Faith Over Fear in Uncertain Times

1. In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2. Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in Yahweh his God’s eyes, like David his father. 3. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel. 4. He sacrificed and burned incense in the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. 5. Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war. They besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. 6. At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this day. 7. So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me.” 8. Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in Yahweh’s house, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. 9. The king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin. 10. King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest a drawing of the altar and plans to build it. 11. Urijah the priest built an altar. According to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Urijah the priest made it for the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus. 12. When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king came near to the altar, and offered on it. 13. He burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. 14. The bronze altar, which was before Yahweh, he brought from the front of the house, from between his altar and Yahweh’s house, and put it on the north side of his altar. 15. King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening meal offering, the king’s burnt offering, his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar will be for me to inquire by.” 16. Urijah the priest did so, according to all that king Ahaz commanded. 17. King Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases, and removed the basin from off them, and took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it, and put it on a pavement of stone. 18. He removed the covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry outside to Yahweh’s house, because of the king of Assyria. 19. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20. Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city, and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place. 1. In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years. 2. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. 3. Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him, and Hoshea became his servant, and brought him tribute. 4. The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria seized him, and bound him in prison. 5. Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7. It was so because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8. and walked in the statutes of the nations whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. 9. The children of Israel secretly did things that were not right against Yahweh their God; and they built high places for themselves in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 10. and they set up for themselves pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill, and under every green tree; 11. and there they burned incense in all the high places, as the nations whom Yahweh carried away before them did; and they did wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger; 12. and they served idols, of which Yahweh had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.” 13. Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” 14. Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God. 15. They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them. 16. They abandoned all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made molten images for themselves, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served Baal. 17. They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger. 18. Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19. Also Judah didn’t keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20. Yahweh rejected all the offspring of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hands of raiders, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21. For he tore Israel from David’s house; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. 22. The children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t depart from them 23. until Yahweh removed Israel out of his sight, as he said by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day. 24. The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, from Cuthah, from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and lived in its cities. 25. So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn’t fear Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26. Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations which you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria don’t know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they kill them, because they don’t know the law of the god of the land.” 27. Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, “Carry there one of the priests whom you brought from there; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the law of the god of the land.” 28. So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear Yahweh. 29. However every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they lived. 30. The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, 31. and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. 32. So they feared Yahweh, and also made from among themselves priests of the high places for themselves, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. 33. They feared Yahweh, and also served their own gods, after the ways of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. 34. To this day they do what they did before. They don’t fear Yahweh, and they do not follow the statutes, or the ordinances, or the law, or the commandment which Yahweh commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; 35. with whom Yahweh had made a covenant, and commanded them, saying, “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them; 36. but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to him, and you shall sacrifice to him. 37. The statutes and the ordinances, and the law and the commandment, which he wrote for you, you shall observe to do forever more. You shall not fear other gods. 38. You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not fear other gods. 39. But you shall fear Yahweh your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” 40. However they did not listen, but they did what they did before. 41. So these nations feared Yahweh, and also served their engraved images. Their children likewise, and their children’s children, as their fathers did, so they do to this day. 1. Now in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3. He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done. 4. He removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the children of Israel burned incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan. 5. He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel; so that after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him. 6. For he joined with Yahweh. He didn’t depart from following him, but kept his commandments, which Yahweh commanded Moses. 7. Yahweh was with him. Wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria, and didn’t serve him. 8. He struck the Philistines to Gaza and its borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. 9. In the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. 10. At the end of three years they took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. 11. The king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria, and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 12. because they didn’t obey Yahweh their God’s voice, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded, and would not hear it or do it. 13. Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them. 14. Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, “I have offended you. Return from me. That which you put on me, I will bear.” The king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15. Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in Yahweh’s house, and in the treasures of the king’s house. 16. At that time, Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of Yahweh’s temple, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 17. The king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. They went up and came to Jerusalem. When they had come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field. 18. When they had called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder came out to them. 19. Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, “What confidence is this in which you trust? 20. You say (but they are but vain words), ‘There is counsel and strength for war.’ Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me? 21. Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt. If a man leans on it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him. 22. But if you tell me, ‘We trust in Yahweh our God;’ isn’t that he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?’ 23. Now therefore, please give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. 24. How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 25. Have I now come up without Yahweh against this place to destroy it? Yahweh said to me, ‘Go up against this land, and destroy it.’”’” 26. Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. Don’t speak with us in the Jews’ language, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.” 27. But Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me to your master and to you, to speak these words? Hasn’t he sent me to the men who sit on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own urine with you?” 28. Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spoke, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. 29. Thus says the king, ‘Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you; for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand. 30. Don’t let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 31. Don’t listen to Hezekiah.’ For thus says the king of Assyria, ‘Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and everyone of you eat from his own vine, and everyone from his own fig tree, and everyone drink water from his own cistern; 32. until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you may live, and not die. Don’t listen to Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying, “Yahweh will deliver us.” 33. Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34. Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35. Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Yahweh should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’” 36. But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.” 37. Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, came with Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him Rabshakeh’s words.

1. He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2. He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick. 3. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats each. 4. Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there. 5. 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.” 6. They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere. 7. 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, 8. and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him. 10. 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. 11. But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of God’s Kingdom, and he cured those who needed healing. 12. 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.” 13. 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.” 14. For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15. They did so, and made them all sit down. 16. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17. They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over. 18. As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” 19. They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” 20. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21. But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22. 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.” 23. He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 24. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. 25. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self? 26. 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. 27. 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.” 28. About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. 29. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. 30. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31. who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32. 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. 33. 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, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he said. 34. While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. 35. A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” 36. 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. 37. On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. 38. Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39. 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. 40. I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t.” 41. Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42. While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43. 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, 44. “Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.” 45. 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. 46. There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest. 47. Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, 48. 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.” 49. John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.” 50. Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.” 51. It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52. and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. 53. They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem. 54. 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?” 55. But he turned and rebuked them, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are. 56. For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” They went to another village. 57. As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.” 58. 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.” 59. He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 60. But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.” 61. Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.” 62. But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.” 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. 5. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ 6. If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7. 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. 8. Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. 9. Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ 10. But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11. ‘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.’ 12. I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. 13. “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. 14. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. 15. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16. Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17. The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18. He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. 19. 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. 20. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21. 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.” 22. 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.” 23. Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, 24. 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.” 25. Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26. He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27. 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.” 28. He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” 29. But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” 30. 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. 31. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34. came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and 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.’ 36. Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” 37. He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 38. As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40. 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.” 41. Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42. but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” 1. 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.” 2. 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. 3. Give us day by day our daily bread. 4. 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.’” 5. 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, 6. for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’ 7. 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’? 8. 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. 9. “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. 10. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 11. “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? 12. Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? 13. 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?” 14. He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 16. Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. 17. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. 18. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19. But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges. 20. But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you. 21. “When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. 22. But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder. 23. “He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters. 24. The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ 25. When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. 26. Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” 27. It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!” 28. But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.” 29. 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. 30. For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will also the Son of Man be to this generation. 31. 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. 32. 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. 33. “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. 34. 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. 35. 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.” 37. Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in, and sat at the table. 38. When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. 39. 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. 40. You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also? 41. But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you. 42. 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. 43. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. 44. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.” 45. One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying this you insult us also.” 46. He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. 47. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48. So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49. Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute, 50. that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51. from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 52. Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” 53. As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him; 54. lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch him in something he might say, that they might accuse him. 1. 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. 2. But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known. 3. 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. 4. “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. 5. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6. “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. 7. But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 8. “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; 9. but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. 10. 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. 11. 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; 12. for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.” 13. One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14. But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15. 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.” 16. He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. 17. He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ 18. He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19. I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, 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?’ 21. So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 22. 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. 23. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24. 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! 25. Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? 26. If then you aren’t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? 27. 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. 28. 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? 29. Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. 30. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. 31. But seek God’s Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you. 32. Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. 33. 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. 34. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35. “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. 36. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. 37. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. 38. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. 39. 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. 40. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.” 41. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?” 42. 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? 43. Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. 44. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. 45. 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, 46. 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. 47. 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. 49. “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. 50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51. Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. 52. For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53. 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.” 54. 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. 55. When a south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56. 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? 57. Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58. 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. 59. I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.”

1. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty. 2. He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain. 3. He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. 4. He makes his messengers winds; his servants flames of fire. 5. He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever. 6. You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains. 7. At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away. 8. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down, to the place which you had assigned to them. 9. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; that they don’t turn again to cover the earth. 10. He sends springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains. 11. They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12. The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches. 13. He waters the mountains from his rooms. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works. 14. He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth: 15. wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart. 16. Yahweh’s trees are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted; 17. where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the cypress trees. 18. The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. 19. He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set. 20. You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the animals of the forest prowl. 21. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. 22. The sun rises, and they steal away, and lay down in their dens. 23. Man goes out to his work, to his labor until the evening. 24. Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches. 25. There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals. 26. There the ships go, and leviathan, whom you formed to play there. 27. These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season. 28. You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good. 29. You hide your face: they are troubled; you take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust. 30. You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground. 31. Let Yahweh’s glory endure forever. Let Yahweh rejoice in his works. 32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33. I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34. Let my meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Yahweh. 35. Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!