Comfort for the Weary, Power for the Weak

1. “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.” 3. The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. 4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. 5. Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.” 6. The voice of one saying, “Cry!” One said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field. 7. The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass. 8. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.” 9. You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don’t be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!” 10. Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. 12. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 13. Who has directed Yahweh’s Spirit, or has taught him as his counselor? 14. Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? 15. Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing. 16. Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering. 17. All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity. 18. To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him? 19. A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it. 20. He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved. 21. Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth? 22. It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in; 23. who brings princes to nothing; who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless. 24. They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble. 25. “To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, Not one is lacking. 27. Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, “My way is hidden from Yahweh, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?” 28. Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29. He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. 30. Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; 31. But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. 1. “Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. 2. Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his foot in righteousness? He hands over nations to him, and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow. 3. He pursues them, and passes by safely, Even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. 4. Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Yahweh, the first, and with the last, I am he.” 5. The islands have seen, and fear. The ends of the earth tremble. They approach, and come. 6. Everyone helps his neighbor. They say to their brothers, “Be strong!” 7. So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smoothes with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter. 8. “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend, 9. You whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from its corners, and said to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away.’ 10. Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. 11. Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish. 12. You will seek them, and won’t find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing. 13. For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will help you.’ 14. Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you,” says Yahweh, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. 15. Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth. You will thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and will make the hills like chaff. 16. You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them. You will rejoice in Yahweh. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17. The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. 18. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19. I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness. I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert; 20. that they may see, know, consider, and understand together, that Yahweh’s hand has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it. 21. Produce your cause,” says Yahweh. “Bring out your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob. 22. “Let them announce, and declare to us what shall happen. Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come. 23. Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and see it together. 24. Behold, you are of nothing, and your work is of nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination. 25. “I have raised up one from the north, and he has come; from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name; and he shall come on rulers as on mortar, and as the potter treads clay. 26. Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know? And before, that we may say, ‘He is right?’ Surely, there is no one who declares. Surely, there is no one who shows. Surely, there is no one who hears your words. 27. I am the first to say to Zion, ‘Behold, look at them;’ and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem. 28. When I look, there is no man; even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word. 29. Behold, all of them, their deeds are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion. 1. “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights— I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations. 2. He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street. 3. He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice. 4. He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands will wait for his law.” 5. Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it. 6. “I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations; 7. to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison. 8. “I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images. 9. Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.” 10. Sing to Yahweh a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants. 11. Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains! 12. Let them give glory to Yahweh, and declare his praise in the islands. 13. Yahweh will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies. 14. “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant. 15. I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools. 16. I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them. 17. “Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed. 18. “Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see. 19. Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Yahweh’s servant? 20. You see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen. 21. It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law, and make it honorable. 22. But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers; and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’ 23. Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? 24. Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t Yahweh, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his ways, and they disobeyed his law. 25. Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know; and it burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.” 1. But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. 2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. 3. For I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4. Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. 5. Don’t be afraid; for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6. I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7. everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’” 8. Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. 9. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” 10. “You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. 11. I myself am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior. 12. I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown; and there was no strange god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses”, says Yahweh, “and I am God. 13. Yes, since the day was, I am he; and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?” 14. Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. 15. I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16. Yahweh, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters says: 17. who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick): 18. “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20. The animals of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21. the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise. 22. Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; but you have been weary of me, Israel. 23. You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings; neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense. 24. You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have burdened me with your sins. You have wearied me with your iniquities. 25. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. 26. Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified. 27. Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me. 28. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.”

1. He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. 2. When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3. Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were offended at him. 4. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5. He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. 6. He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching. 7. He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, 9. but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10. He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11. Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” 12. They went out and preached that people should repent. 13. They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them. 14. King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15. But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16. But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 17. For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19. Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20. for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21. Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22. When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23. He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24. She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” 25. She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” 26. The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27. Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28. and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29. When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. 30. The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 31. He said to them, “You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32. They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33. They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 34. Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35. When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. 36. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” 37. But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?” 38. He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39. He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. 40. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 41. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42. They all ate, and were filled. 43. They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 44. Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. 45. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. 46. After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. 47. When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48. Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, 49. but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50. for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” 51. He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; 52. for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54. When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55. and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. 56. Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well. 1. Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. 2. Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews, don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4. They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) 5. The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?” 6. He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7. But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8. “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” 9. He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11. But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God”;’ 12. then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13. making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this.” 14. He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15. There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. 16. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17. When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18. He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him, 19. because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?” 20. He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. 21. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22. covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” 24. From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice. 25. For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. 26. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. 27. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28. But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29. He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30. She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out. 31. Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the middle of the region of Decapolis. 32. They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. 33. He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue. 34. Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. 36. He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it. 37. They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!” 1. In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them, 2. “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. 3. If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.” 4. His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?” 5. He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6. He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude. 7. They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also. 8. They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over. 9. Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away. 10. Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha. 11. The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him. 12. He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13. He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side. 14. They forgot to take bread; and they didn’t have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15. He warned them, saying, “Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” 16. They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have no bread.” 17. Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18. Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember? 19. When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.” 20. “When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Seven.” 21. He asked them, “Don’t you understand yet?” 22. He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. 23. He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. 24. He looked up, and said, “I see men; for I see them like trees walking.” 25. Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. 26. He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.” 27. Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” 28. They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets.” 29. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30. He commanded them that they should tell no one about him. 31. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32. He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33. But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.” 34. He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? 37. For what will a man give in exchange for his life? 38. For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.” 1. He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.” 2. After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. 3. His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4. Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. 5. Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6. For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. 7. A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8. Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only. 9. As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10. They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. 11. They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12. He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? 13. But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.” 14. Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. 15. Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him. 16. He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?” 17. One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; 18. and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” 19. He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20. They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth. 21. He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood. 22. Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” 23. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24. Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” 25. When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” 26. After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. 28. When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29. He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.” 30. They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it. 31. For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.” 32. But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 33. He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” 34. But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. 35. He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” 36. He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37. “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.” 38. John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39. But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40. For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. 42. Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44. ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46. ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47. If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48. ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49. For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” 1. He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them. 2. Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3. He answered, “What did Moses command you?” 4. They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” 5. But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. 6. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. 7. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, 8. and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 10. In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. 11. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. 12. If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13. They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. 15. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” 16. He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17. As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18. Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” 20. He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” 21. Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” 22. But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23. Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” 24. The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26. They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27. Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” 28. Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.” 29. Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30. but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 31. But many who are first will be last; and the last first.” 32. They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him. 33. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles. 34. They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” 35. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” 36. He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37. They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.” 38. But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39. They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; 40. but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.” 41. When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. 42. Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. 45. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 46. They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48. Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49. Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50. He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52. Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.

1. Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2. He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him. 3. The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5. A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. 6. A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 7. Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. 8. The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. 9. Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will. 10. The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger. 11. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12. There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 13. Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness. 14. The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. 15. A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. 16. A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless. 17. He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated. 18. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19. The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20. The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends. 21. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor. 22. Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. 23. In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. 24. The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. 25. A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful. 26. In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children. 27. The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. 28. In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. 29. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. 30. The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. 31. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. 32. The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. 33. Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools. 34. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35. The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.