Rebuilding Broken Walls, Restoring Faith

1. The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” 4. When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, 5. and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments: 6. Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. 7. We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses. 8. “Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9. but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’ 10. “Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand. 11. Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king. 1. In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, I picked up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence. 2. The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?” 4. Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5. I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.” 6. The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “How long will your journey be? When will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time for him. 7. Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah; 8. and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me. 9. Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10. When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. 11. So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12. I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on. 13. I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate, and inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire. 14. Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king’s pool, but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass. 15. Then went I up in the night by the brook, and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. 16. The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work. 17. Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we won’t be disgraced.” 18. I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammontite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” 20. Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” 1. Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its doors. They sanctified it even to the tower of Hammeah, to the tower of Hananel. 2. Next to him the men of Jericho built. Next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 3. The sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4. Next to them, Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them, Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them, Zadok the son of Baana made repairs. 5. Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work. 6. Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the old gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars. 7. Next to them, Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor beyond the River. 8. Next to him, Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the wide wall. 9. Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10. Next to them, Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house. Next to him, Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces. 12. Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters, made repairs. 13. Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the valley gate. They built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate. 14. Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem repaired the dung gate. He built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 15. Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah repaired the spring gate. He built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, even to the stairs that go down from David’s city. 16. After him, Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs to the place opposite the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men. 17. After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. 18. After him, their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah made repairs. 19. Next to him, Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another portion, across from the ascent to the armory at the turning of the wall. 20. After him, Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21. After him, Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22. After him, the priests, the men of the Plain made repairs. 23. After them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs across from their house. After them, Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah made repairs beside his own house. 24. After him, Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, and to the corner. 25. Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the turning of the wall, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs. 26. (Now the temple servants lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.) 27. After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel. 28. Above the horse gate, the priests made repairs, everyone across from his own house. 29. After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. After him, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate made repairs. 30. After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room. 31. After him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths to the house of the temple servants, and of the merchants, made repairs opposite the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner. 32. Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.

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. Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. 2. Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. 3. But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4. I cry to Yahweh with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5. I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me. 6. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side. 7. Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. 8. Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people. Selah.