God's Provision in the Wilderness Journey

1. Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2. Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3. Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name. 4. He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. 5. The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone. 6. Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces. 7. In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble. 8. With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ 10. You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11. Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12. You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them. 13. “You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation. 14. The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. 15. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16. Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone— until your people pass over, Yahweh, until the people you have purchased pass over. 17. You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself to dwell in; the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established. 18. Yahweh shall reign forever and ever.” 19. For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Yahweh brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. 20. Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21. Miriam answered them, “Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” 22. Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23. When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah. 24. The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25. Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them; 26. and he said, “If you will diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you.” 27. They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. 1. They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2. The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3. and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. 5. It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6. Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening, then you shall know that Yahweh has brought you out from the land of Egypt; 7. and in the morning, then you shall see Yahweh’s glory; because he hears your murmurings against Yahweh. Who are we, that you murmur against us?” 8. Moses said, “Now Yahweh shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you; because Yahweh hears your murmurings which you murmur against him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against Yahweh.” 9. Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your murmurings.’” 10. As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, Yahweh’s glory appeared in the cloud. 11. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 12. “I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread: and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God.’” 13. In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. 14. When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. 15. When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.” 16. This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded: “Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.” 17. The children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less. 18. When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating. 19. Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” 20. Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became foul: and Moses was angry with them. 21. They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. 22. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23. He said to them, “This is that which Yahweh has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’” 24. They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it. 25. Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Yahweh. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.” 27. On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. 28. Yahweh said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29. Behold, because Yahweh has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30. So the people rested on the seventh day. 31. The house of Israel called its name Manna, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. 32. Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded, ‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33. Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot, and put an omer-full of manna in it, and lay it up before Yahweh, to be kept throughout your generations.” 34. As Yahweh commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35. The children of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. 36. Now an omer is one tenth of an ephah. 1. All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?” 3. The people were thirsty for water there; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” 4. Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5. Yahweh said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7. He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us, or not?” 8. Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God’s rod in my hand.” 10. So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset. 13. Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14. Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.” 15. Moses built an altar, and called its name Yahweh our Banner. 16. He said, “Yah has sworn: ‘Yahweh will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’” 1. Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, received Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her away, 3. and her two sons. The name of one son was Gershom, for Moses said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land”. 4. The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.” 5. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of God. 6. He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.” 7. Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. 8. Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how Yahweh delivered them. 9. Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10. Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11. Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the thing in which they dealt arrogantly against them.” 12. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. 13. On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning to the evening. 14. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?” 15. Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16. When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” 17. Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18. You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone. 19. Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God. 20. You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21. Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22. Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you. 23. If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” 24. So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. 25. Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26. They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27. Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.

1. After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2. A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. 3. When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 4. When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5. for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” 6. Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7. Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8. For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9. When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10. Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well. 11. Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12. Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14. He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15. He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16. Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” 17. This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region. 18. The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19. John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20. When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” 21. In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22. Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” 24. When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25. But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 27. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28. “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.” 29. When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. 30. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves. 31. “To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like? 32. They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’ 33. For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34. The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35. Wisdom is justified by all her children.” 36. One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. 37. Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38. Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” 40. Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.” 41. “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42. When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?” 43. Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44. Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45. You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48. He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49. Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50. He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 1. Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, 2. and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3. and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions. 4. When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable. 5. “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6. Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7. Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8. Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 9. Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” 10. He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12. Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. 13. Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. 14. That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15. Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance. 16. “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. 17. For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light. 18. Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.” 19. His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. 20. Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.” 21. But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.” 22. Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. 23. But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water. 24. They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm. 25. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” 26. They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27. When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs. 28. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” 29. For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bonds apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert. 30. Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him. 31. They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss. 32. Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them. 33. The demons came out of the man, and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. 34. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. 35. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36. Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed. 37. All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat, and returned. 38. But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39. “Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you.” He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 40. When Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41. Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house, 42. for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him. 43. A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any, 44. came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped. 45. Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 46. But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.” 47. When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48. He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49. While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.” 50. But Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.” 51. When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother. 52. All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.” 53. They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead. 54. But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55. Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat. 56. Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done. 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. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. 2. Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. 3. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4. Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5. which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course. 6. His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat. 7. Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple. 8. Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. 10. More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. 11. Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. 12. Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. 13. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.