Faith Tested: Hagar's Exile and Peter's Confession

1. Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2. Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3. Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife. 4. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5. Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Yahweh judge between me and you.” 6. But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her face. 7. Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur. 8. He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.” 9. Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.” 10. Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.” 11. Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard your affliction. 12. He will be like a wild donkey among men. His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. He will live opposite all of his brothers.” 13. She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?” 14. Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15. Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. 1. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. 2. I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3. Abram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying, 4. “As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5. Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you. 7. I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you. 8. I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God.” 9. God said to Abraham, “As for you, you will keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you. 12. He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. 13. He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14. The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.” 15. God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name will be Sarah. 16. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.” 17. Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?” 18. Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19. God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21. But my covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.” 22. When he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23. Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money; every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him. 24. Abraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25. Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26. In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised. 27. All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him. 1. Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood opposite him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3. and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. 4. Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5. I will get a morsel of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as you have said.” 6. Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7. Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8. He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate. 9. They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “See, in the tent.” 10. He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12. Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13. Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child, yet I am old?’ 14. Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round, and Sarah will have a son.” 15. Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” 16. The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17. Yahweh said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18. since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19. For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.” 20. Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21. I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.” 22. The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before Yahweh. 23. Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? 24. What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25. Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the earth do right?” 26. Yahweh said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27. Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes. 28. What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29. He spoke to him yet again, and said, “What if there are forty found there?” He said, “I will not do it for the forty’s sake.” 30. He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31. He said, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord. What if there are twenty found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.” 32. He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.” 33. Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. 1. The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth, 2. and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.” 3. He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. 5. They called to Lot, and said to him, “Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them.” 6. Lot went out to them to the door, and shut the door after him. 7. He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t act so wickedly. 8. See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to you. Only don’t do anything to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof.” 9. They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a judge. Now will we deal worse with you, than with them!” They pressed hard on the man Lot, and came near to break the door. 10. But the men reached out their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. 11. They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12. The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whoever you have in the city, bring them out of the place: 13. for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown so great before Yahweh that Yahweh has sent us to destroy it.” 14. Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this place, for Yahweh will destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be joking. 15. When the morning came, then the angels hurried Lot, saying, “Get up! Take your wife, and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” 16. But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city. 17. It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be consumed!” 18. Lot said to them, “Oh, not so, my lord. 19. See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown to me in saving my life. I can’t escape to the mountain, lest evil overtake me, and I die. 20. See now, this city is near to flee to, and it is a little one. Oh let me escape there (isn’t it a little one?), and my soul will live.” 21. He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22. Hurry, escape there, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23. The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24. Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky. 25. He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew on the ground. 26. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27. Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Yahweh. 28. He looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and looked, and saw that the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29. When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. 30. Lot went up out of Zoar, and lived in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to live in Zoar. He lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31. The firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in to us in the way of all the earth. 32. Come, let’s make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve our father’s family line.” 33. They made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father. He didn’t know when she lay down, nor when she arose. 34. It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine again, tonight. You go in, and lie with him, that we may preserve our father’s family line.” 35. They made their father drink wine that night also. The younger went and lay with him. He didn’t know when she lay down, nor when she got up. 36. Thus both of Lot’s daughters were with child by their father. 37. The firstborn bore a son, and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38. The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.

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. Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 2. “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3. He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4. For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5. But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,” 6. he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. 7. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8. ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9. And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’” 10. He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. 11. That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” 12. Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?” 13. But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14. Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15. Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16. So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand? 17. Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? 18. But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 19. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.” 21. Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22. Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!” 23. But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” 24. But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25. But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26. But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27. But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28. Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. 29. Jesus departed from there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there. 30. Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them, 31. so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel. 32. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.” 33. The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?” 34. Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35. He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; 36. and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37. They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 38. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39. Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala. 1. The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2. But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3. In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times! 4. An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them, and departed. 5. The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread. 6. Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7. They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8. Jesus, perceiving it, said, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, ‘because you have brought no bread?’ 9. Don’t you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 10. Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 11. How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12. Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13. Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14. They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17. Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18. I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19. I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” 20. Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 22. Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.” 23. But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” 24. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 26. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 27. For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. 28. Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

1. Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation. 2. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for to you do I pray. 3. Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. 4. For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you. 5. The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. 6. You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 7. But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you. 8. Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face. 9. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. 10. Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. 11. But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. 12. For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.