Chapter I: Preface (1)

APPEARING before the Public as a translator of the Oracles of God, it would ill become me to deprecate the severity of criticism, when I most cordially desire the intelligent and learned of my brethren to point out my mistakes for correction, and, in love and in the spirit of meekness, to smite me friendly. Should, however, the shafts of malignity, and the weapons not of our warfare, be employed against this humble, yet well-meant, attempt to make the Scriptures better understood, I shall endeavour to pluck the honey-comb from the lion's carcase, and be thankful for real information, in whatever mode it may be communicated.

Respecting highly, as I do, the translation of our Reformers, whose language has dignity, and whose soundness in the faith I hope, living and dying, to maintain, it must be acknowledged--that there are in our present version, obscurities which may be avoided--words become in the lapse of ages obsolete--expressions feeble and inexact--for which others more accurate and energetic may be substituted--and in some passages the sense embarrassed, and probably mistaken. To make therefore the Scriptures as intelligible as I can to men of common capacity, who are destitute of the knowledge of the Original, and sometimes perhaps to suggest a sense not unworthy the adoption of the judicious scholar, I have endeavoured to render every passage with the most literal exactness--to use the most forcible and clear expressions corresponding with the Original--not to omit a particle--preserving the participles--and following, as much as the genius of our tongue will permit, the exact order of the Greek words, persuaded that, thus placed, the sense often receives clearness and energy.

To transfuse the spirit of the Original into a Translation must be admitted to be very difficult in any language, peculiarly so where the matters treated of are so weighty, and the words so significant, and where holy men of God are speaking as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, without whose continual light and teaching I humbly conceive no man ever did or can understand and receive the things which are of the Spirit of God, so as to know them as he ought to know.

As the words of the Spirit contain one precise meaning, and to communicate his mind is the intention of Revelation, it must be our endeavour not to leave them equivocal, but to fix a clear and determinate idea to each, in exact conformity to the Original, that the true sense may be understood, which can be but one.

That I have endeavoured to obtain this knowledge it is no presumption to affirm. During forty years and upwards this blessed book of God hath been continually in my hands--never a day hath passed in which it hath not been matter of my meditation; I may venture to say I have read it over more than an hundred times, and many of the passages much oftener. I have consulted the works of the most godly and ingenious of the dead, and often conversed with some of the ablest and most experienced ministers of Christ among the living. I have at two different times of my life translated and transcribed the whole of the New Testament, and considered every word, and phrase, and passage, with attention: indeed the leading object and employment of my whole life hath been to discover and communicate to mankind the truth as it is in Jesus; and every day have I bowed my knees to the Divine Interpreter, who giveth wisdom and understanding to the simple, that he would lighten my darkness, and shine into my heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, as it is manifested in the face of Jesus Christ.

I recommend to my readers to tread in the same path, looking up to the Fountain of wisdom and knowledge. I am not ashamed to own my conviction, that an unlearned person thus seriously attentive to the Scriptures, and crying to God for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, will be led into all saving truth; and gain greater and clearer discoveries of the mind of the Spirit in the Scriptures than any mere natural man, however ingenious and learned. A word, a phrase, an allusion, may indeed exercise critical acumen, and afford a display for erudition; but the scope and tendency of the Sacred Oracles, the doctrines therein revealed, the principles inculcated, and the practice enjoined, never were, and never will be truly known, but by those who are taught of God.

As the division of the Scripture into verses interrupts the subject, and often embarrasses the sense, I have preferred paragraphs, placing the verses of the old Version in the margin, for the sake of reference and comparison; and though I have admitted the same division of chapters, in a few instances they might be more judiciously arranged: Matt. ii. 1. belongs to the former chapter, as also Acts, viii. 1. Coloss. iv. 1.

I have only now to commend this labour of love to the divine benediction. The Translation itself, and the necessary attentive consideration of every passage, hath not, I trust, been without instruction to myself, and some sweet savour of the truth: so far I have already my reward. It will be highly enhanced if God my Saviour deigns to make this service acceptable and profitable to his people, and the means of communicating clearer and more explicit views of his revealed will to the poor and unlearned of the flock. To them I have long dedicated my life and my labours, believing that of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Every attempt to make the Scriptures more read, and better understood, must be acknowledged laudable. Should the present effort fail to answer this end, it may yet provoke men of more wisdom and spiritual gifts, to produce a translation more exact, and suited to general edification. Then I shall be content to be forgotten.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.

CHAP. I.

THE book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

(2)Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren, (3)and Judas begat Phares, and Zara of Thamar, and Phares begat Esrom, and Esrom begat Aram; (4)and Aram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon, (5)and Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab, and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, (6)and Jesse begat David the king, and David the king begat Solomon of her _that had been the wife_ of Urias, (7)and Solomon begat Roboam, and Roboam begat Abia, and Abia begat Asa, (8)and Asa begat Josaphat, and Josaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias, (9)and Ozias begat Joatham, and Joatham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekias, (10)and Hezekias begat Manasses, and Manasses begat Amon, and Amon begat Josias, (11)and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon, (12)and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zorobabel, (13)and Zorobabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor, (14)and Azor begat Sadoc, and Sadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud, (15)and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, (16)and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom is born Jesus, who is called Christ. (17)So all the generations from Abraham to David _are_ fourteen generations, and from David to the carrying away into Babylon fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ fourteen generations.

(18)Now the generation of Jesus Christ was attended with these circumstances: His mother Mary being betrothed to Joseph, before they cohabited together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit. (19)Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to expose her publicly, designed to put her away privately. (20)And as he was revolving the matter in his mind, behold, an angel of the Lord in a dream appeared unto him, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21)And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. (22)Now the whole of this was done, that what was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[1], (23)"A virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which is being interpreted, God with us.

(24)Then Joseph when arisen from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife; (25)and he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.

CHAP. II.

NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, lo! Magians from the East came to Jerusalem, (2)saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to pay him homage.

(3)Now when Herod the king heard this, he was much agitated, and all Jerusalem with him. (4)And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them, where the Messiah should be born.

(5)Then they answered him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet[2], (6)"And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no respect the least amongst the princes of Judah, for from thee shall go forth the Ruler, who shall conduct my people Israel."

(7)Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star's appearing, (8)and sending them to Bethlehem said, Go, and procure the most exact information respecting this child; and when you have found him, bring me intelligence, that I may come, and pay him homage also.

(9)So having heard the king, they went on; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the East, had gone before them, till it came and stood over the place where the infant was. (10)And when they saw the star, they were exceedingly transported with joy. (11)And coming into the house, they found the infant with Mary his mother, and falling prostrate, they paid their homage to him. And opening their treasures, they made their offerings to him, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (12)And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road.

(13)Now when they were gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the infant and his mother by night, and flee into Egypt, and stay there, till I speak to thee, for Herod will search for the infant to destroy it. (14)So rising up, he took the babe and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt, (15)and was there till the death of Herod; that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[3], "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

(16)Then Herod, perceiving that he was treated delusively by the Magians, was greatly exasperated, and he sent and slew all the male infants, that were in Bethlehem, and in all its territories, from their entering their second year and all under it, according to the time, which he had accurately enquired from the Magians. (17)Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying[4], (18)"A cry was heard at Ramah, lamentation, and wailing, and bitter moaning, Rachel weeping for her children, and will not be comforted, because they are no more."

(19)Now when Herod was dead, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, (20)saying, Arise, and take the little boy and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they who sought the life of the infant are dead. (21)So he arose, and took the child and his mother, and came unto the land of Israel. (22)But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the stead of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither. And being divinely warned in a dream, he retired into the country of Galilee, (23)and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that what was said by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he shall be called a Nazarean.

CHAP. III.

THEN in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the desert country of Judea, (2)and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh. (3)For this is the person spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying[5], "The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths strait." (4)Now this John had his garment made of camel's hair, and a girdle of leather about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

(5)Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the regions about Jordan, (6)and were baptized by him in Jordan, on making confession of their sins. (7)But when he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, O ye broods of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8)Produce then worthy fruits of repentance: (9)and think not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say unto you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. (10)And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which produceth not good fruit, is hewing down, and casting into the fire. (11)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: (12)whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will collect the wheat into his granary; but the chaff will he burn up with fire unquenchable.

(13)Then came Jesus from Galilee unto Jordan to John, that he might be baptized by him. (14)But John earnestly withheld him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15)But Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he permitted him. (16)And Jesus, after his baptism, came straight from the water: and lo! the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as it were a dove, and coming upon him: (17)and lo! a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom is my delight.

CHAP. IV.

THEN was Jesus led away by the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. (2)And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he became hungry. (3)And the tempter coming to him said, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones be made loaves. (4)But he answering said, It is written[6], "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

(5)Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and placed him on a wing of the temple, (6)and saith to him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written[7], "that he shall give his angels a charge concerning thee: and in their hands shall they hold thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." (7)Jesus said unto him, It is written again[8], "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

(8)Again the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; (9)and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall prostrate and worship me. (10)Then saith Jesus unto him, Avaunt Satan! for it is written[9], "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and to him only thou pay divine adoration." (11)Then the devil leaveth him, and lo! angels came and ministered unto him.

(12)But when Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, he retired into Galilee; (13)and leaving Nazareth, he came and resided at Capernaum, a maritime city, on the confines of Zebulun and Nephthali: (14)that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, saying[10], (15)"The land of Zabulun, and the land of Naphthali, the road to the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (16)the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; and on those who sat in the region and shadow of death, even on them hath the light arisen."

(17)From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is approaching.

(18)And as Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. (19)And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (20)Then immediately quitting their nets they followed him.

(21)And going on from thence, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (22)Then they instantly quitting the ship and their father, followed him.

(23)And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every malady among the people. (24)And there went out a report of him into all Syria: and they brought unto him all who had illness, the afflicted with various diseases and painful complaints, and the demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics; and he healed them. (25)And great multitudes followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

CHAP. V.

THEN seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and seating himself, his disciples came to him: (2)and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying,

(3)Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of heaven. (4)Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5)Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6)Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be fed to the full. (7)Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. (8)Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9)Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10)Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for their's is the kingdom in heaven. (11)Blessed are ye, when they shall revile and persecute you, and lying, speak every thing evil against you for my sake. (12)Rejoice and exult; for plenteous is your reward in the heavens: for just so they persecuted the prophets who went before you.

(13)Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt become insipid, with what can it be salted? it is of no farther use for any purpose, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.

(14)Ye are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid that is situated on an eminence. (15)Neither do men burn a lamp, and set it under a bushel, but on its stand; and it sheds light on all that are in the house. (16)Just so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.

(17)Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil. (18)For I tell you assuredly, that till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, or the smallest stroke of a letter, shall pass from the law, until all things shall be accomplished. (19)Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, he shall be accounted the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall practise, and teach them, he shall be reckoned great in the kingdom of heaven. (20)For I say unto you, That except your righteousness abounds more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

(21)Ye have heard that it was said to the men of antient times, "Thou shalt do no murder;" and whosoever shall commit murder, shall be liable to the judgment: (22)but I say unto you, That every man who is angry with his brother without cause, shall be liable to the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the sanhedrim: but whosever shall say, Thou fool, shall be liable to be cast into hell fire. (23)If therefore thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; (24)leave there thy gift before the altar, and go: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (25)Be disposed to agree with thy prosecutor speedily, whilst thou art in the way with him _to the bar_; lest the prosecutor deliver thee up to the judge, and the judge commit thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. (26)Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt in no wise come out from thence, till thou hast paid the last farthing.

(27)Ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not commit adultery:" (28)but I say unto you, That every one who looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. (29)If then thine eye, the right, leads thee to offend, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is highly for thy advantage, that one of thy members be destroyed, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30)And if thy right hand leads thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is highly thy interest that one of thy members should be destroyed, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(31)It hath been said indeed, That whosoever will put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce: (32)But I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except on account of whoredom, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

(33)Again ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not perjure thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thine oaths:" (34)But I say to thee, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven; for it is the throne of God: (35)nor by the earth; for it is the footstool of his feet: nor by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King: (36)neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. (37)But let your discourse be, Yea, yea; No, no: for all addition to these is from the wicked one.

(38)Ye have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth:" (39)but I say unto you, Resist not an injurious act; but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him also the other. (40)And if a man will prosecute thee, and take thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. (41)And whosoever shall press thee for one mile, go with him two. (42)Give to him that asketh thee; and from him who wants to borrow of thee, turn not away.

(43)Ye have heard that it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy." (44)But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who treat you insolently, and persecute you; (45)that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he causeth his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and tendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46)For if ye love those who love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same thing? (47)And if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? do not even the publicans so? (48)Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

CHAP. VI.

TAKE heed that ye do not your alms before men, in order to catch their eye: for otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (2)Therefore when thou givest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Verily I say unto you, They receive their reward. (3)But when thou givest alms, let not thy right hand know what thy left is doing: (4)that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will himself reward thee openly.

(5)And when thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites: for they love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets, to pray, that they may make a shew to men. Verily I say unto you, That they have their reward. (6)But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, to pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7)And when thou art at prayer, use not vain repetitions, like the heathen: for they imagine that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8)Be not ye therefore like them: for your Father knoweth of what things ye have need, before you ask him. (9)Thus then pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. (10)Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11)Give us this day our daily bread. (12)And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (13)And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen! (14)For if ye forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15)but if ye forgive not to men their offences, neither will your Father forgive your offences.

(16)And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, affecting a gloomy look: for they disfigure their visages, that they may make a shew of fasting to men. Verily I say unto you, That they have their reward. (17)But when thou keepest a fast, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (18)that thou mayest not make a shew of fasting to men, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

(19)Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where the rust and canker spoil, and where thieves dig through and steal: (20)but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor canker spoil, and where thieves do not dig through and steal; (21)for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(22)The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be transparent, thy whole body shall be enlightened. (23)But if thine eye be vitiated, thy whole body will be darkened. If therefore the light which is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

(24)No man can serve two masters: for he will either hate the one, and love the other; or he will adhere to the one, and disregard the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (25)For this cause I tell you, Be not anxious about your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life of more value than meat, and the body than raiment? (26)Look on the birds of the air: for they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not of more value than they? (27)But which of you, by his cares, can add one cubit to his stature? (28)And why are ye anxious about clothing? Contemplate the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, nor spin: (29)yet I tell you, Not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. (30)If God then so clothe a vegetable of the field, which to-day is, _in beauty_, and tomorrow is cast into the furnace, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (31)Wherefore be under no anxiety, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? (32)(for after all these things the heathen seek:) and your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of them all. (33)But seek ye, in the first place, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be given you over. (34)Be not therefore anxious about to-morrow: for tomorrow will provide for its own wants. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

CHAP. VII.

JUDGE not, that ye be not judged. (2)For with the same judgment ye judge others, shall ye be judged: and with the measure ye mete, shall it be measured to you again. (3)And why spiest thou out the mote which is in thy brother's eye, yet payest no attention to the beam which is in thine own eye? (4)Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Suffer me to take the mote off from thine eye: and behold there is a beam in thine own eye? (5)Thou hypocrite, take first the beam out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to take off the mote from thy brother's eye.

(6)Give not that which is holy to dogs, nor cast pearls before swine; lest they tread them under foot, and turning round tear you.

(7)Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8)for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (9)What man is there of you, of whom if his son ask a loaf, will he give him a stone? (10)or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11)If ye then, evil as ye are, know how to bestow good gifts on your children; how much more will your Father who is in heaven, bestow good things on those who ask him? (12)All things therefore whatsoever ye would be willing that men should do to you, just so do ye to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(13)Enter in through the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and spacious the road, which leadeth to perdition, and they are many who enter that way: (14)because strait is the gate, and narrow the road, which leadeth to life, and they are but a few who find it.

(15)Take heed then of false prophets, who come to you in the garb of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16)By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather a bunch of grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? (17)So every good tree beareth good fruits; but every bad tree in kind, produceth bad fruits. (18)A good tree cannot produce bad fruits, neither can a tree bad in kind produce good fruits. (19)Every tree that beareth not good fruit, is cut down, and cast into the fire. (20)Well then! by their fruits ye shall know them. (21)Not every one who saith to me, Lord, Lord! shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22)Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have we not cast out devils? and in thy name done many miracles? (23)And then will I profess unto them, that I never knew you: depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.

(24)Every man therefore who is hearing from me these words, and puts them in practice, I will compare him to the intelligent man, who erected his house upon a rock: (25)and the rain descended, and the rivers rushed, and the winds blew, and they beat against that house, and it fell not; for it was founded on a rock. (26)And every man who is hearing these sayings of mine, and doth not practise them, he will resemble the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: (27)and the rain descended, and the rivers rushed, and the winds blew, and set against that house, and it fell; and the fall of it was great.

(28)And it was so, that when Jesus had concluded all these sayings, the multitudes were exceedingly struck with his teaching: (29)for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

CHAP. VIII.

NOW when he descended from the mount, great multitudes followed him. (2)And lo! a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (3)And stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And instantly the leprosy was cleansed. (4)And Jesus said to him, See thou tell no man; but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.

(5)Then as Jesus was entering into Capernaum, there met him a centurion, intreating him, (6)and saying, My servant is lying in the house paralytic, terribly tormented with pain. (7)And Jesus said unto him, I will come and heal him. (8)And the centurion said, I am not a fit person, that thou shouldest come under my roof: but only speak a word, and my servant be cured. (9)For I also am a man under authority, having under my command soldiers and I say to this soldier, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. (10)And Jesus hearing him, marvelled, and said to those who were following, Verily I say unto you, not even in Israel have I found so great faith. (11)And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (12)But the children of the kingdom shall be cast into the outer darkness: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (13)And Jesus said to the centurion, Go; and as thou hast believed, be it to thee. And his servant was cured at that very hour.

(14)And when Jesus was come into the house of Peter, he saw his mother-in-law laid on a bed, and in a fever. (15)And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and waited upon them.

(16)And when evening was come, they brought him many possessed by devils: and he cast out the spirits by a word, and all who had illnesses he cured: (17)that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, "Himself he took our infirmities, and bore our diseases."

(18)Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave orders to pass to the other side. (19)And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (20)And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where he can lay his head. (21)And another of his disciples said unto him, Permit me first to go and bury my father. (22)And Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their own dead.

(23)And going on board a vessel, his disciples followed him. (24)And, behold, there was a great tempest in the sea, so that the vessel was hid by the waves; but he was asleep. (25)And his disciples coming, awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we are perishing! (26)And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then arising, he issued his mandate to the winds, and to the sea; and there was a great calm. (27)And the men marvelled, saying, What a wondrous man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (28)And when he came to the other side, into the region of the Girgasenes, there met him two demoniacs, coming from the sepulchres; exceeding fierce, so that no person was able to pass by that road. (29)And lo! they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither before the time to torment us? (30)And at a considerable distance, there was a great herd of swine feeding. (31)Then the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, permit us to go into the herd of swine. (32)And he said to them, Go. Then they going forth out _of him_, entered into the herd of swine: and lo! the whole herd of the swine rushed down a precipice into the sea, and perished in the waters. (33)But they who fed them fled, and going away into the city, reported all things, and what had happened to the demoniacs. (34)And, behold, all the city came out to meet him: and when they saw him, they besought him to depart from their territories.

CHAP. IX.

AND going on board the vessel, he passed over, and came to his own city. (2)And lo! they brought him a paralytic stretched on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Be of good cheer, son; thy sins are forgiven thee. (3)And lo! some of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. (4)And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, wherefore do ye imagine evil things in your hearts? (5)For which is the easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (6)But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority upon earth to forgive sins, (then he saith to the paralytic,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. (7)And he arose, and went to his house. (8)But when the multitude saw it, they were astonished, and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.

(9)And Jesus passing from thence, saw a man sitting at the custom house, called Matthew: and saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (10)And it came to pass, as he sat in his house, many tax-gatherers and sinners came, and sat down at table with Jesus and his disciples. (11)And the Pharisees observing it, said to his disciples, How is this, that your Master eateth with publicans and sinners? (12)But Jesus hearing it, said unto them, They who are in the vigour of health have no need of the physician, but they who have illness. (13)Go then, and learn what is said, "I require mercy and not sacrifice:" for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

(14)Then came unto him disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees keep many fasts, but thy disciples fast not? (15)And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber weep, whilst the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast. (16)But no man ingrafts a patch of undressed cloth into an old garment, for the piece supplied taketh from the garment, and the rent becomes worse. (17)Nor do they put new wine into old bottles: but if they do, the bottles burst, and the wine is spilt, and the bottles are destroyed: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

(18)As he was speaking these things to them, behold, there came a ruler, and prostrated himself before him, saying, My daughter hath just now died: but come and lay thine hand upon her, and she shall live. (19)And Jesus arose, and followed him, and his disciples also. (20)And, behold, a woman, who had an haemorrage twelve years, came behind, and touched the fringe of his garment: (21)for she said within herself, If I only touch his garment, I shall be cured. (22)Then Jesus, turning about and beholding her, said, Be encouraged, daughter; thy faith hath saved thee. And the woman was cured from that hour. (23)And when Jesus was come into the ruler's house, and saw the flute-players, and a multitude confusedly lamenting, (24)he saith to them, Retire; for the little girl is not dead, but sleeping. And they derided him. (25)So when the multitude was put out, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. (26)And the fame of it went forth into all that country.

(27)And as Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, son of David! (28)So when he came into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yes, Lord. (29)Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. (30)And their eyes were opened; and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, Take care that no person know it. (31)But they going forth, blazoned his fame through all that country.

(32)And when they were coming out, behold, they brought unto him a man, dumb, a demoniac. (33)And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, Never at any time was the like to this seen in Israel. (34)But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the devils doth he cast the devils out.

(35)And Jesus took a circuit through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease, and every malady among the people. (36)And beholding the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were fainting, and lying here and there, as sheep that had no shepherd. (37)Then said he to his disciples, The harvest indeed is abundant, but the labourers are few; (38)entreat therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth workmen for his harvest.

CHAP. X.

AND having called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease, and every malady. (2)Now these are the names of the twelve apostles; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee, and John his brother; (3)Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname is Thaddeus; (4)Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

(5)These twelve did Jesus send forth, commanding them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter not: (6)but go rather to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel. (7)And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is approaching. (8)Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (9)Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, (10)nor a scrip for the journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor stick: for the workman is worthy of his food. (11)And into whatsoever city or village ye enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye depart. (12)And when ye come into a family, salute it: (13)and if the family shall be deserving, your peace shall come upon it: and if it be not deserving, your peace shall return to you. (14)And whosoever shall not receive you, nor attend to your discourses, go out of that house, or city, and shake off the dust of your feet. (15)Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

(16)Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore prudent as serpents, and harmless as doves. (17)But be on your guard against men: for they will deliver you up to the sanhedrim, and scourge you in their synagogues. (18)And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the heathen. (19)But when they shall deliver you up, be under no anxiety what ye shall say; for it shall be given you in that very hour what ye should speak: (20)for it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father which is speaking in you. (21)Then brother shall surrender brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. (22)And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, that man shall be saved.

(23)But when they shall persecute you in one city, flee unto another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not complete your circuit through the cities of Israel before the Son of man comes. (24)The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the servant above his master. (25)It is sufficient if the disciple be as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the family Beelzebub, how much more his domestics? (26)However, fear them not: for there is nothing concealed, which shall not be discovered; nor hid, which shall not be known. (27)What I say unto you in the dark, publish in the light: and what ye hear whispered into the ear, proclaim upon the roofs.

(28)And be not afraid of those who kill the body, and cannot kill the soul: but fear him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (29)Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. (30)But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (31)Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

(32)Every one therefore who shall make confession of me before men, of him will I also make confession before my Father who is in heaven. (33)But whosoever shall disown me before men, him will I also disown before my Father who is in heaven.

(34)Think not that I am come to bring peace to the earth: I came not to bring peace, but a sword. (35)For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36)And the enemies of a man shall be those of his own house. (37)He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. (38)And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

(39)He that preserveth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall preserve it. (40)He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (41)He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive the reward of a righteous man. (42)And whosoever shall give to one of these little ones, if but a cup of cold water to drink, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

CHAP. XI.

AND it came to pass, when Jesus had finished his injunctions to his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.

(2)Then John, having heard in prison the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples, (3)and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or should we expect another? (4)And Jesus answering said unto them, Go, and tell John what things ye hear and see. (5)The blind receive sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (6)And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended at me.

(7)And when they were gone, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (8)But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in delicate garments? Lo! they who wear delicate garments are in the houses of kings. (9)Yet what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and abundantly more than a prophet. (10)For this is he of whom it is written, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee." (11)Verily I say unto you, There hath not arisen, from those born of women, a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (12)But from the days of John the Baptist unto the present, the kingdom of heaven is assaulted by violence, and the invaders forcibly seize upon it. (13)For all the prophets and the law until John, foretold _this_. (14)And if ye will receive it, this is Elias who was to come. (15)He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(16)But to whom shall I resemble this generation? it is like little boys sitting in the places of concourse, and calling to their companions, (17)and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have sung mournful ditties to you, and ye have not beat your breasts. (18)For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil: (19)the Son of man is come eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, what a man! a glutton and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners: though wisdom hath been justified by her children.

(20)Then began he to upbraid the cities in which the chief of his miracles had been wrought, because they repented not: (21)Wo unto thee, Chorazin! wo unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the miracles which had been wrought in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, long since would they have repented in sack-cloth and ashes. (22)Wherefore I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. (23)And thou, Capernaum, who hast been exalted unto heaven, shalt be cast down to hell: for if the miracles which have been wrought in thee had been done in Sodom, it had remained unto this day. (24)Wherefore I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.

(25)At that time Jesus spake and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and the intelligent, and hast revealed them to babes: (26)yes, Father! since such is thy good pleasure. (27)All things are delivered up to me by my Father: and no person knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any person the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son is pleased to reveal him.

(28)Come to me, all who labour hard, and sustain heavy burdens, and I will give you relief. (29)Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest to your souls. (30)For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

CHAP. XII.

AT that time Jesus walked through corn-fields on a sabbath-day; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. (2)But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, Behold, thy disciples do a thing that it is not lawful to do on the sabbath. (3)And he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they who were with him? (4)how they went into the house of God, and did eat the loaves of shew-bread, of which it was not lawful for him or those who were with him to eat, but for the priests alone? (5)Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are not culpable? (6)Now I tell you, That one greater than the temple is here. (7)But if ye had known what that meant, I desire mercy and not sacrifice; ye would not have condemned the innocent. (8)For the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.