Fire From Heaven: God's Power Against Idolatry

1. Yahweh’s word came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, 2. “Because I exalted you out of the dust, and made you prince over my people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam, and have made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins; 3. behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 4. The dogs will eat Baasha’s descendants who die in the city; and he who dies of his in the field, the birds of the sky will eat.” 5. Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 6. Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah; and Elah his son reigned in his place. 7. Moreover Yahweh’s word came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and against his house, both because of all the evil that he did in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he struck him. 8. In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two years. 9. His servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah; 10. and Zimri went in and struck him, and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place. 11. When he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, he attacked all the house of Baasha. He didn’t leave him a single one who urinates on a wall among his relatives or his friends. 12. Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, 13. for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and with which they made Israel to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities. 14. Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 15. In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. 16. The people who were encamped heard that Zimri had conspired, and had also killed the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. 17. Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. 18. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the fortified part of the king’s house, and burned the king’s house over him with fire, and died, 19. for his sins which he sinned in doing that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin. 20. Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he committed, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 21. Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri. 22. But the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath; so Tibni died, and Omri reigned. 23. In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel for twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah. 24. He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. 25. Omri did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and dealt wickedly above all who were before him. 26. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins with which he made Israel to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities. 27. Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he showed, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 28. So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria; and Ahab his son reigned in his place. 29. In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30. Ahab the son of Omri did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight above all that were before him. 31. As if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him. 32. He raised up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33. Ahab made the Asherah; and Ahab did more yet to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 34. In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid its foundation with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. 1. Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 2. Then Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, 3. “Go away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan. 4. You shall drink from the brook. I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5. So he went and did according to Yahweh’s word; for he went and lived by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan. 6. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7. After a while, the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 8. Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, 9. “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.” 10. So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11. As she was going to get it, he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12. She said, “As Yahweh your God lives, I don’t have a cake, but a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jar. Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13. Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward make some for you and for your son. 14. For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth.’” 15. She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, and her house, ate many days. 16. The jar of meal didn’t run out, and the jar of oil did not fail, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by Elijah. 17. After these things, the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18. She said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to memory, and to kill my son!” 19. He said to her, “Give me your son.” He took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the room where he stayed, and laid him on his own bed. 20. He cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, have you also brought evil on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?” 21. He stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, please let this child’s soul come into him again.” 22. Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23. Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, “Behold, your son lives.” 24. The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that Yahweh’s word in your mouth is truth.” 1. After many days, Yahweh’s word came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.” 2. Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. 3. Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly; 4. for when Jezebel cut off Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 5. Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land, to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the animals.” 6. So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 7. As Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. He recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8. He answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here!’” 9. He said, “How have I sinned, that you would deliver your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10. As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they didn’t find you. 11. Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12. It will happen, as soon as I leave you, that Yahweh’s Spirit will carry you I don’t know where; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he can’t find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared Yahweh from my youth. 13. Wasn’t it told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed Yahweh’s prophets, how I hid one hundred men of Yahweh’s prophets with fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 14. Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”.’ He will kill me.” 15. Elijah said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” 18. He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father’s house, in that you have forsaken Yahweh’s commandments, and you have followed the Baals. 19. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20. So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together to Mount Carmel. 21. Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word. 22. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left as a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men. 23. Let them therefore give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it. 24. You call on the name of your god, and I will call on Yahweh’s name. The God who answers by fire, let him be God.” All the people answered, “What you say is good.” 25. Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first; for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” 26. They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice, and nobody answered. They leaped about the altar which was made. 27. At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said, “Cry aloud; for he is a god. Either he is deep in thought, or he has gone somewhere, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.” 28. They cried aloud, and cut themselves in their way with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29. When midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the evening offering; but there was no voice, no answer, and nobody paid attention. 30. Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me!”; and all the people came near to him. He repaired Yahweh’s altar that had been thrown down. 31. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom Yahweh’s word came, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” 32. With the stones he built an altar in Yahweh’s name. He made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two seahs of seed. 33. He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.” 34. He said, “Do it a second time”; and they did it the second time. He said, “Do it a third time”; and they did it the third time. 35. The water ran around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36. At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37. Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again.” 38. Then Yahweh’s fire fell, and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said, “Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!” 40. Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let one of them escape!” They seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there. 41. Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 42. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees. 43. He said to his servant, “Go up now, and look toward the sea.” He went up, and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” He said, “Go again” seven times. 44. On the seventh time, he said, “Behold, a small cloud, like a man’s hand, is rising out of the sea.” He said, “Go up, tell Ahab, ‘Get ready and go down, so that the rain doesn’t stop you.’” 45. In a little while, the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46. Yahweh’s hand was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

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. Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth. 2. Sing to Yahweh! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! 3. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4. For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. 5. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens. 6. Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7. Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. 8. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. 10. Say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity. 11. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! 12. Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy 13. before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.