesar’s.”

²⁰25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

²⁰26 They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer and were silent. ²⁰27 Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection. ²⁰28 They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife and raise up children for his brother. ²⁰29 There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. ²⁰30 The second took her as wife, and he died childless. ²⁰31 The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died. ²⁰32 Afterward the woman also died. ²⁰33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”

²⁰34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.  ²⁰36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.  ²⁰37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ²⁰38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”

²⁰39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.” ²⁰40 They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.

²⁰41 He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?  ²⁰42 David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’ “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

²⁰45 In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples, ²⁰46 “Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 47²⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”

Chapter 21

²¹1 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. ²¹2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.^{[9] 21}3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, 4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”

²¹5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, ²¹6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”

²¹7 They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?” [10]

²¹8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them.  ²¹9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”

²¹10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  ²¹11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.  ²¹12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.  ²¹13 It will turn out as a testimony for you.  ²¹14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ²¹15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.  ²¹16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.  ²¹17 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake.  ²¹18 And not a hair of your head will perish.

²¹19 “By your endurance you will win your lives.

²¹20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.  ²¹21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.  ²¹22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  ²¹23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.   ²¹24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. [11]

( . . . )

²¹29 He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees. ²¹30 When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.  ²¹31 Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.  ²¹32 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.  ²¹33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

²¹34 “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.  ²¹35 For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.  ²¹36 Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

²¹37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. ²¹38 All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him. ²¹

Chapter 22

²²1 Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. ²²2 The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people. ²²3 Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. ²²4 He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. ²²5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money. ²²6 He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude. ²²7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. ²²8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

²²9 They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

²²10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.  ²²11 Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’  ²²12 He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

²²13 They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ²²14 When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. ²²15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,  ²²16  for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” ²²17 He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves,  ²²18  for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

²²19 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²²20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant[12] in my blood, which is poured out for you.  ²²21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.  ²²22 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

²²23 They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. ²²24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²²25 He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’  ²²26 But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.  ²²27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.  ²²28 But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.  ²²29 I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

²²31 The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, 32 but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”^[13]

²²33 He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

²²34 He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

²²35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, wallet, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

They said, “Nothing.”

²²36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.  ²²37 For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”

²²38 They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.”

He said to them, “That is enough.”

²²39 He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. ²²40 When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”

²²41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, ²²42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

²²43 An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. ²²44 Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

²²45 When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, ²²46 and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

²²47 While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. ²²48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

²²49 When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” ²²50 A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

²²51 But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him. ²²52 Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  ²²53 When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 

²²54 They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance. ²²55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them. ²²56 A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

²²57 He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”

²²58 After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!”

But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

²²59 After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”

²²60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ²²61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” ²²62 He went out, and wept bitterly.

²²63 The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him. ²²64 Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” ²²65 They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

²²66 As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying, ²²67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.”

But he said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe, ²²68 and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.  ²²69 From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

²²70 They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?”

He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”

²²71 They said, “Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!” ²²

Chapter 23

²³1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. ²³2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

²³3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “So you say.”

²³4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

²³5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.” ²³6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ²³7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

²³8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. ²³9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. ²³10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. ²³11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. ²³12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.

²³13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ²³14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. ²³15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. ²³16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

²³17 Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. ²³18 But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”— ²³19 one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

²³20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, ²³21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²³22 He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” ²³23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed. ²³24 Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. ²³25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

²³26 When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus. ²³27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. ²³28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  ²³29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’  ²³30 Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

²³32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. ²³33 When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

²³34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. ²³35 The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”

²³36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, ²³37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

²³38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

²³39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”

²³40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ²³41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ²³42 He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

²³43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

²³44 It was now about the sixth hour,^[14] and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.^{[15] 23}45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ²³46 Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.

²³47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” ²³48 All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts. ²³49 All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.

²³50 Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man ²³51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom: ²³52 this man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. ²³53 He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. ²³54 It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. ²³55 The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. ²³56 They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. ²³

Chapter 24

²⁴1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. ²⁴2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ²⁴3 They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. ²⁴4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. ²⁴5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.

They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ²⁴6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, ²⁴7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”

²⁴8 They remembered his words, ²⁴9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. ²⁴10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. ²⁴11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them. ²⁴12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.

²⁴13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia^[16] from Jerusalem. ²⁴14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. ²⁴15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. ²⁴16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ²⁴17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”

²⁴18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”

²⁴19 He said to them, “What things?”

They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; ²⁴20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²⁴21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²⁴22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; ²⁴23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴24 Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

²⁴25 He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  ²⁴26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” ²⁴27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁴28 They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.

²⁴29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”

He went in to stay with them. ²⁴30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. ²⁴31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, then he vanished out of their sight. ²⁴32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” ²⁴33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, ²⁴34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ²⁴35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

²⁴36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

²⁴37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

²⁴38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?  ²⁴39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” ²⁴40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ²⁴41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

²⁴42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. ²⁴43 He took them, and ate in front of them. ²⁴44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

²⁴45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. ²⁴46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  ²⁴48 You are witnesses of these things.  ²⁴49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”  [17]

²⁴50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. ²⁴51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven. ²⁴52 They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ²⁴53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

The Acts of the Apostles

 (The Acts of the Apostles, which is usually called just Acts, was written by Luke, who also wrote the Gospel bearing his name. Acts describes important events of the early church, beginning right after Christ returned to heaven. We include much of Acts here because this transitional material is so useful in understanding how Christianity formed as a faith distinct from Judaism but based on Judaism.)

Chapter 1

¹1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, ¹2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ¹3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. ¹4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.  ¹5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

¹6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

¹7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.  ¹8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

¹9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, ¹11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

¹12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

¹15 In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, ¹16 “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. ¹17 For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. ¹18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. ¹19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ ¹20 For it is written in the book of Psalms,

‘Let his habitation be made desolate.

Let no one dwell in it;

and,

‘Let another take his office.’

¹21 “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ¹22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

¹23 They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ¹24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen ¹25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” ¹26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles. ¹

Chapter 2

²1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ²3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. ²4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. ²5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. ²6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. ²7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? ²8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? ²9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, ²10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ²11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” ²12 They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ²13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”

²14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. ²15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.^{[18] 2}16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.

Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.

Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.

The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

²22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know, ²23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; ²24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. ²25 For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;

because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.

You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

²29 “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ²30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ²31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades,^[19] and his flesh didn’t see decay. ²32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. ²33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear. ²34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

²36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

²37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

²38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ²39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” ²40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

²41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. ²42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. ²43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ²44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. ²45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. ²46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, ²47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved. ²

Chapter 3

³1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.^{[20] 3}2 A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. ³3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. ³4 Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” ³5 He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them. ³6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” ³7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. ³8 Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. ³9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. ³10 They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. ³11 As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

³12 When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? ³13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. ³14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ³15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. ³16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

³17 “Now, brothers,^[21] I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ³18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.

³19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, ³20 and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, ³21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. ³22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you. ³23 It will be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ ³24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. ³25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.’ ³26 God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.” ³

Chapter 4

⁴1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, ⁴2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ⁴3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. ⁴4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

⁴5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. ⁴6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. ⁴7 When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

⁴8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, ⁴9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ⁴10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. ⁴11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ ⁴12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

⁴13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. ⁴14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ⁴15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ⁴16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it. ⁴17 But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.” ⁴18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

⁴19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, ⁴20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

⁴21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. ⁴22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

⁴23 Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ⁴24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; ⁴25 who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,

‘Why do the nations rage,

and the peoples plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take a stand,

and the rulers take council together,

against the Lord,

and against his Christ.’

⁴27 “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, ⁴28 to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. ⁴29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, ⁴30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

⁴31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ⁴32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ⁴33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. ⁴34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, ⁴35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. ⁴36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, ⁴37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ⁴

Chapter 5

⁵1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, ⁵2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ⁵3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁵4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”

⁵5 Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. ⁵6 The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. ⁵7 About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. ⁵8 Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

⁵9 But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

⁵10 She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. ⁵11 Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. ⁵12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ⁵13 None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. ⁵14 More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. ⁵15 They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. ⁵16 The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

⁵17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy ⁵18 and laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody. ⁵19 But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said, ⁵20 “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

⁵21 When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ⁵22 But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, ⁵23 “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

⁵24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this. ⁵25 One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” ⁵26 Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

⁵27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, ⁵28 saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

⁵29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. ⁵30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. ⁵31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. ⁵32 We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

⁵33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them. ⁵34 But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. ⁵35 He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. ⁵36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. ⁵37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. ⁵38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. ⁵39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

⁵40 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁵41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.

⁵42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ. ⁵

Chapter 6

⁶1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists^[22] against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. ⁶2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. ⁶3 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁶4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁶5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; ⁶6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. ⁶7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁶8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. ⁶9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. ⁶10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ⁶11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ⁶12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council, ⁶13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. ⁶14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” ⁶15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel. ⁶

Chapter 7

⁷1 The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

⁷2 He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, ⁷3 and said to him, ‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’ ⁷4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living. ⁷5 He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child. ⁷6 God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. ⁷7 ‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out, and serve me in this place.’ ⁷8 He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

⁷9 “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him, ⁷10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ⁷11 Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food. ⁷12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. ⁷13 On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh. ⁷14 Joseph sent and summoned Jacob, his father, and all his relatives, seventy-five souls. ⁷15 Jacob went down into Egypt and he died, himself and our fathers, ⁷16 and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.

⁷17 “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, ⁷18 until there arose a different king, who didn’t know Joseph. ⁷19 The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive. ⁷20 At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house. ⁷21 When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son. ⁷22 Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. ⁷23 But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers,^[23] the children of Israel. ⁷24 Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian. ⁷25 He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.

⁷26 “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’ ⁷27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? ⁷28 Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ ⁷29 Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

⁷30 “When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. ⁷31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him, ⁷32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look. ⁷33 The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground. ⁷34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’

⁷35 “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. ⁷36 This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. ⁷37 This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’ ⁷38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us, ⁷39 to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, ⁷40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’ ⁷41 They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. ⁷42 But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky,^[24] as it is written in the book of the prophets,

‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship.

I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’

⁷44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen; ⁷45 which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David, ⁷46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. ⁷47 But Solomon built him a house. ⁷48 However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,

‘heaven is my throne,

and the earth a footstool for my feet.

What kind of house will you build me?’

says the Lord.

‘Or what is the place of my rest?

Didn’t my hand make all these things?’

⁷51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. ⁷52 Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. ⁷53 You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”

⁷54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁷55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁷56 and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

⁷57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord. ⁷58 They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁷59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁷60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep. ⁷

Chapter 8

⁸1 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. ⁸2 Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him. ⁸3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. ⁸4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. ⁸5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. ⁸6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did. ⁸7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸8 There was great joy in that city.

⁸9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, ⁸10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” ⁸11 They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. ⁸12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ⁸13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.

⁸14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ⁸15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; ⁸16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. ⁸17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ⁸18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, ⁸19 saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” ⁸20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! ⁸21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. ⁸22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ⁸23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”

⁸24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”

⁸25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans. ⁸26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”

⁸27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. ⁸28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

⁸29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”

⁸30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

⁸31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. ⁸32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.

In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”

⁸34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”

⁸35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. ⁸36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”

⁸38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

⁸39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. ⁸40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea. ⁸

Chapter 9

⁹1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ⁹2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ⁹3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. ⁹4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁹5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”

The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁹6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”

⁹7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. ⁹8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. ⁹9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

⁹10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”

⁹11 The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, ⁹12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

⁹13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. ⁹14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

⁹15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.  ⁹16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

⁹17 Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ⁹18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. ⁹19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. ⁹20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. ⁹21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”

⁹22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. ⁹23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, ⁹24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, ⁹25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. ⁹26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. ⁹27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. ⁹28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem, ⁹29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists,^[25] but they were seeking to kill him. ⁹30 When the brothers^[26] knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. ⁹31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

⁹32 As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ⁹33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. ⁹34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose. ⁹35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

⁹36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas.^[27] This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. ⁹37 In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ⁹38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ⁹39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁹40 Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁹41 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁹42 This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁹43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. ⁹

Chapter 10

¹⁰1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ¹⁰2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. ¹⁰3 At about the ninth hour of the day,^[28] he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

¹⁰4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”

He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. ¹⁰5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter. ¹⁰6 He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.

¹⁰7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. ¹⁰8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. ¹⁰9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. ¹⁰10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. ¹⁰11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, ¹⁰12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. ¹⁰13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”

¹⁰14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

¹⁰15 A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.” ¹⁰16 This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. ¹⁰17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, ¹⁰18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. ¹⁰19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you. ¹⁰20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

¹⁰21 Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”

¹⁰22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.” ¹⁰23 So he called them in and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ¹⁰24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. ¹⁰25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” ¹⁰27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. ¹⁰28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean. ¹⁰29 Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”

¹⁰30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour,^[29] I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ¹⁰31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. ¹⁰32 Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ¹⁰33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”

¹⁰34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; ¹⁰35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. ¹⁰36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— ¹⁰37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ¹⁰38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ¹⁰39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. ¹⁰40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, ¹⁰41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ¹⁰42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. ¹⁰43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

¹⁰44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. ¹⁰45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. ¹⁰46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.

Then Peter answered, ¹⁰47 “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” ¹⁰48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days. ¹⁰

Chapter 11

¹¹1 Now the apostles and the brothers^[30] who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. ¹¹2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, ¹¹3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

¹¹4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, ¹¹5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me. ¹¹6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. ¹¹7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’  ¹¹8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ ¹¹9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’ ¹¹10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. ¹¹12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house. ¹¹13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, ¹¹14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ ¹¹15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. ¹¹16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ ¹¹17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”

¹¹18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

¹¹19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. ¹¹20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists,^[31] preaching the Lord Jesus. ¹¹21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. ¹¹22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, ¹¹23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. ¹¹24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

¹¹25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. ¹¹26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

¹¹27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ¹¹28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. ¹¹29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea; ¹¹30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. ¹¹

Chapter 12

¹²1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. ¹²2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. ¹²3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. ¹²4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. ¹²5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him. ¹²6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

¹²7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off his hands. ¹²8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” ¹²9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. ¹²10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

¹²11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.” ¹²12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹²13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹²14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

¹²15 They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” ¹²16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. ¹²17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

¹²18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. ¹²19 When Herod had sought for him, and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, then commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. ¹²20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. ¹²21 On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them. ¹²22 The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” ¹²23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory. Then he was eaten by worms and died.

¹²24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. ¹²25 Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.

Chapter 13

¹³1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ¹³2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”

¹³3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. ¹³4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. ¹³5 When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their attendant. ¹³6 When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus, ¹³7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. ¹³8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ¹³9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, ¹³10 and said, “You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹³11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!”

Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. ¹³12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

¹³13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. ¹³14 But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. ¹³15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”

¹³16 Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. ¹³17 The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it. ¹³18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. ¹³19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance for about four hundred fifty years. ¹³20 After these things, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. ¹³21 Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. ¹³22 When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ ¹³23 From this man’s offspring, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise, ¹³24 before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel. ¹³25 As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ ¹³26 Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you. ¹³27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. ¹³28 Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed. ¹³29 When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. ¹³30 But God raised him from the dead, ¹³31 and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. ¹³32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, ¹³33 that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm,

‘You are my Son.

Today I have become your father.’

¹³34 “Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ¹³35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’ ¹³36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay. ¹³37 But he whom God raised up saw no decay. ¹³38 Be it known to you therefore, brothers,^[32] that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins, ¹³39 and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. ¹³40 Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:

“’Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish;

for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’”

¹³42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. ¹³43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. ¹³44 The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. ¹³45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

¹³46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ¹³47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying,

‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles,

that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

¹³48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. ¹³49 The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. ¹³50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. ¹³51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. ¹³52 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. ¹³

Chapter 14

¹⁴1 In Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. ¹⁴2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. ¹⁴3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ¹⁴4 But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ¹⁴5 When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them, ¹⁴6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region. ¹⁴7 There they preached the Good News.

¹⁴8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. ¹⁴9 He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, ¹⁴10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked. ¹⁴11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” ¹⁴12 They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker. ¹⁴13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes. ¹⁴14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out, ¹⁴15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; ¹⁴16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁴17 Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

¹⁴18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them. ¹⁴19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

¹⁴20 But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe. ¹⁴21 When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ¹⁴22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom. ¹⁴23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

¹⁴24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. ¹⁴25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. ¹⁴26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. ¹⁴27 When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. ¹⁴28 They stayed there with the disciples for a long time. ¹⁴

Chapter 15

¹⁵1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers,^[33] “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” ¹⁵2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. ¹⁵3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. ¹⁵4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.

¹⁵5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

¹⁵6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. ¹⁵7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe. ¹⁵8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. ¹⁵9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ¹⁵10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹⁵11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

¹⁵12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them. ¹⁵13 After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁵14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

‘After these things I will return.

I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen.

I will again build its ruins.

I will set it up that the rest of men may seek after the Lord;

all the Gentiles who are called by my name,

says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁵18 “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity. ¹⁵19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, ¹⁵20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. ¹⁵21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

¹⁵22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. ^{[34] 15}23 They wrote these things by their hand:

“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. ¹⁵24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; ¹⁵25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ¹⁵26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. ¹⁵28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: ¹⁵29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

¹⁵30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. ¹⁵31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. ¹⁵32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. ¹⁵33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. ¹⁵34  ^{[35] 15}35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

¹⁵36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” ¹⁵37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. ¹⁵38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. ¹⁵39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ¹⁵40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. ¹⁵41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies. ¹⁵

(The major events of Acts, including the coming of the Holy Spirit and the main issues regarding the law were addressed by this point in Acts. The remainder of Acts mostly details more of Paul’s preaching of the gospel in various cities, and his resulting trials and hearings by Jewish authorities. Eventually Paul is sent to Rome because he was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal his case to Roman officials. Paul was allowed to teach, preach, and write under the watch of soldiers.)

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

(Now we present one of Paul’s letters, or epistles, to the new churches in Asia Minor, namely Ephesus. In most of his epistles Paul emphasizes basic Christianity: that we are saved by God’s grace, through belief in Christ’s sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, not because we have earned salvation by our works. Yet, good works should still flow from every Christian’s life due to their joy in having received salvation and their desire to show God’s love to others. This point will be re-emphasized in the Letter from James, which follows this Letter to the Ephesians.)

Chapter 1

¹1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: ¹2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ¹4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, ¹5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, ¹6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, ¹7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ¹8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ¹9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him ¹10 to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him. ¹11 We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will, ¹12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. ¹13 In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

¹15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, ¹16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, ¹17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might ¹20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, ¹21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. ¹22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, ¹23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. ¹

Chapter 2

²1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, ²2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. ²3 We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. ²4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, ²5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ²6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ²7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; ²8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ²9 not of works, that no one would boast. ²10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

²11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands), ²12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ²13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. ²14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, ²15 having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, ²16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it. ²17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. ²18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ²19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, ²20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; ²21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ²

Chapter 3

³1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, ³2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you, ³3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, ³4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ, ³5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit, ³6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, ³7 of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. ³8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ³9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, ³10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, ³11 according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³12 In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. ³13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

³14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ³15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ³16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, ³17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ³18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, ³19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

³20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ³21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ³

Chapter 4

⁴1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, ⁴2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ⁴3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴4 There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, ⁴5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁴6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in us all. ⁴7 But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁴8 Therefore he says,

“When he ascended on high,

he led captivity captive,

and gave gifts to people.”

Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

⁴11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; ⁴12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, ⁴13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ⁴14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; ⁴15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, ⁴16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

⁴17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, ⁴18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. ⁴19 They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ⁴20 But you didn’t learn Christ that way, ⁴21 if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: ⁴22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, ⁴23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ⁴24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

⁴25 Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another. ⁴26 “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, ⁴27 and don’t give place to the devil. ⁴28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. ⁴29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. ⁴30 Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ⁴31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. ⁴32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. ⁴

Chapter 5

⁵1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. ⁵2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

⁵3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; ⁵4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.

⁵5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

⁵6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. ⁵7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them. ⁵8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, ⁵9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, ⁵10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. ⁵11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them. ⁵12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ⁵13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light. ⁵14 Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

⁵15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, ⁵16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ⁵17 Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ⁵18 Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, ⁵19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ⁵20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; ⁵21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

⁵22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ⁵23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. ⁵24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

⁵25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; ⁵26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, ⁵27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect. ⁵28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. ⁵29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; ⁵30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. ⁵31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” ⁵32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. ⁵33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband. ⁵

Chapter 6

⁶1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ⁶2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: ⁶3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”

⁶4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

⁶5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, ⁶6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁶7 with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁶8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

⁶9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

⁶10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. ⁶11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ⁶12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ⁶13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ⁶14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ⁶15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, ⁶16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ⁶17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word^[36] of God; ⁶18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: ⁶19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, ⁶20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

⁶21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things. ⁶22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.

⁶23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁶24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

The Letter from James

(In his epistles like Romans and Ephesians, Paul emphasizes that we are saved by faith, not works. Some early believers took excessive liberty from that fact, not understanding that a saving faith in Christ should change a person, and right behavior and good works should flow from that new spiritual relationship between Christ. James’ purpose in this short epistle seems to be to counteract that excessive liberty with a realistic view of what God expects of a person who has received His eternal saving grace. Note that an exact attribution as to which “James” wrote this book is impossible, but he may have been the James who was a leader of the church in Jerusalem.)

Chapter 1

¹1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings.

¹2 Count it all joy, my brothers,^[37] when you fall into various temptations, ¹3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ¹4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

¹5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ¹6 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. ¹7 For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord. ¹8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

¹9 But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; ¹10 and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. ¹11 For the sun arises with the scorching wind and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man will also fade away in his pursuits.

¹12 Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.

¹13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. ¹15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death. ¹16 Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. ¹18 Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

¹19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; ¹20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. ¹21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.^{[38] 1}22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. ¹23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; ¹24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ¹25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

¹26 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. ¹27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. ¹

Chapter 2

²1 My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. ²2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in, ²3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool” ²4 haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ²5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? ²6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts? ²7 Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? ²8 However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. ²9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. ²10 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. ²11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ²12 So speak and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom. ²13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

²14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? ²15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, ²16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? ²17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. ²18 Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

²19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder. ²20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? ²21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? ²22 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected. ²23 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. ²24 You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. ²25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. ²

Chapter 3

³1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. ³2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. ³3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. ³4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. ³5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! ³6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.^{[39] 3}7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; ³8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ³9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. ³10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ³11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? ³12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

³13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. ³14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. ³15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. ³16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. ³17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ³18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ³

Chapter 4

⁴1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? ⁴2 You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. ⁴3 You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁴5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”? ⁴6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁴7 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁴8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁴9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. ⁴10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

⁴11 Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. ⁴12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

⁴13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” ⁴14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. ⁴15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” ⁴16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. ⁴17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin. ⁴

Chapter 5

⁵1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. ⁵2 Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. ⁵3 Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. ⁵4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies. ⁵5 You have lived in luxury on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁵6 You have condemned and you have murdered the righteous one. He doesn’t resist you.

⁵7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. ⁵8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

⁵9 Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door. ⁵10 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ⁵11 Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

⁵12 But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear— not by heaven, or by the earth, or by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”, so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy.

⁵13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. ⁵14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, ⁵15 and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ⁵16 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. ⁵17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months. ⁵18 He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

⁵19 Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, ⁵20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

The Revelation to John

(The last book of the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles is always Revelation, which is sometimes titled The Revelation to John, or The Revelation of St. John the Divine. “Revelation” means the revealing of Christ and especially Christ’s role in end-times events. There is some disagreement as to whether this John was actually John the Apostle, who wrote the fourth Gospel, or one of several other prominent first century Christians named John.  Roman authorities had banished this John to the Isle of Patmos, expecting to be rid of him. Instead, he wrote this unique and important book on the future of the church and the earth itself. Revelation begins with an introductory chapter about the vision John had received.)

Chapter 1

¹1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel^[40] to his servant, John, ¹2 who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.

¹3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

¹4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; ¹5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood— ¹6 and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.

¹8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

¹9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ¹10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet ¹11 saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

¹12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. ¹13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man[41], clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. ¹15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. ¹16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. ¹17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.

He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.^{[42] 1}19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter. ¹20¹ The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels^[43] of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.

Chapter 2 - 18

(Chapters 2 & 3 contain letters to seven major first-century churches in Asia Minor. These are practical letters that give warnings and encouragement that apply not just to first century churches but even to modern churches. Then Chapters 4 & 5 describe a scene of worship in heaven, using almost entirely symbols. Then there is a long section consisting of Chapter 6 through Chapter 18 which details many judgements on evil people and evil powers on the earth. Since the interpretation of this material is still controversial after centuries of debate we leave all this material for your later reading. Instead we focus on events in the last few chapters of Revelation beginning with Christ’s Second Coming. We Christians should take this prophesied event to be a great comfort as to our ultimate future. Even in these clearer last four of Revelation almost all the descriptions John gives of heavenly things he sees are described in symbols rather than plain words. The Lamb refers to Christ. Christ’s “wife” or “bride” is understood to be the world-wide church of all believers. Their wedding is therefore evidently when Christ returns to gather all believers and begin the process of final judgement of everyone in the world. White garments refer to purity. The two-edged sword in Christ’s mouth refers to God’s message to all people, etc. Even with all the symbolism the general message of Christ’s triumphant return -- starting in verse 11 -- and the binding of Satan comes through, as does some understanding of the coming eternal glory for all who make up Christ’s bride.)

Chapter 19

( . . . )

^{( . .19}6 I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! ¹⁹7 Let’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let’s give the glory to him. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. ¹⁹8 It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

¹⁹9 He said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are true words of God.”

¹⁹10 I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”

¹⁹11 I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. ¹⁹12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. ¹⁹13 He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” ¹⁹14 The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. ¹⁹15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. ¹⁹16 He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

¹⁹17 I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, “Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, ¹⁹18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, small and great.” ¹⁹19 I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army. ¹⁹20 The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. ¹⁹21 The rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came out of his mouth. All the birds were filled with their flesh. ¹⁹

Chapter 20

²⁰1 I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ²⁰2 He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years, ²⁰3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time. ²⁰4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ²⁰5 The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ²⁰6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.

²⁰7 And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, ²⁰8 and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. ²⁰9 They went up over the width of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God and devoured them. ²⁰10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

²⁰11 I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. ²⁰12 I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. ²⁰13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades^[44] gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. ²⁰14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. ²⁰15 If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. ²⁰

Chapter 21

²¹1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. ²¹2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. ²¹3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. ²¹4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”

²¹5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”  ²¹6 He said to me, “I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.  ²¹7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.  ²¹8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,^[45] idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

²¹9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb’s bride.” ²¹10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, ²¹11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal; ²¹12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. ²¹13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. ²¹14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. ²¹15 He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. ²¹16 The city is square, and its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand twelve stadia.^[46] Its length, width, and height are equal. ²¹17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits,^[47] by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. ²¹18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. ²¹19 The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire;^[48] the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; ²¹20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. ²¹21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. ²¹22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. ²¹23 The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²¹24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. ²¹25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), ²¹26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. ²¹27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. ²¹

Chapter 22

²²1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, ²²2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ²²3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. ²²4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ²²5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

²²6 He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”

²²7 “Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

²²8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. ²²9 He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ²²10 He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ²²11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.”

²²12 “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. ²²13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ²²14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. ²²15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. ²²16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

²²17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. ²²18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. ²²19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.[49] ²²20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” 

Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

²²21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.

Going On with Christ

Congratulations on having read such a substantial portion of the New Testament! If you have not yet made the decision to follow Christ, this would be a great time to take that step. There is no one correct way to say a prayer to God asking to be saved. But here is a good one which is widely quoted:

“Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever imagined, but, through you, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment, and offering forgiveness. I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior. Amen.”

And, here is one suggested by the late Dr. Billy Graham:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.

Regarding further studying the Bible, where should you go from here? Well, anyplace in the whole Bible! But it is good to have a little guidance. The 66 books which are common to the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles are laid out, on purpose, in eight logical groups, each group being placed together:

Old Testament:

      History: Genesis to Esther

      Poetry and Praise: Job to Song of Solomon

      Major Prophets: Isaiah to Daniel

      Minor Prophets: Hosea to Malachi

New Testament:

      Gospels: Matthew to John

      Acts

      Epistles: Romans to Jude

      Revelation

So there are eight general categories to read and study, with four categories per testament. Many believers like to be simultaneously reading a chosen book of the Old Testament and a chosen book of the New Testament, so neither gets neglected.

There are many persons, organizations, books, videos, and websites that attempt to help new Christians. A review of these is beyond the scope of this book. Many may not be helpful. Beware. But here are just a few that might be of interest to new believers:

1. A small inexpensive book with a very short overview of each of the 66 books of the Bible is Know Your Bible, by VALUEBOOKS, © 2008 by Barbour Books.

2. A much more extensive book delving into many aspects of the Christian life is: BELIEVE (Student Edition), Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus, by Randy Frazee, © 2015 by Zondervan.

3. A widely read book which focuses on your personal relationship with God and is (quoting from the cover of the book) “for everyone who wants to know their purpose and fulfill their destiny”: The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren, © 2002, published by Zondervan.

4. If different interpretations of the Genesis creation account concern you (that is, whether the earth is thousands of years old or billions of years old) please see this author’s Amazon Kindle book on this subject: It Is OK to Believe in an Old Earth?: Study Questions for Young Adults about Time in Genesis, © 2013.

As a new believer, you would be well advised to meet with other like-minded persons weekly, such as at a worship service or a small group Bible study. Choosing a church to attend for regular worship or study is an important task. You should probably seek advice from persons you feel you can trust, as well as internet resources regarding churches in your area. You would be well advised to visit more than one candidate church, as styles of worship vary significantly even among churches of the same denomination. And beware any organization which seems to be involved in strange side issues rather than spreading and teaching the Gospel and serving others.

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[1]3:19 a tetrarch is one of four governors of a province

[2] The following discourse by Christ is often called The Sermon on the Mount.

[3]8:44 or, tassel

[4]12:5 or, Hell

[5]12:6 An assarion was a small copper coin worth about an hour’s wages for an agricultural laborer.

[6]12:25 A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man’s arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters.

[7]13:21 literally, three sata. 3 sata is a bit more than a bushel.

[8]15:8 A drachma coin was worth about 2 days wages for an agricultural laborer.

[9]21:2 literally, “two lepta.” 2 lepta was about 1% of a day’s wages for an agricultural laborer.

[10] The following apocalyptic (or end-of-the-world) sounding prophetic passage is evidently actually about the soon-to-come first-century devastation of all of Israel by the Romans. This devastation included the complete destruction of Jerusalem, including the horrific killing of many of the Jews living there, including men, women, and children. It ended with the siege of Masada in AD 70. Israel was never a country again until after World War II. Some other apocalyptic sounding prophetic passages in the New Testament evidently do indeed refer to end-times events still yet to come.

[11] Up to the phrase “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled”, Christ seems to be speaking of the destruction of Jersusalem, as just explained. Then Christ seems to switch briefly to the far future, when He will return to earth to judge the living and the dead, and defeat the forces of evil. He switches back to the subject of the destruction of Israel in verse 29.

[12] This new covenant is the third covenant that God made with man. The first was His covenant with Noah concerning the flood, and the second was with Abraham, concerning His chosen people, now called the Jews. The book of Acts and many of the epistles of the New Testament elaborate at length on the difference between the second covenant and the new  relationship between God and man defined as salvation by grace through Christ’s upcoming death of the cross.

[13]22:32 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[14]23:44 Time was counted from sunrise, so the sixth hour was about noon.

[15]23:44 3:00 p.m.

[16]24:13 60 stadia = about 11 kilometers or about 7 miles.

[17] See Acts, Chapter 2 for this event.

[18]2:15 about 9:00 a.m.

[19]2:31 or, Hell

[20]3:1 3:00 p.m.

[21]3:17 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[22]6:1  The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.

[23]7:23 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[24]7:42 This idiom could also be translated “host of heaven”, or “angelic beings”, or “heavenly bodies.”

[25]9:29 The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and culture.

[26]9:30 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[27]9:36 “Dorcas” is Greek for “Gazelle.”

[28]10:3 3:00 p.m.

[29]10:30 3:00 p.m.

[30]11:1 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[31]11:20 A Hellenist is someone who keeps Greek customs and culture.

[32]13:38 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[33]15:1 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[34]15:22 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[35]15:34 Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay there.

[36]6:17 from the Greek “ῥῆμα” (rhema), which means “spoken word”

[37]1:2 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

[38]1:21 or, preserve your life.

[39]3:6 or, Hell

[40]1:1 or, messenger (here and wherever angel is mentioned)

[41] This is the scene from which the cover art of this book was taken.

[42]1:18 or, Hell

[43]1:20 or, messengers (here and wherever angels are mentioned)

[44]20:13 or, Hell

[45]21:8 The word for “sorcerers” here also includes users of potions and drugs.

[46]21:16 2,012 stadia is  2,221 kilometers or 1,380 miles. TR reads 12,000 stadia instead of 12,012 stadia.

[47]21:17 144 cubits is about 65.8 meters or 216 feet

[48]21:19  or, lapis lazuli

[49] By trimming the presentation of Revelation in this introductory book we obviously are not attempting to “add to” or “take away” anything from Revelation. In fact, we encourage you to read it on your own. We have trimmed it to provide a brief taste of the content.