Rebuilding the Temple, Healing the Broken

1. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2. “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4. Whoever is left, in any place where he lives, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for God’s house which is in Jerusalem.’” 5. Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites, all whose spirit God had stirred to go up rose up to build Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem. 6. All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. 7. Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods; 8. even those, Cyrus king of Persia brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 9. This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, 10. thirty bowls of gold, four hundred ten silver bowls of a second sort, and one thousand other vessels. 11. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand four hundred. Sheshbazzar brought all these up when the captives were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem. 1. Now these are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city; 2. who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 3. The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. 4. The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. 5. The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five. 6. The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve. 7. The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. 8. The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five. 9. The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty. 10. The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two. 11. The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three. 12. The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two. 13. The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six. 14. The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six. 15. The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four. 16. The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. 17. The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three. 18. The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve. 19. The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three. 20. The children of Gibbar, ninety-five. 21. The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three. 22. The men of Netophah, fifty-six. 23. The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight. 24. The children of Azmaveth, forty-two. 25. The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three. 26. The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one. 27. The men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two. 28. The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three. 29. The children of Nebo, fifty-two. 30. The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six. 31. The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. 32. The children of Harim, three hundred twenty. 33. The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five. 34. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. 35. The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty. 36. The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. 37. The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two. 38. The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. 39. The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen. 40. The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four. 41. The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight. 42. The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine. 43. The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, 44. the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, 45. the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, 46. the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan, 47. the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, 48. the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, 49. the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, 50. the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim, 51. the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, 52. the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, 53. the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah, 54. the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. 55. The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda, 56. the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, 57. the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami. 58. All the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two. 59. These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their offspring, whether they were of Israel: 60. the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. 61. Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. 62. These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. 63. The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim. 64. The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, 65. besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women. 66. Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five; 67. their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty. 68. Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place. 69. They gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments. 70. So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities. 1. When the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak stood up with his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. In spite of their fear because of the peoples of the surrounding lands, they set the altar on its base; and they offered burnt offerings on it to Yahweh, even burnt offerings morning and evening. 4. They kept the feast of tents, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required; 5. and afterward the continual burnt offering, the offerings of the new moons, of all the set feasts of Yahweh that were consecrated, and of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to Yahweh. 6. From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh; but the foundation of Yahweh’s temple was not yet laid. 7. They also gave money to the masons, and to the carpenters. They also gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus King of Persia. 8. Now in the second year of their coming to God’s house at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of Yahweh’s house. 9. Then Jeshua stood with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in God’s house: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites. 10. When the builders laid the foundation of Yahweh’s temple, they set the priests in their clothing with trumpets, with the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, according to the directions of David king of Israel. 11. They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of Yahweh’s house had been laid. 12. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. Many also shouted aloud for joy, 13. so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far away.

1. When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 3. Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4. Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 5. When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, 6. and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.” 7. Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8. The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9. For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel. 11. I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, 12. but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13. Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour. 14. When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. 16. When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 17. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.” 18. Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. 19. A scribe came, and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20. Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21. Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 22. But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” 23. When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24. Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 25. They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!” 26. He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27. The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 28. When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. 29. Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30. Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. 31. The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.” 32. He said to them, “Go!” They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water. 33. Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. 34. Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. 1. He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. 2. Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.” 3. Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.” 4. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5. For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ 6. But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.” 7. He arose and departed to his house. 8. But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. 9. As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. 10. As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12. When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 13. But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 14. Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?” 15. Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. 17. Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.” 18. While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19. Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. 20. Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; 21. for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22. But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. 23. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24. he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him. 25. But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26. The report of this went out into all that land. 27. As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” 28. When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.” 29. Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30. Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” 31. But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. 32. As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. 33. When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” 34. But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.” 35. Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 37. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.” 1. He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 3. Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; 4. Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5. Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. 6. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ 8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. 9. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. 10. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 11. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. 12. As you enter into the household, greet it. 13. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. 14. Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. 16. “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. 18. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. 19. But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. 20. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21. “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come. 24. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. 25. It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26. Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 27. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28. Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29. “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, 30. but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 32. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. 34. “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 35. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36. A man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38. He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 39. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 40. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.” 1. When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2. Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3. and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” 4. Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5. 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. 6. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” 7. As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8. But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11. Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16. “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17. and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” 20. Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. 21. “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 in sackcloth and ashes. 22. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. 24. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.” 25. At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. 26. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. 27. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. 28. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 1. At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2. But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3. But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 4. how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5. Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? 6. But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless. 8. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” 9. He departed there, and went into their synagogue. 10. And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him. 11. He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out? 12. Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” 13. Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 14. But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. 15. Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, 16. and commanded them that they should not make him known: 17. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 18. “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations. 19. He will not strive, nor shout; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20. He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. 21. In his name, the nations will hope.” 22. Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23. All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 24. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 25. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27. If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you. 29. Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. 30. “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. 31. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come. 33. “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. 36. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 38. Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39. But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41. 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, someone greater than Jonah is here. 42. The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. 43. When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn’t find it. 44. Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came out,’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45. Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.” 46. While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 47. One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.” 48. But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49. He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 50. For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” 1. On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2. Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3. He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5. Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6. When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7. Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. 8. Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10. The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11. He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 12. For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 13. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. 14. In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: 15. for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.’ 16. “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. 17. For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men 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. 18. “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19. When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20. What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21. yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22. What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23. What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.” 24. He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25. but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. 26. But when the blade sprang up and produced fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 27. The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’ 28. “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ 29. “But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 30. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” 31. He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; 32. which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.” 33. He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.” 34. Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, 35. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.” 36. Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” 37. He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38. the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40. As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, 42. and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 44. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. 45. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46. who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, 48. which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49. So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50. and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” 51. Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.” 52. He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.” 53. When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. 54. Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56. Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?” 57. They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house.” 58. He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 1. At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, 2. and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” 3. For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4. For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5. When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. 7. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. 8. She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.” 9. The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 10. and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11. His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. 12. His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. 13. Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14. Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15. When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.” 16. But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17. They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.” 18. He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19. He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20. They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. 21. Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 22. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23. After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. 24. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 26. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. 27. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” 28. Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” 29. He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. 30. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31. Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32. When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33. Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!” 34. When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35. When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick; 36. and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.

1. He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. 2. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3. Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4. The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down. 5. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6. An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad. 7. The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge. 8. Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. 9. If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace. 10. The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. 11. A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. 12. If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked. 13. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both. 14. The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever. 15. The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 16. When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17. Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 18. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed. 19. A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond. 20. Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21. He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end. 22. An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. 23. A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. 24. Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. 25. The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe. 26. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh. 27. A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.