Holy Bible Catholic Edition, Anglicized Text

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used for the books of the Bible:

NEW TESTAMENT

Mt … Matthew

Mk … Mark

Lk … Luke

Jn … John

Acts … Acts of the Apostles

Rom … Romans

1 Cor … 1 Corinthians

2 Cor … 2 Corinthians

Gal … Galatians

Eph … Ephesians

Phil … Philippians

Col … Colossians

1 Thess … 1 Thessalonians

2 Thess … 2 Thessalonians

1 Tim … 1 Timothy

2 Tim … 2 Timothy

Titus … Titus

Philem … Philemon

Heb … Hebrews

Jas … James

1 Pet … 1 Peter

2 Pet … 2 Peter

1 Jn … 1 John

2 Jn … 2 John

3 Jn … 3 John

Jude … Jude

Rev … Revelation

Preface to the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

THIS CATHOLIC EDITION of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible has been authorized by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the U.S.A. and by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. It has received the ecclesiastical approval of the Catholic Bishops of both the United States and Canada. The undersigned, who prepared this edition, is a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Translation Committee as well as an active member and past president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

Roman Catholics are already familiar with the accuracy and elegance of the New Revised Standard Version, first published in 1990. It has previously appeared in two major types of edition: an edition of the Old and New Testaments alone, the Bible of most Protestants; and an edition of the Old and New Testaments with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books placed between the two Testaments. The text of the latter edition received the Imprimatur (official approbation) of the United States and Canadian Catholic Bishops. The New Revised Standard Version is truly an ecumenical translation, for it was produced by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and Jewish scholars. Because of this Catholic presence no change in the translation was requested for this edition. The only exceptions are the Book of Esther, which exists in two different forms that are explained below, and the Book of Daniel, which includes the deuterocanonical portions that are listed below.

Regarding the number of the books of the Old Testament canon and their arrangement, however, Protestants and Jews on the one hand, and Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians on the other, hold different beliefs. From the time of the Reformation in the sixteenth century, Protestants have adopted the Jewish canon of the Old Testament, which was established by the rabbis at the end of the first century of the Common Era. This canon includes only those books that were written in Hebrew and Aramaic. In addition to these books, however, Roman Catholics, following the ancient tradition of the Christian church, also hold the Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament to be sacred and inspired, and therefore canonical. Protestants and Jews call these books Apocrypha, a word that means “hidden or concealed,” an inappropriate title for works that were part of the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) from pre-Christian times. The Roman Catholic canon, which was fixed by the time of the Council of Hippo in 393 and reaffirmed by the two Councils of Carthage in 397 and 419, was formally defined by the Council of Trent in 1546. This canon contains seven Deuterocanonical Books: Tobit, Judith, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (the Wisdom of Ben Sira, also known as Ecclesiasticus), Baruch including the Letter of Jeremiah as chapter 6, and 1 and 2 Maccabees; and extra portions of two other books: the Additions to Esther; and the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews inserted between verses 23 and 24 of Daniel 3, Susanna as Daniel 13, and Bel and the Dragon as Daniel 14. Over and above these books and extra portions, the Bible of Greek and Slavonic Orthodox Christians includes 1 Esdras, the Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151, and 3 Maccabees. The Slavonic Bible also contains 2 Esdras, and an appendix to the Greek Bible includes 4 Maccabees.

Several of the Deuterocanonical Books were written originally in Hebrew or Aramaic, the rest in Greek. More than two-thirds of the Book of Sirach is now extant in Hebrew, and four fragments of the Book of Tobit in Hebrew and Aramaic were recovered from Qumran Cave IV. It seems certain that Judith and the additions to Daniel were also written originally in Hebrew. Hebrew is the original language of the prose parts of Baruch; the poetic parts were composed in Greek. The Wisdom of Solomon was written completely in Greek. The original language of 1 Maccabees was Hebrew while 2 Maccabees was composed in Greek.

The Book of Esther has two different forms: the short Hebrew original; and the longer Greek version that contains one hundred and seven additional verses comprising six distinct portions, A through F. It is the translation of the entire Greek version that appears in the Deuterocanonical section of the New Revised Standard Version. In this Catholic edition, however, the translation of the Greek portions has been inserted at the appropriate places of the translation of the Hebrew form of the book. Some of the Greek portions apparently had a Hebrew origin; the others were written in Greek.

What is distinctive about this Catholic edition—as well as every other edition published by Roman Catholics—is that the Deuterocanonical Books and portions are placed in their proper order among the other books of the Old Testament. Thus, Tobit, Judith, the long form of Esther, and 1 and 2 Maccabees are found among the so-called historical books directly after Nehemiah. The Wisdom of Solomon and the Book of Sirach follow after the Song of Solomon among the wisdom books. Because Baruch, the well-known secretary of Jeremiah, is said to be the author of the work that bears his name, the book is placed after Jeremiah and Lamentations. This order of books comes from the Latin Vulgate translated by St. Jerome in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. It is essentially the same order as that found in the fourth-century Codex Vaticanus, one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Septuagint.

Roman Catholics will welcome this edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible for personal reading and study as well as liturgical usage. Based on the latest manuscript discoveries and critical editions, it offers the fruits of the best biblical scholarship in the idiom of today while being sensitive to the contemporary concern for inclusive language when referring to human beings.

ALEXANDER A. DI LELLA, O.F.M.
Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies
The Catholic University of America

September 30, 1992
Feast of St. Jerome

Preface to the New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition

THE PUBLICATION of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible in 1990 marked the latest stage in the development of an authoritative English language text, a process that started in England with the translation commonly known as the Authorized or King James Version of 1611. The ongoing task of translation had already resulted in the Revised Standard Version of 1952, and a fuller account of this developmental process can be found in the preface To the Reader.

The RSV rapidly found favour throughout the English-speaking world, and in the United Kingdom the translation was quickly adopted by churches, theological colleges, and university faculties as their standard version. In all these places, the RSV was recognized as being authoritative and accurate, impartial in its scholarship, and well-suited to the needs of the Christian community of that period.

The continuance of the Translation Committee’s work after the RSV first appeared is a testimony to the fluid nature of the labour with which it is concerned. Bible translators must try to reflect the language of the people for whom they are writing, and the NRSV, recognizing that the English language was evolving rapidly, adopted terms that are familiar to contemporary readers. Yet the English language has developed in different ways in separate countries, and there has been an ongoing divergence between the language as it is used in the United States of America, and the form most commonly used in the British Isles and other countries where British usage is preferred. Therefore, whilst the appearance of the NRSV was warmly welcomed, it soon became apparent that there was a sufficient number of variances between American and British usage to suggest that an edition embodying British usage would be appreciated. The task of producing a text that would meet this need was therefore undertaken, with the convenient (if not strictly accurate) description of an Anglicized Edition.

All those participating in the process of ‘anglicization’ accepted that no attempt could be made to alter the basic translation in any way; their responsibility was simply to render words that might otherwise be uncertain or awkward into the best generally acceptable equivalent in British usage, whilst at the same time adjusting appropriate points of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

It is the spelling of various words that will for many present the most obvious examples of change. (Readers may care to note that the verb ending -ize, in Britain sometimes regarded as American usage, has been retained where this is etymologically permissable). Other common changes include: the insertion of ‘and’ into numbers higher than one hundred; the replacement of obsolete (in British usage) past participles such as ‘gotten’ the avoidance of subjunctive verbs, still familiar in American but much rarer in British usage; the reinstatement of prepositions such as ‘to’ and ‘for’ often elided in US idiom.

The Anglicized Edition’s editors also found that words in common use could sometimes have different meanings in various English-speaking cultures, which must affect understanding and interpretation of the text. Thus, references to the (freshwater) Sea of Galilee retain this form, but where the proper name is not given in full, ‘sea’ is replaced by ‘lake’, a more unmistakable description for readers to whom sea implies salt water, corresponding to the American ‘ocean’. The ‘tone’ of a particular word may also vary between countries; what is an acceptable ‘informal’ use in the USA may sometimes be seen as a vulgarism in Britain and other places.

Many smaller alterations have been made, apparently insignificant in themselves, yet which contribute to the overall rendition of the biblical narrative in what may be termed British style.

The intention that lies behind the publication of the New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition has been to present an already excellent version of the Scriptures in the form most accessible to its intended readers, so reinforcing their understanding. The editorial work was carried out in Great Britain, but the active support and encouragement of members of the original Translation Committee has ensured that the foundational scholarship which undergirds the NRSV has been retained, and enhanced for those who prefer British usage. It is the earnest hope of all involved in the task that their efforts will enable still more readers to gain fresh insights into the written Word of God.

OXFORD
October 1995

To the Reader

THIS PREFACE IS ADDRESSED TO YOU by the Committee of translators, who wish to explain, as briefly as possible, the origin and character of our work. The publication of our revision is yet another step in the long, continual process of making the Bible available in the form of the English language that is most widely current in our day. To summarize in a single sentence: the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is an authorized revision of the Revised Standard Version, published in 1952, which was a revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which, in turn, embodied earlier revisions of the King James Version, published in 1611.

In the course of time, the King James Version came to be regarded as the “Authorized Version.” With good reason it has been termed “the noblest monument of English prose,” and it has entered, as no other book has, into the making of the personal character and the public institutions of the English-speaking peoples. We owe to it an incalculable debt.

Yet the King James Version has serious defects. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the development of biblical studies and the discovery of many biblical manuscripts more ancient than those on which the King James Version was based made it apparent that these defects were so many as to call for revision. The task was begun, by authority of the Church of England, in 1870. The (British) Revised Version of the Bible was published in 1881–85; and the American Standard Version, its variant embodying the preferences of the American scholars associated with the work, was published, as was mentioned above, in 1901. In 1928 the copyright of the latter was acquired by the International Council of Religious Education and thus passed into the ownership of the churches of the United States and Canada that were associated in this council through their boards of education and publication.

The Council appointed a committee of scholars to have charge of the text of the American Standard Version and to undertake inquiry concerning the need for further revision. After studying the questions of whether revision should be undertaken and, if so, what its nature and extent should be, in 1937 the Council authorized a revision. The scholars who served as members of the Committee worked in two sections, one dealing with the OT and one with the NT. In 1946 the Revised Standard Version of the NT was published. The publication of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, containing the OT and NT, took place on September 30, 1952. A translation of the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the OT followed in 1957. In 1977 this collection was issued in an expanded edition containing three additional texts received by Eastern Orthodox communions (3 and 4 Maccabees and Psalm 151). Thereafter the Revised Standard Version gained the distinction of being officially authorized for use by all major Christian churches: Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox.

The Revised Standard Version Bible Committee is a continuing body, comprising about thirty members, both men and women. Ecumenical in representation, it includes scholars affiliated with various Protestant denominations as well as several Roman Catholic members, an Eastern Orthodox member, and a Jewish member who serves in the OT section. For a period of time the Committee included several members from Canada and from England.

Because no translation of the Bible is perfect or acceptable to all groups of readers, and because discoveries of older manuscripts and further investigation of linguistic features of the text continue to become available, renderings of the Bible have proliferated. During the years following the publication of the Revised Standard Version, twenty-six other English translations and revisions of the Bible were produced by committees and by individual scholars—not to mention twenty-five other translations and revisions of the NT alone. One of the latter was the second edition of the RSV NT, issued in 1971, twenty-five years after its initial publication.

Following the publication of the RSV OT in 1952, significant advances were made in the discovery and interpretation of documents in Semitic languages related to Hebrew. In addition to the information that had become available in the late 1940s from the Dead Sea texts of Isaiah and Habakkuk, subsequent acquisitions from the same area brought to light many other early copies of all the books of the Hebrew scriptures (except Esther), though most of these copies are fragmentary. During the same period early Greek manuscript copies of books of the NT also became available.

In order to take these discoveries into account, along with recent studies of documents in Semitic languages related to Hebrew, in 1974 the Policies Committee of the Revised Standard Version, which is a standing committee of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., authorized the preparation of a revision of the entire RSV Bible.

For the OT the Committee has made use of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1977; ed. sec. emendata, 1983). This is an edition of the Hebrew and Aramaic text as current early in the Christian era and fixed by Jewish scholars (the “Masoretes”) of the sixth to the ninth centuries. The vowel signs, which were added by the Masoretes, are accepted in the main, but where a more probable and convincing reading can be obtained by assuming different vowels, this has been done. No notes are given in such cases, because the vowel points are less ancient and reliable than the consonants. When an alternative reading given by the Masoretes is translated in a footnote, it is identified by the words “Another reading is.”

Departures from the consonantal text of the best manuscripts have been made only where it seems clear that errors in copying had been made before the text was standardized. Most of the corrections adopted are based on the ancient versions (translations into Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin), which were made prior to the time of the work of the Masoretes and which therefore may reflect earlier forms of the Hebrew text. In such instances a footnote specifies the version or versions from which the correction has been derived and also gives a translation of the Masoretic Text. Where it was deemed appropriate to do so, information is supplied in footnotes from subsidiary Jewish traditions concerning other textual readings (the Tiqqune Sopherim, “emendations of the scribes”). These are identified in the footnotes as “Ancient Heb tradition.”

Occasionally it is evident that the text has suffered in transmission and that none of the versions provides a satisfactory restoration. Here we can only follow the best judgment of competent scholars as to the most probable reconstruction of the original text. Such reconstructions are indicated in footnotes by the abbreviation Cn (“Correction”), and a translation of the Masoretic Text is added.

For the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the OT the Committee has made use of a number of texts. For most of these books the basic Greek text from which the present translation was made is the edition of the Septuagint prepared by Alfred Rahlfs and published by the Württemberg Bible Society (Stuttgart, 1935). For several of the books the more recently published individual volumes of the Göttingen Septuagint project were utilized. For the book of Tobit it was decided to follow the form of the Greek text found in Codex Sinaiticus (supported as it is by evidence from Qumran); where this text is defective, it was supplemented and corrected by other Greek manuscripts. For the three Additions to Daniel (namely, Susanna, the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews, and Bel and the Dragon) the Committee continued to use the Greek version attributed to Theodotion (the so-called Theodotion-Daniel). In translating Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), although constant reference was made to the Hebrew fragments of a large portion of this book (those discovered at Qumran and Masada as well as those recovered from the Cairo Geniza), the Committee generally followed the Greek text (including verse numbers) published by Joseph Ziegler in the Göttingen Septuagint (1965). But in many places the Committee has translated the Hebrew text when this provides a reading that is clearly superior to the Greek; the Syriac and Latin versions were also consulted throughout and occasionally adopted. The basic text adopted in rendering 2 Esdras is the Latin version given in Biblia Sacra, edited by Robert Weber (Stuttgart, 1971). This was supplemented by consulting the Latin text as edited by R. L. Bensly (1895) and by Bruno Violet (1910) as well as by taking into account the several Oriental versions of 2 Esdras, namely, the Syriac, Ethiopic, Arabic (two forms, referred to as Arabic 1 and Arabic 2), Armenian, and Georgian versions. Finally, since the Additions to the Book of Esther are disjointed and quite unintelligible as they stand in most editions of the Apocrypha, we have provided them with their original context by translating the whole of the Greek version of Esther from Robert Hanhart’s Göttingen edition (1983).

For the NT the Committee has based its work on the most recent edition of The Greek New Testament, prepared by an interconfessional and international committee and published by the United Bible Societies (1966; 3d ed. corrected, 1983; information concerning changes to be introduced into the critical apparatus of the forthcoming 4th edition was available to the Committee). As in that edition, double brackets are used to enclose a few passages that are generally regarded to be later additions to the text, but that we have retained because of their evident antiquity and their importance in the textual tradition. Only in very rare instances have we replaced the text or the punctuation of the Bible Societies’ edition by an alternative that seemed to us to be superior. Here and there in the footnotes the phrase “Other ancient authorities read” identifies alternative readings preserved by Greek manuscripts and early versions. In both OT and NT, alternative renderings of the text are indicated by the word “Or.”

As for the style of English adopted for the present revision, among the mandates given to the Committee in 1980 by the Division of Education and Ministry of the National Council of Churches of Christ (which now holds the copyright of the RSV Bible) was the directive to continue in the tradition of the King James Bible, but to introduce such changes as are warranted on the basis of accuracy, clarity, euphony, and current English usage. Within the constraints set by the original texts and by the mandates of the Division, the Committee has followed the maxim “As literal as possible, as free as necessary.” As a consequence, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) remains essentially a literal translation. Paraphrastic renderings have been adopted only sparingly, and then chiefly to compensate for a deficiency in the English language—the lack of a common-gender third-person singular pronoun.

During the almost half a century since the publication of the RSV, many in the churches have become sensitive to the danger of linguistic sexism arising from the inherent bias of the English language toward the masculine gender, a bias that in the case of the Bible has often restricted or obscured the meaning of the original text. The mandates from the Division specified that, in references to men and women, masculine-oriented language should be eliminated as far as this can be done without altering passages that reflect the historical situation of ancient patriarchal culture. As can be appreciated, more than once the Committee found that the several mandates stood in tension and even in conflict. The various concerns had to be balanced case by case in order to provide a faithful and acceptable rendering without using contrived English. Only very occasionally has the pronoun “he” or “him” been retained in passages where the reference may have been to a woman as well as to a man, for example, in several legal texts in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In such instances of formal, legal language, the options of either putting the passage in the plural or of introducing additional nouns to avoid masculine pronouns in English seemed to the Committee to obscure the historic structure and literary character of the original. In the vast majority of cases, however, inclusiveness has been attained by simple rephrasing or by introducing plural forms when this does not distort the meaning of the passage. Of course, in narrative and in parable no attempt was made to generalize the sex of individual persons.

Another aspect of style will be detected by readers who compare the more stately English rendering of the OT with the less formal rendering adopted for the NT. For example, the traditional distinction between “shall” and “will” in English has been retained in the OT as appropriate in rendering a document that embodies what may be termed the classic form of Hebrew, while in the NT the abandonment of such distinctions in the usage of the future tense in English reflects the more colloquial nature of the Koine Greek used by most NT authors except when they are quoting the OT.

Careful readers will notice that here and there in the OT the word LORD (or in certain cases GOD) is printed in capital letters. This represents the traditional manner in English versions of rendering the divine name, the “tetragrammaton” (see the text notes on Exodus 3.14–15), following the precedent of the ancient Greek and Latin translators and the long-established practice in the reading of the Hebrew scriptures in the synagogue. Although it is almost if not quite certain that the name was originally pronounced “Yahweh,” this pronunciation was not indicated when the Masoretes added vowel sounds to the consonantal Hebrew text. To the four consonants YHWH of the divine name, which had come to be regarded as too sacred to be pronounced, they attached vowel signs indicating that in its place should be read the Hebrew word Adonai, meaning “Lord” (or Elohim, meaning “God”). Ancient Greek translators employed the word Kyrios (“Lord”) for the name. The Vulgate likewise used the Latin word Dominus (“Lord”). The form “Jehovah” is of late medieval origin; it is a combination of the consonants of the divine name and the vowels attached to it by the Masoretes but belonging to an entirely different word. Although the American Standard Version (1901) had used “Jehovah” to render the tetragrammaton (the sound of y being represented by j and the sound of w by v, as in Latin), for two reasons the Committees that produced the RSV and the NRSV returned to the more familiar usage of the King James Version. (1) The word “Jehovah” does not accurately represent any form of the divine name ever used in Hebrew. (2) The use of any proper name for the one and only God, as though there were other gods from whom the true God had to be distinguished, began to be discontinued in Judaism before the Christian era and is inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian church.

It will be seen that in the Psalms and in other prayers addressed to God the archaic second-person singular pronouns (“thee, thou, thine”) and verb forms (“art, hast, hadst”) are no longer used. Although some readers may regret this change, it should be pointed out that in the original languages neither the OT nor the NT makes any linguistic distinction between addressing a human being and addressing the deity. Furthermore, in the tradition of the King James Version one will not expect to find the use of capital letters for pronouns that refer to the deity—such capitalization is an unnecessary innovation that has only recently been introduced into a few English translations of the Bible. Finally, we have left to the discretion of the licensed publishers such matters as section headings, cross-references, and clues to the pronunciation of proper names.

This new version seeks to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the years. It is intended for use in public reading and congregational worship as well as in private study, instruction, and meditation. We have resisted the temptation to introduce terms and phrases that merely reflect current moods, and have tried to put the message of the scriptures in simple, enduring words and expressions that are worthy to stand in the great tradition of the King James Bible and its predecessors.

In traditional Judaism and Christianity, the Bible has been more than a historical document to be preserved or a classic of literature to be cherished and admired; it is recognized as the unique record of God’s dealings with people over the ages. The OT sets forth the call of a special people to enter into covenant relation with the God of justice and steadfast love and to bring God’s law to the nations. The NT records the life and work of Jesus Christ, the one in whom “the Word became flesh,” as well as describes the rise and spread of the early Christian church. The Bible carries its full message not to those who regard it simply as a noble literary heritage of the past or who wish to use it to enhance political purposes and advance otherwise desirable goals, but to all persons and communities who read it so that they may discern and understand what God is saying to them. That message must not be disguised in phrases that are no longer clear or hidden under words that have changed or lost their meaning; it must be presented in language that is direct and plain and meaningful to people today. It is the hope and prayer of the translators that this version of the Bible may continue to hold a large place in congregational life and to speak to all readers, young and old alike, helping them to understand and believe and respond to its message.

For the Committee,
Bruce M. Metzger

THE NEW COVENANT

commonly called

THE NEW TESTAMENT

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

New Revised Standard Version

The Gospel According to
MATTHEW

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

AN ACCOUNT of the genealogya of Jesus the Messiah,b the son of David, the son of Abraham.

² Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, ³and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, ⁴and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, ⁵and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, ⁶and Jesse the father of King David.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, ⁷and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,c⁸and Asaphc the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, ⁹and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, ¹⁰and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,d and Amosd the father of Josiah, ¹¹and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

¹² And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, ¹³and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, ¹⁴and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, ¹⁵and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, ¹⁶and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.e

¹⁷ So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah,efourteen generations.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus the Messiaha took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. ²⁰But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ ²²All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³ ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’ ²⁴When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, ²⁵but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;b and he named him Jesus.

The Visit of the Wise Men

2

IN THE time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise menc from the East came to Jerusalem, ²asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,d and have come to pay him homage.’ ³When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiahe was to be born. ⁵They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

⁶ “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherdf my people Israel.”’

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the wise menc and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ ⁹When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,d until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw that the star had stopped,g they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Escape to Egypt

¹³ Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ ¹⁴Then Josepha got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

The Massacre of the Infants

¹⁶ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,b he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.b ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ ‘A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

The Return from Egypt

¹⁹ When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ²⁰‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ ²¹Then Josepha got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. ²³There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3

IN THOSE days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ²‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’c ³This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.”’

⁴Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, ⁶and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ⁹Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ¹⁰Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ ‘I baptize you withd water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you withd the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹²His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ ¹⁵But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. ¹⁶And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved,a with whom I am well pleased.’

The Temptation of Jesus

4

THEN Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ ⁴But he answered, ‘It is written,

“One does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you”,

and “On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

⁷Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; ⁹and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ ¹⁰Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.”’

¹¹Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

¹² Now when Jesusb heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

¹⁵ ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

light has dawned.’

¹⁷From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’a

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

¹⁸ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²²Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

²³ Jesusb went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good newsc of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. ²⁴So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. ²⁵And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

The Beatitudes

5

WHEN Jesus d saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

³ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵ ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁷ ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

⁸ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹ ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falselye on my account. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

¹³ ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

¹⁴ ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Law and the Prophets

¹⁷ ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,a not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹Therefore, whoever breaksb one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Concerning Anger

²¹ ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder” and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” ²²But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,c you will be liable to judgement; and if you insultd a brother or sister,e you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hellf of fire. ²³So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sisterg has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,g and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to courth with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Concerning Adultery

²⁷ ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.f ³⁰And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.f

Concerning Divorce

³¹ ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” ³²But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Concerning Oaths

³³ ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” ³⁴But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No” anything more than this comes from the evil one.a

Concerning Retaliation

³⁸ ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; ⁴⁰and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; ⁴¹and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴²Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” ⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,b what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Concerning Almsgiving

6

’BEWARE of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ³But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.c

Concerning Prayer

⁵ ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ⁶But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.c

⁷ ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ ‘Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

¹⁰ Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.d

¹² And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

¹³ And do not bring us to the time of trial,a

but rescue us from the evil one.b

¹⁴For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; ¹⁵but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Concerning Fasting

¹⁶ ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.c

Concerning Treasures

¹⁹ ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustd consume and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rustd consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Sound Eye

²² ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; ²³but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Serving Two Masters

²⁴ ‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.e

Do Not Worry

²⁵ ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,f or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?g²⁸And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” ³²For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But strive first for the kingdom of Goda and hisb righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

³⁴ ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Judging Others

7

’DO NOT judge, so that you may not be judged. ²For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. ³Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’sc eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your neighbour,d “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’sc eye.

Profaning the Holy

⁶ ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

Ask, Search, Knock

⁷ ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? ¹⁰Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? ¹¹If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

¹² ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

¹³ ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easye that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵ ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Concerning Self-Deception

²¹ ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. ²²On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” ²³Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”

Hearers and Doers

²⁴ ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. ²⁵The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

²⁸ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, ²⁹for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8

WHEN Jesus a had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; ²and there was a leperb who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ ³He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosyb was cleansed. ⁴Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

⁵ When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him ⁶and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, in terrible distress.’ ⁷And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ ⁸The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ ¹⁰When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no onec in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

¹²while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ¹³And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour.

Jesus Heals Many at Peter’s House

¹⁴ When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; ¹⁵he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. ¹⁶That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. ¹⁷This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and boreour diseases.’

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

¹⁸ Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. ¹⁹A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ ²⁰And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ ²¹Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ ²²But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’

Jesus Stills the Storm

²³ And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. ²⁴A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. ²⁵And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ ²⁶And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. ²⁷They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’

Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs

9

²⁸ When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,a two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. ²⁹Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ ³⁰Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. ³¹The demons begged him, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ ³²And he said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water. ³³The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. ³⁴Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood. ¹And after getting into a boat he crossed the water and came to his own town.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

² And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ ³Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ ⁴But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? ⁶But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ ⁷And he stood up and went to his home. ⁸When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

The Calling of Matthew

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

¹⁰ And as he sat at dinnera in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sittingb with him and his disciples. ¹¹When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ ¹²But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

The Question about Fasting

¹⁴ Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often,c but your disciples do not fast?’ ¹⁵And Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. ¹⁶No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. ¹⁷Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

¹⁸ While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogued came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ ¹⁹And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. ²⁰Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, ²¹for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ ²²Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. ²³When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, ²⁴he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. ²⁵But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. ²⁶And the report of this spread throughout that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’ ²⁸When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ ²⁹Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’ ³⁰And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, ‘See that no one knows of this.’ ³¹But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Jesus Heals One Who Was Mute

³² After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. ³³And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ ³⁴But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’a

The Harvest Is Great, the Labourers Few

³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. ³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; ³⁸therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’

The Twelve Apostles

10

THEN Jesus b summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. ²These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;c ⁴Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

The Mission of the Twelve

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”d ⁸Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,e cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. ⁹Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, ¹⁰no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. ¹¹Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. ¹²As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.

Coming Persecutions

¹⁶ ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; ¹⁸and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; ²⁰for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ²¹Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; ²²and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ²³When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

²⁴ ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; ²⁵it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

Whom to Fear

²⁶ ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. ²⁷What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. ²⁸Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.a ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. ³⁰And even the hairs of your head are all counted. ³¹So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

³² ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; ³³but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

Not Peace, but a Sword

³⁴ ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father,

and a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

³⁶ and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

³⁷Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Rewards

⁴⁰ ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; ⁴²and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

11

NOW when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

² When John heard in prison what the Messiaha was doing, he sent word by hisb disciples ³and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ ⁴Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepersc are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What then did you go out to see? Someoned dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹What then did you go out to see? A prophet?e Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.”

¹¹Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,f and the violent take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; ¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵Let anyone with earsg listen!

¹⁶ ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,

¹⁷ “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we wailed, and you did not mourn.”

¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon” ¹⁹the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’h

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

²⁰ Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ²¹‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²²But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³And you, Capernaum,

will you be exalted to heaven?

No, you will be brought down to Hades.

For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’

Jesus Thanks His Father

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, ‘I thanka you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; ²⁶yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.b ²⁷All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath

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AT THAT time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. ²When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ ³He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. ⁵Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? ⁶I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’

The Man with a Withered Hand

⁹ He left that place and entered their synagogue; ¹⁰a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?’ so that they might accuse him. ¹¹He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? ¹²How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ ¹³Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. ¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

God’s Chosen Servant

¹⁵ When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowdsc followed him, and he cured all of them, ¹⁶and he ordered them not to make him known. ¹⁷This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁸ ‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,

my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

¹⁹ He will not wrangle or cry aloud,

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

²⁰ He will not break a bruised reed

or quench a smouldering wick

until he brings justice to victory.

²¹ And in his name the Gentiles will hope.’

Jesus and Beelzebul

²² Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. ²³All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ ²⁴But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ ²⁵He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcistsa cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁸But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. ²⁹Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. ³⁰Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³¹Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³²Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

A Tree and Its Fruit

³³ ‘Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’

The Sign of Jonah

³⁸ Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’ ³⁹But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! ⁴²The queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

The Return of the Unclean Spirit

⁴³ ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but it finds none. ⁴⁴Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.’

The True Kindred of Jesus

⁴⁶ While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’a ⁴⁸But to the one who had told him this, Jesusb replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ ⁴⁹And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’

The Parable of the Sower

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THAT same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. ²Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. ⁶But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹Let anyone with earsc listen!’

The Purpose of the Parables

¹⁰ Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ ¹¹He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secretsd of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹²For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ¹³The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” ¹⁴With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

“You will indeed listen, but never understand,

and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

¹⁵ For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes;

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and listen with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.”

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹⁸ ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. ¹⁹When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. ²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.a ²²As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. ²³But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

²⁴ He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; ²⁵but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. ²⁶So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. ²⁷And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” ²⁸He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” ²⁹But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. ³⁰Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³¹ He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; ³²it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’

The Parable of the Yeast

³³ He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in withb three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

The Use of Parables

³⁴ Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. ³⁵This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet:c

‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables;

I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.’a

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds

³⁶ Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ ³⁷He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; ³⁸the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. ⁴¹The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, ⁴²and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with earsb listen!

Three Parables

⁴⁴ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; ⁴⁸when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Treasures New and Old

⁵¹ ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ ⁵²And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ ⁵³When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

⁵⁴ He came to his home town and began to teach the peoplec in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? ⁵⁵Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?’ ⁵⁷And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’ ⁵⁸And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

The Death of John the Baptist

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AT THAT time Herod the ruler d heard reports about Jesus; ²and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ ³For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,a ⁴because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ ⁵Though Herodb wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. ⁶But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod ⁷so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. ⁸Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ ⁹The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; ¹⁰he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. ¹²His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ ¹⁶Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ ¹⁷They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ ¹⁸And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,c for the wind was against them. ²⁵And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

²⁸ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ ²⁹He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. ³⁰But when he noticed the strong wind,d he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ ³²When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ³⁵After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, ³⁶and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

The Tradition of the Elders

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THEN Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ²‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.’ ³He answered them, ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴For God said,a “Honour your father and your mother,” and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” ⁵But you say that whoever tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God”,b then that person need not honour the father.c ⁶So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the wordd of God. ⁷You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said:

⁸ “This people honours me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me;

⁹ in vain do they worship me,

teaching human precepts as doctrines.”’

Things That Defile

¹⁰ Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, ‘Listen and understand: ¹¹it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.’ ¹²Then the disciples approached and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees took offence when they heard what you said?’ ¹³He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.e And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.’ ¹⁵But Peter said to him, ‘Explain this parable to us.’ ¹⁶Then he said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.’

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

²¹ Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ ²³But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ ²⁴He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ ²⁶He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ ²⁷She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

Jesus Cures Many People

²⁹ After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. ³⁰Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, ³¹so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Feeding the Four Thousand

³² Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.’ ³³The disciples said to him, ‘Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?’ ³⁴Jesus asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ They said, ‘Seven, and a few small fish.’ ³⁵Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, ³⁶he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ³⁷And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. ³⁸Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.a

The Demand for a Sign

16

THE Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus b they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. ²He answered them, ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.” ³And in the morning, “It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.c ⁴An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ Then he left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

⁵ When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. ⁶Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ ⁷They said to one another, ‘It is because we have brought no bread.’ ⁸And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? ⁹Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? ¹¹How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ ¹²Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ ¹⁴And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ¹⁵He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah,a the Son of the living God.’ ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter,b and on this rockc I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he wasd the Messiah.a

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹ From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²²And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ ²³But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

The Cross and Self-Denial

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

²⁷ ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

The Transfiguration

17

SIX days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, Ie will make three dwellingsf here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ ⁵While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved;a with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ ⁸And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ ¹⁰And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ ¹¹He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; ¹²but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus Cures a Boy with a Demon

¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, ¹⁵and said, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. ¹⁶And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.’ ¹⁷Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.’ ¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the demon,b and itc came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. ¹⁹Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ ²⁰He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of ad mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’e

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²² As they were gatheringf in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, ²³and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.’ And they were greatly distressed.

Jesus and the Temple Tax

²⁴ When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple taxg came to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?’g ²⁵He said, ‘Yes, he does.’ And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ ²⁶When Peterh said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children are free. ²⁷However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin;i take that and give it to them for you and me.’

True Greatness

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AT THAT time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ ²He called a child, whom he put among them, ³and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Temptations to Sin

⁶ ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!

⁸ ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. ⁹And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hella of fire.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

¹⁰ ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.b ¹²What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? ¹³And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. ¹⁴So it is not the will of yourc Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

Reproving Another Who Sins

¹⁵ ‘If another member of the churchd sins against you,e go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.f ¹⁶But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. ¹⁸Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

Forgiveness

²¹ Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the churchg sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ ²²Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-sevenh times.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

²³ ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. ²⁴When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talentsa was brought to him; ²⁵and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. ²⁶So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” ²⁷And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;b and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” ²⁹Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” ³⁰But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. ³²Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” ³⁴And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. ³⁵So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sisterc from your heart.’

Teaching about Divorce

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WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ²Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?’ ⁴He answered, ‘Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning “made them male and female”, ⁵and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? ⁶So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ ⁷They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?’ ⁸He said to them, ‘It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but at the beginning it was not so. ⁹And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.’d

¹⁰ His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ ¹¹But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. ¹²For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; ¹⁴but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ ¹⁵And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

The Rich Young Man

¹⁶ Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ ¹⁷And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ ¹⁸He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; ¹⁹Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ²⁰The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these;a what do I still lack?’ ²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the moneyb to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ ²²When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ ²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ ²⁶But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’

²⁷ Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ ²⁸Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,c and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

The Labourers in the Vineyard

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’FOR the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. ²After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage,d he sent them into his vineyard. ³When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; ⁴and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. ⁵When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. ⁶And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” ⁷They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” ⁸When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” ⁹When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.a ¹⁰Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.a ¹¹And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, ¹²saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” ¹³But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?a ¹⁴Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. ¹⁵Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”b ¹⁶So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’c

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

¹⁷ While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ¹⁸‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; ¹⁹then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’

The Request of the Mother of James and John

²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. ²¹And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ ²²But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’d They said to him, ‘We are able.’ ²³He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’

²⁴ When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ²⁶It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

²⁹ As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, ‘Lord,e have mercy on us, Son of David!’ ³¹The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!’ ³²Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ³³They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ ³⁴Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

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WHEN they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ²saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.a’ ⁴This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

⁵ ‘Tell the daughter of Zion,

Look, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

⁶The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; ⁷they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. ⁸A very large crowdb spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

¹⁰When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ ¹¹The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

¹² Then Jesus entered the templec and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. ¹³He said to them, ‘It is written,

“My house shall be called a house of prayer”

but you are making it a den of robbers.’

¹⁴ The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heardd the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry ¹⁶and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read,

“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies

you have prepared praise for yourself”?’

¹⁷He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

¹⁸ In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. ²⁰When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ ²¹Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. ²²Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

²³ When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ ²⁴Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” ²⁶But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ ²⁷So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

²⁸ ‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” ²⁹He answered, “I will not” but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰The fathera went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir” but he did not go. ³¹Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³²For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

³³ ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ³⁴When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. ³⁵But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. ³⁷Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” ³⁸But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” ³⁹So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ ⁴¹They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

⁴² Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;b

this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes”?

⁴³Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.a ⁴⁴The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’b

⁴⁵ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

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ONCE more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ²‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. ³He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. ⁴Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” ⁵But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, ⁶while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. ⁷The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. ⁸Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. ⁹Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” ¹⁰Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, ¹²and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. ¹³Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹⁴For many are called, but few are chosen.’

The Question about Paying Taxes

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. ¹⁶So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ ¹⁸But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ ²¹They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ ²²When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

The Question about the Resurrection

²³ The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection;c and they asked him a question, saying, ²⁴‘Teacher, Moses said, “If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.” ²⁵Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. ²⁶The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. ²⁷Last of all, the woman herself died. ²⁸In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’

²⁹ Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. ³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angelsa in heaven. ³¹And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, ³²“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’ ³³And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

The Greatest Commandment

³⁴ When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ ³⁷He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ³⁸This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

The Question about David’s Son

⁴¹ Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ⁴²‘What do you think of the Messiah?b Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ ⁴³He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spiritc calls him Lord, saying,

⁴⁴ “The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet’”?

⁴⁵If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ ⁴⁶No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

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THEN Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; ³therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. ⁴They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,d and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. ⁸But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.e ⁹And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.f ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

¹³ ‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.a ¹⁵Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hellb as yourselves.

¹⁶ ‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” ¹⁷You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? ¹⁸And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” ¹⁹How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? ²⁰So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; ²¹and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; ²²and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

²³ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. ²⁴You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

²⁵ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup,c so that the outside also may become clean.

²⁷ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. ²⁸So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, ³⁰and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” ³¹Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. ³²Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. ³³You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?b ³⁴Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, ³⁵so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. ³⁶Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

The Lament over Jerusalem

³⁷ ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁸See, your house is left to you, desolate.a ³⁹For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

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AS JESUS came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. ²Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs of the End of the Age

³ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ⁴Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁵For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!”b and they will lead many astray. ⁶And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be faminesc and earthquakes in various places: ⁸all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Persecutions Foretold

⁹ ‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. ¹⁰Then many will fall away,d and they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹²And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this good newse of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

The Desolating Sacrilege

¹⁵ ‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), ¹⁶then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; ¹⁷someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; ¹⁸someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. ¹⁹Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! ²⁰Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. ²¹For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. ²²And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” b or “There he is!”—do not believe it. ²⁴For false messiahs f and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵Take note, I have told you beforehand. ²⁶So, if they say to you, “Look! He is in the wilderness”, do not go out. If they say, “Look! He is in the inner rooms”, do not believe it. ²⁷For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁹ ‘Immediately after the suffering of those days

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from heaven,

and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

³⁰Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. ³¹And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

³² ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³So also, when you see all these things, you know that hea is near, at the very gates. ³⁴Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³⁵Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³⁶ ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,b but only the Father. ³⁷For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, ³⁹and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴¹Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴²Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what dayc your Lord is coming. ⁴³But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave

⁴⁵ ‘Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slavesd their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴⁶Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁷Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed”, ⁴⁹and he begins to beat his fellow-slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. ⁵¹He will cut him in piecesa and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

25

’THEN the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaidsb took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.c ²Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” ⁷Then all those bridesmaidsb got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” ⁹But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” ¹⁰And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. ¹¹Later the other bridesmaidsb came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” ¹²But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” ¹³Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.d

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents,e to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” ²¹His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” ²³His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” ²⁴Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” ²⁶But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The Judgement of the Nations

³¹ ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. ³⁴Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” ⁴⁰And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,a you did it to me.” ⁴¹Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ⁴²for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” ⁴⁴Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” ⁴⁵Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” ⁴⁶And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26

WHEN Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ²‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, ⁴and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. ⁵But they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

The Anointing at Bethany

⁶ Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,b ⁷a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ⁸But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? ⁹For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’ ¹⁰But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. ¹¹For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. ¹²By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. ¹³Truly I tell you, wherever this good newsa is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

¹⁷ On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ ¹⁸He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’ ¹⁹So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

²⁰ When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; b ²¹and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ ²²And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ ²³He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. ²⁴The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ ²⁵Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ ²⁷Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸for this is my blood of thec covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

³⁰ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Foretold

³¹ Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

“I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

³²But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ ³³Peter said to him, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’ ³⁴Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ ³⁵Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And so said all the disciples.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ ³⁷He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ ³⁹And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ ⁴⁰Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;a the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ ⁴²Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ ⁴³Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ ⁴⁹At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. ⁵⁰Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ ⁵⁵At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus before the High Priest

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. ⁵⁹Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward ⁶¹and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”’ ⁶²The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ ⁶³But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you,

From now on you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of Power

and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ ⁶⁷Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, ⁶⁸saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah!a Who is it that struck you?’

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ ⁷⁰But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ ⁷¹When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’b ⁷²Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ ⁷³After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ ⁷⁴Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. ⁷⁵Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Brought before Pilate

27

WHEN morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. ²They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

The Suicide of Judas

³ When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesusc was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴He said, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocentd blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ ⁵Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. ⁶But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.’ ⁷After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. ⁸For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah,e ‘And they tookf the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, g on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, ¹⁰and they gaveh them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’

Pilate Questions Jesus

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the a the Son of God.’ ⁶⁴Jesus King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ ¹²But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. ¹³Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ ¹⁴But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Barabbas or Jesus?

¹⁵ Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. ¹⁶At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesusa Barabbas. ¹⁷So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesusa Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’b ¹⁸For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. ¹⁹While he was sitting on the judgement seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.’ ²⁰Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. ²¹The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ ²²Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’b All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ ²³Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood;c see to it yourselves.’ ²⁵Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ ²⁶So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

²⁷ Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,d and they gathered the whole cohort around him. ²⁸They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ ³⁰They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

³² As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. ³³And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), ³⁴they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. ³⁵And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;e ³⁶then they sat down there and kept watch over him. ³⁷Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’

³⁸ Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹Those who passed by derideda him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ ⁴¹In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ⁴²‘He saved others; he cannot save himself.b He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. ⁴³He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.”’ ⁴⁴The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁵ From noon on, darkness came over the whole landc until three in the afternoon. ⁴⁶And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ ⁴⁷When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ ⁴⁸At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. ⁴⁹But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ d

⁵⁰Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.e ⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. ⁵²The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. ⁵³After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. ⁵⁴Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’f

⁵⁵ Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. ⁵⁶Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

⁵⁷ When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. ⁵⁹So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth ⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. ⁶¹Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

⁶² The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” ⁶⁴Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ ⁶⁵Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guarda of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’b ⁶⁶So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

The Resurrection of Jesus

28

AFTER the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ²And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where hec lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead,d and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ ⁸So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

The Report of the Guard

¹¹ While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹²After the priestse had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, ¹³telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” ¹⁴If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ ¹⁵So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

The Commissioning of the Disciples

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’f

The Gospel According to
MARK

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

THE beginning of the good newsa of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.b

² As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,c

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,d

who will prepare your way;

³the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight”’,

⁴John the baptizer appearede in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸I have baptized you withf water; but he will baptize you withf the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;g with you I am well pleased.’

The Temptation of Jesus

¹² And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good newsa of God,b ¹⁵and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;c repent, and believe in the good news.’a

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ ¹⁸And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

²¹ They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²²They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ ²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ ²⁶And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! Hed commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ ²⁸At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House

²⁹ As soon as theye left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

³² That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

A Preaching Tour in Galilee

³⁵ In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. ³⁶And Simon and his companions hunted for him. ³⁷When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ ³⁸He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ ³⁹And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

⁴⁰ A lepera came to him begging him, and kneelingb he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ ⁴¹Moved with pity,c Jesusd stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ ⁴²Immediately the leprosya left him, and he was made clean. ⁴³After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, ⁴⁴saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ ⁴⁵But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesusd could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

2

WHEN he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ²So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. ³Then some people e came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. ⁴And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ⁶Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ ⁸At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? ¹⁰But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic—¹¹‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ ¹²And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’

Jesus Calls Levi

¹³ Jesusf went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. ¹⁴As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

¹⁵ And as he sat at dinnerg in Levi’sh house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sittingi with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶When the scribes ofj the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat k with tax-collectors and sinners?’ ¹⁷When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

The Question about Fasting

¹⁸ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and peoplea came and said to him, ‘Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ ¹⁹Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ²⁰The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

²¹ ‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. ²²And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.’b

Pronouncement about the Sabbath

²³ One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. ²⁴The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ ²⁵And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? ²⁶He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ ²⁷Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; ²⁸so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’

The Man with a Withered Hand

3

AGAIN he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ²They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. ³And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ ⁴Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. ⁵He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. ⁶The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

A Multitude at the Lakeside

⁷ Jesus departed with his disciples to the lake, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; ⁸hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. ⁹He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; ¹⁰for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. ¹¹Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ ¹²But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.

Jesus Appoints the Twelve

¹³ He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles,a to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, ¹⁵and to have authority to cast out demons. ¹⁶So he appointed the twelve:b Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);¹⁷James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); ¹⁸and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, ¹⁹and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus and Beelzebul

Then he went home; ²⁰and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. ²¹When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ ²²And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ ²³And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. ²⁶And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. ²⁷But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

²⁸ ‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; ²⁹but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’—³⁰for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’

The True Kindred of Jesus

³¹ Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. ³²A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sistersc are outside, asking for you.’ ³³And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ ³⁴And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’

The Parable of the Sower

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AGAIN he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. ²He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ³‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. ⁶And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. ⁸Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ ⁹And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

The Purpose of the Parables

¹⁰ When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. ¹¹And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secreta of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; ¹²in order that

“they may indeed look, but not perceive,

and may indeed listen, but not understand;

so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.”’

¹³ And he said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴The sower sows the word. ¹⁵These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. ¹⁶And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. ¹⁷But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.b ¹⁸And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. ²⁰And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’

A Lamp under a Bushel Basket

²¹ He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? ²²For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. ²³Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ ²⁴And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. ²⁵For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. ²⁸The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. ²⁹But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³²yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

The Use of Parables

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; ³⁴he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Jesus Stills a Storm

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ ³⁶And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. ³⁷A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ ³⁹He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ ⁴¹And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac

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THEY came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gerasenes.a ²And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. ³He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; ⁴for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. ⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; ⁷and he shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ ⁸For he had said to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’ ⁹Then Jesusb asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ ¹⁰He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. ¹¹Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; ¹²and the unclean spiritsc begged him, ‘Send us into the swine; let us enter them.’ ¹³So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned in the lake.

¹⁴ The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. ¹⁶Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. ¹⁷Then they began to beg Jesusd to leave their neighbourhood. ¹⁸As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. ¹⁹But Jesusb refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ ²⁰And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

²¹ When Jesus had crossed again in the boata to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. ²²Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet ²³and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ ²⁴So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. ²⁵Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. ²⁶She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ ²⁹Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. ³⁰Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ³¹And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?”’ ³²He looked all round to see who had done it. ³³But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. ³⁴He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

³⁵ While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ ³⁶But overhearingb what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ ³⁷He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. ³⁸When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ ⁴⁰And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ ⁴²And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. ⁴³He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

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HE LEFT that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. ²On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Maryc and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offenced at him. ⁴Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ ⁵And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶And he was amazed at their unbelief.

The Mission of the Twelve

Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ ¹²So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Death of John the Baptist

¹⁴ King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’a name had become known. Some wereb saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ ¹⁵But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ ¹⁶But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herodc had married her. ¹⁸For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ ¹⁹And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed;d and yet he liked to listen to him. ²¹But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. ²²When his daughter Herodiase came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ ²³And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ ²⁴She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ ²⁵Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ ²⁶The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’sa head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Feeding the Five Thousand

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³²And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. ³³Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. ³⁴As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ³⁵When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; ³⁶send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.’ ³⁷But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denariia worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?’ ³⁸And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ ³⁹Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. ⁴¹Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. ⁴²And all ate and were filled; ⁴³and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. ⁴⁴Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on the Water

⁴⁵ Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

⁴⁷ When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. ⁴⁹But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; ⁵⁰for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ ⁵¹Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, ⁵²for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Healing the Sick in Gennesaret

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. ⁵⁴When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, ⁵⁵and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

The Tradition of the Elders

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NOW when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, ²they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. ³(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands,b thus observing the tradition of the elders; ⁴and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it;a and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.b) ⁵So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not livec according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ ⁶He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,

“This people honours me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me;

⁷ in vain do they worship me,

teaching human precepts as doctrines.”

⁸You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’

⁹ Then he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! ¹⁰For Moses said, “Honour your father and your mother” and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” ¹¹But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban” (that is, an offering to Godd)—¹²then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, ¹³thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.’

¹⁴ Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: ¹⁵there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’e

¹⁷ When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. ¹⁸He said to them, ‘Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, ¹⁹since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) ²⁰And he said, ‘It is what comes out of a person that defiles. ²¹For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, ²²adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. ²³All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’

The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

²⁴ From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre.f He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, ²⁵but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. ²⁶Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ ²⁸But she answered him, ‘Sir,g even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ ²⁹Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ ³⁰So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Jesus Cures a Deaf Man

³¹ Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³²They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. ³³He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. ³⁴Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ ³⁵And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶Then Jesusa ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’

Feeding the Four Thousand

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IN THOSE days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, ²‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. ³If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.’ ⁴His disciples replied, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?’ ⁵He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They said, ‘Seven.’ ⁶Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. ⁷They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. ⁸They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. ⁹Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. ¹⁰And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.b

The Demand for a Sign

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. ¹²And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ ¹³And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod

¹⁴ Now the disciplesc had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’d ¹⁶They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ ¹⁷And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ²⁰‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ ²¹Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

Jesus Cures a Blind Man at Bethsaida

²² They came to Bethsaida. Some peoplea brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. ²³He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ ²⁴And the manb looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ ²⁵Then Jesusb laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. ²⁶Then he sent him away to his home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’c

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

²⁷ Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ ²⁸And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ ²⁹He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’d ³⁰And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

³¹ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³²He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

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³⁴ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,e will save it. ³⁶For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸Those who are ashamed of me and of my wordsf in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ ¹And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come withg power.’

The Transfiguration

² Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no oneh on earth could bleach them. ⁴And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,i one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ ⁶He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved;a listen to him!’ ⁸Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

The Coming of Elijah

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. ¹¹Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ ¹²He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? ¹³But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’

The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit

¹⁴ When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. ¹⁶He asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ ¹⁷Someone from the crowd answered him, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; ¹⁸and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.’ ¹⁹He answered them, ‘You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ ²⁰And they brought the boyb to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boyb into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ²¹Jesusc asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. ²²It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ²³Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ ²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out,d ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ ²⁵When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ ²⁶After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ ²⁷But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. ²⁸When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ ²⁹He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.’e

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

³⁰ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; ³¹for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ ³²But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Who Is the Greatest?

³³ Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ ³⁴But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ ³⁶Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

Another Exorcist

³⁸ John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someonea casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ ³⁹But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

Temptations to Sin

⁴² ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me,b it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. ⁴³If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell,c to the unquenchable fire.d ⁴⁵And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. c,d ⁴⁷And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

⁴⁹ ‘For everyone will be salted with fire.e ⁵⁰Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?f Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

Teaching about Divorce

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HE LEFT that place and went to the region of Judea andg beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them.

² Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ ³He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ ⁴They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ ⁵But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. ⁶But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” ⁷“For this reason a man shall leave his father and e ⁴⁸where their mother and be joined to his wife,a ⁸and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

¹⁰ Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; ¹²and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

The Rich Man

¹⁷ As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ¹⁸Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.”’ ²⁰He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ ²¹Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the moneyb to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ ²²When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

²³ Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ ²⁴And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it isc to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ ²⁶They were greatly astounded and said to one another,d ‘Then who can be saved?’ ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’

²⁸ Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ ²⁹Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,e ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

³² They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, ³³saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; ³⁴they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’

The Request of James and John

³⁵ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ ³⁶And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ ³⁷And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ ³⁸But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ ³⁹They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; ⁴⁰but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’

⁴¹ When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. ⁴²So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ⁴³But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶ They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. ⁴⁷When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ⁴⁸Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ⁴⁹Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ ⁵⁰So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. ⁵¹Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher,a let me see again.’ ⁵²Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

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WHEN they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ²and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. ³If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”’ ⁴They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, ⁵some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ ⁶They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. ⁷Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. ⁹Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

¹¹ Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

¹² On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. ¹³Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

¹⁵ Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; ¹⁶and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. ¹⁷He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written,

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”?

But you have made it a den of robbers.’

¹⁸And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. ¹⁹And when evening came, Jesus and his disciplesa went out of the city.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

²⁰ In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. ²¹Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ ²²Jesus answered them, ‘Haveb faith in God. ²³Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. ²⁴So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have receivedc it, and it will be yours.

²⁵ ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’d

Jesus’ Authority Is Questioned

²⁷ Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him ²⁸and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?’ ²⁹Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.’ ³¹They argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why then did you not believe him?” ³²But shall we say, “Of human origin”?’—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. ³³So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

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THEN he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ²When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. ³But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. ⁵Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. ⁶He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” ⁷But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” ⁸So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. ⁹What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰Have you not read this scripture:

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;a

¹¹ this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes”?’

¹² When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.

The Question about Paying Taxes

¹³ Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. ¹⁴And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? ¹⁵Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ ¹⁶And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ ¹⁷Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.

The Question about the Resurrection

¹⁸ Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, ¹⁹‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the manb shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. ²⁰There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; ²¹and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; ²²none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. ²³In the resurrectiona whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.’

²⁴ Jesus said to them, ‘Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? ²⁵For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ²⁶And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? ²⁷He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.’

The First Commandment

²⁸ One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ ²⁹Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; ³⁰you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” ³¹The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ ³²Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other” ³³and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ ³⁴When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.

The Question about David’s Son

³⁵ While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, ‘How can the scribes say that the Messiahb is the son of David? ³⁶David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,

“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

³⁷David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

³⁸ As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, ³⁹and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! ⁴⁰They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

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AS HE came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ ²Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

³ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ ⁵Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁶Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”a and they will lead many astray. ⁷When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. ⁸For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Persecution Foretold

⁹ ‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. ¹⁰And the good newsb must first be proclaimed to all nations. ¹¹When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ¹²Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; ¹³and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Desolating Sacrilege

¹⁴ ‘But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; ¹⁵someone on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; ¹⁶someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. ¹⁷Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! ¹⁸Pray that it may not be in winter. ¹⁹For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. ²⁰And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. ²¹And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!”c or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. ²²False messiahsd and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. ²³But be alert; I have already told you everything.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴ ‘But in those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,

²⁵ and the stars will be falling from heaven,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

²⁶Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. ²⁷Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁸ ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that hea is near, at the very gates. ³⁰Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³² ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Beware, keep alert;b for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. ³⁵Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14

IT WAS two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesusc by stealth and kill him; ²for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

The Anointing at Bethany

³ While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,d as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. ⁴But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? ⁵For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,e and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. ⁶But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. ⁷For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. ⁸She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. ⁹Truly I tell you, wherever the good newsf is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. ¹¹When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

¹² On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ ¹³So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ¹⁵He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ ¹⁶So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

¹⁷ When it was evening, he came with the twelve. ¹⁸And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ ¹⁹They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’ ²⁰He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping breada into the bowlb with me. ²¹For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

²² While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ ²³Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. ²⁴He said to them, ‘This is my blood of thec covenant, which is poured out for many. ²⁵Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

Peter’s Denial Foretold

²⁶ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. ²⁷And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters; for it is written,

“I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.”

²⁸But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ ²⁹Peter said to him, ‘Even though all become deserters, I will not.’ ³⁰Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ ³¹But he said vehemently, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all of them said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³² They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ ³³He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. ³⁴And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ ³⁵And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶He said, ‘Abba,a Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ ³⁷He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? ³⁸Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;b the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ ³⁹And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. ⁴¹He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴²Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴³ Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. ⁴⁴Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ ⁴⁵So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. ⁴⁶Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. ⁴⁷But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? ⁴⁹Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ ⁵⁰All of them deserted him and fled.

⁵¹ A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, ⁵²but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

Jesus before the Council

⁵³ They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. ⁵⁴Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. ⁵⁵Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. ⁵⁶For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. ⁵⁷Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ⁵⁸‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’ ⁵⁹But even on this point their testimony did not agree. ⁶⁰Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ ⁶¹But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah,c the Son of the Blessed One?’ ⁶²Jesus said, ‘I am; and

“you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of the Power”,

and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’

⁶³Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? ⁶⁴You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. ⁶⁵Some began to spit on him, to blind fold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him.

Peter Denies Jesus

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ ⁶⁸But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt.a Then the cock crowed.b ⁶⁹And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ ⁷⁰But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ ⁷¹But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ ⁷²At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

Jesus before Pilate

15

AS SOON as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. ²Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ ³Then the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ ⁵But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

⁶ Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. ⁷Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. ⁸So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. ⁹Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ ¹⁰For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. ¹¹But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. ¹²Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to doc with the man you calld the King of the Jews?’ ¹³They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ ¹⁴Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ ¹⁵So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

¹⁶ Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarterse); and they called together the whole cohort. ¹⁷And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. ¹⁸And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ ¹⁹They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. ²⁰After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²¹ They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. ²²Then they brought Jesusa to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). ²³And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. ²⁴And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

²⁵ It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ ²⁷And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.b ²⁹Those who passed by deridedc him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ ³¹In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. ³²Let the Messiah,d the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

The Death of Jesus

³³ When it was noon, darkness came over the whole lande until three in the afternoon. ³⁴At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’f ³⁵When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ ³⁶And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ ³⁷Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. ³⁸And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. ³⁹Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way heg breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’h

⁴⁰ There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

The Burial of Jesus

⁴² When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶Then Josephi bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body,j wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the bodya was laid.

The Resurrection of Jesus

16

WHEN the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. ²And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. ³They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ ⁴When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. ⁶But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ ⁸So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.b

THE SHORTER ENDING OF MARK

And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterwards Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. c

THE LONGER ENDING OF MARK

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

⁹Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. ¹⁰She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. ¹¹But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

¹² After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. ¹³And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Jesus Commissions the Disciples

¹⁴ Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.d ¹⁵And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good newsa to the whole creation. ¹⁶The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up snakes in their hands,b and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’

The Ascension of Jesus

¹⁹ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.c

The Gospel According to
LUKE

Dedication to Theophilus

SINCE many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, ³I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first,a to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. ⁷But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

⁸ Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, ⁹he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. ¹⁰Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹²When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. ¹³But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ ¹⁸Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ ¹⁹The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ²⁰But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. ²²When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. ²³When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

²⁴ After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ²⁵‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’a ²⁹But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. ³¹And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ ³⁴Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’b ³⁵The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be bornc will be holy; he will be called Son of God. ³⁶And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.’ ³⁸Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would bed a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

Mary’s Song of Praise

⁴⁶ And Marye said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

⁴⁸ for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. ⁵⁸Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. ⁶⁰But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ ⁶¹They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ ⁶²Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. ⁶³He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. ⁶⁴Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

⁶⁸ ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.

⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty savioura for us

in the house of his servant David,

⁷⁰ as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

⁷¹ that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.

⁷² Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,

and has remembered his holy covenant,

⁷³ the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,

to grant us ⁷⁴that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,

might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness

before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people

by the forgiveness of their sins.

⁷⁸ By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upona us,

⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

⁸⁰ The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

The Birth of Jesus

2

IN THOSE days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,b the Lord.

¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,c praising God and saying,

¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’d

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ ¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Jesus Is Named

²¹ After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

²² When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), ²⁴and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;a this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.b ²⁷Guided by the Spirit, Simeonc came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeond took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servante in peace,

according to your word;

³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation,

³¹ which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.’

³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeona blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

³⁶ There was also a prophet, Annaf the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, ³⁷then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child g to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹ Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. ⁴²And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. ⁴³When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸When his parentsa saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ ⁴⁹He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’b ⁵⁰But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years,c and in divine and human favour.

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3

IN THE fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was rulerd of Galilee, and his brother Philip rulerd of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias rulerd of Abilene, ²during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, ⁴as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’

⁷ John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ ¹¹In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ ¹²Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ ¹³He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ ¹⁴Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

¹⁵ As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,a ¹⁶John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you withb the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

¹⁸ So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. ¹⁹But Herod the ruler,c who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, ²⁰added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;d with you I am well pleased.’e

The Ancestors of Jesus

²³ Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, ²⁴son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, ²⁵son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, ²⁶son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, ²⁷son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,fson of Neri, ²⁸son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, ²⁹son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, ³⁰son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, ³¹son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, ³²son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala,g son of Nahshon, ³³son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni,h son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, ³⁴son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, ³⁵son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, ³⁶son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, ³⁷son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, ³⁸son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

The Temptation of Jesus

4

JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ²where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ ⁴Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’

⁵ Then the devili led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶And the devili said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for f son of Neri, ²⁸son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, ²⁹son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, ³⁰son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, ³¹son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, ³²son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ ⁸Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.”’

⁹ Then the devila took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you,

to protect you”,

¹¹and

“On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

¹²Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ ¹³When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

¹⁴ Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. ¹⁵He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

¹⁶ When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

¹⁸ ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

²⁰And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ ²²All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ ²³He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.”’ ²⁴And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. ²⁵But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; ²⁶yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. ²⁷There were also many lepersb in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ ²⁸When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. ²⁹They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. ³⁰But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

³¹ He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. ³²They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. ³³In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴‘Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ ³⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. ³⁶They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, ‘What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!’ ³⁷And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

Healings at Simon’s House

³⁸ After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. ³⁹Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

⁴⁰ As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. ⁴¹Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.a

Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues

⁴² At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. ⁴³But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ ⁴⁴So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.b

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

5

ONCE while Jesusc was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, ²he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. ⁴When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ ⁵Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ ⁶When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. ⁷So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ ⁹For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; ¹⁰and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ ¹¹When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

¹² Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy.a When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ ¹³Then Jesusb stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosya left him. ¹⁴And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ ¹⁵But now more than ever the word about Jesusc spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. ¹⁶But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

¹⁷ One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.d ¹⁸Just then some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus;c¹⁹but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowde in front of Jesus. ²⁰When he saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend,f your sins are forgiven you.’ ²¹Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ ²²When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ²³Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? ²⁴But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralysed—‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ ²⁵Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. ²⁶Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’

Jesus Calls Levi

²⁷ After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ²⁸And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

²⁹ Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the tablea with them. ³⁰The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ ³¹Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; ³²I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’

The Question about Fasting

³³ Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ ³⁴Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? ³⁵The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ ³⁶He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. ³⁷And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. ³⁸But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. ³⁹And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.”’b

The Question about the Sabbath

6

ONE sabbathc while Jesusd was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. ²But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawfule on the sabbath?’ ³Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ ⁵Then he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’

The Man with a Withered Hand

⁶ On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. ⁷The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. ⁸Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. ⁹Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ ¹⁰After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. ¹¹But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

¹² Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. ¹³And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: ¹⁴Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, ¹⁵and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus Teaches and Heals

¹⁷ He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. ¹⁸They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. ¹⁹And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Blessings and Woes

²⁰ Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

‘Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

²² ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame youa on account of the Son of Man. ²³Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

²⁴ ‘But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

²⁵ ‘Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

‘Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

²⁶ ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

²⁷ ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. ³⁰Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³² ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. b Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

³⁷ ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

³⁹ He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. ⁴¹Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’sa eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? ⁴²Or how can you say to your neighbour,b “Friend,b let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’sa eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; ⁴⁴for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

The Two Foundations

⁴⁶ ‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. ⁴⁸That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.c ⁴⁹But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

7

AFTER Jesusd had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. ²A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. ³When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. ⁴When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ ⁶And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; ⁷therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ ⁹When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ ¹⁰When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain

¹¹ Soon afterwardsa he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. ¹²As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. ¹³When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ ¹⁴Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ ¹⁵The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus b gave him to his mother. ¹⁶Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ ¹⁷This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Messengers from John the Baptist

¹⁸ The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples ¹⁹and sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ ²⁰When the men had come to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”’ ²¹Jesus c had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. ²²And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers d are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. ²³And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

²⁴ When John’s messengers had gone, Jesusb began to speak to the crowds about John:e ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵What then did you go out to see? Someonef dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ²⁶What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷This is the one about whom it is written,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.”

²⁸I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ ²⁹(And all the people who heard this, including the tax-collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,g because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. ³⁰But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)

³¹ ‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? ³²They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another,

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we wailed, and you did not weep.”

³³For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon” ³⁴the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” ³⁵Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked Jesusa to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. ³⁷And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. ³⁸She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. ³⁹Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ ⁴⁰Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ⁴¹‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii,b and the other fifty. ⁴²When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ ⁴³Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesusc said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ ⁴⁴Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. ⁴⁵You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ ⁴⁸Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ ⁴⁹But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ ⁵⁰And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Some Women Accompany Jesus

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SOON afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, ²as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for themd out of their resources.

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: ⁵‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. ⁶Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. ⁷Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. ⁸Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

The Purpose of the Parables

⁹ Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secretsa of the kingdom of God; but to others I speakb in parables, so that

“looking they may not perceive,

and listening they may not understand.”

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹²The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. ¹⁴As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

A Lamp under a Jar

¹⁶ ‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. ¹⁸Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

The True Kindred of Jesus

¹⁹ Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. ²⁰And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ ²¹But he said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’

Jesus Calms a Storm

²² One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, ²³and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. ²⁴They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’

Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac

²⁶ Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes,a which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had wornb no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me’—²⁹for Jesusc had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) ³⁰Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Legion’ for many demons had entered him. ³¹They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

³² Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demonsd begged Jesuse to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. ³³Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

³⁴ When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. ³⁷Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenesa asked Jesuse to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. ³⁸The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesusc sent him away, saying, ³⁹‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁴¹Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, ⁴²for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.

As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. ⁴³Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians,f no one could cure her. ⁴⁴She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her haemorrhage stopped. ⁴⁵Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peterg said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ ⁴⁶But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ ⁴⁷When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. ⁴⁸He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’

⁴⁹ While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ ⁵⁰When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ ⁵¹When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. ⁵²They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ ⁵³And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ ⁵⁵Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. ⁵⁶Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

The Mission of the Twelve

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THEN Jesusa called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ³He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. ⁴Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. ⁵Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ ⁶They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Herod’s Perplexity

⁷ Now Herod the rulerb heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. ⁹Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he tried to see him.

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹⁰ On their return the apostles told Jesusc all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. ¹¹When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured.

¹² The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.’ ¹³But he said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.’ ¹⁴For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ ¹⁵They did so and made them all sit down. ¹⁶And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. ¹⁷And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

¹⁸ Once when Jesusa was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ ¹⁹They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ ²⁰He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah b of God.’

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹ He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, ²²saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

²³ Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. ²⁵What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? ²⁶Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.’

The Transfiguration

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings Jesusa took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,c they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,d one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;e listen to him!’ ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

³⁷ On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. ³⁹Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once hef shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. ⁴⁰I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ ⁴¹Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ ⁴²While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death

While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ ⁴⁵But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

True Greatness

⁴⁶ An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, ⁴⁸and said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.’

Another Exorcist

⁴⁹ John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ ⁵⁰But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’

A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus

⁵¹ When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ⁵²And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; ⁵³but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. ⁵⁴When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’a ⁵⁵But he turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶Thenb they went on to another village.

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ ⁵⁸And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ ⁵⁹To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ ⁶⁰But Jesus c said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ ⁶¹Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ ⁶²Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

The Mission of the Seventy

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AFTER this the Lord appointed seventya others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”b ¹⁰But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”c ¹²I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

¹³ ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ¹⁵And you, Capernaum,

will you be exalted to heaven?

No, you will be brought down to Hades.

¹⁶ ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’

The Return of the Seventy

¹⁷ The seventya returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ ¹⁸He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

Jesus Rejoices

²¹ At that same hour Jesusd rejoiced in the Holy Spirite and said, ‘I thankf you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.g ²²All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

²³ Then turning to the disciples, Jesusd said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.a ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ²⁶He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ ²⁷He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ ²⁸And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

²⁹ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ ³⁰Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³²So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two denarii,b gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” ³⁶Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ ³⁷He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;⁴²there is need of only one thing.c Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

The Lord’s Prayer

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HE WAS praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ ²He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:

Father,d hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.e

³ Give us each day our daily bread.f

⁴ And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

And do not bring us to the time of trial.’g

Perseverance in Prayer

⁵ And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” ⁷And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” ⁸I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

⁹ ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks fora a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? ¹²Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? ¹³If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spiritb to those who ask him!’

Jesus and Beelzebul

¹⁴ Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. ¹⁵But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ ¹⁶Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. ¹⁷But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. ¹⁸If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?—for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcistsc cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. ²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. ²²But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. ²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

The Return of the Unclean Spirit

²⁴ ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” ²⁵When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. ²⁶Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’

True Blessedness

²⁷ While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ ²⁸But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’

The Sign of Jonah

²⁹ When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. ³¹The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! ³²The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

The Light of the Body

³³ ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar,a but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. ³⁶If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’

Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers

³⁷ While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. ³⁸The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. ³⁹Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

⁴² ‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others. ⁴³Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places. ⁴⁴Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.’

⁴⁵ One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.’ ⁴⁶And he said, ‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. ⁴⁷Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. ⁴⁸So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, ⁵⁰so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, ⁵¹from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. ⁵²Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’

⁵³ When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile towards him and to cross-examine him about many things, ⁵⁴lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

A Warning against Hypocrisy

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MEANWHILE, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. ²Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. ³Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

Exhortation to Fearless Confession

⁴ ‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. ⁵But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authoritya to cast into hell.b Yes, I tell you, fear him! ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. ⁷But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

⁸ ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; ⁹but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. ¹⁰And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ¹¹When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about howc you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.’

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ ¹⁴But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ ¹⁵And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ ¹⁶Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. ¹⁷And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” ¹⁸Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ²⁰But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” ²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

Do Not Worry

²² He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. ²³For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?a ²⁶If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? ²⁷Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;b yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ²⁸But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. ³⁰For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹Instead, strive for hisc kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

³² ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Watchful Slaves

³⁵ ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; ³⁶be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. ³⁷Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. ³⁸If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

³⁹ ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, hed would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave

⁴¹ Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’ ⁴²And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴³Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁴Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, ⁴⁶the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces,e and put him with the unfaithful. ⁴⁷That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. ⁴⁸But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Jesus the Cause of Division

⁴⁹ ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! ⁵¹Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! ⁵²From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³they will be divided:

father against son

and son against father,

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother,

mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain” and so it happens. ⁵⁵And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat” and it happens. ⁵⁶You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Settling with Your Opponent

⁵⁷ ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case,a or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. ⁵⁹I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’

Repent or Perish

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AT THAT very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ²He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ³No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. ⁴Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

⁶ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ⁷So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” ⁸He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman

¹⁰ Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. ¹¹And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. ¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ ¹³When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. ¹⁴But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ ¹⁵But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? ¹⁶And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

¹⁸ He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’

The Parable of the Yeast

²⁰ And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? ²¹It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in witha three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

The Narrow Door

²² Jesusb went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. ²³Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ²⁴‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. ²⁵When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” ²⁶Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” ²⁷But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” ²⁸There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. ²⁹Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. ³⁰Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’

The Lament over Jerusalem

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ ³²He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me,a “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes whenb you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’

Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy

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ON ONE occasion when Jesusc was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. ²Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. ³And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?’ ⁴But they were silent. So Jesusc took him and healed him, and sent him away. ⁵Then he said to them, ‘If one of you has a childd or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ ⁶And they could not reply to this.

Humility and Hospitality

⁷ When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ⁸‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; ⁹and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher” then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. ¹¹For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

¹² He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. ¹⁴And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

The Parable of the Great Dinner

¹⁵ One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ ¹⁶Then Jesusc said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. ¹⁷At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” ¹⁸But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” ¹⁹Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” ²⁰Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” ²¹So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” ²²And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” ²³Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. ²⁴For I tell you,a none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.”’

The Cost of Discipleship

²⁵ Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ²⁶‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. ²⁷Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? ²⁹Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, ³⁰saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” ³¹Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. ³³So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

About Salt

³⁴ ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?b ³⁵It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

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NOW all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ²And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins,c if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” ¹⁰Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother

¹¹ Then Jesusa said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. ¹³A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. ¹⁴When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. ¹⁶He would gladly have filled himself withb the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! ¹⁸I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” ²⁰So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”c ²²But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. ²⁷He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” ²⁸Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” ³¹Then the fathera said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

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THEN Jesusa said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. ²So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” ³Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” ⁵So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” ⁶He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” ⁷Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” ⁸And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. ⁹And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealtha so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.b

¹⁰ ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. ¹¹If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth,a who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹²And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? ¹³No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’a

The Law and the Kingdom of God

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. ¹⁵So he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.

¹⁶ ‘The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force.c ¹⁷But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped.

¹⁸ ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. ²²The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.d The rich man also died and was buried. ²³In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.e ²⁴He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” ²⁵But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. ²⁶Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” ²⁷He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—²⁸for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” ²⁹Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” ³⁰He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” ³¹He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’

Some Sayings of Jesus

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JESUSa said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! ²It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³Be on your guard! If another discipleb sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. ⁴And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ ⁶The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of ac mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

⁷ ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? ⁸Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? ⁹Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? ¹⁰So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!”’

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem Jesusd was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. ¹²As he entered a village, ten leperse approached him. Keeping their distance, ¹³they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ ¹⁴When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. ¹⁵Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. ¹⁶He prostrated himself at Jesus’f feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? ¹⁸Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ ¹⁹Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

The Coming of the Kingdom

²⁰ Once Jesusd was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; ²¹nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is amongg you.’

²² Then he said to the disciples, ‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. ²³They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. ²⁴For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.a ²⁵But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. ²⁶Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. ²⁷They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. ²⁸Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, ²⁹but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them ³⁰—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. ³²Remember Lot’s wife. ³³Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. ³⁴I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.’b ³⁷Then they asked him, ‘Where, Lord?’ He said to them, ‘Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.’

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

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THEN Jesusc told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ²He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” ⁴For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’d ⁶And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector

⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹⁵ People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. ¹⁶But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁷Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’

The Rich Ruler

¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ¹⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ²⁰You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother.”’ ²¹He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ ²²When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the moneya to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ ²³But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. ²⁴Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

²⁶ Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ ²⁷He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’

²⁸ Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’ ²⁹And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

³¹ Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ³²For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. ³³After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ ³⁴But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho

³⁵ As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazarethb is passing by.’ ³⁸Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ³⁹Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ⁴⁰Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ⁴¹‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ ⁴²Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ ⁴³Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Jesus and Zacchaeus

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HE ENTERED Jericho and was passing through it. ²A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. ³He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. ⁵When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ ⁶So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. ⁷All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ ⁸Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ ⁹Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’

The Parable of the Ten Pounds

¹¹ As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. ¹²So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. ¹³He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, a and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” ¹⁴But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” ¹⁵When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. ¹⁶The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” ¹⁷He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” ¹⁸Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” ¹⁹He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” ²⁰Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, ²¹for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” ²²He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” ²⁴He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” ²⁵(And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) ²⁶“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.”’

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

²⁸ After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

²⁹ When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ ³²So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. ³³As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ ³⁴They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ³⁵Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸saying,

‘Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!’

³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ ⁴⁰He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

⁴¹ As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, ⁴²saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’a

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

⁴⁵ Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; ⁴⁶and he said, ‘It is written,

“My house shall be a house of prayer”

but you have made it a den of robbers.’

⁴⁷ Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; ⁴⁸but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

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ONE day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders ²and said to him, ‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?’ ³He answered them, ‘I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: ⁴Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ ⁵They discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” ⁶But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ ⁷So they answered that they did not know where it came from. ⁸Then Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

⁹ He began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. ¹⁰When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. ¹²And he sent yet a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. ¹³Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” ¹⁴But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” ¹⁵So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ When they heard this, they said, ‘Heaven forbid!’ ¹⁷But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean:

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone”?a

¹⁸Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ ¹⁹When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.

The Question about Paying Taxes

²⁰ So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. ²¹So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. ²²Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ ²³But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ²⁴‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ ²⁵He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ ²⁶And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.

The Question about the Resurrection

²⁷ Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him ²⁸and asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the manb shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. ²⁹Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; ³⁰then the second ³¹and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. ³²Finally the woman also died. ³³In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’

³⁴ Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; ³⁵but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. ³⁶Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. ³⁷And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ³⁸Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ ³⁹Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’ ⁴⁰For they no longer dared to ask him another question.

The Question about David’s Son

⁴¹ Then he said to them, ‘How can they say that the Messiaha is David’s son? ⁴²For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

⁴³ until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

⁴⁴David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

⁴⁵ In the hearing of all the people he said to theb disciples, ⁴⁶‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets. ⁴⁷They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’

The Widow’s Offering

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HE LOOKED up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; ²he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; ⁴for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

⁵ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs and Persecutions

⁷ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ ⁸And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”a and, “The time is near!”b Do not go after them.

⁹ ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ ¹⁰Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; ¹¹there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

¹² ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³This will give you an opportunity to testify. ¹⁴So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; ¹⁵for I will give you wordsc and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷You will be hated by all because of my name. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹By your endurance you will gain your souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold

²⁰ ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.d ²¹Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; ²²for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. ²³Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; ²⁴they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵ ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁹ Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

³⁴ ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

³⁷ Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. ³⁸And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

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NOW the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. ²The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesusa to death, for they were afraid of the people.

³ Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; ⁴he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. ⁵They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. ⁶So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.

The Preparation of the Passover

⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸So Jesus b sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ ⁹They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ ¹⁰‘Listen,’ he said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters ¹¹and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’” ¹²He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’ ¹³So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; ¹⁶for I tell you, I will not eat itc until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ ¹⁷Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; ¹⁸for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ ¹⁹Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ ²⁰And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.d ²¹But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. ²²For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ ²³Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

The Dispute about Greatness

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

²⁸ ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; ²⁹and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹ ‘Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demandeda to sift all of you like wheat, ³²but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ ³³And he said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!’ ³⁴Jesusb said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’

Purse, Bag, and Sword

³⁵ He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, not a thing.’ ³⁶He said to them, ‘But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, “And he was counted among the lawless” and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ ³⁸They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ He replied, ‘It is enough.’

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

³⁹ He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’c ⁴¹Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ⁴²‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ ⁴³Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. ⁴⁴In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.d ⁴⁵When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, ⁴⁶and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’c

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; ⁴⁸but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ ⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ ⁵⁰Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? ⁵³When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

Peter Denies Jesus

⁵⁴ Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ ⁵⁷But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ ⁵⁸A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ ⁵⁹Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ ⁶⁰But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. ⁶¹The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ ⁶²And he went out and wept bitterly.

The Mocking and Beating of Jesus

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; ⁶⁴they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ ⁶⁵They kept heaping many other insults on him.

Jesus before the Council

⁶⁶ When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. ⁶⁷They said, ‘If you are the Messiah,a tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; ⁶⁸and if I question you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ ⁷⁰All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ ⁷¹Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’

Jesus before Pilate

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THEN the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesusb before Pilate. ²They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’c ³Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ ⁴Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ ⁵But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’

Jesus before Herod

⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. ⁹He questioned him at some length, but Jesusa gave him no answer. ¹⁰The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. ¹²That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

¹³ Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, ¹⁴and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’b

¹⁸ Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ ¹⁹(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) ²⁰Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; ²¹but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ ²²A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ ²³But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. ²⁴So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. ²⁵He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²⁶ As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. ²⁸But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” ³⁰Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us” and to the hills, “Cover us.” ³¹For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’

³² Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus cthere with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ a And they cast lots to divide his clothing. ³⁵And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiahb of God, his chosen one!’ ³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ ³⁸There was also an inscription over him,c ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deridingd him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?b Save yourself and us!’ ⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ ⁴²Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come intoe your kingdom.’ ⁴³He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole landf until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵while the sun’s light failed;g and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. ⁴⁷When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’h ⁴⁸And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. ⁴⁹But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

⁵⁰ Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, ⁵¹had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. ⁵²This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. ⁵⁴It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.i ⁵⁵The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. ⁵⁶Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

The Resurrection of Jesus

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BUT on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. ²They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³but when they went in, they did not find the body.j ⁴While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. ⁵The womena were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the menb said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.c ⁶Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ ⁸Then they remembered his words, ⁹and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ¹²But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.d

The Walk to Emmaus

¹³ Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milese from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad.f ¹⁸Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ ¹⁹He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth,g who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.h Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ ²⁵Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Messiahi should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ ²⁷Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

²⁸ As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within usj while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ ³³That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. ³⁴They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ ³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

³⁶ While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’a ³⁷They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ ⁴⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.b ⁴¹While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ ⁴²They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³and he took it and ate in their presence.

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah c is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses d of these things. ⁴⁹And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. ⁵¹While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.e ⁵²And they worshipped him, andf returned to Jerusalem with great joy; ⁵³and they were continually in the temple blessing God.g

The Gospel According to
JOHN

The Word Became Flesh

IN THE beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life,a and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.b

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to what was his own,c and his own people did not accept him. ¹²But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,d full of grace and truth. ¹⁵(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) ¹⁶From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,e who is close to the Father’s heart,f who has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

¹⁹ This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’g ²¹And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ ²²Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ ²³He said,

‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,

“Make straight the way of the Lord”’,

as the prophet Isaiah said.

²⁴ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,a nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ ²⁶John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ³¹I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ ³²And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’b

The First Disciples of Jesus

³⁵ The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ ³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ ³⁹He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointedc). ⁴²He brought Simond to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Petere).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ ⁴⁸Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ ⁴⁹Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ ⁵⁰Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ ⁵¹And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, a you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

The Wedding at Cana

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ON THE third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ²Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ ⁴And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ ⁵His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ ⁶Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. ⁹When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom ¹⁰and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ ¹¹Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

¹² After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

¹³ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. ¹⁵Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ ¹⁷His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ ¹⁸The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ ¹⁹Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ ²⁰The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ ²¹But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²²After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

²³ When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

Nicodemus Visits Jesus

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NOW there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. ²He came to Jesusa by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ ³Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’b ⁴Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ ⁵Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. ⁶What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.c ⁷Do not be astonished that I said to you, “Youd must be born from above.”e ⁸The windc blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ ⁹Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ ¹⁰Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

¹¹ ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet youf do not receive our testimony. ¹²If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.g ¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.h

¹⁶ ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

¹⁷ ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. ²¹But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’h

Jesus and John the Baptist

²² After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. ²³John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized—²⁴John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.

²⁵ Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew.i ²⁶They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.’ ²⁷John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah,a but I have been sent ahead of him.” ²⁹He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. ³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease.’b

The One Who Comes from Heaven

³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³²He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. ³³Whoever has accepted his testimony has certifiedc this, that God is true. ³⁴He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. ³⁵The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. ³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

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NOW when Jesusd learned that the Pharisees had heard, ‘Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John’—²although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized—³he left Judea and started back to Galilee. ⁴But he had to go through Samaria. ⁵So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

⁷ A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. ⁸(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) ⁹The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)e ¹⁰Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink”, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ ¹¹The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? ¹²Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ ¹³Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ ¹⁵The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.’

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ ¹⁷The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband” ¹⁸for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!’ ¹⁹The woman said to him, ‘Sir, I see that you are a prophet. ²⁰Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but youf say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.’ ²¹Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²²You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. ²⁴God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ ²⁵The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ ²⁶Jesus said to her, ‘I am he,a the one who is speaking to you.’

²⁷ Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, ‘What do you want?’ or, ‘Why are you speaking with her?’ ²⁸Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ²⁹‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah,b can he?’ ³⁰They left the city and were on their way to him.

³¹ Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ ³²But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ ³³So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ ³⁴Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. ³⁵Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. ³⁶The reaper is already receivingc wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. ³⁷For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” ³⁸I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’

³⁹ Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. ⁴¹And many more believed because of his word. ⁴²They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’

Jesus Returns to Galilee

⁴³ When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee ⁴⁴(for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honour in the prophet’s own country). ⁴⁵When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival.

Jesus Heals an Official’s Son

⁴⁶ Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. ⁴⁷When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless youd see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ ⁴⁹The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ ⁵⁰Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. ⁵¹As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. ⁵²So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ ⁵³The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household. ⁵⁴Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

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AFTER this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrewa Bethzatha,b which has five porticoes. ³In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralysed.c ⁵One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ ⁷The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.’ ⁸Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ ⁹At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Now that day was a sabbath. ¹⁰So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.’ ¹¹But he answered them, ‘The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.”’ ¹²They asked him, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Take it up and walk”?’ ¹³Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared ind the crowd that was there. ¹⁴Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.’ ¹⁵The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. ¹⁶Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. ¹⁷But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is still working, and I also am working.’ ¹⁸For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

The Authority of the Son

¹⁹ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Fathere does, the Son does likewise. ²⁰The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. ²¹Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. ²²The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, ²³so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. ²⁴Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.

²⁵ ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; ²⁷and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Witnesses to Jesus

³⁰ ‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

³¹ ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. ³²There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. ³³You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. ³⁴Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. ³⁵He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. ³⁶But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. ³⁷And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, ³⁸and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

³⁹ ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. ⁴⁰Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. ⁴¹I do not accept glory from human beings. ⁴²But I know that you do not have the love of God ina you. ⁴³I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. ⁴⁴How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? ⁴⁵Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. ⁴⁶If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. ⁴⁷But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’

Feeding the Five Thousand

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AFTER this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.b ²A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. ³Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. ⁴Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. ⁵When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ ⁶He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. ⁷Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wagesc would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ ⁸One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ ¹⁰Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so theya sat down, about five thousand in all. ¹¹Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹²When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ ¹³So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. ¹⁴When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

¹⁵ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. ¹⁹When they had rowed about three or four miles,b they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. ²⁰But he said to them, ‘It is I;c do not be afraid.’ ²¹Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

The Bread from Heaven

²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. ²³Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.d ²⁴So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ ²⁶Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. ²⁷Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ ²⁸Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ ²⁹Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ ³⁰So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? ³¹Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ ³²Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is that whiche comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ ³⁴They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’

³⁵ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; ³⁸for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. ⁴⁰This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’

⁴¹ Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ ⁴²They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ ⁴³Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. ⁴⁶Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

⁵² The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ ⁵³So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;⁵⁵for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ ⁵⁹He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

The Words of Eternal Life

⁶⁰ When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ ⁶¹But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? ⁶²Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. ⁶⁵And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’

⁶⁶ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. ⁶⁷So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ ⁶⁸Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’a ⁷⁰Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ ⁷¹He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot,a for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers

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AFTER this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wishb to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. ²Now the Jewish festival of Boothsc was near. ³So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; ⁴for no one who wantsd to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ ⁵(For not even his brothers believed in him.) ⁶Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. ⁷The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. ⁸Go to the festival yourselves. I am note going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ ⁹After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

Jesus at the Festival of Booths

¹⁰ But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it weref in secret. ¹¹The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, ‘Where is he?’ ¹²And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man’, others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd.’ ¹³Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

¹⁴ About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. ¹⁵The Jews were astonished at it, saying, ‘How does this man have such learning,g when he has never been taught?’ ¹⁶Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. ¹⁷Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. ¹⁸Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.

¹⁹ ‘Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?’ ²⁰The crowd answered, ‘You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?’ ²¹Jesus answered them, ‘I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. ²²Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. ²³If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath? ²⁴Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.’

Is This the Christ?

²⁵ Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? ²⁶And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah?h ²⁷Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiahh comes, no one will know where he is from.’ ²⁸Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. ²⁹I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’ ³⁰Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. ³¹Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, ‘When the Messiaha comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?’b

Officers Are Sent to Arrest Jesus

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering such things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent temple police to arrest him. ³³Jesus then said, ‘I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. ³⁴You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.’ ³⁵The Jews said to one another, ‘Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? ³⁶What does he mean by saying, “You will search for me and you will not find me” and, “Where I am, you cannot come”?’

Rivers of Living Water

³⁷ On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, ³⁸and let the one who believes in me drink. Asc the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heartd shall flow rivers of living water.”’ ³⁹Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit,e because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division among the People

⁴⁰ When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ ⁴¹Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’a But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiaha does not come from Galilee, does he? ⁴²Has not the scripture said that the Messiaha is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ ⁴³So there was a division in the crowd because of him. ⁴⁴Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The Unbelief of Those in Authority

⁴⁵ Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ ⁴⁶The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ ⁴⁷Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? ⁴⁸Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ ⁵⁰Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesusf before, and who was one of them, asked, ⁵¹‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ ⁵²They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’

The Woman Caught in Adultery

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⁵³Then each of them went home, ¹while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. ³The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, ⁴they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. ⁵Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ ⁶They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ ⁸And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.a ⁹When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ¹¹She said, ‘No one, sir.’b And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ c

Jesus the Light of the World

¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ ¹³Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ ¹⁴Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵You judge by human standards;d I judge no one. ¹⁶Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Fathere who sent me. ¹⁷In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. ¹⁸I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ ¹⁹Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ ²⁰He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Jesus Foretells His Death

²¹ Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ²²Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ ²³He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. ²⁴I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’f ²⁵They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all?g ²⁶I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ ²⁷They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. ²⁸So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he,a and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. ²⁹And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ ³⁰As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

True Disciples

³¹ Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ ³³They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’

³⁴ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. ³⁶So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. ³⁸I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’b

Jesus and Abraham

³⁹ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doingc what Abraham did, ⁴⁰but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. ⁴¹You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ ⁴²Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. ⁴³Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. ⁴⁴You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. ⁴⁶Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? ⁴⁷Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ ⁴⁹Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honour my Father, and you dishonour me. ⁵⁰Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. ⁵¹Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ ⁵²The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” ⁵³Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ ⁵⁴Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, ⁵⁵though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. ⁵⁶Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ ⁵⁷Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’a ⁵⁸Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ ⁵⁹So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

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AS HE walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ³Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. ⁴Web must work the works of him who sent mec while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ ⁶When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, ⁷saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. ⁸The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ ⁹Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ ¹⁰But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ ¹¹He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ ¹²They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. ¹⁴Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. ¹⁵Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ ¹⁶Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. ¹⁷So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’

¹⁸ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ ²⁰His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; ²¹but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ ²²His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesusd to be the Messiahe would be put out of the synagogue. ²³Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’

²⁴ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ ²⁵He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ ²⁶They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ ²⁷He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ ²⁸Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. ²⁹We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ ³⁰The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. ³¹We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. ³²Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. ³³If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ ³⁴They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.

Spiritual Blindness

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’a ³⁶He answered, ‘And who is he, sir?b Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ ³⁷Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ ³⁸He said, ‘Lord,b I believe.’ And he worshipped him. ³⁹Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ ⁴⁰Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ ⁴¹Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

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’VERY truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. ²The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ ⁶Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

¹¹ ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takesa it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’

¹⁹ Again the Jews were divided because of these words. ²⁰Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’ ²¹Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’

Jesus Is Rejected by the Jews

²² At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. ²⁴So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,b tell us plainly.’ ²⁵Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; ²⁶but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. ²⁷My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.c ³⁰The Father and I are one.’

³¹ The Jews took up stones again to stone him. ³²Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ ³³The Jews answered, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law,d “I said, you are gods”? ³⁵If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled—³⁶can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? ³⁷If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. ³⁸But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understande that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ ³⁹Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

⁴⁰ He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. ⁴¹Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ ⁴²And many believed in him there.

The Death of Lazarus

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NOW a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. ³So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,f ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ ⁴But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ ⁵Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, ⁶after having heard that Lazarusa was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

⁷ Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ ⁸The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ ⁹Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. ¹⁰But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ ¹¹After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ ¹²The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ ¹³Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. ¹⁴Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ ¹⁶Thomas, who was called the Twin,b said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’

Jesus the Resurrection and the Life

¹⁷ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarusa had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two milesc away, ¹⁹and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. ²⁰When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. ²¹Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ ²³Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ ²⁴Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ ²⁵Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.d Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, ²⁶and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ²⁷She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,e the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’

Jesus Weeps

²⁸ When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ ²⁹And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. ³²When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. ³⁴He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ ³⁵Jesus began to weep. ³⁶So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ ³⁷But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’

Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life

³⁸ Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ ⁴⁰Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ ⁴¹So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ ⁴³When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’

The Plot to Kill Jesus

⁴⁵ Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ⁴⁶But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. ⁴⁷So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. ⁴⁸If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy placea and our nation.’ ⁴⁹But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.’ ⁵¹He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, ⁵²and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. ⁵³So from that day on they planned to put him to death.

⁵⁴ Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.

⁵⁵ Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. ⁵⁶They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?’ ⁵⁷Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesusb was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Mary Anoints Jesus

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SIX days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ²There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. ³Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped themc with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ⁵‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denariid and the money given to the poor?’ ⁶(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) ⁷Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought ita so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. ⁸You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

⁹ When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, ¹¹since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. ¹³So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

‘Hosanna!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—

the King of Israel!’

¹⁴Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

¹⁵ ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.

Look, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!’

¹⁶His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. ¹⁷So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.b ¹⁸It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. ¹⁹The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’

Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

²⁰ Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ ²²Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

Jesus Speaks about His Death

²⁷ ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ ²⁹The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ ³⁰Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. ³¹Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoplea to myself.’ ³³He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. ³⁴The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiahb remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ ³⁵Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. ³⁶While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’

The Unbelief of the People

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. ³⁷Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. ³⁸This was to fulfil the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

‘Lord, who has believed our message,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’

³⁹And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,

⁴⁰ ‘He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.’

⁴¹Isaiah said this becausec he saw his glory and spoke about him. ⁴²Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.

Summary of Jesus’ Teaching

⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. ⁴⁵And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. ⁴⁶I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. ⁴⁷I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, ⁴⁹for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. ⁵⁰And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

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NOW before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table,a took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ ⁷Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ⁸Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ ⁹Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ ¹⁰Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,b but is entirely clean. And youc are clean, though not all of you.’ ¹¹For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

¹² After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Very truly, I tell you, servantsd are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. ¹⁸I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, “The one who ate my breade has lifted his heel against me.” ¹⁹I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.f ²⁰Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

²¹ After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ ²²The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. ²³One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; ²⁴Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. ²⁵So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ ²⁶Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’g So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.h ²⁷After he received the piece of bread,i Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ ²⁸Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. ²⁹Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’ or, that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment

³¹ When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him,a God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

³⁶ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’ ³⁷Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ³⁸Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

Jesus the Way to the Father

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’DO NOT let your hearts be troubled. Believeb in God, believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?c ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to the place where I am going.’d ⁵Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ ⁶Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will knowe my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

⁸ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ ⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. ¹²Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If in my name you ask mef for anything, I will do it.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ ‘If you love me, you will keepg my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,h to be with you for ever. ¹⁷This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be ini you.

¹⁸ ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. ¹⁹In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. ²⁰On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ ²²Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ ²³Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

²⁵ ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate,a the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. ²⁸You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. ²⁹And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. ³⁰I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; ³¹but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

Jesus the True Vine

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’I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes b to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansedb by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and becomec my disciples. ⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

¹² ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I do not call you servantsd any longer, because the servante does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. ¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

The World’s Hatred

¹⁸ ‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If you belonged to the world,a the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said to you, “Servantsb are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ²¹But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. ²²If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³Whoever hates me hates my Father also. ²⁴If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵It was to fulfil the word that is written in their law, “They hated me without a cause.”

²⁶ ‘When the Advocatec comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. ²⁷You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

16

’I HAVE said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. ²They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. ³And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. ⁴But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

The Work of the Spirit

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. ⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocatec will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong aboutd sin and righteousness and judgement: ⁹about sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; ¹¹about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

¹² ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

¹⁶ ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ ¹⁷Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying to us, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me” and “Because I am going to the Father”?’ ¹⁸They said, ‘What does he mean by this “a little while”? We do not know what he is talking about.’ ¹⁹Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”? ²⁰Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. ²¹When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. ²²So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ²³On that day you will ask nothing of me.a Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.b ²⁴Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Peace for the Disciples

²⁵ ‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. ²⁶On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; ²⁷for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.c ²⁸I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.’

²⁹ His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! ³⁰Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ ³¹Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? ³²The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. ³³I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

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AFTER Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, ²since you have given him authority over all people,d to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. ³And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ⁴I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. ⁵So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

⁶ ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; ⁸for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. ¹⁰All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. ¹¹And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them in your name thata you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost,b so that the scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.c ¹⁴I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.d ¹⁶They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

²⁰ ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,e so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, ²³I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ²⁴Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. ²⁶I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

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AFTER Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. ²Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. ³So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ ⁵They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’f Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’g Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶When Jesush said to them, ‘I am he’,g they stepped back and fell to the ground. ⁷Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’f ⁸Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he.g So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ ⁹This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ ¹⁰Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. ¹¹Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’

Jesus before the High Priest

¹² So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. ¹³First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, ¹⁶but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. ¹⁷The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ¹⁸Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ²⁰Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. ²¹Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ ²²When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ ²³Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ ²⁴Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ ²⁶One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ ²⁷Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

²⁸ Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters.a It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters,a so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹So Pilate went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ ³⁰They answered, ‘If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.’ ³¹Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews replied, ‘We are not permitted to put anyone to death.’ ³²(This was to fulfil what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)

³³ Then Pilate entered the headquartersa again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ ³⁵Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ ³⁶Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ ³⁷Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ ³⁸Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’

Jesus Sentenced to Death

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him. ³⁹But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ ⁴⁰They shouted in reply, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a bandit.

19

THEN Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ²And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. ³They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face. ⁴Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.’ ⁵So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ ⁶When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.’ ⁷The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.’

⁸ Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. ⁹He entered his headquartersa again and asked Jesus, ‘Where are you from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰Pilate therefore said to him, ‘Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?’ ¹¹Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ ¹²From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.’

¹³ When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and satb on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrewc Gabbatha. ¹⁴Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ ¹⁵They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ ¹⁶Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So they took Jesus; ¹⁷and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew a is called Golgotha. ¹⁸There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. ¹⁹Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth,b the King of the Jews.’ ²⁰Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew,a in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.”’ ²²Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ ²³When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,

‘They divided my clothes among themselves,

and for my clothing they cast lots.’

²⁵And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ ²⁷Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

²⁸ After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ ²⁹A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. ³⁰When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

³¹ Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. ³²Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. ³⁵(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knowsc that he tells the truth.) ³⁶These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ ³⁷And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’

The Burial of Jesus

³⁸ After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. ³⁹Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴²And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

The Resurrection of Jesus

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EARLY on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ²So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ ³Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. ⁴The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. ⁸Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; ⁹for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to looka into the tomb; ¹²and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. ¹³They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ ¹⁴When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ ¹⁶Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew,b ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). ¹⁷Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ ¹⁸Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’ and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

¹⁹ When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ ²²When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Jesus and Thomas

²⁴ But Thomas (who was called the Twina), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

²⁶ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ ²⁸Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ²⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

The Purpose of This Book

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. ³¹But these are written so that you may come to believeb that Jesus is the Messiah,c the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

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AFTER these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. ²Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,a Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. ³Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ ⁶He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. ⁷That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. ⁸But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yardsd off.

⁹ When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. ¹⁰Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ ¹¹So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹²Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ ¹⁶A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ ¹⁷He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ ¹⁹(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ ²²Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ ²³So the rumour spread in the communitya that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’b

²⁴ This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. ²⁵But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

THE ACTS of the Apostles

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

IN THE first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning ²until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. ⁴While stayinga with them, he ordered them not to leave

Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; ⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized withb the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

The Ascension of Jesus

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ ⁷He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ ⁹When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son ofc James. ¹⁴All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believersa (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ¹⁶‘Friends,b the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus—¹⁷for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ ¹⁸(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong,c he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. ¹⁹This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰‘For it is written in the book of Psalms,

“Let his homestead become desolate,

and let there be no one to live in it”

and

“Let another take his position of overseer.”

²¹So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ ²³So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take the placed in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ ²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2

WHEN the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

⁵ Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. ⁶And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. ⁷Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? ⁹Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ ¹²All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ ¹³But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. ¹⁵Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. ¹⁶No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

¹⁸ Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

¹⁹ And I will show portents in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

²⁰ The sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

²¹ Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

²² ‘You that are Israelites,a listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth,b a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—²³this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. ²⁴But God raised him up, having freed him from death,c because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. ²⁵For David says concerning him,

“I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;

²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

moreover, my flesh will live in hope.

²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One experience corruption.

²⁸ You have made known to me the ways of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

²⁹ ‘Fellow Israelites,d I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹Foreseeing this, Davide spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah,f saying,

“He was not abandoned to Hades,

nor did his flesh experience corruption.”

³²This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. ³³Being therefore exalted atg the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. ³⁴For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

³⁶Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah,a this Jesus whom you crucified.’

The First Converts

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers,b what should we do?’ ³⁸Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ ⁴⁰And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ ⁴¹So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. ⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

⁴³ Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceedsc to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at homed and ate their food with glad and generouse hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

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ONE day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. ²And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. ³When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. ⁴Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ ⁵And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,f stand up and walk.’ ⁷And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹All the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

¹¹ While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. ¹²When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites,a why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servantb Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. ¹⁴But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, ¹⁵and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. ¹⁶And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesusc has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

¹⁷ ‘And now, friends,d I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiahe would suffer. ¹⁹Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, ²⁰so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiahe appointed for you, that is, Jesus, ²¹who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. ²²Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own peopled a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. ²³And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out from the people.” ²⁴And all the prophets, as many as have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also predicted these days. ²⁵You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, “And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ²⁶When God raised up his servant,b he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.’

Peter and John before the Council

4

WHILE Peter and Johnf were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, ²much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. ³So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.

⁵ The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, ⁶with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,g and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷When they had made the prisonersh stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,a whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. ¹¹This Jesusb is

“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.”c

¹²There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. ¹⁴When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. ¹⁶They said, ‘What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’ ¹⁸So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; ²⁰for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ ²¹After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. ²²For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ After they were released, they went to their friendsd and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, ²⁵it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:e

“Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples imagine vain things?

²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,

and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.”f

²⁷For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servante Jesus, whom you anointed, ²⁸to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servantsg to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servante Jesus.’ ³¹When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. ³³With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. ³⁵They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). ³⁷He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

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BUT a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; ²with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to usa but to God!’ ⁵Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. ⁶The young men came and wrapped up his body, b then carried him out and buried him.

⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.’ And she said, ‘Yes, that was the price.’ ⁹Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ ¹⁰Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

¹² Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. ¹³None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. ¹⁴Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, ¹⁵so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. ¹⁶A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

The Apostles Are Persecuted

¹⁷ Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, ¹⁸arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, ²⁰‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.’ ²¹When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²²But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, ²³‘We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ ²⁴Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. ²⁵Then someone arrived and announced, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ ²⁶Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

²⁷ When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,a yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority.b ³⁰The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

³³ When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. ³⁴But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. ³⁵Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites,c consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. ³⁶For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;³⁹but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’

They were convinced by him, ⁴⁰and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. ⁴²And every day in the temple and at homed they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.e

Seven Chosen to Serve

6

NOW during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. ²And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.f ³Therefore, friends,g select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, ⁴while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ ⁵What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

The Arrest of Stephen

⁸ Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. ¹⁰But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirita with which he spoke. ¹¹Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ ¹²They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. ¹³They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; ¹⁴for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazarethb will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ ¹⁵And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Speech to the Council

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THEN the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ ²And Stephen replied: ‘Brothersc and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, ³and said to him, “Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” ⁴Then he left the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God had him move from there to this country in which you are now living. ⁵He did not give him any of it as a heritage, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as his possession and to his descendants after him, even though he had no child. ⁶And God spoke in these terms, that his descendants would be resident aliens in a country belonging to others, who would enslave them and maltreat them for four hundred years. ⁷“But I will judge the nation that they serve,” said God, “and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.” ⁸Then he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abrahamd became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

⁹ ‘The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him, ¹⁰and rescued him from all his afflictions, and enabled him to win favour and to show wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. ¹¹Now there came a famine throughout Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our ancestors could find no food. ¹²But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there on their first visit. ¹³On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. ¹⁴Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five in all; ¹⁵so Jacob went down to Egypt. He himself died there as well as our ancestors, ¹⁶and their bodiesa were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

¹⁷ ‘But as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise that God had made to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased and multiplied ¹⁸until another king who had not known Joseph ruled over Egypt. ¹⁹He dealt craftily with our race and forced our ancestors to abandon their infants so that they would die. ²⁰At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful before God. For three months he was brought up in his father’s house; ²¹and when he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. ²²So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds.

²³ ‘When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his relatives, the Israelites.b ²⁴When he saw one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. ²⁵He supposed that his kinsfolk would understand that God through him was rescuing them, but they did not understand. ²⁶The next day he came to some of them as they were quarrelling and tried to reconcile them, saying, “Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?” ²⁷But the man who was wronging his neighbour pushed Mosesc aside, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” ²⁹When he heard this, Moses fled and became a resident alien in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.

³⁰ ‘Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. ³¹When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ³²“I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look. ³³Then the Lord said to him, “Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. ³⁴I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.”

³⁵ ‘It was this Moses whom they rejected when they said, “Who made you a ruler and a judge?” and whom God now sent as both ruler and liberator through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. ³⁷This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, “God will raise up a prophet for you from your own peopled as he raised me up.” ³⁸He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living oracles to give to us. ³⁹Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him; instead, they pushed him aside, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, ⁴⁰saying to Aaron, “Make gods for us who will lead the way for us; as for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.” ⁴¹At that time they made a calf, offered a sacrifice to the idol, and revelled in the works of their hands. ⁴²But God turned away from them and handed them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:

“Did you offer to me slain victims and sacrifices

for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

⁴³ No; you took along the tent of Moloch,

and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship;

so I will remove you beyond Babylon.”

⁴⁴ ‘Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God a directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. ⁴⁵Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, ⁴⁶who found favour with God and asked that he might find a dwelling-place for the house of Jacob.b ⁴⁷But it was Solomon who built a house for him. ⁴⁸Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands;c as the prophet says,

⁴⁹ “Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,

or what is the place of my rest?

⁵⁰ Did not my hand make all these things?”

⁵¹ ‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. ⁵²Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. ⁵³You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

The Stoning of Stephen

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.d ⁵⁵But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ ⁵⁷But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. ⁵⁸Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ⁶⁰Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.e

8

¹And Saul approved of their killing him.

Saul Persecutes the Church

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. ²Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. ³But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

⁴ Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. ⁵Philip went down to the citya of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiahb to them. ⁶The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, ⁷for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. ⁸So there was great joy in that city.

⁹ Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. ¹⁰All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ ¹¹And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. ¹²But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit ¹⁶(for as yet the Spirit had not comec upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). ¹⁷Then Peter and Johnd laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, ¹⁹saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ ²⁰But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! ²¹You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. ²²Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ ²⁴Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what youe have said may happen to me.’

²⁵ Now after Peter and Johnf had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

²⁶ Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the southg to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) ²⁷So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship ²⁸and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ ³⁰So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ³¹He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. ³²Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

³³ In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.’

³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ ³⁵Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. ³⁶As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’a ³⁸He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip bbaptized him. ³⁹When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

The Conversion of Saul

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MEANWHILE Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ⁵He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ ⁷The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ ¹¹The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, ¹²and he has seen in a visionc a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ ¹³But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem;¹⁴and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ ¹⁵But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; ¹⁶I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ ¹⁷So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saula and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁸And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, ²⁰and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ ²¹All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ ²²Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesusb was the Messiah.c

Saul Escapes from the Jews

²³ After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, ²⁴but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; ²⁵but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall,d lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶ When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. ³⁰When the believerse learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹ Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

The Healing of Aeneas

³² Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers,f he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. ³³There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. ³⁴Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. ³⁵And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.g She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. ³⁷At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. ³⁸Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ ³⁹So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. ⁴²This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Peter and Cornelius

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IN CAESAREA there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. ²He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. ³One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ ⁴He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; ⁶he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ ⁷When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, ⁸and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. ¹²In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ ¹⁴But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ ¹⁵The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ ¹⁶This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. ¹⁸They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Look, threea men are searching for you. ²⁰Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.’ ²¹So Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?’ ²²They answered, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.’ ²³So Peterb invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believersa from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. ²⁶But Peter made him get up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only a mortal.’ ²⁷And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; ²⁸and he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. ²⁹So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?’

³⁰ Cornelius replied, ‘Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. ³¹He said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³²Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.” ³³Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.’

Gentiles Hear the Good News

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. ³⁷That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. ⁴⁵The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, ⁴⁶for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ ⁴⁸So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem

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NOW the apostles and the believersa who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. ²So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believersb criticized him, ³saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ ⁴Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, ⁵‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. ⁶As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. ⁷I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” ⁸But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” ⁹But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” ¹⁰This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. ¹¹At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. ¹²The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.a These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. ¹³He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; ¹⁴he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” ¹⁵And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. ¹⁶And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁷If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ ¹⁸When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹ Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenistsb also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. ²¹The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. ²²News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; ²⁴for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated withc the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

²⁷ At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. ²⁹The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believersd living in Judea; ³⁰this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

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ABOUT that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. ²He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. ³After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) ⁴When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. ⁵While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

Peter Delivered from Prison

⁶ The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. ⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. ⁸The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ ⁹Petera went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. ¹¹Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

¹² As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. ¹³When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind!’ But she insisted that it was so. They said, ‘It is his angel.’ ¹⁶Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. ¹⁷He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, ‘Tell this to James and to the believers.’b Then he left and went to another place.

¹⁸ When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. ¹⁹When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

The Death of Herod

²⁰ Now Herodc was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. ²¹On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. ²²The people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!’ ²³And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

²⁴ But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. ²⁵Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned toa Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Barnabas and Saul Commissioned

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NOW in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler,b and Saul. ²While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ³Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The Apostles Preach in Cyprus

⁴ So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. ⁶When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. ⁷He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. ⁸But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ⁹But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? ¹¹And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.’ Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. ¹²When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia

¹³ Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; ¹⁴but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. ¹⁵After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.’ ¹⁶So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: ‘You Israelites,c and others who fear God, listen. ¹⁷The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. ¹⁸For about forty years he put up withd them in the wilderness. ¹⁹After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance ²⁰for about four hundred and fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. ²¹Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. ²²When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.” ²³Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised; ²⁴before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵And as John was finishing his work, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandalsa on his feet.”

²⁶ ‘My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to usb the message of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. ²⁸Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. ²⁹When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰But God raised him from the dead;³¹and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. ³²And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors ³³he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm,

“You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.”

³⁴As to his raising him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“I will give you the holy promises made to David.”

³⁵Therefore he has also said in another psalm,

“You will not let your Holy One experience corruption.”

³⁶For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, died,c was laid beside his ancestors, and experienced corruption; ³⁷but he whom God raised up experienced no corruption. ³⁸Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; ³⁹by this Jesusd everyone who believes is set free from all those sinse from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. ⁴⁰Beware, therefore, that what the prophets said does not happen to you:

⁴¹ “Look, you scoffers!

Be amazed and perish,

for in your days I am doing a work,

a work that you will never believe, even if someone tells you.”’

⁴² As Paul and Barnabasf were going out, the people urged them to speak about these things again the next sabbath. ⁴³When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

⁴⁴ The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.g ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

“I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,

so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”’

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. ⁴⁹Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. ⁵⁰But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. ⁵¹So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. ⁵²And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

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THE same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabasa went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. ²But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. ³So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. ⁴But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. ⁵And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, ⁶the apostlesa learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; ⁷and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

⁸ In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. ⁹He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, ¹⁰said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And the manb sprang up and began to walk. ¹¹When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ ¹²Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city,c brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. ¹⁴When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, ¹⁵‘Friends,d why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. ¹⁶In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; ¹⁷yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’ ¹⁸Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

¹⁹ But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

²¹ After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. ²²There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’ ²³And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.

²⁴ Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. ²⁶From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the worka that they had completed. ²⁷When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. ²⁸And they stayed there with the disciples for some time.

The Council at Jerusalem

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THEN certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ ²And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. ³So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. b ⁴When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. ⁵But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.’

⁶ The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. ⁷After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘My brothers,c you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. ⁸And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; ⁹and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. ¹⁰Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.’

¹² The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. ¹³After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘My brothers,c listen to me. ¹⁴Simeon has related how God first looked favourably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. ¹⁵This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

¹⁶ “After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;

from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up,

¹⁷ so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—

even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.

Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things ¹⁸known from long ago.”a

¹⁹ Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, ²⁰but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangledb and from blood. ²¹For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their membersc and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, ²³with the following letter: ‘The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the believersd of Gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. ²⁴Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds,e ²⁵we have decided unanimously to choose representativesf and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: ²⁹that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangledg and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.’

³⁰ So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. ³¹When its membersh read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. ³²Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.d ³³After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believersd to those who had sent them.i ³⁵But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

³⁶ After some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Come, let us return and visit the believersd in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ ³⁷Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. ³⁹The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. ⁴⁰But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believersa commending him to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

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PAULb went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. ²He was well spoken of by the believersa in Lystra and Iconium. ³Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

⁶ They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; ⁸so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ ¹⁰When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

The Conversion of Lydia

¹¹ We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, ¹²and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the districtc of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. ¹³On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

¹⁶ One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. ¹⁷While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to youd a way of salvation.’ ¹⁸She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.

¹⁹ But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market-place before the authorities. ²⁰When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, ‘These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews ²¹and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.’ ²²The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. ²³After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. ²⁷When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ ²⁹The jailera called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ ³¹They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ ³²They spoke the word of the Lordb to him and to all who were in his house. ³³At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. ³⁴He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

³⁵ When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, ‘Let those men go.’ ³⁶And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, ‘The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.’ ³⁷But Paul replied, ‘They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.’ ³⁸The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; ³⁹so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sistersc there, they departed.

The Uproar in Thessalonica

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AFTER Paul and Silasd had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ²And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, ³explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiahe to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This is the Messiah,e Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.’ ⁴Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. ⁵But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the market-places they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. ⁶When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believersa before the city authorities,b shouting, ‘These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, ⁷and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.’ ⁸The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, ⁹and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

Paul and Silas in Beroea

¹⁰ That very night the believersa sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. ¹²Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. ¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. ¹⁴Then the believersa immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. ¹⁵Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.

Paul in Athens

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the market-placec every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, ‘What does this babbler want to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities.’ (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) ¹⁹So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus and asked him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means.’ ²¹Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new.

²² Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, ‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. ²³For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, ²⁵nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. ²⁶Fromone ancestord he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, ²⁷so that they would search for Goda and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸For “In him we live and move and have our being” as even some of your own poets have said,

“For we too are his offspring.”

²⁹Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. ³⁰While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’

³² When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’ ³³At that point Paul left them. ³⁴But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Paul in Corinth

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AFTER this Paulb left Athens and went to Corinth. ²There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paulc went to see them, ³and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tentmakers. ⁴Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks.

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word,d testifying to the Jews that the Messiahe was Jesus. ⁶When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothesf and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ ⁷Then he left the synagogueg and went to the house of a man named Titiush Justus, a worshipper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸Crispus, the official of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized. ⁹One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; ¹⁰for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.’ ¹¹He stayed there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

¹² But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. ¹³They said, ‘This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law.’ ¹⁴Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews; ¹⁵but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.’ ¹⁶And he dismissed them from the tribunal. ¹⁷Then all of themiseized Sosthenes, the official of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of these things.

Paul’s Return to Antioch

¹⁸ After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers a and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. ¹⁹When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. ²⁰When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; ²¹but on taking leave of them, he said, ‘Ib will return to you, if God wills.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus.

²² When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalemc and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatiad and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Ministry of Apollos

²⁴ Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. ²⁷And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believersa encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, ²⁸for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiahe is Jesus.

Paul in Ephesus

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WHILE Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. ²He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ ³Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ ⁴Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ ⁵On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—⁷altogether there were about twelve of them.

⁸ He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. ⁹When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.f ¹⁰This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

The Sons of Sceva

¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹²so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. ¹³Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’ ¹⁴Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵But the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ ¹⁶Then the man with the evil spirit leapt on them, mastered them all, and so overpowered them that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. ¹⁷When this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, everyone was awestruck; and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised. ¹⁸Also many of those who became believers confessed and disclosed their practices. ¹⁹A number of those who practised magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the value of these booksa was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins. ²⁰So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

The Riot in Ephesus

²¹ Now after these things had been accomplished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem. He said, ‘After I have gone there, I must also see Rome.’ ²²So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Asia.

²³ About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way. ²⁴A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans. ²⁵These he gathered together, with the workers of the same trade, and said, ‘Men, you know that we get our wealth from this business. ²⁶You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods. ²⁷And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.’

²⁸ When they heard this, they were enraged and shouted, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ ²⁹The city was filled with the confusion; and peopleb rushed together to the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s travelling-companions. ³⁰Paul wished to go into the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; ³¹even some officials of the province of Asia,c who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theatre. ³²Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. ³³Some of the crowd gave instructions to Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward. And Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defence before the people. ³⁴But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours all of them shouted in unison, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ ³⁵But when the town clerk had quietened the crowd, he said, ‘Citizens of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven?a ³⁶Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. ³⁷You have brought these men here who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of ourb goddess. ³⁸If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another. ³⁹If there is anything furtherc you want to know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.’ ⁴¹When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

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AFTER the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. ²When he had gone through those regions and had given the believersd much encouragement, he came to Greece, ³where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made against him by the Jews, and so he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by Gaius from Derbe, and by Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. ⁵They went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas; ⁶but we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we joined them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

Paul’s Farewell Visit to Troas

⁷ On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. ⁸There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. ⁹A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. ¹⁰But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, ‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.’ ¹¹Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left. ¹²Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted.

The Voyage from Troas to Miletus

¹³ We went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there; for he had made this arrangement, intending to go by land himself. ¹⁴When he met us in Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. ¹⁵We sailed from there, and on the following day we arrived opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos, ande the day after that we came to Miletus. ¹⁶For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. ¹⁸When they came to him, he said to them:

‘You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. ²⁰I did not shrink from doing anything helpful, proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, ²¹as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus. ²²And now, as a captive to the Spirit,a I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. ²⁴But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.

²⁵ ‘And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. ²⁶Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, ²⁷for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. ²⁸Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of Godb that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.c ²⁹I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. ³¹Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. ³²And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. ³³I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. ³⁴You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. ³⁵In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’

³⁶ When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. ³⁷There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship.

Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

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WHEN we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.d ²When we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail. ³We came in sight of Cyprus; and leaving it on our left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there. ⁴We looked up the disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵When our days there were ended, we left and proceeded on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, escorted us outside the city. There we knelt down on the beach and prayed ⁶and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ When we had finisheda the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers b and stayed with them for one day. ⁸The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹He had four unmarried daughtersc who had the gift of prophecy. ¹⁰While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹He came to us and took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”’ ¹²When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ ¹⁴Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’

¹⁵ After these days we got ready and started to go up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came along and brought us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.

Paul Visits James at Jerusalem

¹⁷ When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us warmly. ¹⁸The next day Paul went with us to visit James; and all the elders were present. ¹⁹After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. ²¹They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. ²²What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. ²³So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. ²⁴Join these men, go through the rite of purification with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself observe and guard the law. ²⁵But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our judgement that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangledd and from fornication.’ ²⁶Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself, he entered the temple with them, making public the completion of the days of purification when the sacrifice would be made for each of them.

Paul Arrested in the Temple

²⁷ When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him, ²⁸shouting, ‘Fellow-Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.’ ²⁹For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. ³⁰Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. ³¹While they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³²Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done. ³⁴Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. ³⁵When Paula came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. ³⁶The crowd that followed kept shouting, ‘Away with him!’

Paul Defends Himself

³⁷ Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, ‘May I say something to you?’ The tribuneb replied, ‘Do you know Greek? ³⁸Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?’ ³⁹Paul replied, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.’ ⁴⁰When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrewc language, saying:

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’BROTHERS and fathers, listen to the defence that I now make before you.’ ² When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew,c they became even more quiet. Then he said:

³ ‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today. ⁴I persecuted this Way up to the point of death by binding both men and women and putting them in prison, ⁵as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

⁶ ‘While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. ⁷I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁸I answered, “Who are you, Lord?” Then he said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazarethd whom you are persecuting.” ⁹Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. ¹⁰I asked, “What am I to do, Lord?” The Lord said to me, “Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.” ¹¹Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus.

¹² ‘A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, ¹³came to me; and standing beside me, he said, “Brother Saul, regain your sight!” In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. ¹⁴Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice;¹⁵for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.”

Paul Sent to the Gentiles

¹⁷ ‘After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance ¹⁸and saw Jesusa saying to me, “Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.” ¹⁹And I said, “Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. ²⁰And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.” ²¹Then he said to me, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’

Paul and the Roman Tribune

²² Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’ ²³And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, ²⁴the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. ²⁵But when they had tied him up with thongs,b Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, ‘Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?’ ²⁶When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, ‘What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.’ ²⁷The tribune came and asked Paul,a ‘Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’ ²⁸The tribune answered, ‘It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship.’ Paul said, ‘But I was born a citizen.’ ²⁹Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Paul before the Council

³⁰ Since he wanted to find out what Paulc was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

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WHILE Paul was looking intently at the council he said, ‘Brothers,d up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.’ ²Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. ³At this Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?’ ⁴Those standing nearby said, ‘Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?’ ⁵And Paul said, ‘I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.”’

⁶ When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection a of the dead.’ ⁷When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) ⁹Then a great clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ ¹⁰When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’

The Plot to Kill Paul

¹² In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. ¹⁴They went to the chief priests and elders and said, ‘We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.’

¹⁶ Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush; so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul. ¹⁷Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.’ ¹⁸So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, ‘The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.’ ¹⁹The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, ‘What is it that you have to report to me?’ ²⁰He answered, ‘The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case. ²¹But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.’ ²²So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, ‘Tell no one that you have informed me of this.’

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

²³ Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, ‘Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. ²⁴Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.’ ²⁵He wrote a letter to this effect:

²⁶ ‘Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. ²⁷This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. ²⁸Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. ²⁹I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. ³⁰When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.a’

³¹ So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. ³²The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. ³³When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. ³⁴On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵he said, ‘I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.’ Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.b

Paul before Felix at Caesarea

24

FIVE days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor. ²When Paulc had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

‘Your Excellency,d because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. ³We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude. ⁴But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.e ⁶He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him.f ⁸By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.’

⁹ The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.

Paul’s Defence before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:

‘I cheerfully make my defence, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation. ¹¹As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. ¹²They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city. ¹³Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me. ¹⁴But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets. ¹⁵I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of bothg the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience towards God and all people. ¹⁷Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices. ¹⁸While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance. ¹⁹But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. ²⁰Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, ²¹unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, “It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.”’

²² But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, ‘When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.’ ²³Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

Paul Held in Custody

²⁴ Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgement, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.’ ²⁶At the same time he hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

²⁷ After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favour, Felix left Paul in prison.

Paul Appeals to the Emperor

25

THREE days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem ²where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him ³and requested, as a favour to them against Paul,a to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. ⁴Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly. ⁵‘So’, he said, ‘let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.’

⁶ After he had stayed among them for not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. ⁷When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. ⁸Paul said in his defence, ‘I have in no way committed an offence against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against the emperor.’ ⁹But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, asked Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?’ ¹⁰Paul said, ‘I am appealing to the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. ¹¹Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor.’ ¹²Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, ‘You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.’

Festus Consults King Agrippa

¹³ After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus. ¹⁴Since they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, ‘There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix. ¹⁵When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him and asked for a sentence against him. ¹⁶I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defence against the charge. ¹⁷So when they met here, I lost no time, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. ¹⁸When the accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the crimesa that I was expecting. ¹⁹Instead they had certain points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. ²⁰Since I was at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.b ²¹But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of his Imperial Majesty, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to the emperor.’ ²²Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I would like to hear the man myself.’ ‘Tomorrow’, he said, ‘you will hear him.’

Paul Brought before Agrippa

²³ So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in. ²⁴And Festus said, ‘King Agrippa and all here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish community petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. ²⁵But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and when he appealed to his Imperial Majesty, I decided to send him. ²⁶But I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write—²⁷for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.’

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa

26

AGRIPPA said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself:

² ‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defence today against all the accusations of the Jews, ³because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg of you to listen to me patiently.

⁴ ‘All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. ⁵They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. ⁶And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, ⁷a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency,c that I am accused by Jews! ⁸Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

⁹ ‘Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.a ¹⁰And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. ¹¹By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

¹² ‘With this in mind, I was travelling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, ¹³when at midday along the road, your Excellency,b I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. ¹⁴When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrewc language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.” ¹⁵I asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me d and to those in which I will appear to you. ¹⁷I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you ¹⁸to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Paul Tells of His Preaching

¹⁹ ‘After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. ²¹For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. ²²To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: ²³that the Messiahe must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’

Paul Appeals to Agrippa to Believe

²⁴ While he was making this defence, Festus exclaimed, ‘You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!’ ²⁵But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. ²⁶Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. ²⁷King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.’ ²⁸Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?’f ²⁹Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.’

³⁰ Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those who had been seated with them; ³¹and as they were leaving, they said to one another, ‘This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.’ ³²Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor.’

Paul Sails for Rome

27

WHEN it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, named Julius. ²Embarking on a ship of Adramyttium that was about to set sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. ³The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and allowed him to go to his friends to be cared for. ⁴Putting out to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. ⁵After we had sailed across the sea that is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. ⁶There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us on board. ⁷We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind was against us, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. ⁸Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

⁹ Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous, because even the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, ¹⁰saying, ‘Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.’ ¹¹But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. ¹²Since the harbour was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favour of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbour of Crete, facing south-west and north-west.

The Storm at Sea

¹³ When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. ¹⁴But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete. a ¹⁵Since the ship was caught and could not be turned with its head to the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. ¹⁶By running under the lee of a small island called Caudab we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. ¹⁷After hoisting it up they took measuresc to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea-anchor and so were driven. ¹⁸We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, ¹⁹and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. ²⁰When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

²¹ Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. ²²I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.” ²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. ²⁶But we will have to run aground on some island.’

²⁷ When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. ²⁸So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. ²⁹Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. ³⁰But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow, ³¹Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’ ³²Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift.

³³ Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, ‘Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. ³⁴Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.’ ³⁵After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. ³⁷(We were in all two hundred and seventy-sixa persons in the ship.) ³⁸After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

³⁹ In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. ⁴⁰So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. ⁴¹But striking a reef,b they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. ⁴²The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; ⁴³but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, ⁴⁴and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Paul on the Island of Malta

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AFTER we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. ²The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it. ³Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’ ⁵He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. ⁹After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. ¹⁰They bestowed many honours on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

¹¹ Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. ¹²We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; ¹³then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴There we found believersa and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵The believersa from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

¹⁶ When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸When they had examined me, the Romansb wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. ¹⁹But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. ²⁰For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you,c since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’ ²¹They replied, ‘We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. ²²But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.’

Paul Preaches in Rome

²³ After they had fixed a day to meet him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. ²⁴Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. ²⁵So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: ‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,

²⁶ “Go to this people and say,

You will indeed listen, but never understand,

and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

²⁷ For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes;

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and listen with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.”

²⁸Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’a

³⁰ He lived there for two whole years at his own expenseb and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The Letter of Paul to the
ROMANS

Salutation

PAUL, a servanta of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ²which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spiritb of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, ⁶including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

⁷ To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. ⁹For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospelc of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, ¹⁰asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. ¹¹For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—¹²or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³I want you to know, brothers and sisters,d that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish ¹⁵—hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

The Power of the Gospel

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’a

The Guilt of Humankind

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. ¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; ²¹for though they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. ²²Claiming to be wise, they became fools; ²³and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, ²⁵because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, ²⁷and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

²⁸ And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done. ²⁹They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, God-haters,b insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious towards parents, ³¹foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³²They know God’s decree, that those who practise such things deserve to die—yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practise them.

The Righteous Judgement of God

2

THEREFORE you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. ²You say,c ‘We know that God’s judgement on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.’ ³Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgement of God? ⁴Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? ⁵But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed. ⁶For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: ⁷to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; ⁸while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. ⁹There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, ¹⁰but glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. ¹¹For God shows no partiality.

¹² All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. ¹⁴When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. ¹⁵They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them ¹⁶on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God ¹⁸and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, ¹⁹and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, ²¹you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²²You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³You that boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? ²⁴For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’

²⁵ Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? ²⁷Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. ²⁸For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. ²⁹Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.

3

THEN what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? ²Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jewsa were entrusted with the oracles of God. ³What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ⁴By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written,

‘So that you may be justified in your words,

and prevail in your judging.’b

⁵But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ⁶By no means! For then how could God judge the world? ⁷But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? ⁸And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), ‘Let us do evil so that good may come’? Their condemnation is deserved!

None Is Righteous

⁹ What then? Are we any better off?a No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, ¹⁰as it is written:

‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one;

¹¹ there is no one who has understanding,

there is no one who seeks God.

¹² All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;

there is no one who shows kindness,

there is not even one.’

¹³ ‘Their throats are opened graves;

they use their tongues to deceive.’

‘The venom of vipers is under their lips.’

¹⁴ ‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’

¹⁵ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;

¹⁶ ruin and misery are in their paths,

¹⁷ and the way of peace they have not known.’

¹⁸ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Righteousness through Faith

²¹ But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christb for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonementc by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.d

²⁷ Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. ²⁹Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

The Example of Abraham

4

WHAT then are we to say was gained bye Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? ²For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ ⁴Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. ⁵But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. ⁶So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness irrespective of works:

⁷ ‘Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,

and whose sins are covered;

⁸ blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.’

⁹ Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, ‘Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.’ ¹⁰How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. ¹¹He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, ¹²and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.

God’s Promise Realized through Faith

¹³ For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. ¹⁵For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

¹⁶ For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, ¹⁷as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. ¹⁸Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ ¹⁹He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was alreadya as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, ²¹being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. ²²Therefore his faithb ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ ²³Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, ²⁴but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Results of Justification

5

THEREFORE, since we are justified by faith, we c have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have obtained accessd to this grace in which we stand; and wea boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³And not only that, but wea also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. ⁸But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. ⁹Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.b ¹⁰For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. ¹¹But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Adam and Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned—¹³sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. ¹⁴Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. ¹⁶And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. ¹⁷If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. ¹⁹For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justificationc leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dying and Rising with Christ

6

WHAT then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? ²By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷For whoever has died is freed from sin. ⁸But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ¹⁰The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. ¹¹So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

¹² Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. ¹³No longer present your members to sin as instrumentsa of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instrumentsa of righteousness. ¹⁴For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Slaves of Righteousness

¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, ¹⁸and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations.b For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

²⁰ When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. ²²But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

An Analogy from Marriage

7

DO YOU not know, brothers and sistersc—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only during that person’s lifetime? ²Thus a married woman is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law concerning the husband. ³Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man, she is not an adulteress.

⁴ In the same way, my friends,c you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. ⁵While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. ⁶But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

The Law and Sin

⁷ What then should we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ ⁸But sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead. ⁹I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived ¹⁰and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. ¹¹For sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. ¹²So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

¹³ Did what is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

The Inner Conflict

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin.a ¹⁵I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. ¹⁹For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. ²²For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, ²³but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Life in the Spirit

8

THERE is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ²For the law of the Spiritb of life in Christ Jesus has set youc free from the law of sin and of death. ³For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin,d he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.b ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spiritb set their mindson the things of the Spirit.b ⁶To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spiritb is life and peace. ⁷For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, ⁸and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit,a since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirita is life because of righteousness. ¹¹If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christb from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also throughc his Spirit that dwells in you.

¹² So then, brothers and sisters,d we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—¹³for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba!e Father!’ ¹⁶it is that very Spirit bearing witnessf with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; ²⁰for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; ²³and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For ing hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopesh for what is seen? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedesi with sighs too deep for words. ²⁷And God,j who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit kintercedes for the saints according to the will of God.l

²⁸ We know that all things work together for goodm for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.n ³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God’s Love in Christ Jesus

³¹ What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³²He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? ³³Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.a³⁵Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written,

‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s Election of Israel

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I AM speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit—²I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people,b my kindred according to the flesh. ⁴They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; ⁵to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah,c who is over all, God blessed for ever.d Amen.

⁶ It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, ⁷and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but ‘It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named after you.’ ⁸This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. ⁹For this is what the promise said, ‘About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.’ ¹⁰Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. ¹¹Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, ¹²not by works but by his call) she was told, ‘The elder shall serve the younger.’ ¹³As it is written,

‘I have loved Jacob,

but I have hated Esau.’

¹⁴ What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! ¹⁵For he says to Moses,

‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’

¹⁶So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. ¹⁷For the scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.’ ¹⁸So then he has mercy on whomsoever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomsoever he chooses.

God’s Wrath and Mercy

¹⁹ You will say to me then, ‘Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?’ ²⁰But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is moulded say to the one who moulds it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ ²¹Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? ²²What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; ²³and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—²⁴including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵As indeed he says in Hosea,

‘Those who were not my people I will call “my people”,

and her who was not beloved I will call “beloved”.’

²⁶ ‘And in the very place where it was said to them, “You are not my people”,

there they shall be called children of the living God.’

²⁷ And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, ‘Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved; ²⁸for the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively.’a ²⁹And as Isaiah predicted,

‘If the Lord of hosts had not left survivorsb to us,

we would have fared like Sodom

and been made like Gomorrah.’

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; ³¹but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. ³²Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling-stone, ³³as it is written,

‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall,

and whoever believes in himc will not be put to shame.’

10

BROTHERS and sisters,d my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. ²I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. ³For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. ⁴For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Salvation Is for All

⁵ Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ ⁶But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸But what does it say?

‘The word is near you,

on your lips and in your heart’

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹becausee if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ ¹²For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

¹⁴ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ ¹⁶But not all have obeyed the good news;a for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ ¹⁷So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.b

¹⁸ But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for

‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.’

¹⁹Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;

with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’

²⁰Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

‘I have been found by those who did not seek me;

I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’

²¹But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’

Israel’s Rejection Is Not Final

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I ASK, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? ³‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.’ ⁴But what is the divine reply to him? ‘I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ ⁵So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. ⁶But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.c

⁷ What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, ⁸as it is written,

‘God gave them a sluggish spirit,

eyes that would not see

and ears that would not hear,

down to this very day.’

⁹And David says,

‘Let their table become a snare and a trap,

a stumbling-block and a retribution for them;

¹⁰ let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,

and keep their backs for ever bent.’

The Salvation of the Gentiles

¹¹ So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumblinga salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israelb jealous. ¹²Now if their stumblinga means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

¹³ Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry ¹⁴in order to make my own peoplec jealous, and thus save some of them. ¹⁵For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! ¹⁶If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy.

¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich rootd of the olive tree, ¹⁸do not vaunt yourselves over the branches. If you do vaunt yourselves, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. ¹⁹You will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ ²⁰That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. ²¹For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.e ²²Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God’s kindness towards you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³And even those of Israel,f if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. ²⁴For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.

All Israel Will Be Saved

²⁵ So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters,g I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written,

‘Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;

he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’

²⁷ ‘And this is my covenant with them,

when I take away their sins.’

²⁸As regards the gospel they are enemies of Godh for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; ²⁹for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may nowi receive mercy. ³²For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

³³ O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!

³⁴ ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counsellor?’

³⁵ ‘Or who has given a gift to him,

to receive a gift in return?’

³⁶For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

The New Life in Christ

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I APPEAL to you therefore, brothers and sisters,a by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritualb worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world,c but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.d

³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

⁹ Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.e ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;f do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;g for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ ²⁰No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Being Subject to Authorities

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LET every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. ²Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. ³For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; ⁴for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authoritya does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. ⁶For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. ⁷Pay to all what is due to them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honour to whom honour is due.

Love for One Another

⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

An Urgent Appeal

¹¹ Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹²the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; ¹³let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. ¹⁴Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Do Not Judge Another

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WELCOME those who are weak in faith,b but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. ²Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. ³Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. ⁴Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lordc is able to make them stand.

⁵ Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. ⁶Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

⁷ We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. ⁸If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

¹⁰ Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister?d Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?e For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.e¹¹For it is written,

‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall give praise to a God.’

¹²So then, each of us will be accountable to God.b

Do Not Make Another Stumble

¹³ Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of another.c ¹⁴I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. ¹⁵If your brother or sisterd is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. ¹⁹Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification. ²⁰Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; ²¹it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sistere stumble.e ²²The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. ²³But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith;f for whatever does not proceed from faithf is sin.g

Please Others, Not Yourselves

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WE WHO are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour. ³For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ ⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. ⁵May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, ⁶so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike

⁷ Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ⁸For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

‘Therefore I will confessh you among the Gentiles,

and sing praises to your name’

¹⁰and again he says,

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’

¹¹and again,

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

and let all the peoples praise him’

¹²and again Isaiah says,

‘The root of Jesse shall come,

the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;

in him the Gentiles shall hope.’

¹³May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly

¹⁴ I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters,a that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. ¹⁵Nevertheless, on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God ¹⁶to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. ¹⁸For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplishedb through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, ¹⁹by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God,c so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good newsd of Christ. ²⁰Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news,d not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, ²¹but as it is written,

‘Those who have never been told of him shall see,

and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

²² This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. ²³But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you ²⁴when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. ²⁵At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; ²⁶for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. ²⁷They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. ²⁸So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected,e I will set out by way of you to Spain; ²⁹and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessingf of Christ.

³⁰ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,a by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, ³¹that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministryg to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ³²so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. ³³The God of peace be with all of you.h Amen.

Personal Greetings

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I COMMEND to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconi of the church at Cenchreae, ²so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, ⁴and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. ⁵Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first converta in Asia for Christ. ⁶Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. ⁷Greet Andronicus and Junia,b my relativesc who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. ⁸Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. ¹⁰Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. ¹¹Greet my relatived Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. ¹²Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. ¹³Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. ¹⁴Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisterse who are with them. ¹⁵Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Final Instructions

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters,e to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offences, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. ¹⁸For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,f and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. ¹⁹For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil. ²⁰The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.g

²¹ Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.c

²² I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.h

²³ Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.i

Final Doxology

²⁵ Now to Godj who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ²⁶but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—²⁷to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whomk be the glory for ever! Amen.l

The First Letter of Paul to the
CORINTHIANS

Salutation

PAUL, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

² To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lorda and ours:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I give thanks to myb God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—⁶just as the testimony ofc Christ has been strengthened among you—⁷so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Divisions in the Church

¹⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,d by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. ¹¹For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.e ¹²What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ ¹³Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴I thank Godf that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written,

‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’

²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. ²²For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, ²³but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

²⁶ Consider your own call, brothers and sisters:a not many of you were wise by human standards,b not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no onec might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast ind the Lord.’

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

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WHEN I came to you, brothers and sisters,a I did not come proclaiming the mysterye of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. ²For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ³And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. ⁴My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom,f but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

The True Wisdom of God

⁶ Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. ⁷But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹But, as it is written,

‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the human heart conceived,

what God has prepared for those who love him’—

¹⁰these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. ¹³And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.a

¹⁴ Those who are unspiritualb do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. ¹⁵Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.

¹⁶ ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord

so as to instruct him?’

But we have the mind of Christ.

On Divisions in the Corinthian Church

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AND so, brothers and sisters,c I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. ²I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, ³for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? ⁴For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul’, and another, ‘I belong to Apollos’, are you not merely human?

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. ⁶I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. ⁹For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹²Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—¹³the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. ¹⁴If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵If the work is burned, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?d ¹⁷If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’,

²⁰and again,

‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,

that they are futile.’

²¹So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, ²²whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, ²³and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

The Ministry of the Apostles

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THINK of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. ²Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. ⁴I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

⁶ I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters,a so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, ‘Nothing beyond what is written’, so that none of you will be puffed up in favour of one against another. ⁷For who sees anything different in you?b What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you! ⁹For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. ¹⁰We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honour, but we in disrepute. ¹¹To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, ¹²and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.

Fatherly Admonition

¹⁴ I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ¹⁵For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. ¹⁶I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. ¹⁷For this reason I sentc you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church. ¹⁸But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. ¹⁹But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. ²⁰For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. ²¹What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church

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IT IS actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. ²And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

³ For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgement ⁴in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing.a When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, ⁵you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.b

⁶ Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. ⁸Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Sexual Immorality Must Be Judged

⁹ I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons—¹⁰not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. ¹¹But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister c who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. ¹²For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? ¹³God will judge those outside. ‘Drive out the wicked person from among you.’

Lawsuits among Believers

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WHEN any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? ²Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? ³Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? ⁴If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? ⁵I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believerc and another, ⁶but a believerc goes to court against a believerc—and before unbelievers at that?

⁷ In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believersd at that.

⁹ Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, ¹⁰thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Glorify God in Body and Spirit

¹² ‘All things are lawful for me’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me’, but I will not be dominated by anything. ¹³‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’,a and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. ¹⁵Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’ ¹⁷But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. ¹⁸Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. ¹⁹Or do you not know that your body is a templeb of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

Directions concerning Marriage

7

NOW concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’ ²But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. ³The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. ⁵Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ⁶This I say by way of concession, not of command. ⁷I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.

⁸ To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. ⁹But if they are not practising self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

¹⁰ To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband ¹¹(but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

¹² To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believerc has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. ¹³And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. ¹⁴For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you.d ¹⁶Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.

The Life That the Lord Has Assigned

¹⁷ However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. ¹⁸Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. ²⁰Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.

²¹ Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever.a ²²For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. ²³You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. ²⁴In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters,b there remain with God.

The Unmarried and the Widows

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. ²⁶I think that, in view of the impendingc crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. ²⁷Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life,d and I would spare you that. ²⁹I mean, brothers and sisters,b the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, ³⁰and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, ³¹and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

³² I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; ³³but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. ³⁵I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly towards his fiancée,e if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. ³⁷But if someone stands firm in his resolve, being under no necessity but having his own desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée,e he will do well. ³⁸So then, he who marries his fiancéee does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.

³⁹ A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies,a she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. ⁴⁰But in my judgement she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Food Offered to Idols

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NOW concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ²Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; ³but anyone who loves God is known by him.

⁴ Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists’, and that ‘there is no God but one.’ ⁵Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—⁶yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

⁷ It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸‘Food will not bring us close to God.’b We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. ⁹But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak. ¹⁰For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? ¹¹So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed.c ¹²But when you thus sin against members of your family,d and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling,e I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of themf to fall.

The Rights of an Apostle

9

AM I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? ²If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

³ This is my defence to those who would examine me. ⁴Do we not have the right to our food and drink? ⁵Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife,g as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? ⁶Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? ⁷Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk?

⁸ Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law also say the same? ⁹For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? ¹⁰Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever ploughs should plough in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop. ¹¹If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? ¹²If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. ¹³Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? ¹⁴In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

¹⁵ But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that—no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! ¹⁶If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! ¹⁷For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. ¹⁸What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

¹⁹ For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. ²⁰To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. ²¹To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. ²³I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. ²⁵Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; ²⁷but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

Warnings from Israel’s History

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I DO not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,a that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, ²and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³and all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. ⁵Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. ⁷Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ ⁸We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. ⁹We must not put Christ b to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. ¹⁰And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ¹¹These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹²So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. ¹³No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends,a flee from the worship of idols. ¹⁵I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. ¹⁸Consider the people of Israel;b are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? ¹⁹What do I imply then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. ²¹You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. ²²Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

²³ ‘All things are lawful’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful’, but not all things build up. ²⁴Do not seek your own advantage, but that of others. ²⁵Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, ²⁶for ‘the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.’ ²⁷If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. ²⁸But if someone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice’, then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—²⁹I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgement of someone else’s conscience? ³⁰If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

11

³¹ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. ³²Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. ¹Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

² I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you. ³But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the husbandc is the head of his wife,d and God is the head of Christ. ⁴Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, ⁵but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. ⁶For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. ⁷For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflectiona of God; but woman is the reflectiona of man. ⁸Indeed, man was not made from woman, but woman from man. ⁹Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. ¹⁰For this reason a woman ought to have a symbol ofb authority on her head,c because of the angels. ¹¹Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man or man independent of woman. ¹²For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman; but all things come from God. ¹³Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? ¹⁴Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is degrading to him, ¹⁵but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. ¹⁶But if anyone is disposed to be contentious—we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

¹⁷ Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. ¹⁹Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. ²⁰When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. ²¹For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. ²²What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is ford you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ ²⁵In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹For all who eat and drinke without discerning the body,f eat and drink judgement against themselves. ³⁰For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.g ³¹But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. ³²But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplinedh so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

³³ So then, my brothers and sisters,i when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.

Spiritual Gifts

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NOW concerning spiritual gifts,a brothers and sisters,b I do not want you to be uninformed. ²You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. ³Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

¹⁴ Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many members, yet one body. ²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ ²²On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; ²⁴whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, ²⁵that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The Gift of Love

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IF I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ²And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, a but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. ⁷It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. ⁹For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; ¹⁰but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. ¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. ¹²For now we see in a mirror, dimly,b but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. ¹³And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

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PURSUE love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. ²For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. ³On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their building up and encouragement and consolation. ⁴Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. ⁵Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters,c if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁷It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? ⁸And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? ⁹So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. ¹¹If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. ¹²So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.

¹³ Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. ¹⁵What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. ¹⁶Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. ¹⁸I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; ¹⁹nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰ Brothers and sisters,a do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. ²¹In the law it is written,

‘By people of strange tongues

and by the lips of foreigners

I will speak to this people;

yet even then they will not listen to me,’

says the Lord. ²²Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? ²⁴But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. ²⁵After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, ‘God is really among you.’

Orderly Worship

²⁶ What should be done then, my friends?a When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. ²⁷If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. ²⁸But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. ²⁹Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. ³⁰If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. ³²And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, ³³for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.

(As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. ³⁵If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.b ³⁶Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?)

³⁷ Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. ³⁸Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. ³⁹So, my friends,c be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; ⁴⁰but all things should be done decently and in order.

The Resurrection of Christ

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NOW I should remind you, brothers and sisters,a of the good newsb that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, ²through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.

³ For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, ⁴and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, ⁵and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sistersa at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.c ⁷Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; ¹⁴and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. ¹⁵We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸Then those also who have diedc in Christ have perished. ¹⁹If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.c ²¹For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; ²²for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. ²³But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. ²⁴Then comes the end,d when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. ²⁵For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷For ‘Gode has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection’, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. ²⁸When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

²⁹ Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

³⁰ And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? ³¹I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters,a as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³²If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised,

‘Let us eat and drink,

for tomorrow we die.’

³³Do not be deceived:

‘Bad company ruins good morals.’

³⁴Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ ³⁶Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. ³⁸But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. ³⁹Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. ⁴⁰There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. ⁴¹There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.

⁴² So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. ⁴³It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵Thus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’ the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man isb from heaven. ⁴⁸As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we willc also bear the image of the man of heaven.

⁵⁰ What I am saying, brothers and sisters,a is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, d but we will all be changed, ⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’

⁵⁵ ‘Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?’

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved,a be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

The Collection for the Saints

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NOW concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. ²On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come. ³And when I arrive, I will send any whom you approve with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Plans for Travel

⁵ I will visit you after passing through Macedonia—for I intend to pass through Macedonia—⁶and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. ⁷I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰ If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am; ¹¹therefore let no one despise him. Send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers.

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but he was not at all willingb to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.

Final Messages and Greetings

¹³ Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. ¹⁴Let all that you do be done in love.

¹⁵ Now, brothers and sisters,c you know that members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; ¹⁶I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils with them. ¹⁷I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; ¹⁸for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people.

¹⁹ The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. ²⁰All the brothers and sistersc send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. ²²Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come!d²³The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.e

The Second Letter of Paul to the
CORINTHIANS

Salutation

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout Achaia:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Thanksgiving after Affliction

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, ⁴who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. ⁶If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. ⁷Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

⁸ We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,a of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. ⁹Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ¹⁰He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, ¹¹as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on ourb behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many.

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

¹² Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with franknessc and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more towards you. ¹³For we write to you nothing other than what you can read and also understand; I hope you will understand until the end—¹⁴as you have already understood us in part—that on the day of the Lord Jesus we are your boast even as you are our boast.

¹⁵ Since I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double favour;a ¹⁶I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on to Judea. ¹⁷Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards,b ready to say ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time? ¹⁸As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ ¹⁹For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’ but in him it is always ‘Yes.’ ²⁰For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. ²¹But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, ²²by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment.

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²³ But I call on God as witness against me: it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. ²⁴I do not mean to imply that we lord it over your faith; rather, we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in the faith. ¹So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. ²For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? ³And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice; for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you. ⁴For I wrote to you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

⁵ But if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you. ⁶This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; ⁷so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸So I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹I wrote for this reason: to test you and to know whether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ. ¹¹And we do this so that we may not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Paul’s Anxiety in Troas

¹² When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; ¹³but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and went on to Macedonia.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. ¹⁵For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; ¹⁶to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; a but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence.

Ministers of the New Covenant

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ARE we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do we? ²You yourselves are our letter, written on ourb hearts, to be known and read by all; ³and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

⁴ Such is the confidence that we have through Christ towards God. ⁵Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, ⁶who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

⁷ Now if the ministry of death, chiselled in letters on stone tablets,c came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses’ face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, ⁸how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? ⁹For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! ¹⁰Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; ¹¹for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!

¹² Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, ¹³not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory thatd was being set aside. ¹⁴But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. ¹⁵Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; ¹⁶but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Treasure in Clay Jars

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THEREFORE, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. ²We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. ³And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. ⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. ¹¹For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. ¹²So death is at work in us, but life in you.

¹³ But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, ¹⁴because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. ¹⁵Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Living by Faith

¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, ¹⁸because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

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FOR we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—³if indeed, when we have taken it offa we will not be found naked. ⁴For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—⁷for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. ¹²We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. ¹³For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. ¹⁵And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view;b even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view,a we know him no longer in that way. ¹⁷So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,b not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. ²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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AS WE work together with him,c we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. ²For he says,

‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! ³We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. ¹²There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. ¹³In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? ¹⁵What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For wed are the temple of the living God; as God said,

‘I will live in them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

¹⁷ Therefore come out from them,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch nothing unclean;

then I will welcome you,

¹⁸ and I will be your father,

and you shall be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.’

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SINCE we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

² Make room in your heartsa for us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. ³I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. ⁴I often boast about you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—disputes without and fears within. ⁶But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus, ⁷and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. ⁸For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly). ⁹Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. ¹¹For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter. ¹²So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who was wronged, but in order that your zeal for us might be made known to you before God. ¹³In this we find comfort.

In addition to our own consolation, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by all of you. ¹⁴For if I have been somewhat boastful about you to him, I was not disgraced; but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved true as well. ¹⁵And his heart goes out all the more to you, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Encouragement to Be Generous

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WE WANT you to know, brothers and sisters,b about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; ²for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, ⁴begging us earnestly for the privilege c of sharing in this ministry to the saints—⁵and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, ⁶so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking d among you. ⁷Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you a—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. b

⁸ I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. ⁹For you know the generous actc of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. ¹⁰And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—¹¹now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. ¹²For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. ¹³I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between ¹⁴your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. ¹⁵As it is written,

‘The one who had much did not have too much,

and the one who had little did not have too little.’

Commendation of Titus

¹⁶ But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have. ¹⁷For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord. ¹⁸With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his proclaiming of the good news; d ¹⁹and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this generous undertakingb for the glory of the Lord himselfe and to show our goodwill. ²⁰We intend that no one should blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, ²¹for we intend to do what is right not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of others. ²²And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager in many matters, but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you. ²³As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengersf of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴Therefore, openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

The Collection for Christians at Jerusalem

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NOW it is not necessary for me to write to you about the ministry to the saints, ²for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; ⁴otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.g ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.

⁶ The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. ⁹As it is written,

‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;

his righteousnessa endures for ever.’

¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.a ¹¹You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; ¹²for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. ¹³Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, ¹⁴while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Paul Defends His Ministry

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I MYSELF, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold towards you when I am away!—²I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. b ³Indeed, we live as human beings,c but we do not wage war according to human standards;b ⁴for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human,d but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments ⁵and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.

⁷ Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. ⁸Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. ⁹I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. ¹⁰For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’ ¹¹Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.

¹² We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. ¹³We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. ¹⁴For we were not overstepping our limits when we reached you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the good news e of Christ. ¹⁵We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labours of others; but our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged, ¹⁶so that we may proclaim the good newse in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone else’s sphere of action. ¹⁷‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ ¹⁸For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.

Paul and the False Apostles

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I WISH you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! ²I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. ³But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and purea devotion to Christ. ⁴For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough. ⁵I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. ⁶I may be untrained in speech, but not in knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you.

⁷ Did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed God’s good news b to you free of charge? ⁸I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. ⁹And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for my needs were supplied by the friendsc who came from Macedonia. So I refrained and will continue to refrain from burdening you in any way. ¹⁰As the truth of Christ is in me, this boast of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! ¹² And what I do I will also continue to do, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want an opportunity to be recognized as our equals in what they boast about. ¹³For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their deeds.

Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle

¹⁶ I repeat, let no one think that I am a fool; but if you do, then accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁷What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority, but as a fool; ¹⁸since many boast according to human standards,d I will also boast. ¹⁹For you gladly put up with fools, being wise yourselves! ²⁰For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or gives you a slap in the face. ²¹To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. ²²Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ²³Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. ²⁴Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; ²⁶on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;a ²⁷in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. ²⁸And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. ²⁹Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ³¹The God and Father of the Lord Jesus (blessed be he for ever!) knows that I do not lie. ³²In Damascus, the governorb under King Aretas set a guard on the city of Damascus in order toc seize me, ³³but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall,d and escaped from his hands.

Paul’s Visions and Revelations

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IT IS necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ²I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. ³And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—⁴was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. ⁵On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. ⁶But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, ⁷even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keepe me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.f⁸Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, ⁹but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for powerg is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church

¹¹ I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ¹²The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹³How have you been worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴ Here I am, ready to come to you this third time. And I will not be a burden, because I do not want what is yours but you; for children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶Let it be assumed that I did not burden you. Nevertheless (you say) since I was crafty, I took you in by deceit. ¹⁷Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves with the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up. ²⁰For I fear that when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish; I fear that there may perhaps be quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ²¹I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and that I may have to mourn over many who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practised.

Further Warning

13

THIS is the third time I am coming to you. ‘Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.’ ²I warned those who sinned previously and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again, I will not be lenient—³since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. ⁴For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, a but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to pass the test! ⁶I hope you will find out that we have not failed. ⁷But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have passed the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. ⁸For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect. ¹⁰So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters,b farewell.c Put things in order, listen to my appeal,d agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. ¹²Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion ofe the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

The Letter of Paul to the
GALATIANS

Salutation

PAUL an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—²and all the members of God’s familya who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

There Is No Other Gospel

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—⁷not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But even if we or an angelb from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! ⁹As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

¹⁰ Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant c of Christ.

Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters,d that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; ¹²for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹³ You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. ¹⁴I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased ¹⁶to reveal his Son to me,a so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, ¹⁷nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days; ¹⁹but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! ²¹Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, ²²and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; ²³they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.’ ²⁴And they glorified God because of me.

Paul and the Other Apostles

2

THEN after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. ²I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. ³But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. ⁴But because of false believers b secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us—⁵we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. ⁶And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. ⁷On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised ⁸(for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), ⁹and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was ceager to do.

Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; ¹²for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. ¹³And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’d

Jews and Gentiles Are Saved by Faith

¹⁵ We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶yet we know that a person is justifieda not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.b And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,c and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. ¹⁷But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! ¹⁸But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. ¹⁹For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; ²⁰and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,d who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justificatione comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Law or Faith

3

YOU foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! ²The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? ³Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? ⁴Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. ⁵Well then, does Godf supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

⁶ Just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, ⁷so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. ⁸And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.’ ⁹For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.’ ¹¹Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’g ¹²But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, ‘Whoever does the works of the lawh will live by them.’ ¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’—¹⁴in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Promise to Abraham

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,i I give an example from daily life: once a person’s willj has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. ¹⁶Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring;k it does not say, ‘And to offsprings’,l as of many; but it says, ‘And to your offspring’,k that is, to one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷My point is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. ¹⁸For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

The Purpose of the Law

¹⁹ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspringa would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. ²⁰Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. ²²But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christb might be given to those who believe.

²³ Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. ²⁴Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, ²⁶for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. ²⁷As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, a heirs according to the promise.

4

MY POINT is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; ²but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. ³So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spiritsc of the world. ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into ourd hearts, crying, ‘Abba!e Father!’ ⁷So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.f

Paul Reproves the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. ⁹Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits?g How can you want to be enslaved to them again? ¹⁰You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. ¹¹I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.

¹² Friends,h I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. ¹³You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; ¹⁴though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. ¹⁸It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, ²⁰I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? ²²For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. ²³One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. ²⁴Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. ²⁵Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabiaa and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷For it is written,

‘Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children,

burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs;

for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous

than the children of the one who is married.’

5

²⁸Now you,b my friends,c are children of the promise, like Isaac. ²⁹But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. ³⁰But what does the scripture say? ‘Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman.’ ³¹So then, friends,c we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman. ¹For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The Nature of Christian Freedom

² Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. ⁴You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith workingd through love.

⁷ You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? ⁸Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. ¹¹But my friends,a why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offence of the cross has been removed. ¹²I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;a only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,b but through love become slaves to one another. ¹⁴For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ¹⁵If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh

¹⁶ Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ²¹envy,c drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit

²² By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6

MY FRIENDS,d if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. ²Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfile the law of Christ. ³For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. ⁴All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. ⁵For all must carry their own loads.

⁶ Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

⁷ Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. ⁸If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Final Admonitions and Benediction

¹¹ See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! ¹²It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whicha the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵Forb neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! ¹⁶As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.

¹⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.c Amen.

The Letter of Paul to the
EPHESIANS

Salutation

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithfula in Christ Jesus:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴just as he chose us in Christb before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. ⁵He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight ⁹he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. ¹¹In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,c having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, ¹²so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. ¹³In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; ¹⁴this d is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Paul’s Prayer

¹⁵ I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your lovee towards all the saints, and for this reason ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰Goda put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²²And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

From Death to Life

2

YOU were dead through the trespasses and sins ²in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. ³All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us ⁵even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christb—by grace you have been saved—⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

One in Christ

¹¹ So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth,c called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands—¹²remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ¹⁵He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile both groups to God in one bodyd through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.e ¹⁷So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; ¹⁸for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, ²⁰built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.f ²¹In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²²in whom you also are built together spirituallya into a dwelling-place for God.

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3

THIS is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner forb Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—²for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, ⁴a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. ⁵In former generations this mysteryc was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: ⁶that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. ⁸Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹and to make everyone seed what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages ine God who created all things; ¹⁰so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹²in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.f ¹³I pray therefore that youg may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

Prayer for the Readers

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,h ¹⁵from whom every familyi in heaven and on earth takes its name. ¹⁶I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, ¹⁷and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. ¹⁸I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

Unity in the Body of Christ

4

I THEREFORE, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

⁷ But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

⁸Therefore it is said,

‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;

he gave gifts to his people.’

⁹(When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descendeda into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) ¹¹The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. ¹⁴We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. ¹⁵But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

The Old Life and the New

¹⁷ Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. ¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. ¹⁹They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practise every kind of impurity. ²⁰That is not the way you learned Christ! ²¹For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. ²²You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, ²³and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Rules for the New Life

5

²⁵ So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. ²⁶Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷and do not make room for the devil. ²⁸Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. ²⁹Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,b as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. ³¹Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³²and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.c ¹Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, ²and live in love, as Christ loved usd and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Renounce Pagan Ways

³ But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. ⁴Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. ⁵Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷Therefore do not be associated with them. ⁸For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—⁹for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. ¹⁰Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; ¹³but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

‘Sleeper, awake!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.’

¹⁵ Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, ²⁰giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christian Household

²¹ Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Saviour. ²⁴Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. ²⁸In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰because we are members of his body. a ³¹‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ ³²This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. ³³Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

Children and Parents

6

CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord,a for this is right. ²‘Honour your father and mother’—this is the first commandment with a promise: ³‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’

⁴ And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; ⁶not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. ⁷Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, ⁸knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.

⁹ And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.

The Whole Armour of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For ourb struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. ¹⁵As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. ¹⁶With all of these,c take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. ¹⁹Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,d ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Personal Matters and Benediction

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord. ²²I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are, and to encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the whole community,e and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.f

The Letter of Paul to the
PHILIPPIANS

Salutation

PAUL and Timothy, servantsa of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishopsb and deacons:c

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians

³ I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, ⁵because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart,d for all of you share in God’s gracee with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. ⁹And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight ¹⁰to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, ¹¹having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Present Circumstances

¹² I want you to know, beloved,f that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, ¹³so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guardg and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; ¹⁴and most of the brothers and sisters,f having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the wordh with greater boldness and without fear.

¹⁵ Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. ¹⁶These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; ¹⁷the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. ¹⁸What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. ²⁰It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. ²³I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; ²⁴but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. ²⁵Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, ²⁶so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

²⁷ Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. ²⁹For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—³⁰since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2

IF THEN there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, ²make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. ⁵Let the same mind be in you that wasa in Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

⁷ but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

⁸ he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

¹¹ and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmuring and arguing, ¹⁵so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. ¹⁶It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labour in vain. ¹⁷But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you—¹⁸and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. ²⁰I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. ²¹All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But Timothy’sa worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; ²⁴and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon.

²⁵ Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and coworker and fellow-soldier, your messengerb and minister to my need; ²⁶for he has been longing forc all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. ²⁸I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honour such people, ³⁰because he came close to death for the work of Christ,d risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.

3

FINALLY, my brothers and sisters,e rejoicef in the Lord.

Breaking with the Past

To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.

² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!g ³For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of Goda and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh—⁴even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

⁷ Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. ⁸More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ,b the righteousness from God based on faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christc and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, ¹¹if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing towards the Goal

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; d but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³Beloved,e I do not consider that I have made it my own;f but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenlyg call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. ¹⁶Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

4

¹⁷ Brothers and sisters,e join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. ¹⁹Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. ²⁰But our citizenshiph is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹He will transform the body of our humiliationi so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,j by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. ¹Therefore, my brothers and sisters,k whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Exhortations

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,l help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoicem in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.m ⁵Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, beloved,a whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think aboutb these things. ⁹Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

¹⁰ I rejoicec in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.d ¹¹Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. ¹²I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

¹⁵ You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. ¹⁶For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. ¹⁷Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. ¹⁸I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friendsa who are with me greet you. ²²All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.e

The Letter of Paul to the
COLOSSIANS

Salutation

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brothers and sistersa in Christ in Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Paul Thanks God for the Colossians

³ In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, ⁵because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel ⁶that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. ⁷This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant.b He is a faithful minister of Christ on yourc behalf, ⁸and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s d will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. ¹¹May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has enablede youf to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.g

The Supremacy of Christ

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶for inh him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷He himself is before all things, and ina him all things hold together. ¹⁸He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

²¹ And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²²he has now reconciledb in his fleshly bodyc through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—²³provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

Paul’s Interest in the Colossians

²⁴ I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. ²⁵I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. ²⁷To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.

2

FOR I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. ²I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself,d ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. ⁵For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Fullness of Life in Christ

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your livese in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe,fand not according to Christ. ⁹For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. ¹¹In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision,a by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; ¹²when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Godb made youc alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, ¹⁴erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵He disarmedd the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. ¹⁷These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ¹⁸Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwellinge on visions,f puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking,g ¹⁹and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.

Warnings against False Teachers

²⁰ If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe,h why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, ²¹‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’? ²²All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. ²³These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.i

The New Life in Christ

3

SO IF you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, ³for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is yourj life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). ⁶On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.k ⁷These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.l ⁸But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusivem language from your mouth. ⁹Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices ¹⁰and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. ¹¹In that renewaln there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

¹² As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lorda has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christb dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.c¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

4

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. ²¹Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. ²²Slaves, obey your earthly mastersd in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.d ²³Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,e ²⁴since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you servef the Lord Christ. ²⁵For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality. ¹Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. ³At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, ⁴so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time.g ⁶Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Final Greetings and Benediction

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow-servanth in the Lord. ⁸I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we arei and that he may encourage your hearts; ⁹he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. ¹¹And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras, who is one of you, a servanta of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. ¹³For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sistersb in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. ¹⁶And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷And say to Archippus, ‘See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.’

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.c

The First Letter of Paul to the
THESSALONIANS

Salutation

PAUL, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

² We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴For we know, brothers and sistersa beloved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. ⁶And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. ⁹For the people of those regionsb report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2

YOU yourselves know, brothers and sisters,a that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. ³For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; ⁶nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, ⁷though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentlea among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

⁹ You remember our labour and toil, brothers and sisters;b we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. ¹¹As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, ¹²urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

¹³ We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. ¹⁴For you, brothers and sisters,b became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets,c and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone ¹⁶by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly been filling up the measure of their sins; but God’s wrath has overtaken them at last.d

Paul’s Desire to Visit the Thessalonians Again

¹⁷ As for us, brothers and sisters,b when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰Yes, you are our glory and joy!

3

THEREFORE when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens; ²and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiminge the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, ³so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for. ⁴In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. ⁵For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labour had been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you. ⁷For this reason, brothers and sisters,b during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. ⁹How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? ¹⁰Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. ¹²And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. ¹³And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

A Life Pleasing to God

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FINALLY, brothers and sisters,a we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. ²For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; ⁴that each one of you knows how to control your own bodyb in holiness and honour, ⁵not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶that no one wrongs or exploits a brother or sisterc in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. ⁷For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. ⁸Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters,a you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰and indeed you do love all the brothers and sistersa throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved,a to do so more and more, ¹¹to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, ¹²so that you may behave properly towards outsiders and be dependent on no one.

The Coming of the Lord

¹³ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,a about those who have died,d so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.d ¹⁵For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.d ¹⁶For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

5

NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters,a you do not need to have anything written to you. ²For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! ⁴But you, beloved,a are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; ⁵for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. ⁶So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; ⁷for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction

¹² But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters,a to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; ¹³esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, beloved,a to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. ¹⁵See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise the words of prophets,b ²¹but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil.

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept soundc and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

²⁵ Beloved,d pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sistersa with a holy kiss. ²⁷I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them.e

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.f

The Second Letter of Paul to the
THESSALONIANS

Salutation

PAUL, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God oura Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

³ We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters,b as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgement at Christ’s Coming

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgement of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. ⁶For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marvelled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith, ¹²so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Lawlessness

2

AS TO the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters,a ²not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. ³Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one b is revealed, the one destined for destruction.c ⁴He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. ⁵Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ⁶And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. ⁷For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. ⁸And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesusd will destroye with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. ⁹The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, ¹⁰and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, ¹²so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

Chosen for Salvation

¹³ But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sistersa beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruitsf for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, g so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵So then, brothers and sisters,a stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, ¹⁷comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Request for Prayer

3

FINALLY, brothers and sisters,a pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, ²and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. ³But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.h ⁴And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, beloved,a in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who arei living in idleness and not according to the tradition that theya received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. ⁹This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. ¹¹For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. ¹²Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ¹³Brothers and sisters,b do not be weary in doing what is right.

¹⁴ Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. ¹⁵Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.c

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.d

The First Letter of Paul to
TIMOTHY

Salutation

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning against False Teachers

³ I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, ⁴and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine traininga that is known by faith. ⁵But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. ⁶Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, ⁷desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

⁸ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. ⁹This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, ¹⁰fornicators, sodomites, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching ¹¹that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Gratitude for Mercy

¹² I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, ¹³even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.a Amen.

¹⁸ I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; ²⁰among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Instructions concerning Prayer

2

FIRST of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵For

there is one God;

there is also one mediator between God and humankind,

Christ Jesus, himself human,

⁶ who gave himself a ransom for all

—this was attested at the right time. ⁷For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, b I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; ⁹also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, ¹⁰but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. ¹¹Let a womanc learn in silence with full submission. ¹²I permit no womanc to teach or to have authority over a man;d she is to keep silent. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve; ¹⁴and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. ¹⁵Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

Qualifications of Bishops

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THE saying is sure:e whoever aspires to the office of bishopf desires a noble task. ²Now a bishopg must be above reproach, married only once,h temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, ³not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. ⁴He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way—⁵for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸ Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; ⁹they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. ¹¹Womena likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹²Let deacons be married only once,b and let them manage their children and their households well; ¹³for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. ¹⁶Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:

Hec was revealed in flesh,

vindicatedd in spirit,e seen by angels,

proclaimed among Gentiles,

believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

False Asceticism

4

NOW the Spirit expressly says that in laterf times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ²through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. ³They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.

A Good Minister of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters,g you will be a good servanth of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. ⁷Have nothing to do with profane myths and oldwives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, ⁸for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end we toil and struggle,a because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture,b to exhorting, to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.c ¹⁵Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Duties towards Believers

5

DO NOT speak harshly to an older man,d but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, ²to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity.

³ Honour widows who are really widows. ⁴If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents; for this is pleasing in God’s sight. ⁵The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; ⁶but the widowe who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. ⁷Give these commands as well, so that they may be above reproach. ⁸And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once;f ¹⁰she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. ¹¹But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, ¹²and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. ¹³Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say. ¹⁴So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. ¹⁵For some have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶If any believing womang has relatives who are really widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it can assist those who are real widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour,h especially those who labour in preaching and teaching; ¹⁸for the scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain’, and, ‘The labourer deserves to be paid.’ ¹⁹Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. ²¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. ²²Do not ordaina anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

²³ No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ The sins of some people are conspicuous and precede them to judgement, while the sins of others follow them there. ²⁵So also good works are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.

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LET all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. ²Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church;b rather they must serve them all the more, since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved.c

False Teaching and True Riches

Teach and urge these duties. ³Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, ⁴is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, ⁵and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.d ⁶Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; ⁷for we brought nothing into the world, so thate we can take nothing out of it; ⁸but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ⁹But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

The Good Fight of Faith

¹¹ But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you madef the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. ¹⁶It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.

¹⁷ As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, ¹⁹thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Personal Instructions and Benediction

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge;²¹by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith.

Grace be with you.a

The Second Letter of Paul to
TIMOTHY

Salutation

PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving and Encouragement

³ I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ⁴Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. ⁶For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; ⁷for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

⁸ Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,a¹²and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.b ¹³Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

¹⁵ You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; ¹⁷when he arrived in Rome, he eagerlya searched for me and found me ¹⁸—may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

2

YOU then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; ²and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. ³Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. ⁵And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. ⁶It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ¹¹The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he will also deny us;

¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

A Worker Approved by God

¹⁴ Remind them of this, and warn them before Godb that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. ¹⁵Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. ¹⁶Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, ¹⁷and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. ¹⁹But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’, and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.’

²⁰ In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. ²¹All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentionedc will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. ²²Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servantd must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, ²⁵correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, ²⁶and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.a

Godlessness in the Last Days

3

YOU must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. ²For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, ⁴treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! ⁶For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, ⁷who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. ⁸As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. ⁹But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men,b their folly will become plain to everyone.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹²Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. ¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is c useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4

IN THE presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ²proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

⁶ As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give tome on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Personal Instructions

⁹ Do your best to come to me soon, ¹⁰for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia,a Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. ¹²I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. ¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. ¹⁵You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! ¹⁷But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. ²¹Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.b

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.c

The Letter of Paul to
TITUS

Salutation

PAUL, a servanta of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, ²in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began—³in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Saviour,

⁴ To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share:

Graceb and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Titus in Crete

⁵ I left you behind in Crete for this reason, that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: ⁶someone who is blameless, married only once,c whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. ⁷For a bishop,d as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain; ⁸but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. ⁹He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

¹⁰ There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; ¹¹they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. ¹²It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said,

‘Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.’

¹³That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, ¹⁴not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. ¹⁵To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Teach Sound Doctrine

2

BUT as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. ²Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

³ Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behaviour, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, ⁴so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, ⁸and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

⁹ Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to answer back, ¹⁰not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Saviour.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, a ¹²training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour,b Jesus Christ. ¹⁴He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority.c Let no one look down on you.

Maintain Good Deeds

3

REMIND them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. ⁴But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the waterd of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ⁶This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. ⁹But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, ¹¹since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

Final Messages and Benediction

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.

¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.a

The Letter of Paul to
PHILEMON

Salutation

PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,a

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, ²to Apphia our sister,b to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ When I remember youc in my prayers, I always thank my God ⁵because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that wed may do for Christ. ⁷I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, ⁹yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.e ¹⁰I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed usefulf both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. ¹³I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; ¹⁴but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. ¹⁵Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, ¹⁶no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. ²⁰Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

²² One thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.

Final Greetings and Benediction

²³ Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,a ²⁴and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.

²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.b

The Letter to the
HEBREWS

God Has Spoken by His Son

LONG ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,a whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. ³He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustainsb all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Son Is Superior to Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;

today I have begotten you’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son’?

⁶And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

⁷Of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels winds,

and his servants flames of fire.’

⁸But of the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, isc for ever and ever,

and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of yourd kingdom.

⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’

¹⁰And,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

¹¹ they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like clothing;

¹² like a cloak you will roll them up,

and like clothinga they will be changed.

But you are the same,

and your years will never end.’

¹³But to which of the angels has he ever said,

‘Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?

¹⁴Are not all angelsb spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Warning to Pay Attention

2

THEREFORE we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. ²For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, ³how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, ⁴while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

Exaltation through Abasement

⁵ Now Godc did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. ⁶But someone has testified somewhere,

‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them,d

or mortals, that you care for them?e

⁷ You have made them for a little while lowerf than the angels;

you have crowned them with glory and honour,g

⁸ subjecting all things under their feet.’

Now in subjecting all things to them, Godc left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, ⁹but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lowerh than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God i he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰ It was fitting that God,c for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.j For this reason Jesusc is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,k ¹²saying,

‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,a

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’

¹³And again,

‘I will put my trust in him.’

And again,

‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’

¹⁴ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. ¹⁶For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sistersa in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Moses a Servant, Christ a Son

3

THEREFORE, brothers and sisters,a holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, ²was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also ‘was faithful in allb God’sc house.’ ³Yet Jesusd is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honour than the house itself. ⁴(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) ⁵Now Moses was faithful in all God’sc house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. ⁶Christ, however, was faithful over God’sc house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firme the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.

Warning against Unbelief

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

‘Today, if you hear his voice,

⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

as on the day of testing in the wilderness,

⁹ where your ancestors put me to the test,

though they had seen my works ¹⁰for forty years.

Therefore I was angry with that generation,

and I said, “They always go astray in their hearts,

and they have not known my ways.”

¹¹ As in my anger I swore,

“They will not enter my rest.”’

¹²Take care, brothers and sisters,a that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵As it is said,

‘Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’

¹⁶Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? ¹⁷But with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? ¹⁹So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

The Rest That God Promised

4

THEREFORE, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ²For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. a ³For we who have believed enter that rest, just as Godb has said,

As in my anger I swore,

“They shall not enter my rest”’,

though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. ⁴For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.’ ⁵And again in this place it says, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ⁶Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷again he sets a certain day—‘today’—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,

‘Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.’

⁸For if Joshua had given them rest, Godb would not speak later about another day. ⁹So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; ¹⁰for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. ¹¹Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

¹² Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been testedc as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5

EVERY high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; ³and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. ⁴And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,

‘You are my Son,

today I have begotten you’

⁶as he says also in another place,

‘You are a priest for ever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.’

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesusa offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; ⁹and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, ¹⁰having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Warning against Falling Away

¹¹ About thisb we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. ¹²For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; ¹³for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. ¹⁴But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

The Peril of Falling Away

6

THEREFORE let us go on towards perfection,c leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith towards God, ²instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. ³And we will dod this, if God permits. ⁴For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. ⁷Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.

⁹ Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sakee in serving the saints, as you still do. ¹¹And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, ¹²so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, ¹⁴saying, ‘I will surely bless you and multiply you.’ ¹⁵And thus Abraham,a having patiently endured, obtained the promise. ¹⁶Human beings, of course, swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all dispute. ¹⁷In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, ¹⁸so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. ¹⁹We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, ²⁰where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

7

THIS ‘King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him’ ²and to him Abraham apportioned ‘one-tenth of everything’. His name, in the first place, means ‘king of righteousness’ next he is also king of Salem, that is, ‘king of peace’. ³Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for ever.

⁴ See how great he is! Evenb Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils. ⁵And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes c from the people, that is, from their kindred,d though these also are descended from Abraham. ⁶But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithesc from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises. ⁷It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. ⁸In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal; in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. ⁹One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, ¹⁰for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Another Priest, Like Melchizedek

¹¹ Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? ¹²For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. ¹³Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

¹⁵ It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, ¹⁶one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷For it is attested of him,

‘You are a priest for ever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.’

¹⁸There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.

²⁰ This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, ²¹but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,

‘The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest for ever”’—

²²accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

²³ Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; ²⁴but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. ²⁵Consequently he is able for all time to savea those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷Unlike the otherb high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.

Mediator of a Better Covenant

8

NOW the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ²a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent c was warned, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.’ ⁶But Jesus d has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. ⁷For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.

⁸ Gode finds fault with them when he says:

‘The days are surely coming, says the Lord,

when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah;

⁹ not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors,

on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt;

for they did not continue in my covenant,

and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord.

¹⁰ This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

¹¹ And they shall not teach one another

or say to each other, “Know the Lord”,

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

¹² For I will be merciful towards their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more.’

¹³In speaking of ‘a new covenant’, he has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.

The Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries

9

NOW even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. ²For a tenta was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence;b this is called the Holy Place. ³Behind the second curtain was a tenta called the Holy of Holies. ⁴In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; ⁵above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat.c Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.

⁶ Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tenta to carry out their ritual duties; ⁷but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. ⁸By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tenta is still standing. ⁹This is a symbold of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper, ¹⁰but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.

¹¹ But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come,e then through the greater and perfectf tenta (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), ¹²he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ¹³For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, ¹⁴how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spiritgoffered himself without blemish to God, purify ourh conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

¹⁵ For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. a ¹⁶Where a willa is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷For a will a takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. ¹⁸Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, b with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, ²⁰saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.’ ²¹And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tentc and all the vessels used in worship. ²²Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sin

²³ Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. ²⁴For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; ²⁶for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgement, ²⁸so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10

SINCE the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, itd can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. ²Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshippers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? ³But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. ⁴For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵Consequently, when Christe came into the world, he said,

‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body you have prepared for me;

⁶ in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

⁷ Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”

(in the scroll of the book f it is written of me).’

⁸When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), ⁹then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰And it is by God’s willa that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹ And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. ¹²But when Christb had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’, ¹³and since then has been waiting ‘until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.’ ¹⁴For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. ¹⁵And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

¹⁶ ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds’,

¹⁷he also adds,

‘I will rememberc their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’

¹⁸Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

A Call to Persevere

¹⁹ Therefore, my friends,d since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

²⁶ For if we wilfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a fearful prospect of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. ²⁸Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy ‘on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ²⁹How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know the one who said, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ ³¹It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. ³⁵Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. ³⁶For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. ³⁷For yet

‘in a very little while,

the one who is coming will come and will not delay;

³⁸ but my righteous one will live by faith.

My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’

³⁹But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

The Meaning of Faith

11

NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ²Indeed, by faitha our ancestors received approval. ³By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.b

The Examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptablec sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faithd he still speaks. ⁵By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and ‘he was not found, because God had taken him.’ For it was attested before he was taken away that ‘he had pleased God.’ ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ⁷By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

The Faith of Abraham

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised.e ¹²Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’

¹³ All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, ¹⁴for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, ¹⁸of whom he had been told, ‘It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named after you.’ ¹⁹He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. ²⁰By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. ²¹By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff.’ ²²By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.a

The Faith of Moses

²³ By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.b²⁴By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶He considered abuse suffered for the Christc to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. ²⁷By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as thoughd he saw him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.e

The Faith of Other Israelite Heroes

²⁹ By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. ³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient,f because she had received the spies in peace.

³² And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—³³who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two,g they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—³⁸of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

³⁹ Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

The Example of Jesus

12

THEREFORE, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,a and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake ofb the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners,c so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. ⁴In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

or lose heart when you are punished by him;

⁶ for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,

and chastises every child whom he accepts.’

⁷Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? ⁸If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. ⁹Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. ¹¹Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Warnings against Rejecting God’s Grace

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. ¹⁶See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent,d even though he sought the blessinge with tears.

¹⁸ You have not come to somethingf that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, ¹⁹and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. ²⁰(For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ ²¹Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) ²²But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, ²³and to the assemblyg of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! ²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ ²⁷This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; ²⁹for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

Service Well-Pleasing to God

13

LET mutual love continue. ²Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. ³Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.a ⁴Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. ⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ ⁶So we can say with confidence,

‘The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?’

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. ⁹Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food,b which have not benefited those who observe them. ¹⁰We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tentc have no right to eat. ¹¹For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹²Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. ¹³Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. ¹⁴For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. ¹⁵Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. ¹⁶Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. ¹⁹I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, ²¹make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us a that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Exhortation and Greetings

²² I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,b bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free; and if he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. ²⁵Grace be with all of you.c

The Letter of
JAMES

Salutation

JAMES, a servanta of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Faith and Wisdom

² My brothers and sisters,b whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; ⁴and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. ⁶But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Poverty and Riches

⁹ Let the believerc who is lowly boast in being raised up, ¹⁰and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. ¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.

Trial and Temptation

¹² Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lordd has promised to those who love him. ¹³No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’ for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; ¹⁵then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. ¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved.a

¹⁷ Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.b¹⁸In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

¹⁹ You must understand this, my beloved:c let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. ²¹Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ²³For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselvesc in a mirror; ²⁴for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

²⁶ If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Warning against Partiality

2

MY BROTHERS and sisters,d do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?e ²For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, ³and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’,f ⁴have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.g Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? ⁶But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? ⁷Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

⁸ You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ⁹But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ¹¹For the one who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’, also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹²So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³For judgement will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.

Faith without Works Is Dead

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters,a if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? ¹⁷So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. ¹⁹You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. ²⁰Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? ²¹Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. ²³Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. ²⁴You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? ²⁶For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Taming the Tongue

3

NOT many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,a for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ²For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ³If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,b and is itself set on fire by hell.c ⁷For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,d this ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters,e yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. ¹⁴But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. ¹⁵Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ¹⁶For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. ¹⁸And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace fora those who make peace.

Friendship with the World

4

THOSE conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? ²You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covetb something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. ⁴Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, ‘Godc yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us’? ⁶But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says,

‘God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.’

⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Warning against Judging Another

¹¹ Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters.d Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. ¹²There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbour?

Boasting about Tomorrow

¹³ Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.’ ¹⁴Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.’ ¹⁶As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.

Warning to Rich Oppressors

5

COME now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. ²Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. ³Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasurea for the last days. ⁴Listen! The wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts on a day of slaughter. ⁶You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

Patience in Suffering

⁷ Be patient, therefore, beloved,b until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.c ⁹Beloved,d do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! ¹⁰As an example of suffering and patience, beloved,b take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

¹² Above all, my beloved,b do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. ¹⁴Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. ¹⁷Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters,e if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, ²⁰you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’sf soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

The First Letter of
PETER

Salutation

PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ²who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood:

May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you rejoice,a even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, ⁷so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Although you have not seenb him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, ¹¹inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. ¹²It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look!

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore prepare your minds for action;a discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. ¹⁴Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. ¹⁵Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; ¹⁶for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’

¹⁷ If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. ¹⁸You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. ²⁰He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. ²¹Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

²² Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truthb so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeplyc from the heart.d ²³You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.e ²⁴For

‘All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’

That word is the good news that was announced to you.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

2

RID yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. ²Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—³if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

⁴ Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and ⁵like living stones, let yourselves be builtf into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶For it stands in scripture:

‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious;

and whoever believes in himg will not be put to shame.’

⁷To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the very head of the corner’,

⁸and

‘A stone that makes them stumble,

and a rock that makes them fall.’

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,a in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

¹⁰ Once you were not a people,

but now you are God’s people;

once you had not received mercy,

but now you have received mercy.

Live as Servants of God

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. ¹²Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.b

¹³ For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution,c whether of the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. ¹⁶As servantsd of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. ¹⁷Honour everyone. Love the family of believers.e Fear God. Honour the emperor.

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

¹⁸ Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. ¹⁹For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. ²¹For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

²² ‘He committed no sin,

and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

²³When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,f so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his woundsg you have been healed. ²⁵For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3

WIVES, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, ²when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; ⁴rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. ⁵It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. ⁶Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honour to the woman as the weaker sex,a since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Right

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For

‘Those who desire life

and desire to see good days,

let them keep their tongues from evil

and their lips from speaking deceit;

¹¹ let them turn away from evil and do good;

let them seek peace and pursue it.

¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’

¹³ Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? ¹⁴But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear,b and do not be intimidated, ¹⁵but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; ¹⁶yet do it with gentleness and reverence.c Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also sufferedd for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring youe to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. ²¹And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God forf a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Good Stewards of God’s Grace

4

SINCE therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,g arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), ²so as to live for the rest of your earthly lifeh no longer by human desires but by the will of God. ³You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.a ⁵But they will have to give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.

⁷ The end of all things is near;b therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. ⁸Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹Be hospitable to one another without complaining. ¹⁰Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. ¹¹Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory,c which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.d ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. ¹⁶Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. ¹⁷For the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And

‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?’

¹⁹Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

Tending the Flock of God

5

NOW as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you ²to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,e not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do itf—not for sordid gain but eagerly. ³Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. ⁵In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.g And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

‘God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.’

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸Discipline yourselves; keep alert.a Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sistersb throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. ¹⁰And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹² Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you, and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ¹³Your sister churchc in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.d

The Second Letter of
PETER

Salutation

SIMEONa Peter, a servantb and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:c

² May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Christian’s Call and Election

³ His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us byd his own glory and goodness. ⁴Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. ⁵For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, ⁷and godliness with mutuale affection, and mutuale affection with love. ⁸For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brothers and sisters,f be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. ¹¹For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

¹² Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. ¹³I think it right, as long as I am in this body,g to refresh your memory, ¹⁴since I know that my death h will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. ¹⁵And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved,a with whom I am well pleased.’ ¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹ So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.b

False Prophets and Their Punishment

2

BUT false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ²Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachersc the way of truth will be maligned. ³And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

⁴ For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into helld and committed them to chainse of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgement; ⁵and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly; ⁶and if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinctionf and made them an example of what is coming to the ungodly;g ⁷and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless ⁸(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), ⁹then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement ¹⁰—especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority.

Bold and wilful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones,h ¹¹whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgement from the Lord.i ¹²These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed,j they also will be destroyed, ¹³sufferingk the penalty for doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, revelling in their dissipationa while they feast with you. ¹⁴They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! ¹⁵They have left the straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son of Bosor,b who loved the wages of doing wrong, ¹⁶but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

¹⁷ These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have justc escaped from those who live in error. ¹⁹They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. ²⁰For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. ²²It has happened to them according to the true proverb,

‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,

and,

‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’

The Promise of the Lord’s Coming

3

THIS is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you ²that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. ³First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts ⁴and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died,d all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ ⁵They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, ⁶through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. ⁷But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the godless.

⁸ But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,e not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.f

¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, ¹²waiting for and hasteningg the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? ¹³But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; ¹⁵and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, ¹⁶speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. ¹⁷You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. ¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.a

The First Letter of
JOHN

The Word of Life

WE DECLARE to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—²this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—³we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴We are writing these things so that oura joy may be complete.

God Is Light

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Christ Our Advocate

2

MY LITTLE children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ²and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

³ Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. ⁴Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him’, but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; ⁵but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: ⁶whoever says, ‘I abide in him’, ought to walk just as he walked.

A New Commandment

⁷ Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. ⁸Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, becausea the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. ⁹Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister,b is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves a brother or sisterc lives in the light, and in such a persond there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹But whoever hates another believere is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

¹² I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.

¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people,

because you have conquered the evil one.

¹⁴ I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young people,

because you are strong

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; ¹⁶for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷And the world and its desiref are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

Warning against Antichrists

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. ²⁰But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.g²¹I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. ²²Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?h This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. ²⁴Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵And this is what he has promised us,a eternal life.

²⁶ I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. ²⁷As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.b

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

Children of God

3

²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him. ¹See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ²Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when heb is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. ³And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

⁴ Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. ⁵You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. ⁶No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. ⁷Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ⁸Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them;c they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. ¹⁰The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.d

Love One Another

¹¹ For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹²We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. ¹³Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters,e that the world hates you. ¹⁴We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵All who hate a brother or sisterd are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. ¹⁶We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. ¹⁷How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sisterd in need and yet refuses help?

¹⁸ Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. ¹⁹And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him ²⁰whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; ²²and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

²³ And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

Testing the Spirits

4

BELOVED, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ²By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³and every spirit that does not confess Jesusa is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. ⁴Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

God Is Love

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. ¹⁶So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. ¹⁷Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We loveb because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,c are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sisterd whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sistersc also.

Faith Conquers the World

5

EVERYONE who believes that Jesus is the Christe has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, ⁴for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. ⁵Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Testimony concerning the Son of God

⁶ This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. ⁷There are three that testify:a ⁸the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. ⁹If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. ¹⁰Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in Godb have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. ¹¹And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Epilogue

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

¹⁴ And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. ¹⁶If you see your brother or sisterc committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and Godd will give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. ¹⁷All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.

¹⁸ We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. ¹⁹We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. ²⁰And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true;e and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

²¹ Little children, keep yourselves from idols.f

The Second Letter of
JOHN

Salutation

THE elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, ²because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us for ever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and froma Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Truth and Love

⁴ I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. ⁵But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. ⁶And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! ⁸Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what web have worked for, but may receive a full reward. ⁹Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; ¹¹for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

Final Greetings

¹² Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.c

The Third Letter of
JOHN

Salutation

THE elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

² Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. ³I was overjoyed when some of the friendsa arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely, how you walk in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

⁵ Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends,a even though they are strangers to you; ⁶they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; ⁷for they began their journey for the sake of Christ,b accepting no support from non-believers.c ⁸Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. ¹⁰So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends,a and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. ¹²Everyone has testified favourably about Demetrius, and so has the truth itself. We also testify for him,d and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greetings

¹³ I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink;¹⁴instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

¹⁵ Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.

The Letter of
JUDE

Salutation

JUDE,a a servantb of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, who are beloved c ind God the Father and kept safe ford Jesus Christ:

² May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.

Occasion of the Letter

³ Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ⁴For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.e

Judgement on False Teachers

⁵ Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully informed, that the Lord, who once for all savedf a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgement of the great day. ⁷Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust,g serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

⁸ Yet in the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones.h ⁹But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slanderi against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ ¹⁰But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. ¹¹Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. ¹²These are blemishesa on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves.b They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; ¹³wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved for ever.

¹⁴ It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘See, the Lord is comingc with tens of thousands of his holy ones, ¹⁵to execute judgement on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ ¹⁶These are grumblers and malcontents; they indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage.

Warnings and Exhortations

¹⁷ But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; ¹⁸for they said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.’ ¹⁹It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. ²⁰But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; ²¹keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads tod eternal life. ²²And have mercy on some who are wavering; ²³save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.e

Benediction

²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, ²⁵to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

THE REVELATION TO JOHN (Apocalypse)

Introduction and Salutation

THE revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servantsa what must soon take place; he madeb it known by sending his angel to his servantc John, ²who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.

⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freedd us from our sins by his blood, ⁶and madeb us to be a kingdom, priests servinge his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

⁷ Look! He is coming with the clouds;

every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him;

and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

So it is to be. Amen.

⁸ ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

A Vision of Christ

⁹ I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.f ¹⁰I was in the spiritg on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet ¹¹saying, ‘Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’

¹² Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. ¹⁴His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, ¹⁵his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. ¹⁶In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, ¹⁸and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. ¹⁹Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this. ²⁰As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Message to Ephesus

2

’TO THE angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

² ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. ³I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. ⁴But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. ⁵Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ⁶Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

The Message to Smyrna

⁸ ‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:

⁹ ‘I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ¹¹Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.

The Message to Pergamum

¹² ‘And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:

¹³ ‘I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in mea even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. ¹⁴But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practise fornication. ¹⁵So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹⁶Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. ¹⁷Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

The Message to Thyatira

¹⁸ ‘And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:

¹⁹ ‘I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. ²⁰But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servantsb to practise fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. ²¹I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. ²²Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; ²³and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. ²⁴But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call “the deep things of Satan”, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; ²⁵only hold fast to what you have until I come. ²⁶To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end,

I will give authority over the nations;

²⁷ to rulec them with an iron rod,

as when clay pots are shattered—

²⁸even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. ²⁹Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The Message to Sardis

3

’AND to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:

‘I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. ²Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. ³Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. ⁴Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. ⁵If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. ⁶Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The Message to Philadelphia

⁷ ‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of the holy one, the true one,

who has the key of David,

who opens and no one will shut,

who shuts and no one opens:

⁸ ‘I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. ¹⁰Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. ¹¹I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. ¹²If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. ¹³Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The Message to Laodicea

¹⁴ ‘And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origina of God’s creation:

¹⁵ ‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ¹⁹I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. ²⁰Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. ²¹To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²²Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

The Heavenly Worship

4

AFTER this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ ²At once I was in the spirit,a and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! ³And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. ⁴Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. ⁵Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; ⁶and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ⁷the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. ⁸And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,

‘Holy, holy, holy,

the Lord God the Almighty,

who was and is and is to come.’

⁹And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

¹¹ ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honour and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.’

The Scroll and the Lamb

5

THEN I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealedb with seven seals; ²and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ ³And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. ⁴And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. ⁵Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’

⁶ Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. ⁸When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹They sing a new song:

‘You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God

saints froma every tribe and language and people and nation;

¹⁰ you have made them to be a kingdom and priests servingb our God,

and they will reign on earth.’

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹²singing with full voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honour and glory and blessing!’

¹³Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honour and glory and might

for ever and ever!’

¹⁴And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped.

The Seven Seals

6

THEN I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, ‘Come!’c ²I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer.

³ When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, ‘Come!’c ⁴And out camed another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword.

⁵ When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, ‘Come!’c I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, ⁶and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s pay,e and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay,e but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!’

⁷ When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, ‘Come!’c ⁸I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth.

⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; ¹⁰they cried out with a loud voice, ‘Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?’ ¹¹They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow-servantsf and of their brothers and sisters,g who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.

¹² When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, ¹³and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. ¹⁴The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. ¹⁵Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb;¹⁷for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’

The 144,000 of Israel Sealed

7

AFTER this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on earth or sea or against any tree. ²I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea, ³saying, ‘Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servantsa of our God with a seal on their foreheads.’

⁴ And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel:

⁵ From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

⁶ from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

⁷ from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

⁸ from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed.

The Multitude from Every Nation

⁹ After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’

¹¹And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, ¹²singing,

‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honour

and power and might

be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ ¹⁴I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ For this reason they are before the throne of God,

and worship him day and night within his temple,

and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

¹⁶ They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;

the sun will not strike them,

nor any scorching heat;

¹⁷ for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

8

WHEN the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. ²And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

³ Another angel with a golden censer came and stood at the altar; he was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne. ⁴And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. ⁵Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The Seven Trumpets

⁶ Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made ready to blow them.

⁷ The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

⁸ The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea. ⁹A third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many died from the water, because it was made bitter.

¹² The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and likewise the night.

¹³ Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew in mid-heaven, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!’

9

AND the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit; ²he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. ³Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given authority like the authority of scorpions of the earth. ⁴They were told not to damage the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. ⁵They were allowed to torture them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings someone. ⁶And in those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.

⁷ In appearance the locusts were like horses equipped for battle. On their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, ⁸their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; ⁹they had scales like iron breastplates, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. ¹⁰They have tails like scorpions, with stings, and in their tails is their power to harm people for five months. ¹¹They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon,a and in Greek he is called Apollyon.b

¹² The first woe has passed. There are still two woes to come.

¹³ Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the fourc horns of the golden altar before God, ¹⁴saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ ¹⁵So the four angels were released, who had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, to kill a third of humankind. ¹⁶The number of the troops of cavalry was two hundred million; I heard their number. ¹⁷And this was how I saw the horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the colour of fire and of sapphired and of sulphur; the heads of the horses were like lions’ heads, and fire and smoke and sulphur came out of their mouths. ¹⁸By these three plagues a third of humankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulphur coming out of their mouths. ¹⁹For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they inflict harm.

²⁰ The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshipping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. ²¹And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts.

The Angel with the Little Scroll

10

AND I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. ²He held a little scroll open in his hand. Setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³he gave a great shout, like a lion roaring. And when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded. ⁴And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.’ ⁵Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and the land

raised his right hand to heaven

⁶ and swore by him who lives for ever and ever,

who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it: ‘There will be no more delay, ⁷but in the days when the seventh angel is to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servantsa the prophets.’

⁸ Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, ‘Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.’ ⁹So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, ‘Take it, and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth.’ ¹⁰So I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it; it was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.

¹¹ Then they said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.’

The Two Witnesses

11

THEN I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, ‘Come and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, ²but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. ³And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth.’

⁴ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. ⁵And if anyone wants to harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes; anyone who wants to harm them must be killed in this manner. ⁶They have authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

⁷ When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, ⁸and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that is propheticallyb called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹For three and a half days members of the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb; ¹⁰and the inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to the inhabitants of the earth.

¹¹ But after the three and a half days, the breathc of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and those who saw them were terrified. ¹²Then theyd heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them. ¹³At that moment there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe has passed. The third woe is coming very soon.

The Seventh Trumpet

¹⁵ Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,a

and he will reign for ever and ever.’

¹⁶ Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshipped God, ¹⁷singing,

‘We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty,

who are and who were,

for you have taken your great power

and begun to reign.

¹⁸ The nations raged,

but your wrath has come,

and the time for judging the dead,

for rewarding your servants,b the prophets

and saints and all who fear your name,

both small and great,

and for destroying those who destroy the earth.’

¹⁹ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

The Woman and the Dragon

12

A GREAT portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. ²She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. ³Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. ⁴His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. ⁵And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rulec all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; ⁶and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Michael Defeats the Dragon

⁷ And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, ⁸but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. ⁹The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

‘Now have come the salvation and the power

and the kingdom of our God

and the authority of his Messiah,a

for the accuser of our comradesb has been thrown down,

who accuses them day and night before our God.

¹¹ But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony,

for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

¹² Rejoice then, you heavens

and those who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

for the devil has come down to you

with great wrath,

because he knows that his time is short!’

The Dragon Fights Again on Earth

¹³ So when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursuedc the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. ¹⁵Then from his mouth the serpent poured water like a river after the woman, to sweep her away with the flood. ¹⁶But the earth came to the help of the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. ¹⁷Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.

The First Beast

13

¹⁸ Then the dragond took his stand on the sand of the seashore. ¹And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads; and on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads were blasphemous names. ²And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave it his power and his throne and great authority. ³One of its heads seemed to have received a death-blow, but its mortal wounde had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast. ⁴They worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?’

⁵ The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. ⁶It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.f It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, ⁸and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered.g

⁹ Let anyone who has an ear listen:

¹⁰ If you are to be taken captive,

into captivity you go;

if you kill with the sword,

with the sword you must be killed.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

The Second Beast

¹¹ Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. ¹²It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wounda had been healed. ¹³It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; ¹⁴and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the swordb and yet lived; ¹⁵and it was allowed to give breathc to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. ¹⁶Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, ¹⁷so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred and sixty-six.d

The Lamb and the 144,000

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THEN I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! And with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ²And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, ³and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth. ⁴It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, ⁵and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless.

The Messages of the Three Angels

⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who livee on the earth—to every nation and tribe and language and people. ⁷He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgement has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.’

⁸ Then another angel, a second, followed, saying, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’

⁹ Then another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, ‘Those who worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or on their hands, ¹⁰they will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and they will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. ¹¹And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image and for anyone who receives the mark of its name.’

¹² Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith ofa Jesus.

¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them.’

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

¹⁴ Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand! ¹⁵Another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to the one who sat on the cloud, ‘Use your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.’ ¹⁶So the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

¹⁷ Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸Then another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over fire, and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, ‘Use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.’ ¹⁹So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and he threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. ²⁰And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the wine press, as high as a horse’s bridle, for a distance of about two hundred miles.b

The Angels with the Seven Last Plagues

15

THEN I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³And they sing the song of Moses, the servantc of God, and the song of the Lamb:

‘Great and amazing are your deeds,

Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,

King of the nations!d

⁴ Lord, who will not fear

and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before you,

for your judgements have been revealed.’

⁵ After this I looked, and the temple of the tenta of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶and out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, robed in pure bright linen,b with golden sashes across their chests. ⁷Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever; ⁸and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were ended.

The Bowls of God’s Wrath

16

THEN I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.’

² So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and a foul and painful sore came on those who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped its image.

³ The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died.

⁴ The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. ⁵And I heard the angel of the waters say,

‘You are just, O Holy One, who are and were,

for you have judged these things;

⁶ because they shed the blood of saints and prophets,

you have given them blood to drink.

It is what they deserve!’

⁷And I heard the altar respond,

‘Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,

your judgements are true and just!’

⁸ The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire; ⁹they were scorched by the fierce heat, but they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.

¹⁰ The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness; people gnawed their tongues in agony, ¹¹and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.

¹² The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up in order to prepare the way for the kings from the east. ¹³And I saw three foul spirits like frogs coming from the mouth of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ¹⁵(‘See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed,c not going about naked and exposed to shame.’) ¹⁶And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

¹⁷ The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’ ¹⁸And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon the earth, so violent was that earthquake. ¹⁹The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered great Babylon and gave her the wine-cup of the fury of his wrath. ²⁰And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found; ²¹and huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,a dropped from heaven on people, until they cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague.

The Great Whore and the Beast

17

THEN one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgement of the great whore who is seated on many waters, ²with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and with the wine of whose fornication the inhabitants of the earth have become drunk.’ ³So he carried me away in the spiritb into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her fornication; ⁵and on her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of whores and of earth’s abominations.’ ⁶And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly amazed. ⁷But the angel said to me, ‘Why are you so amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. ⁸The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.

⁹ ‘This calls for a mind that has wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; also, they are seven kings, ¹⁰of whom five have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. ¹²And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. ¹³These are united in yielding their power and authority to the beast; ¹⁴they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.’

¹⁵ And he said to me, ‘The waters that you saw, where the whore is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. ¹⁶And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the whore; they will make her desolate and naked; they will devour her flesh and burn her up with fire. ¹⁷For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by agreeing to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. ¹⁸The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.’

The Fall of Babylon

18

AFTER this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendour. ²He called out with a mighty voice,

‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!

It has become a dwelling-place of demons,

a haunt of every foul spirit,

a haunt of every foul bird,

a haunt of every foul and hateful beast.a

³ For all the nations have drunkb

of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,

and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,

and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the powerc of her luxury.’

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

‘Come out of her, my people,

so that you do not take part in her sins,

and so that you do not share in her plagues;

⁵ for her sins are heaped high as heaven,

and God has remembered her iniquities.

⁶ Render to her as she herself has rendered,

and repay her double for her deeds;

mix a double draught for her in the cup she mixed.

⁷ As she glorified herself and lived luxuriously,

so give her a like measure of torment and grief.

Since in her heart she says,

“I rule as a queen;

I am no widow,

and I will never see grief”,

⁸ therefore her plagues will come in a single day—

pestilence and mourning and famine—

and she will be burned with fire;

for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.’

⁹ And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning; ¹⁰they will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

‘Alas, alas, the great city,

Babylon, the mighty city!

For in one hour your judgement has come.’

¹¹ And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo any more, ¹²cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble, ¹³cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, choice flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, slaves—and human lives.a

¹⁴ ‘The fruit for which your soul longed

has gone from you,

and all your dainties and your splendour

are lost to you,

never to be found again!’

¹⁵The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

¹⁶ ‘Alas, alas, the great city,

clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet,

adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!

¹⁷ For in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste!’

And all shipmasters and seafarers, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off ¹⁸and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,

‘What city was like the great city?’

¹⁹And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out,

‘Alas, alas, the great city,

where all who had ships at sea

grew rich by her wealth!

For in one hour she has been laid waste.’

²⁰ Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints and apostles and prophets! For God has given judgement for you against her.

²¹ Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,

‘With such violence Babylon the great city

will be thrown down,

and will be found no more;

²² and the sound of harpists and minstrels and of flautists and trumpeters

will be heard in you no more;

and an artisan of any trade

will be found in you no more;

and the sound of the millstone

will be heard in you no more;

²³ and the light of a lamp

will shine in you no more;

and the voice of bridegroom and bride

will be heard in you no more;

for your merchants were the magnates of the earth,

and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.

²⁴ And in youa was found the blood of prophets and of saints,

and of all who have been slaughtered on earth.’

The Rejoicing in Heaven

19

AFTER this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

‘Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power to our God,

² for his judgements are true and just;

he has judged the great whore

who corrupted the earth with her fornication,

and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants.’b

³Once more they said,

‘Hallelujah!

The smoke goes up from her for ever and ever.’

⁴And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who is seated on the throne, saying,

‘Amen. Hallelujah!’

⁵ And from the throne came a voice saying,

‘Praise our God,

all you his servants,b

and all who fear him,

small and great.’

⁶Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder-peals, crying out,

‘Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

the Almighty reigns.

⁷ Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready;

⁸ to her it has been granted to be clothed

with fine linen, bright and pure’—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

⁹ And the angel saidc to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ ¹⁰Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servantd with you and your comradese who hold the testimony of Jesus.f Worship God! For the testimony of Jesusf is the spirit of prophecy.’

The Rider on the White Horse

¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. ¹³He is clothed in a robe dipped ina blood, and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. ¹⁵From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will ruleb them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

The Beast and Its Armies Defeated

¹⁷ Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God, ¹⁸to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders—flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great.’ ¹⁹Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse and against his army. ²⁰And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed in its presence the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. ²¹And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword that came from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

The Thousand Years

20

THEN I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. ²He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, ³and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while.

⁴ Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesusc and for the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. ⁶Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Satan’s Doom

⁷ When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea. ⁹They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from heavend and consumed them. ¹⁰And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Dead Are Judged

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. ¹²And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. ¹³And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; ¹⁵and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21

THEN I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the homea of God is among mortals.

He will dwellb with them;

they will be his peoples,c

and God himself will be with them;d

⁴ he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.’

⁵ And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ ⁶Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. ⁷Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸But as for the cowardly, the faithless,e the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.’

Vision of the New Jerusalem

⁹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ ¹⁰And in the spiritf he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. ¹²It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; ¹³on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. ¹⁴And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angela who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. ¹⁶The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles;b its length and width and height are equal. ¹⁷He also measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubitsc by human measurement, which the angel was using. ¹⁸The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. ¹⁹The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰the fifth onyx, the sixth cornelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. ²¹And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

²² I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. ²³And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. ²⁵Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. ²⁶People will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations. ²⁷But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practises abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The River of Life

22

THEN the angeld showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of lifee with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servantsf will worship him; ⁴they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

⁶ And he said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servantsf what must soon take place.’

⁷ ‘See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’

Epilogue and Benediction

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; ⁹but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servanta with you and your comradesb the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!’

¹⁰ And he said to me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. ¹¹Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.’

¹² ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’

¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes,c so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁵Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

¹⁶ ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’

¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’

And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’

And let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; ¹⁹if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

²⁰ The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.d

CONCORDANCE

The following abbreviations are used for the Books of the Bible:

1Ch … 1 Chronicles

1Co … 1 Corinthians

1Jn … 1 John

1Ki … 1 Kings

1Mc … 1 Maccabees

1Pe … 1 Peter

1Sa … 1 Samuel

1Th … 1 Thessalonians

1Ti … 1 Timothy

2Ch … 2 Chronicles

2Co … 2 Corinthians

2Jn … 2 John

2Ki … 2 Kings

2Mc … 2 Maccabees

2Pe … 2 Peter

2Sa … 2 Samuel

2Th … 2 Thessalonians

2Ti … 2 Timothy

3Jn … 3 John

Ac … Acts

Am … Amos

Bar … Baruch

Col … Colossians

Da … Daniel

Dt … Deuteronomy

Ecc … Ecclesiastes

Eph … Ephesians

Est … Esther

Ex … Exodus

Eze … Ezekiel

Ezr … Ezra

Gal … Galatians

Ge … Genesis

Hab … Habakkuk

Hag … Haggai

Heb … Hebrews

Hos … Hosea

Isa … Isaiah

Jas … James

Jdg … Judges

Jdt … Judith

Jer … Jeremiah

Jn … John

Jnh … Jonah

Job … Job

Joel … Joel

Jos … Joshua

Jude … Jude

La … Lamentations

Lev … Leviticus

Lk … Luke

Mal … Malachi

Mic … Micah

Mk … Mark

Mt … Matthew

Na … Nahum

Ne … Nehemiah

Nu … Numbers

Ob … Obadiah

Phm … Philemon

Php … Philippians

Pr … Proverbs

Ps … Psalms

Rev … Revelation

Ro … Romans

Ru … Ruth

Sir … Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

SS … Song of Solomon

Tit … Titus

Tob … Tobit

Wis … Wisdom of Solomon

Zec … Zechariah

Zep … Zephaniah

Other abbreviations and special symbols used:

S Shorter ending of Mark

T Psalm titles

Pr: Sirach Prologue

† A Dagger distinguishes LORD and GOD from Lord and God in Hebrew Bible references

An arrow following an entry heading points to related words for additional study

= An equals sign marks an alternate proper name for additional study (e.g., ISRAEL =JACOB)

Contexts in double brackets are from passages that are similarly bracketed in the NRSV (e.g., John 7:53—8:11)

For further study consult The Concise Concordance to the New Revised Standard Version (Oxford University Press, 1993) and The NRSV Concordance Unabridged (Zondervan, 1991).

—John R. Kohlenberger III

ABANDONABANDONED

Dt 4: 31 will neither a you nor destroy you;

2Ch 15: 2 but if you a him, he will a you.

Ac 2: 27 For you will not a my soul to Hades

ABANDONEDABANDON

Dt 29: 25 they a the covenant of the LORD,

Sir 49: 4 for they a the law of the Most High;

Isa 54: 7 For a brief moment I a you,

ABBA

Mk 14: 36 “A, Father, for you all things are possible;

Ro 8: 15 When we cry, “A! Father!”

Gal 4: 6 into our hearts, crying, “A! Father!”

ABIDE

Ge 6: 3 My spirit shall not a in mortals forever,

Ps 91: 1 a in the shadow of the Almighty,

Wis 3: 9 the faithful will a with him in love,

Jn 15: 4 A in me as I a in you.

1Co 13: 13 faith, hope, and love a, these three;

1Jn 2: 28 And now, little children, a in him,

ABILITY ABLE

Mt 25: 15 to each according to his a.

Ac 2: 4 as the Spirit gave them a.

ABLE ABILITY

Jdt 11: 18 of them will be a to withstand you.

Da 3: 17 God whom we serve is a to deliver

Mk 10: 38 you a to drink the cup that I drink,

Ro 14: 4 the Lord is a to make them stand.

2Co 9: 8 God is a to provide you with every

Eph 6: 11 a to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Heb 2: 18 a to help those who are being tested.

7: 25 he is a for all time to save

ABOLISH ABOLISHED

Da 11: 31 shall a the regular burnt offering

Mt 5: 17 I have come not to a but to fulfill.

ABOLISHED ABOLISH

Eph 2: 15 a the law with its commandments

2Ti 1: 10 who a death and brought life

ABOMINABLE ABOMINATION

2Ch 28: 3 the a practices of the nations

1Mc 1: 48 to make themselves a by everything

Eze 7: 20 they made their a images,

ABOMINATION ABOMINABLE

1Mc 6: 7 that they had torn down the a that

Pr 6: 16 seven that are an a to him:

Sir 1: 25 but godliness is an a to a sinner.

Da 9: 27 shall be an a that desolates,

ABOUND ABOUNDED, ABOUNDING

Dt 28: 11 LORD will make you a in prosperity,

Ro 6: 1 in sin in order that grace may a?

ABOUNDED ABOUND

Ro 5: 20 sin increased, grace a all the more,

ABOUNDING ABOUND

Ex 34: 6 a in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Ps 86: 5 a in steadfast love to all who call Joel

2: 13 to anger, and a in steadfast love,

Jnh 4: 2 to anger, and a in steadfast love,

ABUNDANCE ABUNDANTLY

Lk 12: 15 one’s life does not consist in the a

2Co 9: 8 provide you with every blessing in a

ABUNDANTLY ABUNDANCE

Jn 10: 10 that they may have life, and have it a.

ACCEPT ACCEPTABLE

Jn 1: 11 his own people did not a him.

ACCEPTABLE ACCEPT

Ps 19: 14 meditation of my heart be a to you,

51: 17 sacrifice a to God is a broken spirit;

Ro 12: 1 a living sacrifice, holy and a to God,

ACCOUNT ACCOUNTABLE

Mt 12: 36 judgment you will have to give an a

Heb 4: 13 to whom we must render an a.

ACCOUNTABLE ACCOUNT

Ro 14: 12 each of us will be a to God.

ACCURSED CURSE

Ro 9: 3 I could wish that I myself were a

Rev 22: 3 Nothing a will be found there any

ACCUSATION ACCUSE

Lk 23: 4 no basis for an a against this man.”

ACCUSE ACCUSATION, ACCUSER

Ps 103: 9 He will not always a,

Zec 3: 1 Satan standing at his right hand to a

Mt 12: 10 so that they might a him.

ACCUSER ACCUSE

Rev 12: 10 the a of our comrades has been thrown

ACKNOWLEDGE

Dt 4: 35 would a that the LORD is God;

Pr 3: 6 In all your ways a him,

Mt 10: 32 I also will a before my Father in

ACTIVE

Heb 4: 12 the word of God is living and a,

ADD ADDED

Dt 4: 2 You must neither a anything

Pr 30: 6 Do not a to his words, or else

Lk 12: 25 by worrying a a single hour to your

ADDED ADD

Ecc 3: 14 nothing can be a to it, nor anything

Sir 42: 21 Nothing can be a or taken away,

ADOPTION

Ro 8: 23 groan inwardly while we wait for a,

Gal 4: 5 that we might receive a as children.

ADORNMENT

Pr 3: 22 for your soul and a for your neck.

1Pe 3: 4 let your a be the inner self with the

ADULTERERS ADULTERY

Jer 23: 10 For the land is full of a;

1Co 6: 9 idolaters, a, male prostitutes,

ADULTERESS ADULTERY

Lev 20: 10 the a shall be put to death.

Pr 2: 16 from the a with her smooth words,

ADULTERY ADULTERERS, ADULTERESS

Ex 20: 14 You shall not commit a.

Jer 3: 9 committing a with stone and tree.

Mt 5: 28 committed a with her in his heart.

Lk 16: 18 and marries another commits a,

Jn 8: 3 a woman who had been caught in a;‚

ADVANTAGE

Ecc 7: 12 a of knowledge is that wisdom gives

1Co 10: 24 Do not seek your own a, but that of

ADVERSARY

1Pe 5: 8 roaring lion your a the devil prowls

ADVICE

Tob 4: 18 Seek a from every wise person

Ps 1: 1 do not follow the a of the wicked,

Pr 8: 14 I have good a and sound wisdom;

Sir 37: 11 pay no attention to any a they give.

ADVOCATE

Jn 14: 26 But the A, the Holy Spirit,

15: 26 the A comes, whom I will send

1Jn 2: 1 we have an a with the Father,

AFFLICT AFFLICTED, AFFLICTION, AFFLICTIONS, AFFLICTS

2Sa 7: 10 evildoers shall a them no more,

La 3: 33 for he does not willingly a

2Th 1: 6 repay with affliction those who a

AFFLICTED AFFLICT

Na 1: 12 Though I have a you, I will afflict

2Co 4: 8 are a in every way, but not crushed;

AFFLICTION AFFLICT

Ps 25: 18 Consider my a and my trouble,

La 1: 9 “O LORD, look at my a,

2Co 4: 17 this slight momentary a is preparing

AFFLICTIONS AFFLICT

Ps 34: 19 Many are the a of the righteous,

AFFLICTS AFFLICT

Tob 13: 2 For he a, and he shows mercy;

AFRAID FEAR

Ex 3: 6 for he was a to look at God.

Lev 26: 6 and no one shall make you a;

Dt 20: 3 Do not lose heart, or be a,

Ps 3: 6 I am not a of ten thousands

27: 1 of whom shall I be a?

Isa 12: 2 I will trust, and will not be a,

Mt 28: 10 Jesus said to them, “Do not be a;

Lk 12: 32 “Do not be a, little flock,

Heb 13: 6 Lord is my helper; I will not be a.

AGE AGES

Mt 28: 20 with you always, to the end of the a.”

Gal 1: 4 to set us free from the present evil a,

AGES AGE

Col 1: 26 has been hidden throughout the a

1Ti 1: 17 To the King of the a, immortal,

AGREE

Mt 18: 19 if two of you a on earth about

Mk 14: 56 and their testimony did not a.

AIR

Eph 2: 2 the ruler of the power of the a,

1Th 4: 17 to meet the Lord in the a;

ALERT

Lk 12: 37 slaves whom the master finds a

1Co 16: 13 Keep a, stand firm in your faith,

Eph 6: 18 keep a and always persevere

1Pe 5: 8 Discipline yourselves, keep a.

ALIEN ALIENS

Ex 2: 22 an a residing in a foreign land.”

Lev 19: 34 you shall love the a as yourself,

Dt 24: 17 You shall not deprive a resident a

ALIENS ALIEN

1Mc 2: 7 the sanctuary given over to a?

Eph 2: 19 you are no longer strangers and a,

1Pe 2: 11 I urge you as a and exiles to abstain

ALIVE LIVE

Ac 1: 3 suffering he presented himself a

Ro 6: 11 dead to sin and a to God

Eph 2: 5 made us a together with Christ—

1Th 4: 17 Then we who are a, who are left,

Rev 1: 18 I am a forever and ever;

19: 20 were thrown a into the lake of fire

ALMIGHTY MIGHT

Ge 17: 1 “I am God A; walk before me,

Ps 91: 1 who abide in the shadow of the A,

Bar 3: 1 O Lord A, God of Israel,

Rev 1: 8 who was and who is to come, the A.

21: 22 its temple is the Lord God the A

ALMS

Tob 12: 8 better to give a than to lay up gold.

Sir 7: 10 do not neglect to give a.

Mt 6: 2 “So whenever you give a,

ALONE

Ge 2: 18 not good that the man should be a;

Dt 6: 4 The LORD is our God, the LORD a.

Mk 2: 7 Who can forgive sins but God a?”

10: 18 No one is good but God a.

ALPHA

Rev 1: 8 “I am the A and the Omega,”

22: 13 I am the A and the Omega,

ALTAR

Ex 27: 1 shall make the a of acacia wood,

30: 1 an a on which to offer incense;

1Mc 1: 54 a desolating sacrilege on the a of

4: 47 built a new a like the former one.

Heb 13: 10 We have an a from which those

Rev 6: 9 I saw under the a the souls of those

ALWAYS

Mt 28: 20 And remember, I am with you a,

Php 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord a; again I will

AMAZED AMAZING

Mt 8: 27 a, saying, “What sort of man is this,

Mk 6: 6 And he was a at their unbelief.

Ac 2: 7 A and astonished, they asked,

AMAZING AMAZED

Mk 12: 11 and it is a in our eyes’?”

Rev 15: 3 “Great and a are your deeds,

AMBASSADORS

2Co 5: 20 So we are a for Christ,

AMBITION

Php 2: 3 Do nothing from selfish a or conceit

Jas 3: 14 envy and selfish a in your hearts,

AMEN

Dt 27: 15 people shall respond, saying, “A!”

2Co 1: 20 through him that we say the “A,”

Rev 3: 14 The words of the A, the faithful and

ANCESTORS

Ex 3: 13 ‘The God of your a has sent me to

Dt 4: 31 not forget the covenant with your a

La 5: 7 Our a sinned; they are no more,

Ac 5: 30 The God of our a raised up Jesus,

Heb 1: 1 Long ago God spoke to our a in

ANCHOR

Heb 6: 19 a sure and steadfast a of the soul,

ANCIENT

Da 7: 9 and an A One took his throne,

Mic 5: 2 origin is from of old, from a days.

Rev 20: 2 He seized the dragon, that a serpent,

ANGEL ANGELS, ARCHANGEL, ARCHANGEL’S

Ex 3: 2 the a of the LORD appeared to him

23: 20 going to send an a in front of you,

Tob 5: 4 the a Raphael standing in front of

1Mc 7: 41 your a went out and struck

Ps 34: 7 The a of the LORD encamps

Sir 48: 21 and his a wiped them out.

Isa 37: 36 the a of the LORD set out and

Bar 6: 7 For my a is with you,

Da 3: 28 who has sent his a and delivered

3: 49 But the a of the Lord came down

6: 22 God sent his a and shut the lions’

13: 59 a of God is waiting with his sword

14: 34 the a of the Lord said to Habakkuk,

Mt 1: 20 an a of the Lord appeared to him in

Lk 1: 26 In the sixth month the a Gabriel

Ac 5: 19 during the night an a of the Lord

23: 8 say that there is no resurrection, or a,

2Co 11: 14 Satan disguises himself as an a of light.

ANGELS ANGEL

Ge 28: 12 a of God were ascending and

Tob 11: 14 and blessed be all his holy a.

Ps 103: 20 Bless the LORD, O you his a,

Mk 12: 25 but are like a in heaven.

Jn 1: 51 and the a of God ascending and

Ro 8: 38 that neither death, nor life, nor a,

1Co 6: 3 not know that we are to judge a—

Heb 2: 7 for a little while lower than the a;

2Pe 2: 4 not spare the a when they sinned,

Rev 1: 20 stars are the a of the seven churches,

21: 12 and at the gates twelve a,

ANGER ANGRY

Ex 34: 6 merciful and gracious, slow to a,

Jdg 2: 12 they provoked the LORD to a.

1Ki 16: 13 God of Israel to a with their idols.

Ps 30: 5 For his a is but for a moment;

Pr 12: 16 Fools show their a at once,

Sir 5: 4 for the Lord is slow to a.

Joel 2: 13 slow to a, and abounding in

Jnh 4: 2 slow to a, and abounding in

Mk 3: 5 He looked around at them with a;

Eph 4: 26 not let the sun go down on your a,

Jas 1: 19 slow to speak, slow to a;

ANGRY ANGER

Jer 3: 12 I will not be a forever.

Mt 5: 22 that if you are a with a brother

ANGUISH

Isa 53: 11 Out of his a he shall see light;

Da 12: 1 There shall be a time of a,

Zep 1: 15 a day of distress and a,

ANIMAL ANIMALS

Ge 2: 19 God formed every a of the field

ANIMALS ANIMAL

Ge 3: 14 cursed are you among all a

Ps 36: 6 save humans and a alike, O LORD.

ANOINT ANOINTED, ANOINTING

Ex 30: 30 You shall a Aaron and his sons,

1Sa 15: 1 “The LORD sent me to a you king

Ps 23: 5 you a my head with oil; my cup

Da 9: 24 and to a a most holy place.

ANOINTED ANOINT

1Ch 16: 22 “Do not touch my a ones;

Ps 2: 2 against the LORD and his a,

Isa 61: 1 because the LORD has a me;

Da 9: 26 an a one shall be cut off and

Lk 4: 18 he has a me to bring good news to

Jn 1: 41 Messiah” (which is translated A).

ANOINTING ANOINT

Ex 30: 25 it shall be a holy a oil.

Jas 5: 14 a them with oil in the name of the Lord

1Jn 2: 27 as his a teaches you about all things,

ANOTHER

Isa 48: 11 My glory I will not give to a.

Jn 14: 16 and he will give you a Advocate,

Gal 1: 7 not that there is a gospel,

ANSWER

Pr 15: 1 A soft a turns away wrath,

Isa 65: 24 Before they call I will a,

Lk 23: 9 but Jesus gave him no a.

ANT

Pr 6: 6 Go to the a, you lazybones;

ANTICHRIST

1Jn 2: 18 As you have heard that a is coming,

2: 22 the a, the one who denies the Father

4: 3 And this is the spirit of the a,

2Jn 1: 7 person is the deceiver and the a!

ANXIETIES ANXIETY

1Co 7: 32 I want you to be free from a.

ANXIETY ANXIETIES

Ecc 11: 10 Banish a from your mind,

1Pe 5: 7 Cast all your a on him, because he

ANYTHING

Ge 18: 14 Is a too wonderful for the LORD?

Jer 32: 27 is a too hard for me?

Mt 18: 19 if two of you agree on earth about a

Jn 16: 23 if you ask a of the Father in my name,

APART

Jn 15: 5 a from me you can do nothing.

Jas 2: 20 that faith a from works is barren?

APOSTASIES APOSTASY

Jer 2: 19 and your a will convict you.

Eze 37: 23 I will save them from all the a

APOSTASY APOSTASIES

1Mc 2: 15 officers who were enforcing the a

APOSTLE APOSTLES

Ro 11: 13 as I am an a to the Gentiles,

1Co 9: 1 Am I not an a?

2Co 12: 12 signs of a true a were performed

Heb 3: 1 a and high priest of our confession,

APOSTLES APOSTLE

Mt 10: 2 the names of the twelve a:

Ac 2: 43 and signs were being done by the a.

1Co 12: 28 has appointed in the church first a,

Eph 2: 20 foundation of the a and prophets,

4: 11 he gave were that some would be a,

Rev 21: 14 are the twelve names of the twelve a

APPEAR APPEARANCE, APPEARANCES, APPEARED, APPEARING

Mt 24: 30 the sign of the Son of Man will a in

Mk 13: 22 messiahs and false prophets will a

APPEARANCE APPEAR

1Sa 16: 7 not look on his a or on the height

Jdt 11: 23 You are not only beautiful in a,

2Co 5: 12 those who boast in outward a

APPEARANCES APPEAR

Jn 7: 24 not judge by a, but judge with right

APPEARED APPEAR

Jn 21: 14 that Jesus a to the disciples after he

1Co 15: 5 he a to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Heb 9: 26 a once for all at the end of the age

APPEARING APPEAR

Ac 1: 3 a to them during forty days and

2Ti 4: 8 to all who have longed for his a.

APPETITES

Sir 18: 30 base desires, but restrain your a.

Ro 16: 18 our Lord Christ, but their own a,

APPOINTED APPOINT

Mk 3: 16 So he a the twelve: Simon (to whom

Ac 3: 20 that he may send the Messiah a for

Heb 1: 2 whom he a heir of all things,

9: 27 as it is a for mortals to die once,

APPROACH

Heb 4: 16 a the throne of grace with boldness,

11: 6 whoever would a him must believe

APPROVAL APPROVED

Gal 1: 10 I now seeking human a, or God’s a?

Heb 11: 2 by faith our ancestors received a.

APPROVED APPROVAL

1Th 2: 4 but just as we have been a by God

2Ti 2: 15 to present yourself to God as one a

ARARAT

Ge 8: 4 ark came to rest on the mountains of A.

ARCHANGEL ANGEL

Jude 1: 9 a Michael contended with the devil

ARCHANGEL’S ANGEL

1Th 4: 16 a call and with the sound of God’s

ARCHITECT

Heb 11: 10 whose a and builder is God.

AREOPAGUS

Ac 17: 22 Then Paul stood in front of the A

ARGUE ARGUMENTS

Isa 1: 18 let us a it out, says the LORD:

Ac 18: 4 Every sabbath he would a in the

Ro 9: 20 a human being, to a with God?

ARGUMENTS ARGUE

2Co 10: 4 destroy strongholds. We destroy a

Col 2: 4 may deceive you with plausible a.

ARISE RISE

1Mc 14: 41 until a trustworthy prophet should a,

Isa 60: 1 A, shine; for your light has come,

Mt 24: 11 false prophets will a and lead many

ARK

Ge 6: 14 Make yourself an a of cypress wood

Ex 25: 10 shall make an a of acacia wood;

1Sa 4: 11 The a of God was captured;

2Mc 2: 4 the tent and the a should follow

Rev 11: 19 the a of his covenant was seen

ARM ARMOR, ARMS, ARMY

Ex 6: 6 redeem you with an outstretched a

Dt 7: 19 mighty hand and the outstretched a

2Ch 32: 8 With him is an a of flesh;

Ps 98: 1 his holy a have gotten him victory.

Isa 53: 1 the a of the LORD been revealed?

Jn 12: 38 the a of the Lord been revealed?”

ARMOR ARM

Wis 5: 17 will take his zeal as his whole a,

Ro 13: 12 and put on the a of light;

Eph 6: 11 Put on the whole a of God,

ARMS ARM

Hos 11: 3 I took them up in my a;

Mk 10: 16 And he took them up in his a,

ARMY ARM

Jos 5: 14 as commander of the a of the LORD

Ps 27: 3 Though an a encamp against me,

33: 16 A king is not saved by his great a;

Rev 19: 19 rider on the horse and against his a.

AROMA

2Co 2: 15 For we are the a of Christ to God

ARRESTED

Mt 26: 50 and laid hands on Jesus and a him.

Ac 5: 18 a the apostles and put them in the

ARROGANCE ARROGANT

Jdt 9: 10 their a by the hand of a woman.

1Mc 1: 24 much blood, and spoke with great a.

Pr 8: 13 Pride and a and the way of evil

Sir 10: 7 A is hateful to the Lord and to

Eze 7: 24 put an end to the a of the strong,

ARROGANT ARROGANCE

Ps 73: 3 For I was envious of the a;

1Co 13: 4 love is not envious or boastful or a

ARROW

Ps 64: 7 But God will shoot his a at them;

Isa 49: 2 he made me a polished a,

ASCEND ASCENDED

Ps 139: 8 If I a to heaven, you are there;

Isa 14: 13 in your heart, “I will a to heaven;

Ro 10: 6 ‘Who will a into heaven?’”

ASCENDED ASCEND

2Ki 2: 11 Elijah a in a whirlwind into heaven.

Jn 3: 13 No one has a into heaven except

ASHAMED SHAME

Ge 2: 25 were both naked, and were not a.

Mk 8: 38 who are a of me and of my words

Ro 1: 16 For I am not a of the gospel;

2Ti 2: 15 a worker who has no need to be a,

Heb 2: 11 Jesus is not a to call them brothers

11: 16 God is not a to be called their God;

ASHES

Ge 18: 27 I who am but dust and a.

Est 4: 1 and put on sackcloth and a,

Jdt 4: 11 the temple and put a on their heads

Job 42: 6 and repent in dust and a.”

Sir 17: 32 but all human beings are dust and a.

Jnh 3: 6 himself with sackcloth, and sat in a.

Mt 11: 21 long ago in sackcloth and a.

ASK

Isa 65: 1 sought out by those who did not a,

Mt 6: 8 knows what you need before you a

7: 7 “A, and it will be given you;

Jn 16: 24 A and you will receive,

Jas 4: 3 You a and do not receive, because

1Jn 5: 14 we a anything according to his will,

ASLEEP SLEEP

Jnh 1: 5 had lain down, and was fast a.

Mt 8: 24 by the waves; but he was a.

1Th 5: 6 So then let us not fall a as others do,

ASSIGNED

Ro 12: 3 the measure of faith that God has a.

1Co 3: 5 as the Lord a to each.

7: 17 lead the life that the Lord has a,

ASSURANCE

Dt 28: 66 in dread, with no a of your life.

Heb 6: 11 so as to realize the full a of hope

11: 1 faith is the a of things hoped for,

ASTONISHED

Isa 52: 14 there were many who were a at him

Lk 2: 48 his parents saw him they were a;

ASTRAY STRAY

Dt 30: 17 are led a to bow down to other gods

Isa 53: 6 All we like sheep have gone a;

Jer 50: 6 their shepherds have led them a,

Mt 18: 12 go in search of the one that went a?

1Pe 2: 25 For you were going a like sheep,

ATE EAT

Ge 3: 6 she took of its fruit and a;

Ex 16: 35 The Israelites a manna forty years,

Ps 78: 25 Mortals a of the bread of angels;

Mt 14: 20 And all a and were filled;

15: 37 And all of them a and were filled;

ATHLETE ATHLETES

2Ti 2: 5 And in the case of an a,

ATHLETES ATHLETE

1Co 9: 25 A exercise self-control in all

ATONE ATONEMENT

Sir 3: 3 who honor their father a for sins,

Da 9: 24 an end to sin, and to a for iniquity,

ATONED ATONEMENT

Pr 16: 6 and faithfulness iniquity is a for,

ATONEMENT ATONE, ATONED, ATONING

Ex 29: 36 a bull as a sin offering for a.

30: 10 Aaron shall perform the rite of a

32: 30 perhaps I can make a for your sin.”

Lev 23: 28 for it is a day of a,

Ro 3: 25 God put forward as a sacrifice of a

Heb 2: 17 to make a sacrifice of a for the sins

ATONING ATONEMENT

Sir 28: 5 will make an a sacrifice for his sins?

1Jn 2: 2 and he is the a sacrifice for our sins,

4: 10 sent his Son to be the a sacrifice for

ATTENTION

Heb 2: 1 greater a to what we have heard,

AUTHOR

Wis 13: 3 for the a of beauty created them.

Ac 3: 15 and you killed the A of life,

AUTHORITIES AUTHORITY

Ro 13: 1 be subject to the governing a;

Col 2: 15 He disarmed the rulers and a and

AUTHORITY AUTHORITIES

Pr 29: 2 When the righteous are in a,

Mk 1: 27 A new teaching—with a!

Lk 5: 24 Son of Man has a on earth to forgive

Ac 5: 29 obey God rather than any human a.

Ro 13: 1 for there is no a except from God,

1Co 11: 10 woman ought to have a symbol of a

Col 2: 10 who is the head of every ruler and a.

1Ti 2: 12 no woman to teach or to have a over

Rev 12: 10 and the a of his Messiah,

20: 4 on them were given a to judge.

AVENGE VENGEANCE

Dt 32: 43 he will a the blood of his children,

1Mc 2: 67 a the wrong done to your people.

Ro 12: 19 Beloved, never a yourselves,

Rev 6: 10 and a our blood on the inhabitants

AVENGER VENGEANCE

Nu 35: 12 shall be for you a refuge from the a,

Ps 8: 2 to silence the enemy and the a.

1Th 4: 6 the Lord is an a in all these things,

AVENGING VENGEANCE

Na 1: 2 A jealous and a God is the LORD,

AWAKE

Da 12: 2 in the dust of the earth shall a,

Mk 14: 37 Could you not keep a one hour?

Eph 5: 14 “Sleeper, a! Rise from the dead,

1Th 5: 6 but let us keep a and be sober;

Rev 16: 15 Blessed is the one who stays a and

AWE AWESOME

Ps 119: 161 my heart stands in a of your words.

Isa 29: 23 will stand in a of the God of Israel.

Mt 9: 8 saw it, they were filled with a,

Ac 2: 43 A came upon everyone, because

Ro 11: 20 do not become proud, but stand in a.

AWESOME AWE

Ex 15: 11 majestic in holiness, a in splendor,

Dt 10: 17 the great God, mighty and a,

Ne 1: 5 and a God who keeps covenant

Ps 47: 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is a,

Sir 43: 29 A is the Lord and very great,

Da 9: 4 saying, “Ah, Lord, great and a God,

B

BAAL

Jdg 2: 13 and worshiped B and the Astartes.

1Ki 18: 25 Elijah said to the prophets of B,

Jer 2: 8 the prophets prophesied by B,

Ro 11: 4 not bowed the knee to B.”

BABEL BABYLON

Ge 11: 9 Therefore it was called B,

BABES

Ps 8: 2 Out of the mouths of b and infants

Isa 3: 4 and b shall rule over them.

BABYLON BABEL

2Ki 24: 15 into captivity from Jerusalem to B.

Ps 137: 1 By the rivers of B— there we sat

Isa 14: 4 this taunt against the king of B:

21: 9 he responded, “Fallen, fallen is B;

Jer 25: 11 serve the king of B seventy years.

Da 14: 36 he set him down in B,

1Pe 5: 13 Your sister church in B, chosen

Rev 14: 8 “Fallen, fallen is B the great!

BACKSLIDING

Jer 8: 5 people turned away in perpetual b?

BAD

Mt 7: 17 but the b tree bears b fruit.

1Co 15: 33 “B company ruins good morals.”

BALM

Jer 8: 22 Is there no b in Gilead?

BANISH

Ecc 11: 10 B anxiety from your mind,

Ro 11: 26 he will b ungodliness from Jacob.”

BANNER

Ex 17: 15 and called it, The LORD is my b.

BAPTISM BAPTIZE

Mk 1: 4 proclaiming a b of repentance for

10: 38 be baptized with the b that I am

Lk 20: 4 the b of John come from heaven,

Ac 18: 25 though he knew only the b of John.

19: 3 They answered, “Into John’s b.”

Ro 6: 4 buried with him by b into death,

1Co 15: 29 receive b on behalf of the dead?

Eph 4: 5 one Lord, one faith, one b,

Col 2: 12 when you were buried with him in b,

1Pe 3: 21 b, which this prefigured, now saves

BAPTISMS BAPTIZE

Heb 6: 2 about b, laying on of hands,

BAPTIST BAPTIZE

Mt 3: 1 In those days John the B appeared

11: 11 has arisen greater than John the B;

14: 8 the head of John the B here on a

BAPTIZE BAPTISM, BAPTISMS, BAPTIST, BAPTIZED, BAPTIZING

Mt 3: 11 “I b you with water for repentance,

Lk 3: 16 He will b you with the Holy Spirit

1Co 1: 17 For Christ did not send me to b but

BAPTIZED BAPTIZE

Mt 3: 13 to John at the Jordan, to be b

Ac 1: 5 John b with water, but you will be b with the Holy

2: 38 “Repent, and be b every one of you

Ro 6: 3 b into Christ Jesus were b into his

1Co 10: 2 all were b into Moses in the cloud

12: 13 one Spirit we were all b into one

BAPTIZING BAPTIZE

Mt 28: 19 b them in the name of the Father

Jn 4: 1 “Jesus is making and b more

BARN BARNS

Lk 12: 24 they have neither storehouse nor b,

BARNS BARN

Dt 28: 8 the blessing upon you in your b,

Ps 144: 13 May our b be filled, with produce

Lk 12: 18 pull down my b and build larger

BARREN

Ge 11: 30 Now Sarai was b; she had no child.

Ex 23: 26 No one shall miscarry or be b in

1Sa 2: 5 The b has borne seven, but she who

Ps 113: 9 He gives the b woman a home,

Isa 54: 1 Sing, O b one who did not bear;

Lk 1: 7 because Elizabeth was b,

Heb 11: 11 too old—and Sarah herself was b—

BASIN

Ex 30: 18 You shall make a bronze b with a

1Ki 7: 30 four corners were supports for a b.

Jn 13: 5 b and began to wash the disciples’

BASKET

Mt 5: 15 a lamp puts it under the bushel b,

Ac 9: 25 in the wall, lowering him in a b.

BATTLE

1Mc 3: 19 the army that victory in b depends,

Ps 24: 8 and mighty, the LORD, mighty in b.

Ecc 9: 11 nor the b to the strong, nor bread to

Rev 16: 14 them for b on the great day of God

20: 8 Magog, in order to gather them for b;

BEAR BEARS, BIRTH, BIRTHRIGHT, BORE, BORN, CHILDBEARING, FIRSTBORN

Ge 4: 13 punishment is greater than I can b!

Isa 7: 14 is with child and shall b a son,

Mt 1: 23 virgin shall conceive and b a son,

7: 18 A good tree cannot b bad fruit,

Lk 11: 46 load people with burdens hard to b,

Jn 15: 2 he prunes to make it b more fruit.

Gal 6: 2 B one another’s burdens,

Col 3: 13 B with one another and,

Heb 9: 28 offered once to b the sins of many,

Rev 12: 4 woman who was about to b a child,

BEARS BEAR

Ps 68: 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily b us

1Co 13: 7 It b all things, believes all things,

BEAST BEASTS

Rev 11: 7 b that comes up from the bottomless pit

13: 18 calculate the number of the b,

16: 2 who had the mark of the b

19: 20 who had received the mark of the b

BEASTS BEAST

Da 7: 3 four great b came up out of the sea,

BEAT BEATEN

Isa 2: 4 shall b their swords into plowshares,

Joel 3: 10 B your plowshares into swords,

Lk 22: 63 began to mock him and b him;

BEATEN BEAT

2Co 11: 25 Three times I was b with rods.

1Pe 2: 20 If you endure when you are b for

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTY

Ge 12: 11 you are a woman b in appearance;

1Sa 25: 3 The woman was clever and b,

Tob 6: 12 girl is sensible, brave, and very b,

Jdt 8: 7 She was b in appearance,

Est 2: 7 the girl was fair and b,

Job 42: 15 no women so b as Job’s daughters;

SS 1: 5 I am black and b, O daughters of

Wis 7: 29 She is more b than the sun,

Sir 25: 1 and they are b in the sight of God

Isa 4: 2 the branch of the LORD shall be b

52: 7 How b upon the mountains are the

Da 13: 2 very b woman and one who feared

Ac 3: 2 the temple called the B Gate so that

Ro 10: 15 b are the feet of those who bring

BEAUTY BEAUTIFUL

Jdt 16: 9 her b captivated his mind,

1Mc 2: 12 And see, our holy place, our b,

Ps 27: 4 to behold the b of the LORD,

Pr 31: 30 Charm is deceitful, and b is vain,

Wis 13: 3 for the author of b created them.

Sir 9: 8 not gaze at b belonging to another;

Da 13: 56 b has beguiled you and lust has

1Pe 3: 4 with the lasting b of a gentle

BEGGAR BEGS

Mk 10: 46 son of Timaeus, a blind b,

Jn 9: 8 who had seen him before as a b

BEGINNING

Ge 1: 1 In the b when God created the

Ps 111: 10 fear of the LORD is the b of wisdom;

Pr 1: 7 The fear of the LORD is the b of

8: 22 The LORD created me at the b of his

Sir 1: 14 To fear the Lord is the b of wisdom;

Isa 40: 21 Has it not been told you from the b?

Mt 24: 8 this is but the b of the birth pangs.

Jn 1: 1 In the b was the Word,

1Jn 1: 1 declare to you what was from the b,

2Jn 1: 6 as you have heard it from the b—

Rev 21: 6 and the Omega, the b and the end.

BEGOTTEN

Ps 2: 7 You are my son; today I have b you.

Ac 13: 33 are my Son; today I have b you.’

Heb 1: 5 are my Son; today I have b you”?

BEGS BEG

Lk 6: 30 Give to everyone who b from you;

BEHEADED HEAD

Lk 9: 9 Herod said, “John I b;

Rev 20: 4 the souls of those who had been b

BEHEMOTH

Job 40: 15 “Look at B, which I made just as I

BELIEF BELIEVE

2Th 2: 13 the Spirit and through b in the truth.

BELIEVE BELIEF, BELIEVED, BELIEVER, BELIEVERS, BELIEVES

Nu 14: 11 long will they refuse to b in me,

2Ki 17: 14 not b in the LORD their God.

Ps 119: 66 for I b in your commandments.

Sir 19: 15 so do not b everything you hear.

Mt 18: 6 one of these little ones who b in me,

24: 23 or ‘There he is!’—do not b it.

Mk 1: 15 repent, and b in the good news.”

9: 24 “I b; help my unbelief!”

Lk 24: 25 how slow of heart to b all that the

Jn 1: 7 so that all might b through him.

3: 18 who b in him are not condemned;

5: 46 believed Moses, you would b me,

6: 29 you b in him whom he has sent.”

14: 1 B in God, b also in me.

17: 20 will b in me through their word,

20: 29 not seen and yet have come to b.”

Ac 16: 31 answered, “B on the Lord Jesus,

28: 24 while others refused to b.

Ro 3: 22 faith in Jesus Christ for all who b.

10: 9 b in your heart that God raised him

Gal 3: 9 this reason, those who b are blessed

1Th 4: 14 For since we b that Jesus died and

Heb 11: 6 would approach him must b

Jas 2: 19 Even the demons b— and shudder.

1Pe 1: 8 you do not see him now, you b

1Jn 4: 1 Beloved, do not b every spirit,

Jude 1: 5 destroyed those who did not b.

BELIEVED BELIEVE

Ge 15: 6 And he b the LORD;

Ex 14: 31 b in the LORD and in his

Jdt 14: 10 had done, he b firmly in God.

1Mc 2: 59 b and were saved from the flame.

Isa 53: 1 Who has b what we have heard?

Jn 1: 12 received him, who b in his name,

12: 38 “Lord, who has b our message,

Ac 2: 44 All who b were together and had

Ro 4: 3 “Abraham b God, and it was

2Co 4: 13 “I b, and so I spoke”—

Gal 3: 6 Just as Abraham “b God,

1Ti 3: 16 b in throughout the world, taken up

Heb 4: 3 For we who have b enter that rest,

Jas 2: 23 that says, “Abraham b God,

BELIEVER BELIEVE

1Co 7: 12 b has a wife who is an unbeliever,

2Co 6: 15 Or what does a b share with an

BELIEVERS BELIEVE

Gal 2: 4 because of false b secretly brought

2Th 3: 6 keep away from b who are living in

1Pe 2: 17 Love the family of b.

BELIEVES BELIEVE

Jn 3: 15 whoever b in him may have eternal

11: 26 everyone who lives and b in me

Ro 10: 10 b with the heart and so is justified,

1Co 13: 7 It bears all things, b all things,

BELLY

Ge 3: 14 upon your b you shall go,

Jnh 1: 17 and Jonah was in the b of the fish

Mt 12: 40 three days and three nights in the b

BELOVED LOVE

SS 2: 16 My b is mine and I am his;

Mt 3: 17 heaven said, “This is my Son, the B,

12: 18 my b, with whom my soul is well

17: 5 “This is my Son, the B;

Col 3: 12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and b,

Rev 20: 9 camp of the saints and the b city.

BEND BENT

Php 2: 10 name of Jesus every knee should b,

BENEFICIAL BENEFIT

1Co 6: 12 but not all things are b.

10: 23 lawful,” but not all things are b.

BENEFIT BENEFICIAL, BENEFITS

Gal 5: 2 Christ will be of no b to you.

Phm 1: 20 have this b from you in the Lord!

Heb 4: 2 message they heard did not b them,

BENEFITS BENEFIT

Ps 103: 2 and do not forget all his b—

1Co 9: 11 if we reap your material b?

BENT BEND

Hos 11: 4 I b down to them and fed them.

Jn 8: 6 ·Jesus b down and wrote with his‚

BEST GOOD

Dt 33: 21 He chose the b for himself,

Mk 12: 39 the b seats in the synagogues and

2Ti 2: 15 your b to present yourself to God

BETHANY

Mt 26: 6 Jesus was at B in the house of

Jn 11: 1 a certain man was ill, Lazarus of B,

BETHLEHEM

1Sa 17: 12 David was the son of an Ephrathite of B

Mic 5: 2 But you, O B of Ephrathah, Mt 2: 1 after Jesus was born in B of Judea,

Lk 2: 15 “Let us go now to B and see this

BETRAY BETRAYED

Mt 10: 21 Brother will b brother to death,

Mk 14: 11 to look for an opportunity to b him.

Jn 13: 11 For he knew who was to b him;

BETRAYED BETRAY

Lk 21: 16 You will be b even by parents and

1Co 11: 23 Jesus on the night when he was b

BETTER GOOD

1Sa 15: 22 Surely, to obey is b than sacrifice,

Tob 12: 8 A little with righteousness is b than

Ps 63: 3 your steadfast love is b than life,

Pr 15: 16 B is a little with the fear of

Ecc 2: 24 There is nothing b for mortals than

SS 1: 2 For your love is b than wine,

Sir 40: 26 the fear of the Lord is b than either.

Mt 5: 29 it is b for you to lose one of your

Mk 14: 21 It would have been b for that one

Jn 11: 50 b for you to have one man die for

Php 1: 23 be with Christ, for that is far b;

2: 3 in humility regard others as b than

Heb 7: 22 the guarantee of a b covenant.

9: 23 need b sacrifices than these.

BIND BINDS

Dt 6: 8 B them as a sign on your hand,

Pr 6: 21 B them upon your heart always;

Isa 61: 1 to b up the brokenhearted,

Mt 16: 19 whatever you b on earth will be

BINDS BIND

Job 5: 18 For he wounds, but he b up;

Col 3: 14 b everything together in perfect

BIRD BIRDS

Ge 1: 21 and every winged b of every kind.

Lev 20: 25 the unclean b and the clean;

BIRDS BIRD

Ge 7: 3 and seven pairs of the b of the air

Ps 50: 11 I know all the b of the air,

Mt 6: 26 Look at the b of the air;

BIRTH BEAR

Dt 32: 18 you forgot the God who gave you b.

Ps 22: 10 On you I was cast from my b,

Mt 24: 8 is but the beginning of the b pangs.

Jas 1: 18 he gave us b by the word of truth,

1Pe 1: 3 given us a new b into a living hope

BIRTHRIGHT BEAR, RIGHT

Ge 25: 34 Thus Esau despised his b.

Heb 12: 16 who sold his b for a single meal.

BISHOP

1Ti 3: 1 whoever aspires to the office of b

Tit 1: 7 For a b, as God’s steward, must be

BITE

Sir 21: 2 if you approach sin, it will b you.

Gal 5: 15 If, however, you b and devour one

BITTER BITTERNESS

Ex 1: 14 made their lives b with hard service

12: 8 with unleavened bread and b herbs.

Rev 8: 11 the water, because it was made b.

BITTERNESS BITTER

Pr 14: 10 The heart knows its own b,

Ro 3: 14 mouths are full of cursing and b.”

Eph 4: 31 Put away from you all b and wrath

BLACK

SS 1: 5 I am b and beautiful, O daughters

Zec 6: 2 the second chariot b horses,

Mt 5: 36 cannot make one hair white or b.

Rev 6: 5 I looked, and there was a b horse!

BLAMELESS

2Sa 22: 26 with the b you show yourself b;

1Mc 4: 42 chose b priests devoted to the law,

Ps 37: 18 The LORD knows the days of the b,

Pr 11: 20 but those of b ways are his delight.

Eph 1: 4 holy and b before him in love.

Php 2: 15 so that you may be b and innocent,

1Th 5: 23 and b at the coming of our Lord

Tit 1: 7 bishop, as God’s steward, must be b

Heb 7: 26 b, undefiled, separated from sinners,

Rev 14: 5 mouth no lie was found; they are b.

BLASPHEME BLASPHEMED, BLASPHEMER, BLASPHEMES, BLASPHEMIES, BLASPHEMOUS

Ac 26: 11 I tried to force them to b;

1Ti 1: 20 so that they may learn not to b.

BLASPHEMED BLASPHEME

Eze 20: 27 In this again your ancestors b me,

Mt 26: 65 tore his clothes and said, “He has b!

BLASPHEMER BLASPHEME

Sir 3: 16 forsakes a father is like a b,

1Ti 1: 13 even though I was formerly a b,

BLASPHEMES BLASPHEME

Lev 24: 16 One who b the name of the LORD

Lk 12: 10 whoever b against the Holy Spirit

BLASPHEMIES BLASPHEME

1Mc 2: 6 He saw the b being committed in

Mk 3: 28 their sins and whatever b they utter;

Rev 13: 6 its mouth to utter b against God,

BLASPHEMOUS BLASPHEME

Ac 6: 11 “We have heard him speak b words

Rev 13: 1 and on its heads were b names.

BLEMISH

Ex 12: 5 Your lamb shall be without b,

Lev 22: 20 not offer anything that has a b,

Eph 5: 27 that she may be holy and without b.

Heb 9: 14 offered himself without b to God,

1Pe 1: 19 that of a lamb without defect or b.

Jude 1: 24 to make you stand without b in the

BLESS BLESSED, BLESSING, BLESSINGS

Ge 12: 2 I will b you, and make your name

22: 17 I will indeed b you, and I will make

26: 3 I will be with you, and will b you;

Ex 20: 24 I will come to you and b you.

Nu 6: 24 The LORD b you and keep you;

23: 20 See, I received a command to b;

Dt 7: 13 he will love you, b you,

30: 16 the LORD your God will b you

1Ch 29: 20 “B the LORD your God.”

Tob 4: 19 At all times b the Lord God,

Ps 5: 12 For you b the righteous, O LORD;

34: 1 I will b the LORD at all times;

103: 1 B the LORD, O my soul,

Sir 32: 13 But above all b your Maker,

Hag 2: 19 From this day on I will b you.

Lk 6: 28 b those who curse you, pray

Ro 12: 14 B those who persecute you;

1Co 4: 12 When reviled, we b;

Jas 3: 9 With it we b the Lord and Father,

BLESSED BLESS

Ge 1: 22 God b them, saying, “Be fruitful

2: 3 So God b the seventh day and

14: 19 He b him and said, “B be Abram

Nu 24: 9 B is everyone who blesses you,

Tob 3: 11 she prayed and said, “B are you,

Jdt 13: 17 one accord, “B are you our God,

Job 1: 21 b be the name of the LORD.”

Ps 118: 26 B is the one who comes in the name

Isa 30: 18 b are all those who wait for him.

Jer 17: 7 B are those who trust in the LORD,

Da 3: 26 “B are you, O Lord, God of our

13: 60 raised a great shout and b God,

Mt 5: 3 “B are the poor in spirit,

Mk 10: 16 laid his hands on them, and b them.

Lk 1: 42 “B are you among women,

6: 20 “B are you who are poor,

Jn 12: 13 B is the one who comes in the name

20: 29 B are those who have not seen and

Ac 20: 35 It is more b to give than to receive.

Gal 3: 8 “All the Gentiles shall be b in you.”

Eph 1: 3 who has b us in Christ

1Pe 3: 14 for doing what is right, you are b.

Rev 22: 7 B is the one who keeps the words of

BLESSING BLESS

Ge 12: 2 so that you will be a b.

22: 18 the nations of the earth gain b for

Dt 11: 26 before you today a b and a curse:

23: 5 your God turned the curse into a b

Ne 13: 2 our God turned the curse into a b.

Tob 8: 15 you, O God, with every pure b;

Sir 34: 20 he gives health and life and b.

Eze 34: 26 they shall be showers of b.

Mk 14: 22 bread, and after b it he broke it,

Lk 24: 51 While he was b them, he withdrew

1Co 10: 16 The cup of b that we bless,

Gal 3: 14 in Christ Jesus the b of Abraham

Eph 1: 3 every spiritual b in the heavenly

Rev 5: 12 might and honor and glory and b!”

7: 12 B and glory and wisdom and

BLESSINGS BLESS

Dt 28: 2 all these b shall come upon you

Jos 8: 34 the words of the law, b and curses,

Mal 2: 2 and I will curse your b;

Ro 15: 27 come to share in their spiritual b,

BLIND BLINDED, BLINDNESS

Ex 4: 11 mute or deaf, seeing or b?

Tob 2: 10 until I became completely b.

Ps 146: 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the b.

Isa 35: 5 the eyes of the b shall be opened,

Bar 6: 37 They cannot restore sight to the b;

Mt 11: 5 b receive their sight, the lame walk,

Lk 6: 39 “Can a b person guide a b person?

Jn 9: 25 though I was b, now I see.”

Ro 2: 19 sure that you are a guide to the b,

BLINDED BLIND

Jn 12: 40 “He has b their eyes and hardened

2Co 4: 4 has b the minds of the unbelievers,

BLINDNESS BLIND

Dt 28: 28 will afflict you with madness, b,

1Jn 2: 11 the darkness has brought on b.

BLOCK BLOCKS

Sir 31: 7 It is a stumbling b to those who are

Eze 14: 7 their iniquity as a stumbling b

Mt 16: 23 You are a stumbling b to me;

Ro 11: 9 a stumbling b and a retribution for

1Co 1: 23 stumbling b to Jews and foolishness

BLOCKS BLOCK

Jer 6: 21 before this people stumbling b

Mt 18: 7 the world because of stumbling b!

BLOOD BLOODSHED

Ge 9: 6 sheds the b of a human, by a human shall that person’s b be shed;

Ex 7: 17 and it shall be turned to b.

12: 13 when I see the b, I will pass over

24: 8 the b of the covenant that the LORD

Lev 17: 11 it is the b that makes atonement.

Nu 35: 33 for b pollutes the land,

Ps 72: 14 and precious is their b in his sight.

Isa 1: 11 I do not delight in the b of bulls,

Eze 33: 4 b shall be upon their own heads.

Joel 2: 30 b and fire and columns of smoke.

Mt 27: 8 field has been called the Field of B

Mk 14: 24 “This is my b of the covenant,

Lk 22: 44 sweat became like great drops of b

Jn 1: 13 who were born, not of b

6: 53 of the Son of Man and drink his b,

19: 34 and at once b and water came out.

Ac 2: 20 to darkness and the moon to b,

Ro 5: 9 that we have been justified by his b,

1Co 11: 25 cup is the new covenant in my b.

Eph 1: 7 we have redemption through his b,

Heb 9: 12 the b of goats and calves, but with his own b,

9: 22 without the shedding of b there is no

1Jn 5: 6 the one who came by water and b,

Rev 6: 12 the full moon became like b,

8: 9 A third of the sea became b,

12: 11 conquered him by the b of the Lamb

BLOODSHED BLOOD, SHED

Isa 5: 7 he expected justice, but saw b;

Eze 35: 6 you did not hate b, b shall pursue

Hab 2: 8 because of human b, and violence

BLOT

Ge 6: 7 “I will b out from the earth

Ex 32: 32 b me out of the book that you have

Ps 51: 1 mercy b out my transgressions.

Rev 3: 5 not b your name out of the book of

BOAST BOASTERS, BOASTING

Ps 34: 2 My soul makes its b in the LORD;

Pr 27: 1 Do not b about tomorrow,

Sir 25: 6 and their b is the fear of the Lord.

Jer 9: 24 but let those who bb in this,

Ro 2: 23 You that b in the law,

1Co 1: 31 the one who boasts, b in the Lord.”

2Co 11: 30 If I must b, I will b of the things that

Gal 6: 14 never b of anything except the cross

Eph 2: 9 of works, so that no one may b.

BOASTERS BOAST

2Co 11: 13 For such b are false apostles,

2Ti 3: 2 b, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to

BOASTING BOAST

1Co 5: 6 Your b is not a good thing.

1Th 2: 19 or crown of b before our Lord Jesus

BODIES BODY

Ro 12: 1 present your b as a living sacrifice,

1Co 6: 15 that your b are members of Christ?

Heb 10: 22 and our b washed with pure water.

BODILY BODY

Lk 3: 22 upon him in b form like a dove.

Col 2: 9 the whole fullness of deity dwells b,

BODY BODIES, BODILY

Mic 6: 7 fruit of my b for the sin of my soul?

Mt 6: 22 “The eye is the lamp of the b.

Mk 14: 22 and said, “Take; this is my b.”

Lk 12: 4 do not fear those who kill the b,

Jn 2: 21 speaking of the temple of his b.

1Co 15: 44 It is sown a physical b, it is raised a spiritual b.

2Co 5: 8 from the b and at home with the Lord.

Eph 4: 4 There is one b and one Spirit,

BOLD BOLDNESS

Dt 31: 6 Be strong and b; have no fear

Pr 28: 1 the righteous are as b as a lion.

BOLDNESS BOLD

Eph 3: 12 whom we have access to God in b

Heb 4: 16 approach the throne of grace with b,

1Jn 4: 17 may have b on the day of judgment,

BONE BONES

Ge 2: 23 “This at last is b of my bones and

Eze 37: 7 came together, b to its b.

BONES BONE

Ex 12: 46 you shall not break any of its b.

Ps 34: 20 He keeps all their b; not one of

Jn 19: 36 “None of his b shall be broken.”

BOOK BOOKS

Ex 17: 14 “Write this as a reminder in a b and

Dt 31: 24 writing down in a b the words of

Jos 1: 8 This b of the law shall not depart

1Mc 1: 57 possessing the b of the covenant,

Ps 69: 28 be blotted out of the b of the living;

Rev 1: 11 “Write in a b what you see and

21: 27 who are written in the Lamb’s b

BOOKS BOOK

1Mc 1: 56 The b of the law that they found

Ecc 12: 12 Of making many b there is no end,

Da 7: 10 in judgment, and the b were opened.

Jn 21: 25 world itself could not contain the b

BOOTHS

Lev 23: 34 the festival of b to the LORD.

Ezr 3: 4 kept the festival of b, as prescribed,

Zec 14: 16 and to keep the festival of b.

BORE BEAR

Isa 53: 12 yet he b the sin of many,

Mt 8: 17 our infirmities and b our diseases.”

1Pe 2: 24 He himself b our sins in his body

BORN BEAR

Ecc 3: 2 a time to be b, and a time to die;

Isa 9: 6 For a child has been b for us,

66: 8 Shall a land be b in one day?

Lk 2: 11 is b this day in the city of David

Jn 3: 7 ‘You must be b from above.’

1Pe 1: 23 You have been b anew,

1Jn 4: 7 everyone who loves is b of God

BORROW BORROWER

Dt 28: 12 to many nations, but you will not b.

Ps 37: 21 The wicked b, and do not pay back,

Mt 5: 42 anyone who wants to b from you.

BORROWER BORROW

Pr 22: 7 the b is the slave of the lender.

BOUGHT BUY

1Co 6: 20 For you were b with a price;

2Pe 2: 1 even deny the Master who b them—

BOW RAINBOW

Ge 9: 13 I have set my b in the clouds,

Ex 20: 5 You shall not b down to them or

Ps 95: 6 O come, let us worship and b down,

Isa 45: 23 “To me every knee shall b,

Ro 14: 11 every knee shall b to me,

BOWLS

Rev 16: 1 the seven b of the wrath of God.”

BRANCH BRANCHES

Isa 4: 2 On that day the b of the LORD shall

11: 1 and a b shall grow out of his roots.

Jer 23: 5 raise up for David a righteous B,

Zec 3: 8 going to bring my servant the B.

Jn 15: 2 every b in me that bears no fruit.

BRANCHES BRANCH

Ro 11: 21 if God did not spare the natural b,

BREAD

Ge 3: 19 sweat of your face you shall eat b

Ex 12: 8 with unleavened b and bitter herbs.

25: 30 set the b of the Presence on the table

Dt 8: 3 that one does not live by b alone,

Ecc 11: 1 Send out your b upon the waters,

Wis 16: 20 from heaven with b ready to eat,

Sir 15: 3 will feed him with the b of learning,

Mt 6: 11 Give us this day our daily b.

Lk 4: 4 ‘One does not live by b alone.’”

Jn 6: 35 said to them, “I am the b of life.

1Co 11: 26 For as often as you eat this b and

BREAK BREAKING, BROKEN, BROKENHEARTED

Mt 6: 19 where thieves b in and steal;

Jn 19: 33 they did not b his legs.

BREASTPIECE BREASTPLATE

Ex 28: 15 You shall make a b of judgment,

BREASTPLATE BREASTPIECE

Wis 5: 18 he will put on righteousness as a b,

Isa 59: 17 He put on righteousness like a b,

Eph 6: 14 and put on the b of righteousness.

BREATH

Ge 2: 7 into his nostrils the b of life;

6: 17 all flesh in which is the b of life;

Job 7: 7 “Remember that my life is a b;

Ecc 12: 7 the b returns to God who gave it.

2Th 2: 8 will destroy with the b of his mouth,

BRIBE

Dt 16: 19 for a b blinds the eyes of the wise

Pr 6: 35 and refuses a b no matter how great.

BRIDE BRIDEGROOM

Isa 62: 5 the bridegroom rejoices over the b,

Rev 21: 9 the b, the wife of the Lamb.”

BRIDEGROOM BRIDE

Mt 9: 15 as long as the b is with them,

Jn 3: 29 He who has the bride is the b.

BRIGHT

Mt 17: 5 suddenly a b cloud overshadowed

Rev 15: 6 robed in pure b linen,

22: 16 of David, the b morning star.”

BROKE BREAK

Ex 32: 19 tablets from his hands and b them

2Ch 36: 19 b down the wall of Jerusalem,

1Mc 3: 5 and pursued those who b the law;

Jer 31: 32 a covenant that they b,

Mt 14: 19 and blessed and b the loaves,

1Co 11: 24 he b it and said, “This is my body

BROKEN BREAK

Ne 1: 3 the wall of Jerusalem is b down,

Ps 51: 17 acceptable to God is a b spirit;

Mt 15: 37 they took up the b pieces left over,

Lk 20: 18 who falls on that stone will be b

Ro 11: 20 were b off because of their unbelief,

BROKENHEARTED BREAK, HEART

Ps 147: 3 He heals the b, and binds up their

Isa 61: 1 the oppressed, to bind up the b,

BRONZE

Nu 21: 9 look at the serpent of b and live.

Dt 28: 23 The sky over your head shall be b,

Da 10: 6 legs like the gleam of burnished b,

Rev 1: 15 his feet were like burnished b,

BROTHER BROTHER’S, BROTHERS

Ge 4: 8 Cain rose up against his b Abel,

Mt 5: 24 first be reconciled to your b or

10: 21 B will betray b to death,

BROTHER’S BROTHER

Dt 25: 7 has no desire to marry his b widow,

Mk 6: 18 lawful for you to have your b wife.”

BROTHERS BROTHER

Ge 9: 25 lowest of slaves shall he be to his b.

37: 11 So his b were jealous of him,

Mk 3: 33 “Who are my mother and my b?”

Lk 22: 32 turned back, strengthen your b.”

Heb 2: 11 not ashamed to call them b and

BUILD BUILDER, BUILDERS, BUILDING, BUILDS, BUILT, REBUILD

Ge 11: 4 “Come, let us b ourselves a city,

Ps 127: 1 those who b it labor in vain.

Mt 16: 18 and on this rock I will b my church,

27: 40 destroy the temple and b it in three

1Co 3: 10 must choose with care how to b

10: 23 are lawful,” but not all things b up.

BUILDER BUILD

Heb 3: 4 but the b of all things is God.)

11: 10 whose architect and b is God.

BUILDERS BUILD

Ps 118: 22 The stone that the b rejected has

Mk 12: 10 ‘The stone that the b rejected has

1Pe 2: 7 “The stone that the b rejected has

BUILDING BUILD

1Co 3: 9 you are God’s field, God’s b.

2Co 5: 1 we have a b from God,

Eph 4: 12 for b up the body of Christ,

BUILDS BUILD

Ps 127: 1 Unless the LORD b the house,

Pr 14: 1 The wise woman b her house,

1Co 8: 1 Knowledge puffs up, but love b up.

BUILT BUILD

1Ki 6: 14 Solomon b the house, and finished

Ne 7: 1 the wall had been b and I had set up

Tob 13: 16 Jerusalem will be b as his house for

1Mc 4: 47 b a new altar like the former one.

Pr 9: 1 Wisdom has b her house,

Da 9: 25 sixty-two weeks it shall be b again

Eph 2: 20 b upon the foundation of the

BULL BULLS

Ps 50: 9 will not accept a b from your house,

BULLS BULL

Ps 22: 12 b encircle me, strong b of Bashan

Isa 1: 11 I do not delight in the blood of b,

Heb 10: 4 it is impossible for the blood of b

BURDEN BURDENS, BURDENSOME

Ps 55: 22 Cast your b on the LORD,

Mt 11: 30 my yoke is easy, and my b is light.”

BURDENS BURDEN

Ex 6: 6 free you from the b of the Egyptians

Lk 11: 46 you load people with b hard to bear,

Gal 6: 2 Bear one another’s b, and

BURDENSOME BURDEN

1Jn 5: 3 And his commandments are not b,

BURIED BURY

Ro 6: 4 have been b with him by baptism

1Co 15: 4 he was b, and that he was raised on

BURN BURNED, BURNT

Ex 21: 25 b for b, wound for wound,

Mal 4: 1 the day that comes shall b them up,

Lk 3: 17 but the chaff he will b with

BURNED BURN

Ex 3: 3 and see why the bush is not b up.”

Jn 15: 6 thrown into the fire, and b.

1Co 3: 15 If the work is b up, the builder

BURNT BURN

Ex 40: 6 You shall set the altar of b offering

Lev 1: 3 If the offering is a b offering from

1Sa 15: 22 LORD as great delight in b offerings

1Mc 1: 45 to forbid b offerings and sacrifices

4: 56 and joyfully offered b offerings;

Ps 51: 16 if I were to give a b offering,

Da 8: 11 it took the regular b offering away

Hos 6: 6 the knowledge of God rather than b

Mic 6: 6 Shall I come before him with b

Mk 12: 33 more important than all whole b

BURY BURIED

Lk 9: 60 “Let the dead b their own dead;

BUSH

Ex 3: 2 he looked, and the b was blazing,

Jnh 4: 6 The LORD God appointed a b,

C

CALAMITIES CALAMITY

1Sa 10: 19 who saves you from all your c and

2Co 6: 4 in afflictions, hardships, c,

12: 10 and c for the sake of Christ;

CALAMITY CALAMITIES

Da 9: 13 all this c has come upon us.

Hab 3: 16 wait quietly for the day of c to come

CALF

Ex 32: 4 and cast an image of a c;

Lk 15: 23 And get the fatted c and kill it,

CALL CALLED, CALLING

1Ch 16: 8 to the LORD, c on his name,

Ps 61: 2 From the end of the earth I c to you,

Pr 8: 1 Does not wisdom c, and does

Isa 65: 24 Before they c I will answer, Mt 9: 13 to c not the righteous but sinners.”

Lk 6: 46 “Why do you c me ‘Lord, Lord,’

Jn 15: 15 I do not c you servants any longer,

Php 3: 14 goal for the prize of the heavenly c

CALLED CALL

2Sa 22: 7 In my distress I c upon the LORD;

Isa 43: 1 I have c you by name, you are mine.

1Co 7: 15 It is to peace that God has c you.

Eph 1: 18 the hope to which he has c you,

1Jn 3: 1 that we should be c children of God;

CALLING CALL

Ro 11: 29 and the c of God are irrevocable.

Eph 4: 1 lead a life worthy of the c to which

CAMEL

Mt 23: 24 strain out a gnat but swallow a c!

Mk 10: 25 c to go through the eye of a needle

CANAAN

Ge 9: 25 “Cursed be C; lowest of slaves

Nu 13: 2 “Send men to spy out the land of C,

1Ch 16: 18 “To you I will give the land of C

CAPTIVE CAPTIVITY

2Ki 15: 29 he carried the people c to Assyria.

24: 16 king of Babylon brought c to

Ro 7: 23 making me c to the law of sin

Eph 4: 8 he made captivity itself a c;

CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE

Dt 28: 41 for they shall go into c.

Ezr 8: 35 those who had come from c,

CARE CAREFUL, CARES, CARING

Ps 8: 4 mortals that you c for them?

Heb 2: 6 or mortals, that you c for them?

Jas 1: 27 to c for orphans and widows in

CAREFUL CARE

Dt 4: 23 So be c not to forget the covenant

Jos 1: 8 you may be c to act in accordance

Eph 5: 15 Be c then how you live,

CARES CARE

1Pe 5: 7 on him, because he c for you.

CARPENTER’S

Mt 13: 55 Is not this the c son?

CASE

Isa 41: 21 Set forth your c, says the LORD;

Lk 12: 58 make an effort to settle the c,

Jn 18: 38 “I find no c against him.

CAST

Ex 34: 17 You shall not make c idols.

Ps 22: 18 and for my clothing they c lots.

55: 22 C your burden on the LORD,

Mk 3: 23 “How can Satan c out Satan?

Jn 19: 24 and for my clothing they c lots.”

1Pe 5: 7 C all your anxiety on him,

CATTLE

Ge 1: 25 and the c of every kind,

Ps 50: 10 the c on a thousand hills.

CELEBRATE

Lev 23: 37 shall c as times of holy convocation,

1Co 5: 8 Therefore, let us c the festival,

CENSER

Lev 10: 1 Nadab and Abihu, each took his c,

Eze 8: 11 Each had his c in his hand,

Rev 8: 3 Another angel with a golden c came

CENTURION

Mt 8: 5 he entered Capernaum, a c came to

Lk 23: 47 the c saw what had taken place,

Ac 10: 1 a man named Cornelius, a c

CERTIFICATE

Dt 24: 1 so he writes her a c of divorce,

Mt 5: 31 let him give her a c of divorce.’

Mk 10: 4 a man to write a c of dismissal

CHAFF

Ps 1: 4 like c that the wind drives away.

Lk 3: 17 c he will burn with unquenchable

CHAINS

Eph 6: 20 for which I am an ambassador in c.

Heb 11: 36 and even c and imprisonment.

2Pe 2: 4 them to c of deepest darkness

CHANGE CHANGERS

Ex 32: 12 c your mind and do not bring

Nu 23: 19 a mortal, that he should c his mind.

1Sa 15: 29 will not recant or c his mind;

Jer 18: 8 I will c my mind about the disaster

Jas 1: 17 is no variation or shadow due to c.

CHANGERS CHANGE

Mk 11: 15 overturned the tables of the money c

Jn 2: 15 poured out the coins of the money c

CHARGE

Mt 25: 21 I will put you in c of many things;

Mk 15: 26 The inscription of the c against him

Ro 8: 33 will bring any c against God’s elect?

1Co 9: 18 I may make the gospel free of c,

CHARM

Pr 31: 30 C is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

Sir 7: 19 for her c is worth more than gold.

26: 15 A modest wife adds c to c,

CHASTISEMENT CHASTISES

Sir 16: 12 Great as his mercy, so also is his c;

La 4: 6 the c of my people has been greater

CHASTISES CHASTISEMENT

Heb 12: 6 and c every child whom he accepts.

CHEEK

Ps 3: 7 you strike all my enemies on the c;

Mt 5: 39 if anyone strikes you on the right c,

CHEERFUL

Pr 15: 13 A glad heart makes a c countenance,

17: 22 A c heart is a good medicine,

2Co 9: 7 for God loves a c giver.

Jas 5: 13 Are any c? They should sing songs

CHERUB CHERUBIM

2Ch 3: 11 touched the wing of the other c;

Ps 18: 10 He rode on a c, and flew;

Eze 10: 14 the first face was that of the c,

28: 14 an anointed c as guardian I placed

CHERUBIM CHERUB

Ge 3: 24 the garden of Eden he placed the c,

Ex 25: 18 You shall make two c of gold;

Ps 80: 1 You who are enthroned upon the c,

Heb 9: 5 the c of glory overshadowing the

CHIEF

Ps 118: 22 has become the c cornerstone.

Mk 15: 3 the c priests accused him of many

1Pe 5: 4 And when the c shepherd appears,

CHILD CHILDBEARING, CHILDREN

Isa 11: 6 and a little c shall lead them.

49: 15 Can a woman forget her nursing c,

Hos 11: 1 When Israel was a c, I loved him,

Mt 1: 18 with c from the Holy Spirit.

Mk 10: 15 the kingdom of God as a little c

Lk 2: 12 you will find a c wrapped in bands

1Co 13: 11 When I was a c, I spoke like a c,

Rev 12: 4 that he might devour her c as soon

CHILDBEARING CHILD, BEAR

Ge 3: 16 greatly increase your pangs in c;

1Ti 2: 15 Yet she will be saved through c,

CHILDREN CHILD

Pr 22: 6 Train c in the right way, and when

Mt 3: 9 stones to raise up c to Abraham.

Lk 18: 16 “Let the little c come to me,

Jn 1: 12 he gave power to become c of God,

Ro 8: 14 by the Spirit of God are c of God.

Eph 6: 4 do not provoke your c to anger,

Heb 12: 7 God is treating you as c;

1Jn 3: 10 The c of God and the c of the devil

CHOOSE CHOOSES, CHOSE, CHOSEN

Dt 30: 19 C life so that you and your

Jos 24: 15 c this day whom you will serve,

Jn 15: 16 You did not c me but I chose you.

CHOOSES CHOOSE

Ro 9: 18 he has mercy on whomever he c,

CHOSE CHOOSE

Mk 13: 20 for the sake of the elect, whom he c,

1Co 1: 27 God c what is foolish in the world

CHOSEN CHOOSE

Isa 42: 1 my servant, whom I uphold, my c,

Mt 22: 14 For many are called, but few are c.”

Ro 11: 5 there is a remnant, c by grace.

1Pe 2: 6 a cornerstone c and precious;

2: 9 are a c race, a royal priesthood,

CHRIST CHRISTIAN, CHRISTIANS, JESUS, MESSIAH

Jn 4: 25 Messiah is coming” (who is called C).

Ro 5: 6 right time C died for the ungodly.

8: 35 will separate us from the love of C?

1Co 1: 23 but we proclaim C crucified,

3: 11 that foundation is Jesus C.

11: 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of C.

Gal 5: 1 For freedom C has set us free.

Eph 4: 15 into him who is the head, into C,

Php 1: 21 to me, living is C and dying is gain.

2: 11 should confess that Jesus C is Lord,

Col 1: 27 C in you, the hope of glory.

Rev 20: 4 reigned with C a thousand years.

CHRISTIAN CHRIST

Ac 26: 28 persuading me to become a C?”

1Pe 4: 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a C,

CHRISTIANS CHRIST

Ac 11: 26 the disciples were first called “C.”

CHURCH

Mt 16: 18 on this rock I will build my c,

Ac 8: 1 persecution began against the c

1Co 12: 28 appointed in the c first apostles,

14: 4 those who prophesy build up the c.

Col 1: 18 He is the head of the body, the c;

CIRCUMCISE CIRCUMCISED, CIRCUMCISION

Ge 17: 11 shall c the flesh of your foreskins,

Dt 10: 16 C, then, the foreskin of your heart,

Lk 1: 59 the eighth day they came to c the

Jn 7: 22 and you c a man on the sabbath.

CIRCUMCISED CIRCUMCISE

Ge 17: 10 Every male among you shall be c.

1Mc 1: 60 the women who had their children c,

Gal 6: 13 c do not themselves obey the law,

Col 2: 11 also you were c with a spiritual

CIRCUMCISION CIRCUMCISE

Ro 2: 29 real c is a matter of the heart—

Gal 5: 6 For in Christ Jesus neither c

CITIES CITY

Jos 20: 2 ‘Appoint the c of refuge,

Rev 16: 19 and the c of the nations fell.

CITIZENSHIP

Php 3: 20 But our c is in heaven,

CITY CITIES

1Ch 11: 7 it was called the c of David.

Ps 127: 1 Unless the LORD guards the c,

Mt 5: 14 A c built on a hill cannot be hid.

Heb 12: 22 Zion and to the c of the living God,

Rev 21: 2 I saw the holy c, the new Jerusalem,

CLAY

Isa 45: 9 Does the c say to the one who

Jer 18: 6 Just like the c in the potter’s hand,

Ro 9: 21 Has the potter no right over the c,

2Co 4: 7 But we have this treasure in c jars,

CLEAN CLEANSE, CLEANSING

Ge 7: 2 seven pairs of all c animals,

Lev 10: 10 and between the unclean and the c;

Ps 51: 7 with hyssop, and I shall be c;

Mk 7: 19 (Thus he declared all foods c.)

Heb 10: 22 with our hearts sprinkled c from

CLEANSE CLEAN

Ps 51: 2 and c me from my sin.

Sir 38: 10 and c your heart from all sin.

1Jn 1: 9 c us from all unrighteousness.

CLEANSING CLEAN

Eph 5: 26 by c her with the washing of water

2Pe 1: 9 is forgetful of the c of past sins.

CLOTH

Isa 64: 6 righteous deeds are like a filthy c.

Lk 2: 7 and wrapped him in bands of c,

CLOTHE CLOTHED, CLOTHING

Col 3: 14 Above all, c yourselves with love,

1Pe 5: 5 you must c yourselves with humility

CLOTHED CLOTHE

2Co 5: 2 longing to be c with our heavenly

Gal 3: 27 have c yourselves with Christ.

Rev 12: 1 a woman c with the sun,

CLOTHING CLOTHE

Ps 22: 18 and for my c they cast lots.

Mt 25: 36 I was naked and you gave me c,

Jn 19: 24 and for my c they cast lots.”

CLOUD CLOUDS

Ex 13: 21 went in front of them in a pillar of c

Mk 9: 7 Then a c overshadowed them,

Lk 21: 27 ‘the Son of Man coming in a c’

Heb 12: 1 by so great a c of witnesses,

Rev 14: 14 on the c was one like the Son of Man,

CLOUDS CLOUD

Ge 9: 13 I have set my bow in the c,

Da 7: 13 being coming with the c of heaven.

Mt 24: 30 ‘the Son of Man coming on the c of

1Th 4: 17 be caught up in the c together with

Rev 1: 7 He is coming with the c;

COIN

Mt 17: 27 open its mouth, you will find a c;

22: 19 Show me the c used for the tax.”

Lk 15: 9 I have found the c that I had lost.’

COLLECTOR COLLECTORS

Mt 10: 3 Thomas and Matthew the tax c;

Lk 18: 10 one a Pharisee and the other a tax c.

19: 2 he was a chief tax c and was rich.

COLLECTORS COLLECTOR

Mt 5: 46 Do not even the tax c do the same?

11: 19 a friend of tax c and sinners!’

COLT

Ge 49: 11 his donkey’s c to the choice vine,

Zec 9: 9 and riding on a donkey, on a c,

Jn 12: 15 coming, sitting on a donkey’s c!”

COME COMES, COMING

Mt 6: 10 Your kingdom c. Your will be done,

Lk 7: 20 ‘Are you the one who is to c,

1Co 16: 22 Our Lord, c!

Rev 1: 4 who is and who was and who is to c,

22: 20 Amen. C, Lord Jesus!

COMES COME

Ps 118: 26 who c in the name of the LORD.

Lk 19: 38 “Blessed is the king who c in the

Jn 14: 6 No one c to the Father except through

COMFORT COMFORTED, COMFORTS

Ps 23: 4 your rod and your staff—they c me.

Isa 40: 1 C, O c my people, says your God.

COMFORTED COMFORT

Ps 86: 17 LORD, have helped me and c me.

Isa 49: 13 For the LORD has c his people,

Mt 5: 4 those who mourn, for they will be c.

COMFORTS COMFORT

Isa 66: 13 As a mother c her child, so I will

COMING COME

Mal 3: 2 But who can endure the day of his c,

Heb 10: 37 is c will come and will not delay;

2Pe 3: 4 “Where is the promise of his c?

Rev 22: 20 “Surely I am c soon.”

COMMAND COMMANDED, COMMANDING, COMMANDMENT, COMMANDMENTS

Ex 34: 11 Observe what I c you today.

Jdg 2: 2 But you have not obeyed my c.

COMMANDED COMMAND

Mt 28: 20 to obey everything that I have c you.

Jn 14: 31 but I do as the Father has c me,

COMMANDING COMMAND

Dt 4: 40 c you today for your own well-being

30: 11 c you today is not too hard for you,

COMMANDMENT COMMAND

Dt 6: 1 Now this is the c— the statutes

Ps 19: 8 c of the LORD is clear,

Mt 22: 38 This is the greatest and first c.

Ro 7: 12 and the c is holy and just and good.

Gal 5: 14 law is summed up in a single c,

1Jn 3: 23 this is his c, that we should believe

COMMANDMENTS COMMAND

Ex 20: 6 those who love me and keep my c.

Dt 4: 13 to observe, that is, the ten c;

1Mc 2: 19 and have chosen to obey his c,

Ps 119: 66 for I believe in your c.

Pr 10: 8 The wise of heart will heed c,

Ecc 12: 13 Fear God, and keep his c;

Sir 1: 26 If you desire wisdom, keep the c,

Mt 22: 40 On these two c hang all the law and

Jn 14: 15 If you love me, you will keep my c.

1Co 7: 19 obeying the c of God is everything.

1Jn 5: 3 And his c are not burdensome,

Rev 14: 12 those who keep the c of God and

COMMON

Lev 10: 10 between the holy and the c,

Eze 22: 26 between the holy and the c,

Ac 2: 44 and had all things in c;

COMMUNION

2Co 13: 13 the c of the Holy Spirit be with

COMPANY

1Co 15: 33 “Bad c ruins good morals.”

COMPASSION COMPASSIONATE

Dt 32: 36 will vindicate his people, have c

Ps 103: 13 As a father has c for his children,

Sir 18: 13 the c of the Lord is for every living

Hos 11: 8 my c grows warm and tender.

Mt 14: 14 had c for them and cured their sick.

Ro 9: 15 I will have c on whom I have c.”

Col 3: 12 clothe yourselves with c, kindness,

COMPASSIONATE COMPASSION

Ex 22: 27 I will listen, for I am c.

Sir 2: 11 For the Lord is c and merciful;

Jas 5: 11 how the Lord is c and merciful.

COMPLAIN COMPLAINING, COMPLAINT

Nu 14: 27 shall this wicked congregation c

Jer 2: 29 Why do you c against me?

1Co 10: 10 And do not c as some of them did,

COMPLAINING COMPLAIN

Ex 16: 7 heard your c against the LORD.

1Pe 4: 9 hospitable to one another without c.

COMPLAINT COMPLAIN

Ps 142: 2 I pour out my c before him;

Hab 2: 1 he will answer concerning my c.

Col 3: 13 if anyone has a c against another,

COMPLETE COMPLETED

Jn 4: 34 him who sent me and to c his work.

Rev 6: 11 until the number would be c

COMPLETED COMPLETE

Jer 25: 12 Then after seventy years are c,

Da 11: 36 until the period of wrath is c,

CONCEIT CONCEITED

Sir 3: 24 For their c has led many astray,

Php 2: 3 nothing from selfish ambition or c,

1Ti 3: 6 he may be puffed up with c and fall

CONCEITED CONCEIT

Gal 5: 26 Let us not become c, competing

1Ti 6: 4 is c, understanding nothing,

CONCEIVE

Mt 1: 23 the virgin shall c and bear a son,

Lk 1: 31 you will c in your womb and bear

CONDEMN CONDEMNATION, CONDEMNED

Lk 11: 31 of this generation and c them,

Jn 3: 17 not send the Son into the world to c

Ro 8: 34 Who is to c?

1Jn 3: 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not c us,

CONDEMNATION CONDEMN

Mk 12: 40 They will receive the greater c.”

Ro 5: 18 one man’s trespass led to c for all,

1Ti 3: 6 fall into the c of the devil.

Jas 5: 12 so that you may not fall under c.

CONDEMNED CONDEMN

Mt 12: 37 and by your words you will be c.”

Lk 24: 20 handed him over to be c to death

Jn 3: 18 Those who believe in him are not c;

16: 11 the ruler of this world has been c.

1Co 11: 32 disciplined so that we may not be c

CONDUCT

Tob 4: 14 and discipline yourself in all your c.

Sir 37: 17 The mind is the root of all c;

1Pe 1: 15 be holy yourselves in all your c;

CONFESS CONFESSES, CONFESSION

Lev 5: 5 you shall c the sin that you have

Ps 38: 18 c my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

Sir 4: 26 Do not be ashamed to c your sins,

Php 2: 11 should c that Jesus Christ is Lord,

1Jn 1: 9 If we c our sins, he who is faithful

Rev 3: 5 will c your name before my Father

CONFESSES CONFESS

Ro 10: 10 c with the mouth and so is saved.

1Jn 2: 23 who c the Son has the Father also.

CONFESSION CONFESS

Da 9: 4 to the LORD my God and made c,

1Ti 6: 12 for which you made the good c in

Heb 4: 14 let us hold fast to our c.

CONFIDENCE

Ps 118: 8 LORD than to put c in mortals.

Php 3: 3 and have no c in the flesh—

Heb 10: 19 we have c to enter the sanctuary

CONFORMED

Ro 8: 29 predestined to be c to the image of

12: 2 Do not be c to this world,

Php 3: 21 may be c to the body of his glory,

1Pe 1: 14 do not be c to the desires that you

CONFUSE

Ge 11: 7 go down, and c their language there,

CONGREGATION

Ps 1: 5 nor sinners in the c of the righteous;

Heb 2: 12 the midst of the c I will praise you.”

CONQUER CONQUERED, CONQUERORS, CONQUERS

Rev 17: 14 and the Lamb will c them,

21: 7 who c will inherit these things,

CONQUERED CONQUER

Jn 16: 33 take courage; I have c the world!”

Heb 11: 33 who through faith c kingdoms,

1Jn 2: 13 because you have c the evil one.

Rev 15: 2 who had c the beast and its image

CONQUERORS CONQUER

Ro 8: 37 all these things we are more than c

CONQUERS CONQUER

1Jn 5: 4 victory that c the world, our faith.

Rev 2: 7 To everyone who c, I will give

CONSCIENCE

Ro 2: 15 their own c also bears witness;

1Co 8: 7 and their c, being weak, is defiled.

1Ti 1: 5 a good c, and sincere faith.

Heb 9: 14 purify our c from dead works to

1Pe 3: 21 as an appeal to God for a good c,

CONSIDER

1Sa 12: 24 for c what great things he has done

Ps 107: 43 and c the steadfast love of the LORD.

Lk 12: 27 C the lilies, how they grow:

CONSOLATION

Lk 2: 25 looking forward to the c of Israel,

2Co 1: 3 of mercies and the God of all c,

CONSPIRED

Da 6: 6 So the presidents and satraps c

Mt 26: 4 they c to arrest Jesus by stealth

CONSUME CONSUMED, CONSUMING

Ex 32: 12 c them from the face of the earth’?

Nu 16: 21 so that I may c them in a moment.

Mt 6: 19 where moth and rust c and where

Jn 2: 17 “Zeal for your house will c me.”

CONSUMED CONSUME

Ex 3: 2 bush was blazing, yet it was not c.

Ps 69: 9 zeal for your house that has c me;

Zep 3: 8 all the earth shall be c.

Gal 5: 15 that you are not c by one another.

CONSUMING CONSUME

Heb 12: 29 for indeed our God is a c fire.

CONTEMPT

Da 12: 2 some to shame and everlasting c.

Mk 9: 12 sufferings and be treated with c?

Heb 6: 6 and are holding him up to c.

CONTENT CONTENTMENT

Sir 29: 23 Be c with little or much,

2Co 12: 10 Therefore I am c with weaknesses,

Php 4: 11 learned to be c with whatever I have

Heb 13: 5 and be c with what you have;

CONTENTMENT CONTENT

1Ti 6: 6 gain in godliness combined with c;

CONTRITE

Ps 51: 17 broken and c heart, O God, you

Isa 57: 15 who are c and humble in spirit,

CONVERT

Mt 23: 15 sea and land to make a single c,

1Ti 3: 6 He must not be a recent c,

CONVICT CONVICTION

Dt 19: 15 to c a person of any crime

Jude 1: 15 to c everyone of all the deeds of

CONVICTION CONVICT

Heb 11: 1 the c of things not seen.

CONVINCE CONVINCED, CONVINCING

Ac 28: 23 and trying to c them about Jesus

2Ti 4: 2 c, rebuke, and encourage,

CONVINCED CONVINCE

Lk 16: 31 neither will they be c even if

Ro 8: 38 For I am c that neither death, nor

2Co 5: 14 we are c that one has died for all;

CONVINCING CONVINCE

Ac 1: 3 to them by many c proofs,

COPPER

Mk 12: 42 and put in two small c coins,

CORNERSTONE STONE

Ps 118: 22 rejected has become the chief c.

Isa 28: 16 a tested stone, a precious c, a sure

Zec 10: 4 Out of them shall come the c,

Lk 20: 17 builders rejected has become the c’?

Eph 2: 20 with Christ Jesus himself as the c.

1Pe 2: 6 laying in Zion a stone, a c chosen

CORRECT CORRECTING, CORRECTION

Ps 141: 5 let the faithful c me.

Sir 42: 8 Do not be ashamed to c the stupid

CORRECTING CORRECT

2Ti 2: 25 c opponents with gentleness.

CORRECTION CORRECT

Jer 5: 3 but they refused to take c.

2Ti 3: 16 c, and for training in righteousness,

CORRUPT CORRUPTION

Ge 6: 11 Now the earth was c in God’s sight,

Ac 2: 40 yourselves from this c generation.”

Eph 4: 22 your old self, c and deluded

CORRUPTION CORRUPT

Ac 2: 31 nor did his flesh experience c.’

2Pe 1: 4 you may escape from the c

COST

1Ch 21: 24 burnt offerings that c me nothing.”

Lk 14: 28 not first sit down and estimate the c,

COUNCIL COUNCILS

Jer 23: 18 who has stood in the c of the LORD

Mt 26: 59 the whole c were looking for false

COUNCILS COUNCIL

Mk 13: 9 for they will hand you over to c;

COUNSEL COUNSELOR, COUNSELORS

Ps 2: 2 and the rulers take c together,

33: 11 The c of the LORD stands forever,

Isa 28: 29 he is wonderful in c, and excellent

COUNSELOR COUNSEL

Sir 42: 21 and he needs no one to be his c.

Isa 9: 6 and he is named Wonderful C,

Ro 11: 34 Or who has been his c?”

COUNSELORS COUNSEL

Pr 11: 14 in an abundance of c there is safety.

24: 6 in abundance of c there is victory.

COUNTENANCE

Nu 6: 26 the LORD lift up his c upon you,

Ps 89: 15 O LORD, in the light of your c;

Pr 15: 13 A glad heart makes a cheerful c,

COURAGE COURAGEOUS

1Ch 22: 13 Be strong and of good c.

Jn 16: 33 But take c; I have conquered

COURAGEOUS COURAGE

Jos 1: 6 Be strong and c; for you shall put

1Mc 2: 64 be c and grow strong in the law,

Da 10: 19 Be strong and c!”

1Co 16: 13 stand firm in your faith, be c,

COURT COURTS

Ex 27: 9 shall make the c of the tabernacle.

Pr 25: 8 do not hastily bring into c;

Mt 5: 25 while you are on the way to c

1Co 6: 6 believer goes to c against a believer

COURTS COURT

Ps 84: 10 in your c is better than a thousand

96: 8 an offering, and come into his c.

COVENANT COVENANTS

Ge 6: 18 But I will establish my c with you;

9: 9 I am establishing my c with you

15: 18 the LORD made a c with Abram,

Ex 19: 5 you obey my voice and keep my c,

24: 7 Then he took the book of the c,

40: 3 put in it the ark of the c,

Jdg 2: 1 ‘I will never break my c with you.

1Ki 8: 23 keeping c and steadfast love

Jdt 9: 13 planned cruel things against your c,

1Mc 1: 15 and abandoned the holy c.

Ps 105: 8 He is mindful of his c forever,

Sir 28: 7 remember the c of the Most High,

Isa 61: 8 I will make an everlasting c with

Jer 31: 31 when I will make a new c with

Eze 16: 60 establish with you an everlasting c.

Mal 3: 1 The messenger of the c in whom

Lk 22: 20 is the new c in my blood.

1Co 11: 25 “This cup is the new c in my blood.

2Co 3: 6 be ministers of a new c, not of letter

Heb 7: 22 become the guarantee of a better c.

12: 24 the mediator of a new c,

Rev 11: 19 the ark of his c was seen within his

COVENANTS COVENANT

Ro 9: 4 the adoption, the glory, the c,

Gal 4: 24 an allegory: these women are two c.

COVET

Ex 20: 17 shall not c your neighbor’s house;

Ro 7: 7 had not said, “You shall not c.”

Jas 4: 2 you c something and cannot obtain

CRAFTINESS CRAFTY

Ro 1: 29 of envy, murder, strife, deceit, c,

1Co 3: 19 “He catches the wise in their c,”

CRAFTY CRAFTINESS

Ge 3: 1 serpent was more c than any other

CRAVING

Nu 11: 4 rabble among them had a strong c;

Ps 78: 30 But before they had satisfied their c,

CREATE CREATED, CREATION,

CREATOR

Ps 51: 10 C in me a clean heart, O God,

Isa 65: 17 to c new heavens and a new earth;

Eph 2: 15 c in himself one new humanity

CREATED CREATE

Ge 1: 1 In the beginning when God c the

1: 27 So God c humankind in his image,

Dt 32: 6 Is not he your father, who c you,

Jdt 13: 18 who c the heavens and the earth,

Pr 8: 22 The LORD c me at the beginning

Wis 2: 23 for God c us for incorruption,

Sir 1: 4 Wisdom was c before all other

Mal 2: 10 Has not one God c us?

1Co 11: 9 Neither was man c for the sake of

Eph 2: 10 c in Christ Jesus for good works,

Col 1: 16 all things have been c through him

1Ti 4: 4 For everything c by God is good,

Rev 4: 11 you c all things, and by your will

CREATION CREATE

Ge 2: 3 all the work that he had done in c.

Mk 10: 6 But from the beginning of c,

Ro 8: 19 the c waits with eager longing for

2Co 5: 17 anyone is in Christ, there is a new c:

Col 1: 15 invisible God, the firstborn of all c;

CREATOR CREATE

Ecc 12: 1 Remember your c in the days of

Ro 1: 25 served the creature rather than the C

1Pe 4: 19 to a faithful C,

CREATURE CREATURES

Ge 2: 19 the man called every living c,

CREATURES CREATURE

Lev 11: 2 these are the c that you may eat.

Ps 104: 24 the earth is full of your c.

CRIED CRY

Ps 22: 5 To you they c, and were saved;

Mt 27: 46 Jesus c with a loud voice,

CRIMINAL CRIMINALS

Jn 18: 30 “If this man were not a c,

2Ti 2: 9 the point of being chained like a c.

1Pe 4: 15 suffer as a murderer, a thief, a c,

CRIMINALS CRIMINAL

Lk 23: 32 Two others also, who were c,

CROOKED

Dt 32: 5 a perverse and c generation.

Ps 18: 26 the c you show yourself perverse.

Ecc 1: 15 What is c cannot be made straight,

Lk 3: 5 and the c shall be made straight,

CROSS

Dt 31: 3 your God himself will c over before

Mk 15: 30 and come down from the c!”

Lk 14: 27 the c and follow me cannot be my

1Co 1: 18 the c is foolishness to those who are

Gal 6: 14 never boast of anything except the c

Php 2: 8 of death—even death on a c.

Col 1: 20 peace through the blood of his c.

Heb 12: 2 was set before him endured the c,

CROW

Lk 22: 34 the cock will not c this day,

CROWD CROWDS

Mk 8: 2 “I have compassion for the c,

14: 43 a c with swords and clubs,

CROWDS CROWD

Mt 7: 28 c were astounded at his teaching,

CROWN CROWNED, CROWNS

Lev 8: 9 the golden ornament, the holy c,

Jn 19: 2 soldiers wove a c of thorns and put

Php 4: 1 my joy and c, stand firm in the Lord

2Ti 4: 8 there is reserved for me the c

1Pe 5: 4 the c of glory that never fades away.

Rev 6: 2 Its rider had a bow; a c was given

14: 14 with a golden c on his head,

CROWNED CROWN

Ps 8: 5 and c them with glory and honor.

2Ti 2: 5 no one is c without competing

Heb 2: 9 now c with glory and honor

CROWNS CROWN

Rev 4: 10 they cast their c before the throne,

CRUCIFIED CRUCIFY

Mt 27: 22 All of them said, “Let him be c!”

Lk 24: 7 c, and on the third day rise again.”

Ac 4: 10 whom you c, whom God raised

Ro 6: 6 We know that our old self was c

1Co 1: 23 but we proclaim Christ c,

Gal 2: 19 I have been c with Christ;

CRUCIFY CRUCIFIED, CRUCIFYING

Lk 23: 21 they kept shouting, “C, c him!”

Jn 19: 15 asked them, “Shall I c your King?”

CRUCIFYING CRUCIFY

Heb 6: 6 they are c again the Son of God

CRUSH

Mt 21: 44 it will c anyone on whom it falls.”

Ro 16: 20 will shortly c Satan under your feet.

CRY CRIED, CRYING

Pr 130: 1 Out of the depths I c to you,

Hab 1: 2 how long shall I c for help,

Mk 15: 37 Then Jesus gave a loud c

CRYING CRY

Mk 1: 3 the voice of one c out in the

Rev 21: 4 c and pain will be no more,

CUP

Ps 23: 5 my head with oil; my c overflows.

Mt 26: 39 if it is possible, let this c pass

Mk 10: 38 you able to drink the c that I drink,

Lk 22: 17 he took a c, and after giving thanks

1Co 11: 25 c is the new covenant in my blood.

Rev 14: 10 unmixed into the c of his anger,

CURED

Mt 8: 16 and c all who were sick.

Ac 5: 16 and they were all c.

CURSE ACCURSED, CURSED, CURSES

Ge 8: 21 “I will never again c the ground

12: 3 the one who curses you I will c;

Job 2: 9 C God, and die.”

Ps 109: 28 Let them c, but you will bless.

Sir 4: 5 and give no one reason to c you;

Mal 4: 6 come and strike the land with a c.

Mk 14: 71 he began to c, and he swore an oath,

Lk 6: 28 bless those who c you, pray

Ro 12: 14 bless and do not c them.

Gal 3: 13 redeemed us from the c of the law by becoming a c for us—

CURSED CURSE

Ge 3: 17 c is the ground because of you;

27: 29 C be everyone who curses you,

Nu 23: 8 can I curse whom God has not c?

Mk 11: 21 fig tree that you c has withered.”

Gal 3: 10 “C is everyone who does not

Rev 16: 9 but they c the name of God,

CURSES CURSE

Lev 24: 15 who c God shall bear the sin.

CURTAIN

Ex 26: 31 You shall make a c of blue, purple,

2Ch 3: 14 And Solomon made the c of blue

Lk 23: 45 the c of the temple was torn in two.

Heb 10: 20 that he opened for us through the c

CUT

Ge 9: 11 never again shall all flesh be c off

Ps 37: 9 For the wicked shall be c off,

Isa 53: 8 c off from the land of the living,

Mt 3: 10 does not bear good fruit is c down

Mk 9: 43 hand causes you to stumble, c it off;

Ro 11: 22 otherwise you also will be c off.

D

DAILY DAY

Mt 6: 11 Give us this day our d bread.

Lk 9: 23 take up their cross d and follow me.

DANCE DANCED

Ps 150: 4 Praise him with tambourine and d;

Ecc 3: 4 a time to mourn, and a time to d;

Lk 7: 32 the flute for you, and you did not d;

DANCED DANCE

2Sa 6: 14 David d before the LORD with all

Mt 14: 6 the daughter of Herodias d before

DARK DARKEST, DARKNESS

Ps 139: 12 even the darkness is not d to you;

Lk 12: 3 whatever you have said in the d will

2Pe 1: 19 as to a lamp shining in a d place,

DARKEST DARK

Ps 23: 4 though I walk through the d valley,

DARKNESS DARK

Ge 1: 2 the earth was a formless void and d

Ex 10: 22 was dense d in all the land of Egypt

Isa 9: 2 walked in d have seen a great light;

Joel 2: 31 The sun shall be turned to d,

Mt 4: 16 who sat in d have seen a great light,

Jn 1: 5 light shines in the d, and the d did not

Col 1: 13 from the power of d and transferred

1Jn 1: 5 God is light and in him there is no d

DAUGHTER DAUGHTERS

Mic 7: 6 the d rises up against her mother,

Lk 12: 53 against d and d against mother,

DAUGHTERS DAUGHTER

Ge 6: 4 of God went in to the d of humans,

Joel 2: 28 sons and your d shall prophesy,

Ac 2: 17 sons and your d shall prophesy,

2Co 6: 18 and you shall be my sons and d,

DAWN DAWNS

Isa 14: 12 from heaven, O Day Star, son of D!

Hos 6: 3 his appearing is as sure as the d;

DAWNS DAWN

Ps 97: 11 Light d for the righteous,

2Pe 1: 19 until the day d and the morning star

DAY DAILY, DAYS

Ge 1: 5 God called the light D, and

Ex 13: 21 of them in a pillar of cloud by d,

20: 8 Remember the sabbath d, and keep

Ps 1: 2 his law they meditate d and night.

118: 24 is the d that the LORD has made;

Joel 1: 15 For the d of the LORD is near,

Zec 14: 1 See, a d is coming for the LORD,

Mal 3: 2 who can endure the d of his coming,

Mt 25: 13 you know neither the d nor the hour.

Lk 11: 3 Give us each d our daily bread.

24: 46 to rise from the dead on the third d,

Jn 6: 40 I will raise them up on the last d.”

Ro 14: 5 Some judge one d to be better than

1Th 5: 2 very well that the d of the Lord

2Pe 3: 8 one d is like a thousand years,

3: 10 d of the Lord will come like a thief,

1Jn 4: 17 have boldness on the d of judgment,

Rev 16: 14 for battle on the great d of God

DAYS DAY

Ge 1: 14 and for seasons and for d and years,

Ex 24: 18 on the mountain for forty d and

1Ki 19: 8 that food forty d and forty nights

1Mc 4: 56 dedication of the altar for eight d,

Ps 90: 10 The d of our life are seventy years,

Eph 5: 16 of the time, because the d are evil.

2Ti 3: 1 in the last d distressing times will

DEACON DEACONS

Ro 16: 1 a d of the church at Cenchreae,

DEACONS DEACON

1Ti 3: 8 D likewise must be serious, not

DEAD DEATH, DIE, DIED, DYING

Mt 8: 22 and let the d bury their own d.”

Mk 12: 27 God not of the d, but of the living;

Lk 24: 5 look for the living among the d?

Ro 6: 11 must consider yourselves d to sin

Eph 2: 1 You were d through the trespasses

Rev 1: 5 witness, the firstborn of the d,

20: 12 And the d were judged according to

DEAF

Ex 4: 11 Who makes them mute or d,

Isa 29: 18 On that day the d shall hear the

Lk 7: 22 the lepers are cleansed, the d hear,

DEATH DEAD

Dt 30: 19 that I have set before you life and d,

Sir 15: 17 Before each person are life and d,

Isa 25: 7 he will swallow up d forever.

Hos 13: 14 O D, where are your plagues?

Lk 1: 79 in darkness and in the shadow of d,

Jn 5: 24 but has passed from d to life.

Ro 6: 23 For the wages of sin is d,

1Co 15: 55 “Where, O d, is your victory?

Heb 2: 14 through d he might destroy the one who has the power of d,

1Jn 3: 14 that we have passed from d to life

Rev 1: 18 I have the keys of D and of Hades.

20: 14 D and Hades were thrown into the lake

21: 4 D will be no more;

DEBTS

Mt 6: 12 And forgive us our d, as we

DECEIT DECEITFUL, DECEIVE

Dt 32: 4 A faithful God, without d,

Isa 53: 9 and there was no d in his mouth.

Ro 1: 29 Full of envy, murder, strife, d,

1Pe 2: 22 and no d was found in his mouth.”

DECEITFUL DECEIT

1Ti 4: 1 by paying attention to d spirits

DECEIVE DECEIT

Eph 5: 6 Let no one d you with empty words,

1Jn 1: 8 that we have no sin, we d ourselves,

Rev 20: 8 to d the nations at the four corners

DECREES

Dt 6: 2 and keep all his d and his

Ps 19: 7 the d of the LORD are sure,

119: 2 Happy are those who keep his d, DEDICATION

2Ch 7: 9 the d of the altar seven days and

Ezr 6: 16 the d of this house of God with joy.

1Mc 4: 56 the d of the altar for eight days,

DEED DEEDS

Ecc 12: 14 will bring every d into judgment,

Mt 19: 16 good d must I do to have eternal life

Col 3: 17 And whatever you do, in word or d,

DEEDS DEED

Jer 50: 29 Repay her according to her d;

Lk 23: 41 getting what we deserve for our d,

Ro 2: 6 repay according to each one’s d:

Rev 15: 3 “Great and amazing are your d,

19: 8 the righteous d of the saints.

DEEP DEPTH, DEPTHS

Ge 1: 2 darkness covered the face of the d,

7: 11 the fountains of the great d burst

Ro 8: 26 with sighs too d for words.

DEFEND

Jdt 5: 21 for their Lord and God will d them,

Ps 72: 4 May he d the cause of the poor of

Pr 31: 9 d the rights of the poor and needy.

DEFILE

Lev 11: 43 you shall not d yourselves

Nu 35: 34 You shall not d the land

Mk 7: 15 things that come out are what d.”

DEITY

Col 2: 9 whole fullness of d dwells bodily,

DELAY

Dt 7: 10 He does not d but repays

Ps 70: 5 my deliverer; O LORD, do not d!

Heb 10: 37 will come and will not d;

DELIGHT

1Sa 15: 22 “Has the LORD as great d in burnt

Ps 1: 2 their d is in the law of the LORD,

40: 8 I d to do your will, O my God;

Pr 8: 30 I was daily his d, rejoicing before

Sir 1: 27 fidelity and humility are his d.

Ro 7: 22 For I d in the law of God in my

DELIVER DELIVERANCE, DELIVERER, DELIVERS

Ex 3: 8 to d them from the Egyptians,

Da 3: 17 able to d us from the furnace

6: 20 able to d you from the lions?”

Mt 27: 43 let God d him now,

DELIVERANCE DELIVER

Ex 14: 13 and see the d that the LORD will

Jdt 8: 17 while we wait for his d,

Ps 3: 8 D belongs to the LORD;

Php 1: 19 this will turn out for my d.

DELIVERER DELIVER

Ps 140: 7 O LORD, my Lord, my strong d,

Ro 11: 26 “Out of Zion will come the D;

DEMON DEMONIACS, DEMONIC, DEMONS

Tob 3: 8 the wicked d Asmodeus had killed

6: 8 of a man or woman afflicted by a d

Mt 11: 18 and they say, ‘He has a d’

17: 18 Jesus rebuked the d, and it came out

Jn 8: 48 you are a Samaritan and have a d?”

10: 21 not the words of one who has a d.

DEMONIACS DEMON

Mt 4: 24 d, epileptics, and paralytics, and he

8: 28 two d coming out of the tombs met

DEMONIC DEMON

Rev 16: 14 These are d spirits, performing signs

DEMONS DEMON

Dt 32: 17 They sacrificed to d, not God,

Bar 4: 7 by sacrificing to d and not

Lk 11: 18 that I cast out the d by Beelzebul.

1Co 10: 20 not want you to be partners with d.

1Ti 4: 1 deceitful spirits and teachings of d,

Jas 2: 19 Even the d believe—and shudder.

Rev 9: 20 their hands or give up worshiping d

DEN

Jer 7: 11 a d of robbers in your sight?

Da 6: 7 shall be thrown into a d of lions.

Mk 11: 17 you have made it a d of robbers.”

DENARIUS

Mk 12: 15 Bring me a d and let me see it.”

DENIED DENY

Mt 26: 70 But he d it before all of them,

1Ti 5: 8 has d the faith and is worse than

Rev 3: 8 my word and have not d my name.

DENIES DENY

Lk 12: 9 but whoever d me before others

1Jn 2: 22 liar but the one who d that Jesus

DENY DENIED, DENIES

Mt 16: 24 let them d themselves and take up

2Ti 2: 12 if we d him, he will also d us;

2Pe 2: 1 d the Master who bought them—

DEPRAVED DEPRAVITY

1Ti 6: 5 among those who are d in mind

2Pe 2: 10 who indulge their flesh in d lust,

DEPRAVITY DEPRAVED

Lev 20: 14 that there may be no d among you.

DEPTH DEEP

Mt 13: 5 since they had no d of soil.

Ro 11: 33 O the d of the riches and wisdom

Eph 3: 18 and length and height and d,

DEPTHS DEEP

Ps 130: 1 Out of the d I cry to you,

1Co 2: 10 even the d of God.

DESCENDANTS

Ge 15: 18 saying, “To your d I give this land,

Dt 4: 37 he chose their d after them.

Isa 44: 3 I will pour my spirit upon your d,

Ro 9: 7 Abraham’s children are his true d;

Gal 3: 7 who believe are the d of Abraham.

DESERT

Ps 106: 14 and put God to the test in the d;

Isa 40: 3 make straight in the d a highway

Mk 8: 4 with bread here in the d?”

DESERVE

Pr 14: 14 and the good, what their deeds d.

Lk 23: 15 he has done nothing to d death.

Ac 26: 31 man is doing nothing to d death

Rev 2: 23 give to each of you as your works d.

DESIRE DESIRES

Ge 3: 16 your d shall be for your husband,

Ps 20: 4 May he grant you your heart’s d,

Hos 6: 6 I d steadfast love and not sacrifice,

Mt 9: 13 learn what this means, ‘I d mercy,

1Jn 2: 16 the d of the flesh, the d of the eyes,

DESIRES DESIRE

Sir 18: 30 Do not follow your base d,

1Ti 2: 4 who d everyone to be saved

2Ti 4: 3 teachers to suit their own d,

DESOLATE DESOLATES

1Mc 1: 39 sanctuary became d like a desert;

Da 11: 31 the abomination that makes d.

DESOLATES DESOLATE

Da 9: 27 shall be an abomination that d,

DESPISE DESPISED

Job 5: 17 not d the discipline of the Almighty.

Pr 1: 7 fools d wisdom and instruction.

Lk 16: 13 devoted to the one and d the other.

DESPISED DESPISE

Isa 53: 3 He was d and rejected by others;

1Co 1: 28 God chose what is low and d in the

DESTINED

Eph 1: 5 He d us for adoption as his children

1Th 5: 9 For God has d us not for wrath but

1Pe 1: 11 to the sufferings d for Christ

DESTROY DESTROYED, DESTRUCTION

Ge 6: 13 to d them along with the earth.

Mt 10: 28 rather fear him who can d both soul

Jn 10: 10 comes only to steal and kill and d.

Jas 4: 12 who is able to save and to d.

1Jn 3: 8 to d the works of the devil.

DESTROYED DESTROY

Da 6: 26 His kingdom shall never be d,

1Co 15: 26 The last enemy to be d is death.

DESTRUCTION DESTROY

Pr 16: 18 Pride goes before d, and a haughty

Mt 7: 13 and the road is easy that leads to d,

DEVIL

Mt 4: 1 wilderness to be tempted by the d.

Lk 8: 12 d comes and takes away the word

Jn 8: 44 You are from your father the d,

Eph 4: 27 and do not make room for the d.

6: 11 to stand against the wiles of the d.

1Ti 3: 6 fall into the condemnation of the d.

Heb 2: 14 the power of death, that is, the d,

Jas 4: 7 Resist the d, and he will flee from

1Pe 5: 8 lion your adversary the d prowls

1Jn 3: 8 to destroy the works of the d.

Jude 1: 9 Michael contended with the d

Rev 12: 9 who is called the D and Satan,

20: 2 that ancient serpent, who is the D

DIE DEAD

Ge 2: 17 eat of it you shall d.”

3: 4 to the woman, “You will not d;

Ru 1: 17 Where you d, I will d—

Ecc 3: 2 a time to be born, and a time to d;

Isa 22: 13 eat and drink, for tomorrow we d.”

Jer 31: 30 But all shall d for their own sins;

Mt 26: 35 “Even though I must d with you,

Jn 11: 26 and believes in me will never d.

Ro 14: 8 if we d, we d to the Lord;

1Co 15: 32 eat and drink, for tomorrow we d.”

Heb 9: 27 appointed for mortals to d once,

DIED DEAD

Ro 5: 6 right time Christ d for the ungodly.

1Co 15: 3 Christ d for our sins in accordance

Gal 2: 19 the law I d to the law,

DIFFERENT

2Co 11: 4 or a d gospel from the one you

Gal 1: 6 and are turning to a d gospel—

DISAPPOINT

Ro 5: 5 and hope does not d us,

DISCIPLE DISCIPLES

Mt 10: 24 “A d is not above the teacher,

Lk 14: 26 even life itself, cannot be my d.

DISCIPLES DISCIPLE

Mt 26: 56 all the d deserted him and fled.

28: 19 therefore and make d of all nations,

Lk 6: 13 he called his d and chose twelve of

Jn 8: 31 in my word, you are truly my d;

Ac 11: 26 the d were first called “Christians.”

DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINED

Job 5: 17 not despise the d of the Almighty.

Ps 94: 12 Happy are those whom you d,

Sir 1: 27 fear of the Lord is wisdom and d,

Eph 6: 4 in the d and instruction of the Lord.

Heb 12: 5 not regard lightly the d of the Lord,

DISCIPLINED DISCIPLINE

Wis 3: 5 Having been d a little, they will

1Co 11: 32 d so that we may not be condemned

DISEASE DISEASES

Mt 4: 23 of the kingdom and curing every d

9: 35 curing every d and every sickness.

DISEASES DISEASE

Ex 15: 26 d that I brought upon the Egyptians;

Ps 103: 3 your iniquity, who heals all your d,

Isa 53: 4 our infirmities and carried our d;

Mt 8: 17 took our infirmities and bore our d.”

DISMAYED

Dt 1: 21 do not fear or be d.”

Jos 1: 9 do not be frightened or d,

DISOBEDIENT DISOBEY

Ne 9: 26 they were d and rebelled

Ro 10: 21 I have held out my hands to a d

Tit 3: 3 ourselves were once foolish, d,

DISOBEY DISOBEDIENT

Lev 26: 27 But if, despite this, you d me,

Sir 1: 28 Do not d the fear of the Lord;

1Pe 2: 8 stumble because they d the word,

DISTINCTION DISTINCTIONS

Ex 8: 23 I will make a d between my people

Lev 11: 47 make a d between the unclean and

Eze 22: 26 have made no d between the holy

DISTINCTIONS DISTINCTION

Jas 2: 4 you not made d among yourselves,

DISTRESS DISTRESSED

2Sa 22: 7 In my d I called upon the LORD;

Ps 81: 7 In d you called, and I rescued you;

Sir 2: 11 and saves in time of d.

Lk 21: 23 For there will be great d on the earth

Ro 8: 35 Will hardship, or d, or persecution,

DISTRESSED DISTRESS

La 1: 20 See, O LORD, how d I am;

DISTRIBUTED

Ac 4: 35 it was d to each as any had need.

Heb 2: 4 gifts of the Holy Spirit, d according

DIVIDED

Lev 11: 3 Any animal that has d hoofs

Ps 136: 13 who d the Red Sea in two,

Lk 11: 18 If Satan also is d against himself,

DIVINE

Ro 1: 20 his eternal power and d nature,

2Pe 1: 4 become participants of the d nature.

DIVORCE DIVORCED

Dt 24: 1 so he writes her a certificate of d,

Sir 7: 26 Do not d her;

Isa 50: 1 Where is your mother’s bill of d

Jer 3: 8 sent her away with a decree of d;

Mal 2: 16 For I hate d, says the LORD,

Mt 5: 31 let him give her a certificate of d.’

19: 3 a man to d his wife for any cause?”

1Co 7: 11 the husband should not d his wife.

DIVORCED DIVORCE

Lev 21: 7 neither shall they marry a woman d

Mt 5: 32 whoever marries a d woman

DOCTOR

Lk 4: 23 this proverb, ‘D, cure yourself!’

DOCTRINE DOCTRINES

Eph 4: 14 blown about by every wind of d,

1Ti 1: 3 not to teach any different d,

2Ti 4: 3 people will not put up with sound d,

Tit 1: 9 able both to preach with sound d

DOCTRINES DOCTRINE

Mk 7: 7 teaching human precepts as d.’

DOERS

Jas 1: 22 But be d of the word,

DOGS

Mt 7: 6 “Do not give what is holy to d;

DOMINION

Ge 1: 26 and let them have d over

Ps 22: 28 For d belongs to the LORD,

Da 7: 14 His d is an everlasting d

Rev 1: 6 to him be glory and d forever

DONKEY

Zec 9: 9 humble and riding on a d,

Mt 21: 5 humble, and mounted on a d,

DOOR DOORPOSTS

Mt 7: 7 knock, and the d will be opened

Lk 13: 24 Strive to enter through the narrow d

Rev 3: 20 I am standing at the d, knocking;

DOORPOSTS DOOR

Ex 12: 7 the blood and put it on the two d

DOUBT DOUBTED, DOUBTING

Mt 14: 31 of little faith, why did you d?”

Jn 20: 27 Do not d but believe.”

DOUBTED DOUBT

Mt 28: 17 they worshiped him; but some d.

DOUBTING DOUBT

Jas 1: 6 But ask in faith, never d,

DOVE

Ge 8: 8 Then he sent out the d from him,

Mk 1: 10 Spirit descending like a d on him.

DRAGON

Isa 27: 1 and he will kill the d that

Da 14: 23 in that place there was a great d,

Rev 12: 3 a great red d, with seven heads and

20: 2 seized the d, that ancient serpent,

DRANK DRINK

Ex 24: 11 beheld God, and they ate and d.

Mk 14: 23 and all of them d from it.

1Co 10: 4 all d the same spiritual drink.

DRAW

Jas 4: 8 D near to God, and he will d near

DREAM DREAMS

Joel 2: 28 your old men shall d dreams,

Ac 2: 17 and your old men shall d dreams.

DREAMS DREAM

Nu 12: 6 I speak to them in d.

Sir 34: 7 For d have deceived many,

DRIED DRY

Ge 8: 13 the waters were d up from the earth;

Jos 5: 1 had d up the waters of the Jordan

Isa 51: 10 Was it not you who d up the sea,

DRINK DRANK, DRUNK, DRUNKARD,

DRUNKENNESS

Ex 32: 6 the people sat down to eat and d,

Ecc 9: 7 and d your wine with a merry heart;

Isa 22: 13 eat and d, for tomorrow we die.”

Mt 20: 22 to d the cup that I am about to d?”

Jn 18: 11 not to d the cup that the Father has

Ro 14: 17 kingdom of God is not food and d

1Co 12: 13 we were all made to d of one Spirit.

Rev 14: 10 also d the wine of God’s wrath,

DRUNK DRINK

Jdt 13: 2 on his bed, for he was dead d.

Jn 2: 10 after the guests have become d.

Ac 2: 15 these are not d, as you suppose,

Eph 5: 18 Do not get d with wine,

DRUNKARD DRINK

Mt 11: 19 they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a d,

1Co 5: 11 is an idolater, reviler, d, or robber.

1Ti 3: 3 not a d, not violent but gentle,

DRUNKENNESS DRINK

Tob 4: 15 to excess or let d go with you

Gal 5: 21 d, carousing, and things like these.

DRY DRIED

Ge 1: 9 and let the d land appear.”

Ex 14: 16 may go into the sea on d ground.

Eze 37: 4 d bones, hear the word of the LORD.

DUST

Ge 2: 7 LORD God formed man from the d

1Sa 2: 8 He raises up the poor from the d;

Ps 103: 14 he remembers that we are d.

Ecc 3: 20 from the d, and all turn to d again.

Mt 10: 14 shake off the d from your feet

1Co 15: 47 man was from the earth, a man of d;

DWELL DWELLING, DWELLS

Ex 25: 8 so that I may d among them.

1Ki 8: 27 But will God indeed d on the earth?

Ps 23: 6 and I shall d in the house of

Eph 3: 17 that Christ may d in your hearts

Col 1: 19 fullness of God was pleased to d,

Rev 21: 3 He will d with them as their God;

DWELLING DWELL

Ps 90: 1 our d place in all generations.

Jn 14: 2 my Father’s house there are many d

2Co 5: 2 to be clothed with our heavenly d—

Eph 2: 22 spiritually into a d place for God.

DWELLS DWELL

Jn 14: 10 but the Father who d in me

Ro 7: 17 but sin that d within me.

1Co 3: 16 and that God’s Spirit d in you?

Col 2: 9 whole fullness of deity d bodily,

E

EAGLES

Isa 40: 31 shall mount up with wings like e,

EAR

Isa 64: 4 has heard, no e has perceived,

Lk 22: 51 he touched his e and healed him.

1Co 2: 9 “What no eye has seen, nor e heard,

EARTH

Ge 1: 1 God created the heavens and the e,

6: 11 the e was corrupt in God’s sight,

Sir 40: 11 All that is of e returns to e,

Isa 6: 3 the whole e is full of his glory.”

65: 17 to create new heavens and a new e;

Mt 5: 5 meek, for they will inherit the e.

24: 35 Heaven and e will pass away,

2Pe 3: 13 wait for new heavens and a new e,

Rev 21: 1 I saw a new heaven and a new e;

EAST

Ge 2: 8 planted a garden in Eden, in the e;

Ps 103: 12 as far as the e is from the west,

Mt 2: 1 wise men from the E came to

EASY

Mt 11: 30 For my yoke is e, and my burden is

EAT ATE, EATS

Ge 2: 16 freely e of every tree of the garden;

Lev 11: 4 you shall not e the following:

Mt 26: 26 to the disciples, and said, “Take, e;

Ac 10: 13 “Get up, Peter; kill and e.”

1Co 10: 31 whether you e or drink, or whatever

Rev 3: 20 I will come in to you and e with you

EATS EAT

Jn 6: 51 e of this bread will live forever;

1Co 11: 27 e the bread or drinks the cup of the

EDEN

Ge 2: 8 a garden in E, in the east;

EGYPT

Ge 47: 27 Israel settled in the land of E,

Hos 11: 1 and out of E I called my son.

Mt 2: 15 “Out of E I have called my son.”

Rev 11: 8 prophetically called Sodom and E, ELDER ELDERS

1Ti 5: 19 any accusation against an e except

1Pe 5: 1 as an e myself and a witness of the

ELDERS ELDER

Ex 24: 1 and seventy of the e of Israel,

Da 13: 61 they took action against the two e,

Mt 27: 12 accused by the chief priests and e,

Mk 7: 3 thus observing the tradition of the e;

1Ti 5: 17 the e who rule well be considered

Jas 5: 14 e of the church and have them pray

1Pe 5: 5 must accept the authority of the e.

Rev 4: 4 on the thrones are twenty-four e,

ELECT ELECTION

Wis 4: 15 grace and mercy are with his e,

Mt 24: 22 sake of the e those days will be cut

Mk 13: 22 to lead astray, if possible, the e.

ELECTION ELECT

Ro 9: 11 God’s purpose of e might continue,

2Pe 1: 10 eager to confirm your call and e,

ELEVEN

Mt 28: 16 Now the e disciples went to Galilee,

Ac 1: 26 and he was added to the e apostles.

EMMANUEL IMMANUEL

Mt 1: 23 and they shall name him E,”

ENCOURAGE ENCOURAGEMENT

1Th 4: 18 e one another with these words.

1Pe 5: 12 written this short letter to e you

ENCOURAGEMENT ENCOURAGE

Ro 15: 5 God of steadfastness and e grant

Php 2: 1 If then there is any e in Christ,

END

Ge 6: 13 determined to make an e of all flesh,

Pr 14: 12 but its e is the way to death.

Ecc 12: 12 making many books there is no e,

Mt 24: 13 But the one who endures to the e

28: 20 always, to the e of the age.”

Ro 10: 4 For Christ is the e of the law so

Rev 22: 13 the beginning and the e.”

ENDURANCE ENDURE

Ro 5: 3 knowing that suffering produces e,

1Ti 6: 11 godliness, faith, love, e,

Heb 10: 36 For you need e, so that when you

Jas 1: 3 the testing of your faith produces e;

2Pe 1: 6 and self-control with e,

ENDURE ENDURANCE, ENDURED,

ENDURES

Mal 3: 2 who can e the day of his coming,

1Co 10: 13 so that you may be able to e it.

2Ti 2: 12 if we e, we will also reign with him;

ENDURED ENDURE

Heb 12: 2 that was set before him e the cross,

ENDURES ENDURE

Sir 40: 17 and almsgiving e forever.

Bar 4: 1 the law that e forever.

1Co 13: 7 hopes all things, e all things.

1Pe 1: 25 but the word of the Lord e forever.”

ENEMIES ENEMY

Mt 5: 44 But I say to you, Love your e and

Ro 5: 10 For if while we were e,

ENEMY ENEMIES, ENMITY

Mt 13: 39 the e who sowed them is the devil;

1Co 15: 26 The last e to be destroyed is death.

ENGAGED

Mt 1: 18 mother Mary had been e to Joseph,

ENJOYMENT

Ecc 8: 15 So I commend e, for there is nothing

1Ti 6: 17 with everything for our e.

ENLIGHTENED LIGHT

Ro 10: 2 a zeal for God, but it is not e.

Eph 1: 18 with the eyes of your heart e,

Heb 6: 4 those who have once been e,

ENLIGHTENS LIGHT

Jn 1: 9 The true light, which e everyone,

ENMITY ENEMY

Ge 3: 15 put e between you and the woman,

Jas 4: 4 with the world is e with God?

ENTER ENTRY

Mt 7: 13 “E through the narrow gate;

Mk 10: 15 as a little child will never e it.”

Jn 3: 5 no one can e the kingdom of God

Rev 21: 27 But nothing unclean will e it,

ENTRUSTED TRUST

Lk 12: 48 the one to whom much has been e,

2Ti 1: 12 guard until that day what I have e

Jude 1: 3 the faith that was once for all e

ENVY

Pr 23: 17 Do not let your heart e sinners,

Mk 7: 22 deceit, licentiousness, e, slander,

Ro 1: 29 Full of e, murder, strife, deceit,

EPHOD

Ex 28: 6 They shall make the e of gold,

EQUAL EQUALITY

Isa 40: 25 you compare me, or who is my e?

46: 5 will you liken me and make me e,

Jn 5: 18 thereby making himself e to God.

EQUALITY EQUAL

Php 2: 6 not regard e with God as something

ERROR

Lev 5: 18 for the e that you committed

Ro 1: 27 the due penalty for their e.

1Jn 4: 6 of truth and the spirit of e.

ESTABLISH ESTABLISHED

Eze 16: 60 e with you an everlasting covenant.

Heb 8: 8 when I will e a new covenant with

ESTABLISHED ESTABLISH

2Sa 7: 16 your throne shall be e forever.

Ps 89: 2 your steadfast love is e forever;

103: 19 The LORD has e his throne in the

ETERNAL ETERNITY

Mt 25: 46 but the righteous into e life.”

Mk 10: 17 what must I do to inherit e life?”

Jn 3: 16 may not perish but may have e life.

Ro 5: 21 e life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2Co 4: 17 an e weight of glory beyond all

Heb 5: 9 the source of e salvation for all who

1Jn 5: 13 may know that you have e life.

ETERNITY ETERNAL

Wis 2: 23 made us in the image of his own e,

Sir 42: 21 he is from all e one and the same.

Isa 57: 15 high and lofty one who inhabits e,

2Pe 3: 18 glory both now and to the day of e.

EUNUCH

Ac 8: 27 Now there was an Ethiopian e,

EVANGELIST EVANGELISTS

2Ti 4: 5 do the work of an e, carry out your

EVANGELISTS EVANGELIST

Eph 4: 11 some e, some pastors and teachers,

EVERLASTING LAST

Ge 9: 16 remember the e covenant between

Ps 90: 2 from e to e you are God.

Isa 9: 6 E Father, Prince of Peace.

Jer 31: 3 I have loved you with an e love;

Da 4: 3 His kingdom is an e kingdom,

EVIL

Ge 2: 9 tree of the knowledge of good and e.

Jdg 2: 11 Then the Israelites did what was e

Tob 12: 7 Do good and e will not overtake

Ps 23: 4 the darkest valley, I fear no e;

Pr 8: 13 fear of the LORD is hatred of e.

Mt 6: 13 but rescue us from the e one.

12: 35 e person brings e things out of an e

Lk 11: 13 who are e, know how to give good

Jn 17: 15 to protect them from the e one.

Ro 12: 17 Do not repay anyone e for e,

Eph 5: 16 of the time, because the days are e.

1Ti 6: 10 of money is a root of all kinds of e,

1Jn 5: 18 and the e one does not touch them.

2Jn 1: 11 to welcome is to participate in the e

3Jn 1: 11 do not imitate what is e but imitate

EXALT EXALTED

Lk 14: 11 who e themselves will be humbled,

Jas 4: 10 before the Lord, and he will e you.

EXALTED EXALT

Ps 57: 5 Be e, O God, above the heavens.

Php 2: 9 highly e him and gave him the name

EXAMPLES

1Co 10: 6 these things occurred as e for us,

1Pe 5: 3 but be e to the flock.

EXCELLENCE EXCELLENT

Php 4: 8 if there is any e and if there is

EXCELLENT EXCELLENCE

Isa 28: 29 in counsel, and e in wisdom.

1Co 12: 31 I will show you a still more e way.

Heb 1: 4 the name he has inherited is more e

EXCUSE

Jn 15: 22 they have no e for their sin.

Ro 1: 20 So they are without e;

EXHORT

Tit 2: 15 e and reprove with all authority.

Heb 3: 13 But e one another every day,

EXILE

2Ki 25: 11 carried into e the rest of the people

Ezr 6: 21 of Israel who had returned from e,

EYE EYES, EYEWITNESSES

Ex 21: 24 e for e, tooth for tooth,

Ps 17: 8 Guard me as the apple of the e;

Mt 5: 29 If your right e causes you to sin,

5: 38 An e for an e and a tooth for

7: 3 see the speck in your neighbor’s e,

Mk 10: 25 to go through the e of a needle

1Co 15: 52 in the twinkling of an e, at the last

Rev 1: 7 the clouds; every e will see him,

EYES EYE

Ge 3: 7 Then the e of both were opened,

Ps 121: 1 I lift up my e to the hills—

Pr 3: 7 Do not be wise in your own e;

Mt 9: 30 And their e were opened.

Eph 1: 18 with the e of your heart enlightened,

1Pe 3: 12 e of the Lord are on the righteous,

1Jn 2: 16 of the flesh, the desire of the e,

Rev 21: 4 he will wipe every tear from their e.

EYEWITNESSES EYE, WITNESS

Lk 1: 2 who from the beginning were e

2Pe 1: 16 but we had been e of his majesty.

F

FACE

Ge 32: 30 “For I have seen God f to f,

Nu 6: 25 LORD make his f to shine upon

12: 8 With him I speak f to f—

Ps 4: 6 Let the light of your f shine on us,

Isa 54: 8 wrath for a moment I hid my f

Eze 39: 29 I will never again hide my f from

Lk 9: 29 the appearance of his f changed,

FADE FADES

Ps 37: 2 for they will soon f like the grass,

Isa 64: 6 We all f like a leaf,

FADES FADE

Isa 40: 7 The grass withers, the flower f,

1Pe 5: 4 crown of glory that never f away.

FAINT

Ps 142: 3 When my spirit is f, you know

Isa 40: 31 they shall walk and not f.

FAITH FAITHFUL, FAITHFULNESS

Isa 7: 9 If you do not stand firm in f,

Hab 2: 4 but the righteous live by their f.

Mt 17: 20 have f the size of a mustard seed,

Ac 3: 16 and the f that is through Jesus

Ro 3: 28 that a person is justified by f apart

1Co 13: 13 And now f, hope, and love abide,

Eph 4: 5 one Lord, one f, one baptism,

Heb 11: 1 f is the assurance of things hoped

Jas 2: 17 f by itself, if it has no works,

1Jn 5: 4 that conquers the world, our f.

Rev 2: 13 and you did not deny your f in me

FAITHFUL FAITH

Dt 32: 4 A f God, without deceit, just and

Ps 4: 3 LORD has set apart the f for

Wis 3: 9 the f will abide with him in love,

Sir 4: 16 If they remain f, they will inherit

Mt 24: 45 “Who then is the f and wise slave,

1Th 5: 24 The one who calls you is f,

Heb 10: 23 for he who has promised is f.

1Jn 1: 9 f and just will forgive us our sins

Rev 19: 11 Its rider is called F and True,

FAITHFULNESS FAITH

Ex 34: 6 abounding in steadfast love and f,

Jos 24: 14 and serve him in sincerity and in f;

Isa 11: 5 and f the belt around his loins.

La 3: 23 new every morning; great is your f.

Gal 5: 22 patience, kindness, generosity, f,

FALL FELL

Pr 16: 18 and a haughty spirit before a f.

Sir 28: 23 Those who forsake the Lord will f

Ro 9: 33 a rock that will make them f,

1Co 10: 12 watch out that you do not f.

FALSE

Dt 5: 20 Neither shall you bear f witness

Mk 13: 22 F messiahs and f prophets will

Heb 6: 18 impossible that God would prove f,

2Pe 2: 1 there will be f teachers among you,

Rev 20: 10 where the beast and the f prophet

LtJ 6: 8 but they are f and cannot speak.

FAMILY

Pr 6: 19 and one who sows discord in a f.

Gal 6: 10 especially for those of the f of faith.

Eph 3: 15 from whom every f in heaven and

1Pe 2: 17 Love the f of believers.

FAST

Isa 58: 5 Is such the f that I choose,

Mt 6: 16 “And whenever you f,

FATHER FATHER’S

Ge 2: 24 a man leaves his f and his mother

Ex 20: 12 Honor your f and your mother,

Ps 89: 26 cry to me, ‘You are my F, my God,

Wis 2: 16 and boasts that God is his f.

Sir 3: 3 who honor their f atone for sins,

Isa 9: 6 Mighty God, Everlasting F, Prince

Mt 6: 9 Our F in heaven, hallowed be your

28: 19 the name of the F and of the Son and

Jn 5: 18 but was also calling God his own F,

14: 6 comes to the F except through me.

Gal 4: 6 into our hearts, crying, “Abba! F!”

Rev 3: 5 confess your name before my F

FATHER’S FATHER

Lk 2: 49 that I must be in my F house?”

Jn 1: 14 the glory as of a f only son,

14: 2 F house there are many dwelling

FAVOR

Ps 30: 5 his f is for a lifetime.

Isa 49: 8 In a time of f I have answered you,

Lk 4: 19 proclaim the year of the Lord’s f.”

FEAR AFRAID

Dt 6: 13 The LORD your God you shall f;

Ps 19: 9 the f of the LORD is pure,

23: 4 the darkest valley, I f no evil;

Pr 1: 7 f of the LORD is the beginning

Ecc 12: 13 F God, and keep his commandments

Sir 1: 11 The f of the Lord is glory

Mt 10: 28 rather f him who can destroy both

Mk 5: 36 “Do not f, only believe.”

1Pe 3: 14 Do not f what they f,

1Jn 4: 18 but perfect love casts out f;

Rev 14: 7 “F God and give him glory,

FEET

Ps 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my f

Lk 24: 39 Look at my hands and my f;

Jn 13: 5 and began to wash the disciples’ f

1Co 15: 25 put all his enemies under his f.

FELLOWSHIP

Ac 2: 42 to the apostles’ teaching and f,

2Co 6: 14 Or what f is there between light and

1Jn 1: 3 and truly our f is with the Father

FEMALE

Ge 1: 27 male and f he created them.

Mk 10: 6 ‘God made them male and f.’

Gal 3: 28 there is no longer male and f;

FESTIVAL FESTIVALS

Ex 23: 14 in the year you shall hold a f for me.

1Co 5: 8 Therefore, let us celebrate the f,

FESTIVALS FESTIVAL

Lev 23: 2 the appointed f of the LORD

Ne 10: 33 the new moons, the appointed f,

Col 2: 16 of food and drink or of observing f,

FEW

Mt 22: 14 many are called, but f are chosen.”

Lk 13: 23 “Lord, will only a f be saved?”

FIG

Ge 3: 7 and they sewed f leaves together

Hab 3: 17 Though the f tree does not blossom,

Mt 24: 32 “From the f tree learn its lesson:

FILL FILLED, FULL, FULLNESS

Ge 1: 28 and f the earth and subdue it;

Jer 23: 24 Do I not f heaven and earth?

Eph 4: 10 so that he might f all things.)

FILLED FILL

Lk 1:15 will be f with the Holy Spirit.

Ac 2: 4 were f with the Holy Spirit and

Eph 5: 18 but be f with the Spirit,

FIND

Dt 4:29 you will f him if you search after

Jer 29: 13 you search for me, you will f me;

Mt 16: 25 lose their life for my sake will f it.

FINISHED

Ge 2: 2 on the seventh day God f the work

Sir 38: 8 God’s works will never be f;

Jn 19: 30 the wine, he said, “It is f.”

FIRE FIERY

Ex 13: 21 and in a pillar of f by night,

Sir 7: 17 punishment of the ungodly is f

Da 3: 25 walking in the middle of the f,

Mal 3: 2 For he is like a refiner’s f and like

Mt 3: 11 baptize you with the Holy Spirit and f.

Mk 9: 43 to go to hell, to the unquenchable f.

Ac 2: 3 Divided tongues, as of f, appeared

Heb 12: 29 indeed our God is a consuming f.

Rev 20: 14 the second death, the lake of f;

FIRST FIRSTBORN

Ge 1: 5 and there was morning, the f day.

Pr 8: 22 the f of his acts of long ago.

Isa 41: 4 I, the LORD, am f,

Mt 6: 33 But strive f for the kingdom of God

Mk 10: 31 But many who are f will be last, and the last will be f.”

1Th 4: 16 the dead in Christ will rise f.

1Jn 4: 19 We love because he f loved us.

Rev 1: 17 I am the f and the last,

20: 5 This is the f resurrection.

21: 1 the f heaven and the f earth

FIRSTBORN BEAR, FIRST

Ex 4: 22 ‘Thus says the LORD: Israel is my f

Ps 78: 51 He struck all the f in Egypt,

Sir 36: 17 whom you have named your f,

Zec 12: 10 as one weeps over a f.

Lk 2: 7 And she gave birth to her f son and

Col 1: 15 invisible God, the f of all creation;

Rev 1: 5 faithful witness, the f of the dead,

FISH

Jnh 2: 1 his God from the belly of the f,

Jn 6: 9 has five barley loaves and two f.

FLESH

Ge 2: 23 of my bones and f of my f;

2: 24 and they become one f.

Eze 36: 26 of stone and give you a heart of f.

Mt 16: 17 For f and blood has not revealed this

26: 41 but the f is weak.”

Jn 1: 14 the Word became f and lived among

3: 6 What is born of the f is f,

Ro 8: 4 to the f but according to the Spirit.

2Co 12: 7 a thorn was given me in the f,

Gal 5: 19 Now the works of the f are obvious:

1Pe 1: 24 “All f is like grass and all its glory

1Jn 4: 2 that Jesus Christ has come in the f

FLOOD

Ge 7: 7 the ark to escape the waters of the f.

Sir 40: 10 and on their account the f came.

2Pe 2: 5 a f on a world of the ungodly;

FLOWING

Ex 3: 8 a land f with milk and honey,

Jos 5: 6 a land f with milk and honey.

FOLLOW FOLLOWED

1Ki 18: 21 If the LORD is God, f him;

Lk 9: 23 take up their cross daily and f me.

FOLLOWED FOLLOW

Mk 1: 18 they left their nets and f him.

Rev 13: 3 the whole earth f the beast.

FOOD

Ge 1: 30 I have given every green plant for f.

1Mc 1: 63 to die rather than to be defiled by f

Ps 136: 25 who gives f to all flesh,

Jn 6: 55 for my flesh is true f and my blood

1Co 8: 8 “F will not bring us close to God.”

FOOL FOOLISH, FOOLISHNESS, FOOLS

Pr 15: 5 A f despises a parent’s instruction,

FOOLISH FOOL

Mt 7: 26 like a f man who built his house

1Co 1: 20 Has not God made f the wisdom of

Tit 3: 3 For we ourselves were once f,

FOOLISHNESS FOOL

1Co 1: 18 cross is f to those who are perishing,

3: 19 wisdom of this world is f with God.

FOOLS FOOL

Ps 14: 1 F say in their hearts, “There is no God.”

Pr 1: 7 f despise wisdom and instruction.

Ro 1: 22 Claiming to be wise, they became f;

1Co 4: 10 We are f for the sake of Christ,

FOREHEADS

Eze 9: 4 and put a mark on the f of those

Rev 7: 3 of our God with a seal on their f.”

20: 4 not received its mark on their f

FOREKNEW KNOW

Ro 8: 29 whom he f he also predestined to

11: 2 not rejected his people whom he f.

FOREVER

Ge 3: 22 the tree of life, and eat, and live f”

6: 3 spirit shall not abide in mortals f,

Ex 3: 15 This is my name f, and this my title

Ps 110: 4 “You are a priest f according to the

Ecc 3: 14 that whatever God does endures f;

Wis 5: 15 But the righteous live f,

Isa 40: 8 the word of our God will stand f.

Jn 6: 51 eats of this bread will live f;

14: 16 another Advocate, to be with you f.

Heb 13: 8 the same yesterday and today and f.

Rev 11: 15 and he will reign f and ever.”

FORGET

Dt 4: 23 So be careful not to f the covenant

Isa 49: 15 these may f, yet I will not f you.

FORGIVE FORGAVE, FORGIVEN, FORGIVENESS, FORGIVING

Ne 9: 17 But you are a God ready to f,

Sir 5: 6 he will f the multitude of my sins,”

Mt 6: 12 And f us our debts, as we

Lk 5: 24 has authority on earth to f sins”—

1Jn 1: 9 is faithful and just will f us our sins

FORGIVEN FORGIVE

Ps 32: 1 are those whose transgression is f,

Mt 6: 12 as we also have f our debtors.

12: 31 against the Spirit will not be f.

Ro 4: 7 are those whose iniquities are f,

Eph 4: 32 as God in Christ has f you.

FORGIVENESS FORGIVE

Mk 1: 4 a baptism of repentance for the f

Col 1: 14 we have redemption, the f of sins.

FORGIVING FORGIVE

Ex 34: 7 f iniquity and transgression and sin,

Eph 4: 32 f one another, as God in Christ has

FORMED FORMLESS

Ge 2: 7 LORD God f man from the dust

Ps 139: 13 you who f my inward parts;

FORMLESS FORMED

Ge 1: 2 the earth was a f void and darkness

Wis 11: 17 created the world out of f matter,

FORSAKE FORSAKEN

Dt 31: 6 he will not fail you or f you.”

Jos 1: 5 I will not fail you or f you.

Heb 13: 5 “I will never leave you or f you.”

FORSAKEN FORSAKE

Ps 22: 1 my God, why have you f me?

Mt 27: 46 my God, why have you f me?”

2Co 4: 9 persecuted, but not f;

FORTRESS

2Sa 22: 2 The LORD is my rock, my f,

Ps 71: 3 for you are my rock and my f.

FORTY

Ge 7: 4 rain on the earth for f days and f

Nu 14: 34 f days, for every day a year,

1Ki 19: 8 f days and f nights to Horeb

Jnh 3: 4 And he cried out, “F days more,

Mt 4: 2 He fasted f days and f nights,

Heb 3: 17 with whom was he angry f years?

FOUNDATION FOUNDATIONS

Isa 28: 16 See, I am laying in Zion a f stone,

1Co 3: 11 that f is Jesus Christ.

Eph 2: 20 built upon the f of the apostles

FOUNDATIONS FOUNDATION

Heb 11: 10 looked forward to the city that has f,

Rev 21: 14 the wall of the city has twelve f,

FRANKINCENSE INCENSE

Isa 60: 6 They shall bring gold and f,

Mt 2: 11 gifts of gold, f, and myrrh.

FREE

Jn 8: 32 and the truth will make you f.”

Ro 6: 23 the f gift of God is eternal life

Gal 3: 28 there is no longer slave or f,

FRIEND FRIENDS

Pr 18: 24 but a true f sticks closer than

Sir 7: 18 Do not exchange a f for money,

Mt 11: 19 a f of tax collectors and sinners!’

Jas 2: 23 and he was called the f of God.

FRIENDS FRIEND

Jn 15: 13 to lay down one’s life for one’s f.

FRUIT FRUITFUL, FRUITLESS, FRUITS

Ge 3: 6 she took of its f and ate;

Lk 6: 44 each tree is known by its own f.

Jn 15: 2 branch that bears f he prunes to make it bear more f.

Rev 22: 2 tree of life with its twelve kinds of f,

FRUITFUL FRUIT

Ge 9: 1 said to them, “Be f and multiply,

FRUITS FRUIT

Ro 8: 23 who have the first f of the Spirit,

1Co 15: 23 in his own order: Christ the first f,

Rev 14: 4 as first f for God and the Lamb,

FULFILL FULFILLED, FULFILLING

Mt 5: 17 I have come not to abolish but to f.

FULFILLED FULFILL

Mk 1: 15 “The time is f, and the kingdom

Lk 24: 44 prophets, and the psalms must be f.”

Ro 8: 4 requirement of the law might be f

FULFILLING FULFILL

Ro 13: 10 love is the f of the law.

FULL FILL

Sir 42: 16 work of the Lord is f of his glory.

Isa 6: 3 the whole earth is f of his glory.”

Jn 1: 14 f of grace and truth.

FULLNESS FILL

Jn 1: 16 From his f we have all received,

1Co 10: 26 “the earth and its f are the Lord’s.”

Gal 4: 4 But when the f of time had come,

Eph 3: 19 may be filled with all the f of God.

Col 1: 19 in him all the f of God was pleased

FURNACE

Da 3: 6 be thrown into a f of blazing fire.”

3: 49 of the Lord came down into the f

FUTURE

Pr 24: 20 for the evil have no f;

Jer 31: 17 hope for your f, says the LORD:

1Co 3: 22 or death or the present or the f—

G

GAIN

Lk 9: 25 if they g the whole world,

Php 1: 21 living is Christ and dying is g.

GALILEE

Isa 9: 1 beyond the Jordan, G of the nations.

Mt 4: 15 across the Jordan, G of the Gentiles

Jn 7: 41 the Messiah does not come from G,

GARDEN

Ge 2: 8 LORD God planted a g in Eden,

Jn 19: 41 and in the g there was a new tomb

GATE GATES

Mt 7: 13 “Enter through the narrow g;

Jn 10: 7 I am the g for the sheep.

GATES GATE

Mt 16: 18 and the g of Hades will not prevail

Rev 21: 21 And the twelve g are twelve pearls,

GATHERED

Mt 18: 20 two or three are g in my name,

GENERATION

Ex 20: 6 steadfast love to the thousandth g

Da 4: 34 his kingdom endures from g to g.

Mt 12: 39 evil and adulterous g asks for a sign,

Lk 21: 32 this g will not pass away

GENEROSITY

Gal 5: 22 joy, peace, patience, kindness, g,

GENTILE GENTILES

1Mc 1: 14 according to G custom,

Mt 18: 17 as a G and a tax collector.

Gal 2: 14 live like a G and not like a Jew,

GENTILES GENTILE

Tob 1: 11 from eating the food of the G.

1Mc 1: 11 and make a covenant with the G

Ro 3: 29 Is he not the God of G also?

GENTLENESS

Gal 5: 23 g, and self-control.

Php 4: 5 Let your g be known to everyone.

1Ti 6: 11 godliness, faith, love, endurance, g.

GETHSEMANE

Mk 14: 32 They went to a place called G;

GHOST

Mt 14: 26 were terrified, saying, “It is a g!”

Lk 24: 39 for a g does not have flesh and

GIFT GIFTS

Ecc 5: 19 this is the g of God.

Jn 4: 10 “If you knew the g of God,

Ac 2: 38 will receive the g of the Holy Spirit.

Ro 6: 23 but the free g of God is eternal life

1Co 7: 7 each has a particular g from God,

Jas 1: 17 with every perfect g, is from above,

Rev 21: 6 the thirsty I will give water as a g

GIFTS GIFT

Mt 2: 11 offered him g of gold, frankincense,

1Co 12: 1 Now concerning spiritual g,

GIVE GIVEN, GIVER

Mt 6: 11 G us this day our daily bread.

Mk 10: 45 to g his life a ransom for many.”

Jn 10: 28 I g them eternal life, and they will

Ac 20: 35 more blessed to g than to receive.’”

GIVEN GIVE

Sir 35: 12 Give to the Most High as he has g

Mt 7: 7 “Ask, and it will be g you;

Lk 22: 19 “This is my body, which is g for

Ro 5: 5 Holy Spirit that has been g to us.

GIVER GIVE

2Co 9: 7 for God loves a cheerful g.

GLADNESS

Ps 100: 2 Worship the LORD with g;

Pr 10: 28 The hope of the righteous ends in g,

Isa 16: 10 Joy and g are taken away from the

Zep 3: 17 he will rejoice over you with g,

Heb 1: 9 has anointed you with the oil of g

GLORIFIED GLORY

Jn 13: 31 “Now the Son of Man has been g,

Ac 3: 13 has g his servant Jesus,

Ro 8: 30 those whom he justified he also g.

GLORIFY GLORY

Ps 86: 12 and I will g your name forever.

Sir 43: 30 G the Lord and exalt him as much

Jn 17: 1 g your Son so that the Son may g you,

1Co 6: 20 therefore g God in your body.

GLORY GLORIFIED, GLORIFY

Ex 33: 18 Moses said, “Show me your g,

1Sa 4: 21 “The g has departed from Israel,”

1Mc 1: 40 dishonor now grew as great as her g

Ps 8: 5 crowned them with g and honor.

Sir 1: 11 The fear of the Lord is g and

Isa 6: 3 the whole earth is full of his g.”

Bar 5: 4 “Righteous Peace, Godly G.”

Mt 25: 31 the Son of Man comes in his g,

Lk 2: 14 “G to God in the highest heaven,

Jn 1: 14 and we have seen his g,

Ro 3: 23 sinned and fall short of the g of God;

1Co 10: 31 do everything for the g of God.

2Co 4: 17 for an eternal weight of g beyond

Heb 1: 3 reflection of God’s g and the exact

Rev 4: 11 to receive g and honor and power,

21: 23 for the g of God is its light,

GNASHING

Mt 8: 12 will be weeping and g of teeth.”

25: 30 will be weeping and g of teeth.’

GOAT GOATS

Lev 16: 9 Aaron shall present the g on which

GOATS GOAT

Mt 25: 32 separates the sheep from the g,

GOD GOD’S, GODLINESS, GODLY, GODS

Ge 1: 1 In the beginning when G created

1: 27 So G created humankind in his image,

6: 2 sons of G saw that they were fair;

Ex 34: 6 a G merciful and gracious, slow to

Nu 23: 19 G is not a human being,

Dt 6: 5 love the LORD your G with all

1Ki 8: 27 will G indeed dwell on the earth?

2Ch 2: 5 for our G is greater than other gods.

Tob 4: 19 At all times bless the Lord G,

Ps 19: 1 heavens are telling the glory of G;

22: 1 My G, my G, why have you forsaken

46: 10 “Be still, and know that I am G!

Ps 53: 1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no G.”

Ecc 12: 13 Fear G, and keep his

Sir 32: 14 seeks G will accept his discipline,

Isa 9: 6 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty G,

44: 6 besides me there is no g.

Jer 10: 10 But the LORD is the true G;

Bar 4: 8 You forgot the everlasting G,

Da 14: 4 But Daniel worshiped his own G.

Mt 1: 23 which means, “G is with us.”

6: 24 You cannot serve G and wealth.

Mk 1: 1 news of Jesus Christ, the Son of G.

2: 7 Who can forgive sins but G alone?”

Lk 2: 14 “Glory to G in the highest heaven,

18: 19 No one is good but G alone.

22: 70 “Are you, then, the Son of G?”

Jn 1: 1 was with G, and the Word was G.

1: 18 It is G the only Son,

3: 16 G so loved the world that he gave his

5: 18 calling G his own Father, thereby making himself equal to G.

Ac 5: 29 “We must obey G rather than any

Ro 6: 23 gift of G is eternal life in Christ

2Co 4: 4 Christ, who is the image of G.

Eph 4: 6 one G and Father of all,

Php 2: 6 though he was in the form of G,

Col 1: 19 fullness of G was pleased to dwell,

1Jn 4: 16 G is love, and those who abide

Rev 4: 8 “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord G

GOD’S GOD

Mt 27: 43 for he said, ‘I am G Son.’”

27: 54 “Truly this man was G Son!”

GODLINESS GOD

Wis 10: 12 g is more powerful than anything

1Ti 4: 7 Train yourself in g,

2Pe 1: 3 everything needed for life and g,

GODLY GOD

Sir 37: 12 But associate with a g person

Bar 5: 4 “Righteous Peace, G Glory.”

2Co 7: 10 For g grief produces a repentance

2Pe 2: 9 how to rescue the g from trial,

GODS GOD

Ex 20: 3 you shall have no other g before me.

1Co 8: 5 so-called g in heaven or on earth—

GOLD

Tob 12: 8 better to give alms than to lay up g.

Ps 119: 127 love your commandments more than g,

Sir 31: 5 who loves g will not be justified;

1Pe 1: 7 being more precious than g that,

Rev 21: 21 and the street of the city is pure g,

GOLGOTHA

Mt 27: 33 G (which means Place of a Skull),

GOMORRAH

Ge 19: 24 LORD rained on Sodom and G sulfur

Jude 1: 7 Sodom and G and the surrounding

GOOD BEST, BETTER, GOODNESS

Ge 1: 31 and indeed, it was very g.

2: 9 tree of the knowledge of g and evil.

2Ch 7: 3 “For he is g, for his steadfast love

Tob 4: 9 laying up a g treasure for yourself

Ps 34: 8 taste and see that the LORD is g;

Isa 52: 7 who brings g news, who announces

Da 3: 89 to the Lord, for he is g,

Mt 5: 45 his sun rise on the evil and on the g,

Mk 10: 18 No one is g but God alone.

Jn 10: 11 “I am the g shepherd.

Ro 12: 21 but overcome evil with g.

Eph 2: 10 created in Christ Jesus for g works,

GOODNESS GOOD

Ps 23: 6 Surely g and mercy shall follow me

Heb 6: 5 tasted the g of the word of God and

2Pe 1: 5 support your faith with g,

GOSPEL

Mk 8: 35 and for the sake of the g,

Ro 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the g;

Gal 1: 6 and are turning to a different g—

Php 1: 27 life in a manner worthy of the g

Rev 14: 6 an eternal g to proclaim to those

GRACE GRACIOUS

Wis 3: 9 g and mercy are upon his holy ones,

Jn 1: 14 father’s only son, full of g and truth.

1: 16 we have all received, g upon g.

Ac 15: 11 that we will be saved through the g

Ro 3: 24 are now justified by his g as a gift,

11: 6 otherwise g would no longer be g.

2Co 12: 9 “My g is sufficient for you,

Eph 2: 5 by g you have been saved—

Heb 4: 16 approach the throne of g with

Jas 4: 6 But he gives all the more g;

GRACIOUS GRACE

Ex 34: 6 the LORD, a God merciful and g,

Nu 6: 25 to shine upon you, and be g to you;

Ps 116: 5 G is the LORD, and righteous;

GREAT GREATER, GREATEST

Ge 1: 16 God made the two g lights—

12: 2 I will make of you a g nation,

Dt 10: 17 the g God, mighty and awesome,

Jdt 16: 13 O Lord, you are g and glorious,

Sir 17: 29 How g is the mercy of the Lord,

La 3: 23 g is your faithfulness.

Mt 4: 16 sat in darkness have seen a g light,

20: 26 whoever wishes to be g among you

Heb 2: 3 if we neglect so g a salvation?

13: 20 the g shepherd of the sheep,

Rev 12: 9 The g dragon was thrown down,

20: 11 I saw a g white throne and the one

GREATER GREAT

Ex 18: 11 that the LORD is g than all gods,

Mk 12: 31 no other commandment g than these

Jn 14: 12 in fact, will do g works than these,

15: 13 No one has g love than this,

GREATEST GREAT

Mt 22: 38 the g and first commandment.

Lk 9: 48 the least among all of you is the g.”

1Co 13: 13 and the g of these is love.

GREEK

Jn 19: 20 in Hebrew, in Latin, and in G.

Ro 1: 16 to the Jew first and also to the G.

Gal 3: 28 There is no longer Jew or G,

GRIEF GRIEVE, GRIEVED

2Co 7: 9 your g led to repentance;

GRIEVE GRIEF

Eph 4: 30 do not g the Holy Spirit of God,

1Th 4: 13 not g as others do who have no hope

GRIEVED GRIEF

Isa 63: 10 they rebelled and g his holy spirit;

GROUND

Ge 2: 7 formed man from the dust of the g,

Sir 33: 10 All human beings come from the g,

Isa 53: 2 and like a root out of dry g;

Mt 13: 5 Other seeds fell on rocky g,

GROW

Col 1: 10 as you g in the knowledge of God.

2Pe 3: 18 But g in the grace and knowledge of

GUARANTEE GUARANTEED

2Co 5: 5 who has given us the Spirit as a g.

Heb 7: 22 Jesus has also become the g of a

GUARANTEED GUARANTEE

Ro 4: 16 promise may rest on grace and be g

Heb 6: 17 he g it by an oath,

GUIDE

Ps 48: 14 He will be our g forever.

Isa 58: 11 The LORD will g you continually,

Lk 6: 39 Can a blind person g a blind person?

Jn 16: 13 he will g you into all the truth;

GUILT GUILTY

Ps 32: 5 and you forgave the g of my sin.

Hos 14: 2 say to him, “Take away all g;

Zec 3: 9 I will remove the g of this land

GUILTY GUILT

Ex 23: 7 for I will not acquit the g.

Nu 14: 18 but by no means clearing the g,

Da 13: 53 the innocent and acquitting the g,

Mk 3: 29 but is g of an eternal sin”—

H

HADES

Sir 21: 10 but at its end is the pit of H.

Mt 16: 18 and the gates of H will not prevail

Ac 2: 27 not abandon my soul to H,

Rev 1: 18 I have the keys of Death and of H.

20: 14 H were thrown into the lake of fire.

HALLOWED

Ge 2: 3 blessed the seventh day and h it,

Mt 6: 9 Father in heaven, h be your name.

HAND HANDS

Ex 15: 6 Your right h, O LORD, glorious

Dt 19: 21 tooth for tooth, h for h,

Ps 110: 1 says to my lord, “Sit at my right h

Mk 9: 43 If your h causes you to stumble, cut

Lk 20: 42 said to my Lord, “Sit at my right h,

Heb 10: 12 “he sat down at the right h of God,”

Rev 5: 1 saw in the right h of the one seated

HANDS HAND

Ps 24: 4 who have clean h and pure hearts,

Lk 23: 46 into your h I commend my spirit.”

24: 40 he showed them his h and his feet.

Jn 3: 35 has placed all things in his h.

Ac 8: 18 the laying on of the apostles’ h,

Heb 6: 2 laying on of h, resurrection of the

HARD HARDENED

Jer 32: 17 Nothing is too h for you.

Mt 7: 14 the road is h that leads to life,

19: 23 h for a rich person to enter the

HARDENED HARD

Ex 10: 20 But the LORD h Pharaoh’s heart,

Mk 8: 17 Are your hearts h?

2Co 3: 14 But their minds were h.

HARVEST HARVESTING

Ge 8: 22 the earth endures, seedtime and h,

Mt 13: 39 h is the end of the age, and the

Rev 14: 15 the h of the earth is fully ripe.”

HARVESTING HARVEST

Jn 4: 35 see how the fields are ripe for h.

HATE HATES, HATING

Ps 97: 10 The LORD loves those who h evil;

Ecc 3: 8 a time to love, and a time to h;

Am 5: 15 H evil and love good, and establish

Mt 5: 43 your neighbor and h your enemy.’

Lk 6: 27 do good to those who h you,

HATES HATE

Pr 6: 16 six things that the LORD h,

Sir 15: 13 The Lord h all abominations;

HEAD

Mt 8: 20 of Man has nowhere to lay his h.”

Mk 6: 28 brought his h on a platter,

Eph 1: 22 has made him the h over all things

HEAL HEALED, HEALING, HEALS, HEALTH

Dt 32: 39 and I make alive; I wound and I h;

Ecc 3: 3 a time to kill, and a time to h;

Jn 12: 40 and turn—and I would h them.”

HEALED HEAL

Isa 53: 5 and by his bruises we are h.

Jas 5: 16 one another, so that you may be h.

1Pe 2: 24 by his wounds you have been h.

HEALING HEAL

Eze 47: 12 for food, and their leaves for h.”

Mal 4: 2 shall rise, with h in its wings.

1Co 12: 9 another gifts of h by the one Spirit,

Rev 22: 2 leaves of the tree are for the h of

HEALS HEAL

Ex 15: 26 for I am the LORD who h you.”

Ps 103: 3 iniquity, who h all your diseases,

Wis 16: 12 your word, O Lord, that h all people

HEALTH HEAL

3Jn 1: 2 and that you may be in good h,

HEAR HEARERS, HEARS

Dt 6: 4 H, O Israel: The LORD is our God,

Sir 5: 11 Be quick to h, but deliberate in

Mk 12: 29 answered, “The first is, ‘H, O Israel:

Lk 7: 22 the lepers are cleansed, the deaf h,

Heb 3: 7 says, “Today, if you h his voice,

HEARERS HEAR

Ro 2: 13 For it is not the h of the law who

Jas 1: 22 merely h who deceive themselves.

HEARS HEAR

Ps 69: 33 For the LORD h the needy,

Pr 15: 29 but he h the prayer of the righteous.

Mt 7: 24 then who h these words of mine

1Jn 5: 14 according to his will, he h us.

HEART BROKENHEARTED, HEARTS

Dt 6: 5 the LORD your God with all your h,

Dt 30: 14 in your mouth and in your h for you

Jos 22: 5 all your h and with all your soul.”

1Sa 16: 7 but the LORD looks on the h.”

Ps 51: 10 Create in me a clean h, O God,

Pr 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your h,

Sir 1: 12 The fear of the Lord delights the h,

Jer 9: 26 of Israel is uncircumcised in h.

Eze 36: 26 A new h I will give you, Da 3: 39 Yet with a contrite h and

Mt 5: 8 “Blessed are the pure in h, for they

Mk 12: 30 the Lord your God with all your h,

Ro 2: 29 circumcision is a matter of the h—

HEARTS HEART

Jer 31: 33 and I will write it on their h;

Jn 14: 1 “Do not let your h be troubled.

Ro 2: 15 law requires is written on their h,

Eph 3: 17 Christ may dwell in your h through

Col 3: 15 the peace of Christ rule in your h,

Heb 10: 16 I will put my laws in their h,

1Jn 3: 20 for God is greater than our h,

Rev 2: 23 the one who searches minds and h,

HEAVEN HEAVENLY, HEAVENS

Dt 30: 12 “Who will go up to h for us,

Ecc 3: 1 and a time for every matter under h:

Mt 6: 9 Father in h, hallowed be your name.

24: 35 H and earth will pass away,

26: 64 and coming on the clouds of h.”

Mk 10: 21 and you will have treasure in h;

Lk 24: 51 and was carried up into h.

Ro 10: 6 ‘Who will ascend into h?’”

Php 3: 20 But our citizenship is in h,

1Th 1: 10 to wait for his Son from h,

Heb 9: 24 but he entered into h itself,

Rev 21: 1 I saw a new h and a new earth;

HEAVENLY HEAVEN

Mt 5: 48 as your h Father is perfect.

Eph 1: 3 spiritual blessing in the h places,

Heb 3: 1 holy partners in a h calling,

HEAVENS HEAVEN

Ge 1: 1 when God created the h and

Isa 65: 17 to create new h and a new earth;

Heb 4: 14 priest who has passed through the h,

2Pe 3: 10 the h will pass away with a loud

HEIR HEIRS

Gal 4: 7 then also an h, through God.

Heb 1: 2 whom he appointed h of all things,

HEIRS HEIR

Ro 8: 17 h of God and joint h with Christ—

Eph 3: 6 the Gentiles have become fellow h,

1Pe 3: 7 also h of the gracious gift of life—

HELL

Mt 10: 28 both soul and body in h.

Mk 9: 43 to have two hands and to go to h,

2Pe 2: 4 cast them into h and committed

HELP HELPER, HELPS

Ps 46: 1 a very present h in trouble.

Sir 2: 6 Trust in him, and he will h you;

Mk 9: 24 “I believe; h my unbelief!”

Heb 2: 18 able to h those who are being tested.

HELPER HELP

Ge 2: 18 will make him a h as his partner.”

Tob 8: 6 Eve as a h and support.

Ps 30: 10 O LORD, be my h!”

Heb 13: 6 Lord is my h; I will not be afraid.

HELPS HELP

Ps 37: 40 The LORD h them and rescues

Ro 8: 26 the Spirit h us in our weakness;

HIDDEN HIDE

Mt 13: 44 is like treasure h in a field,

Mk 4: 22 nothing h, except to be disclosed;

Col 3: 3 your life is h with Christ in God.

Rev 2: 17 the h manna, and I will give a white

HIDE HIDDEN

Dt 31: 17 I will forsake them and h my face

Ps 13: 1 How long will you h your face

17: 8 h me in the shadow of your wings,

HIGH HIGHEST

Ps 91: 1 live in the shelter of the Most H,

Mk 5: 7 Jesus, Son of the Most H God?

Eph 4: 8 “When he ascended on h he made

Heb 2: 17 a merciful and faithful h priest

7: 26 that we should have such a h priest,

HIGHEST HIGH

1Ki 8: 27 the h heaven cannot contain you,

Mt 21: 9 Hosanna in the h heaven!”

Lk 2: 14 “Glory to God in the h heaven,

HOLINESS HOLY

Ro 1: 4 according to the spirit of h by

2Co 6: 6 h of spirit, genuine love,

1Ti 2: 15 continue in faith and love and h,

Heb 12: 14 h without which no one will see

HOLY HOLINESS

Ex 20: 8 the sabbath day, and keep it h.

26: 33 the h place from the most h.

Lev 11: 44 and be h, for I am h.

1Sa 2: 2 “There is no H One like the LORD,

1Mc 1: 15 and abandoned the h covenant.

Wis 4: 15 he watches over his h ones.

Isa 6: 3 “H, h, h is the LORD of hosts;

Mt 1: 18 to be with child from the H Spirit.

3: 11 baptize you with the H Spirit and

Mk 1: 24 who you are, the H One of God.”

3: 29 against the H Spirit can never have

Lk 3: 22 the H Spirit descended upon him in

Jn 14: 26 But the Advocate, the H Spirit,

Ac 2: 4 were filled with the H Spirit and

Ro 12: 1 living sacrifice, h and acceptable

Eph 4: 30 do not grieve the H Spirit of God,

Heb 6: 4 and have shared in the H Spirit,

1Pe 1: 16 “You shall be h, for I am h.”

1Jn 2: 20 have been anointed by the H One,

Jude 1: 14 with ten thousands of his h ones,

Rev 4: 8 H, h, h, the Lord God the Almighty

21: 2 I saw the h city, the new Jerusalem,

HOMETOWN

Mk 6: 4 not without honor, except in their h,

HONEY

Ex 3: 8 a land flowing with milk and h,

Mt 3: 4 and his food was locusts and wild h.

HONOR

Dt 5: 16 H your father and your mother,

Ps 8: 5 and crowned them with glory and h.

Mt 15: 4 For God said, ‘H your father and

Ro 13: 7 h to whom h is due.

Eph 6: 2 “H your father and mother”—

Rev 4: 11 to receive glory and h and power,

HOPE HOPES

Sir 34: 15 their h is in him who saves them.

La 3: 21 and therefore I have h:

Da 13: 60 who saves those who h in him.

1Co 13: 13 And now faith, h, and love abide,

Col 1: 27 Christ in you, the h of glory.

1Jn 3: 3 all who have this h in him purify

HOPES HOPE

1Co 13: 7 believes all things, h all things,

HOSANNA

Mk 11: 10 H in the highest heaven!”

Jn 12: 13 went out to meet him, shouting, “H!

HOSPITABLE HOSPITALITY

1Ti 3: 2 temperate, sensible, respectable, h,

Tit 1: 8 but he must be h, a lover

1Pe 4: 9 Be h to one another without

HOSPITALITY HOSPITABLE

Ro 12: 13 of the saints; extend h to strangers.

1Ti 5: 10 has brought up children, shown h,

Heb 13: 2 not neglect to show h to strangers,

HOSTS

Ps 46: 7 The LORD of h is with us;

Isa 48: 2 the LORD of h is his name.

HOUR

Mt 24: 36 about that day and h no one knows,

Jn 2: 4 My h has not yet come.”

17: 1 “Father, the h has come;

Rev 3: 10 I will keep you from the h of trial

14: 7 for the h of his judgment has come;

HOUSE HOUSEHOLD, STOREHOUSE

Ex 20: 17 shall not covet your neighbor’s h;

1Ch 22: 1 “Here shall be the h of the LORD

Ezr 1: 5 rebuild the h of the LORD in

Ps 69: 9 zeal for your h that has consumed

Mt 7: 24 like a wise man who built his h Jn 2: 17 “Zeal for your h will consume me.”

14: 2 In my Father’s h there are many

1Pe 2: 5 be built into a spiritual h,

HOUSEHOLD HOUSE

Jos 24: 15 my h, we will serve the LORD.”

HUMAN HUMANKIND

Jdt 8: 16 for God is not like a h being,

Ps 8: 4 are h beings that you are mindful

Mt 15: 9 teaching h precepts as doctrines.’”

Ac 5: 29 obey God rather than any h

Php 2: 7 being born in h likeness.

HUMANKIND HUMAN

Ge 1: 26 “Let us make h in our image,

1Ti 2: 5 one mediator between God and h,

HUMBLE HUMBLED, HUMBLY, HUMILITY

Ps 25: 9 He leads the h in what is right,

Sir 3: 20 but by the h he is glorified.

Isa 57: 15 to revive the spirit of the h,

Mt 11: 29 for I am gentle and h in heart,

Jas 4: 10 H yourselves before the Lord,

HUMBLED HUMBLE

Lk 14: 11 all who exalt themselves will be h,

Php 2: 8 he h himself and became obedient

HUMBLY HUMBLE

Mic 6: 8 and to walk h with your God?

HUMILITY HUMBLE

Pr 15: 33 and h goes before honor.

Sir 1: 27 fidelity and h are his delight.

Zep 2: 3 seek righteousness, seek h;

Php 2: 3 in h regard others as better than

HUNGER HUNGRY

Mt 5: 6 “Blessed are those who h and thirst

Rev 7: 16 will h no more, and thirst no more;

HUNGRY HUNGER

Ps 146: 7 who gives food to the h.

Jn 6: 35 comes to me will never be h,

Ro 12: 20 “if your enemies are h, feed them;

HUSBAND HUSBANDS

Isa 54: 5 For your Maker is your h,

Sir 26: 1 Happy is the h of a good wife;

Eph 5: 23 h is the head of the wife just as

Rev 21: 2 as a bride adorned for her h.

HUSBANDS HUSBAND

Eph 5: 25 H, love your wives, just as Christ

Col 3: 18 Wives, be subject to your h,

1Pe 3: 7 H, in the same way, show

I

IDOL IDOLS

Ex 20: 4 shall not make for yourself an i,

Isa 40: 19 An i?—A workman casts it,

1Co 10: 19 or that an i is anything?

IDOLS IDOL

Ex 34: 17 You shall not make cast i.

1Mc 1: 43 they sacrificed to i and profaned the

1Co 8: 1 concerning food sacrificed to i:

IMAGE

Ge 1: 26 “Let us make humankind in our i,

Sir 17: 3 and made them in his own i.

1Co 15: 49 the i of the man of heaven.

Col 1: 15 He is the i of the invisible God,

Rev 20: 4 not worshiped the beast or its i

IMMANUEL EMMANUEL

Isa 7: 14 bear a son, and shall name him I.

IMMORAL IMMORALITY

1Co 5: 9 not to associate with sexually i

Heb 12: 16 an i and godless person,

IMMORALITY IMMORAL

Sir 41: 17 Be ashamed of sexual i,

2Co 12: 21 sexual i, and licentiousness

Jude 1: 7 indulged in sexual i and pursued

IMMORTAL IMMORTALITY

Ro 1: 23 the glory of the i God for images

1Ti 1: 17 the King of the ages, i, invisible,

IMMORTALITY IMMORTAL

1Co 15: 53 and this mortal body must put on i.

1Ti 6: 16 It is he alone who has i and dwells

IMPOSSIBLE

Mt 17: 20 and nothing will be i for you.”

Mk 10: 27 “For mortals it is i, but not for God;

Heb 11: 6 without faith it is i to please God,

INCENSE FRANKINCENSE

Ex 25: 6 anointing oil and for the fragrant i,

INFANTS

Ps 8: 2 Out of the mouths of babes and i

Mt 21: 16 ‘Out of the mouths of i and nursing

1Co 14: 20 i in evil, but in thinking be adults.

INHERIT INHERITANCE

Ps 37: 11 But the meek shall i the land,

Lk 10: 25 “what must I do to i eternal life?”

1Co 6: 9 wrongdoers will not i the kingdom

Heb 1: 14 sake of those who are to i salvation?

INHERITANCE INHERIT

Eph 1: 11 In Christ we have also obtained an i,

Heb 9: 15 the promised eternal i,

INIQUITY

Ex 34: 7 forgiving i and transgression and

Ps 103: 3 who forgives all your i,

Isa 53: 6 has laid on him the i of us all.

Tit 2: 14 that he might redeem us from all i

INN

Lk 2: 7 no place for them in the i.

INNOCENT

Pr 6: 17 and hands that shed i blood,

Mt 27: 24 “I am i of this man’s blood;

INSPIRED

Ex 35: 34 And he has i him to teach,

2Ti 3: 16 All scripture is i by God and is

INSTRUCT INSTRUCTED, INSTRUCTION, INSTRUCTOR

Dt 17: 10 observing everything they i you.

Ne 9: 20 You gave your good spirit to i them,

INSTRUCTED INSTRUCT

Isa 40: 13 or as his counselor has i him?

Jn 8: 28 these things as the Father i me.

INSTRUCTION INSTRUCT

Pr 8: 10 Take my i instead of silver,

Sir 51: 26 and let your souls receive i;

Ro 15: 4 in former days was written for our i,

1Ti 1: 5 But the aim of such i is love

INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCT

Mt 23: 10 for you have one i, the Messiah.

INTERCEDES INTERCESSION

Ro 8: 26 Spirit i with sighs too deep for

INTERCESSION INTERCEDES

1Sa 2: 25 against the LORD, who can make i?”

Isa 53: 12 and made i for the transgressors.

Heb 7: 25 he always lives to make i for them.

INTERPRET INTERPRETATION, INTERPRETATIONS

Mt 16: 3 cannot i the signs of the times.

1Co 12: 30 Do all speak in tongues? Do all i?

INTERPRETATION INTERPRET

1Co 12: 10 to another the i of tongues.

INTERPRETATIONS INTERPRET

Ge 40: 8 to them, “Do not i belong to God?

INVISIBLE

Col 1: 15 He is the image of the i God,

1Ti 1: 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, i,

ISRAEL JACOB

Ge 49: 28 All these are the twelve tribes of I,

Ex 28: 11 with the names of the sons of I;

Nu 24: 17 and a scepter shall rise out of I;

Dt 6: 4 Hear, O I: The LORD is our God,

Sir 17: 17 but I is the Lord’s own portion.

Jer 31: 31 a new covenant with the house of I

Mt 2: 6 who is to shepherd my people I.’”

Mk 12: 29 answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O I:

Ac 1: 6 you will restore the kingdom to I?”

Heb 8: 8 a new covenant with the house of I

Rev 7: 4 out of every tribe of the people of I:

J

JACOB ISRAEL

1Mc 1: 28 house of J was clothed with shame.

Ps 135: 4 the LORD has chosen J for himself,

Mic 7: 20 You will show faithfulness to J

Ro 9: 13 “I have loved J,

JARS

2Co 4: 7 But we have this treasure in clay j,

JEALOUS

Ex 34: 14 whose name is J, is a j God).

Dt 4: 24 God is a devouring fire, a j God.

Ro 10: 19 “I will make you j of those

JERUSALEM

2Sa 5: 5 and at J he reigned over all Israel

2Ki 25: 10 broke down the walls around J.

Ezr 2: 1 they returned to J and Judah, Ne 2: 17 Come, let us rebuild the wall of J,

1Mc 1: 29 and he came to J with a large force.

Isa 40: 2 Speak tenderly to J,

La 1: 8 J sinned grievously, so she has

Da 9: 25 went out to restore and rebuild J

Mt 23: 37 “J, J, the city that kills the prophets

Gal 4: 25 corresponds to the present J,

Heb 12: 22 of the living God, the heavenly J,

Rev 21: 2 And I saw the holy city, the new J,

JESUS CHRIST

LIFE: Genealogy (Mt 1:1–17; Lk 3:21–37). Birth announced (Mt 1:18–25; Lk 1:26–45). Birth (Mt 2:1–12; Lk 2:1–40). Escape to Egypt (Mt 2:13–23). As a boy in the temple (Lk 2:41–52). Baptism (Mt 3:13–17; Mk 1:9–11; Lk 3:21–22; Jn 1:32–34). Temptation (Mt 4:1–11; Mk 1:12–13; Lk 4:1–13). Ministry in Galilee (Mt 4:12–18:35; Mk 1:14–9:50; Lk 4:14–13:9; Jn 1:35–2:11; 4; 6), Transfiguration (Mt 17:1–8; Mk 9:2–8; Lk 9:28–36), on the way to Jerusalem (Mt 19–20; Mk 10; Lk 13:10–19:27), in Jerusalem (Mt 21–25; Mk 11–13; Lk 19:28–21:38; Jn 2:12–3:36; 5; 7–12). Last supper (Mt 26:17–35; Mk 14:12–31; Lk 22:1–38; Jn 13–17). Arrest and trial (Mt 26:36–27:31; Mk 14:43–15:20; Lk 22:39–23:25; Jn 18:1–19:16). Crucifixion (Mt 27:32–66; Mk 15:21–47; Lk 23:26–55; Jn 19:28–42). Resurrection and appearances (Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20–21; Ac 1:1–11; 7:56; 9:3–6; 1Co 15:1–8; Rev 1:1–20).

MIRACLES. Healings: official’s son (Jn 4:43–54), demoniac in Capernaum (Mk 1:23–26; Lk 4:33–35), Peter’s mother-in-law (Mt 8:14–17; Mk 1:29–31; Lk 4:38–39), leper (Mt 8:2–4; Mk 1:40–45; Lk 5:12–16), paralytic (Mt 9:1–8; Mk 2:1–12; Lk 5:17–26), cripple (Jn 5:1–9), shriveled hand (Mt 12:10–13; Mk 3:1–5; Lk 6:6–11), centurion’s servant (Mt 8:5–13; Lk 7:1–10), widow’s son raised (Lk 7:11–17), demoniac (Mt 12:22–23; Lk 11:14), Gadarene demoniacs (Mt 8:28–34; Mk 5:1–20; Lk 8:26–39), woman’s bleeding and Jairus’ daughter (Mt 9:18–26; Mk 5:21–43; Lk 8:40–56), blind man (Mt 9:27–31), mute man (Mt 9:32–33), Canaanite woman’s daughter (Mt 15:21–28; Mk 7:24–30), deaf man (Mk 7:31–37), blind man (Mk 8:22–26), demoniac boy (Mt 17:14–18; Mk 9:14–29; Lk 9:37–43), ten lepers (Lk 17:11–19), man born blind (Jn 9:1–7), Lazarus raised (Jn 11), crippled woman (Lk 13:11–17), man with dropsy (Lk 14:1–6), two blind men (Mt 20:29–34; Mk 10:46–52; Lk 18:35–43), Malchus’ ear (Lk 22:50–51). Other Miracles: water to wine (Jn 2:1–11), catch of fish (Lk 5:1–11), storm stilled (Mt 8:23–27; Mk 4:37–41; Lk 8:22–25), 5,000 fed (Mt 14:15–21; Mk 6:35–44; Lk 9:10–17; Jn 6:1–14), walking on water (Mt 14:25–33; Mk 6:48–52; Jn 6:15–21), 4,000 fed (Mt 15:32–39; Mk 8:1–9), money from fish (Mt 17:24–27), fig tree cursed (Mt 21:18–22; Mk 11:12–14), catch of fish (Jn 21:1–14).

MAJOR TEACHING: Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5–7; Lk 6:17–49), to Nicodemus (Jn 3), to Samaritan woman (Jn 4), Bread of Life (Jn 6:22–59), at Feast of Tabernacles (Jn 7–8), woes to Pharisees (Mt 23; Lk 11:37–54), Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1–18), Olivet Discourse (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21:5–36), Upper Room Discourse (Jn 13–16).

PARABLES: Sower (Mt 13:3–23; Mk 4:3–25; Lk 8:5–18), seed’s growth (Mk 4:26–29), wheat and weeds (Mt 13:24–30, 36–43), mustard seed (Mt 13:31–32; Mk 4:30–32), yeast (Mt 13:33; Lk 13:20–21), hidden treasure (Mt 13:44), valuable pearl (Mt 13:45–46), net (Mt 13:47–51), house owner (Mt 13:52), good Samaritan (Lk 10:25–37), unmerciful servant (Mt 18:15–35), lost sheep (Mt 18:10–14; Lk 15:4–7), lost coin (Lk 15:8–10), prodigal son (Lk 15:11–32), dishonest manager (Lk 16:1–13), rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19–31), persistent widow (Lk 18:1–8), Pharisee and tax collector (Lk 18:9–14), payment of workers (Mt 20:1–16), tenants and the vineyard (Mt 21:28–46; Mt 12:1–12; Lk 20:9–19), wedding banquet (Mt 22:1–14), faithful servant (Mt 24:45–51), ten virgins (Mt 25:1–13), talents (Mt 25:1–30; Lk 19:12–27).

DISCIPLES see APOSTLES. Call (Jn 1:35–51; Mt 4:18–22; 9:9; Mk 1:16–20; 2:13–14; Lk 5:1–11, 27–28). Named Apostles (Mk 3:13–19; Lk 6:12–16). Twelve sent out (Mt 10; Mk 6:7–11; Lk 9:1–5). Seventy sent out (Lk 10:1–24). Defection of (Jn 6:60–71; Mt 26:56; Mk 14:50–52). Final commission (Mt 28:16–20; Jn 21:15–23; Ac 1:3–8).

Ac 9: 5 “I am J, whom you are persecuting.

1Co 8: 6 and one Lord, J Christ,

Php 2: 10 name of J every knee should bend,

2Th 2: 1 the coming of our Lord J Christ

1Ti 1: 15 J came into the world to save

Heb 12: 2 to J the pioneer and perfecter of our

13: 8 J Christ is the same yesterday and

1Jn 1: 7 the blood of J his Son cleanses us

Rev 1: 1 The revelation of J Christ,

22: 20 Amen. Come, Lord J!

JEW JEWS

Ro 1: 16 to the J first and also to the Greek.

2: 29 a person is a J who is one inwardly,

Col 3: 11 there is no longer Greek and J,

JEWEL JEWELS

Rev 21: 19 of the city are adorned with every j;

JEWELS JEWEL

Pr 3: 15 She is more precious than j,

Isa 54: 12 your gates of j, and all your wall

Rev 17: 4 adorned with gold and j and pearls,

JEWS JEW

Est 3: 13 to kill, and to annihilate all J,

Mt 2: 2 who has been born king of the J?

27: 11 “Are you the King of the J?”

Ro 3: 29 Or is God the God of J only?

JOINED

Mt 19: 6 what God has j together, let no one

Eph 2: 21 the whole structure is j together

JORDAN

Ge 13: 10 the plain of the J was well watered

Nu 34: 12 the boundary shall go down to the J,

Mt 3: 6 were baptized by him in the river J,

JOY

Ne 8: 10 the j of the LORD is your strength.”

Tob 13: 17 Jerusalem will sing hymns of j,

Job 20: 5 j of the godless is but for a moment?

Ps 51: 12 Restore to me the j of your salvation

Pr 21: 15 When justice is done, it is a j to the

Isa 35: 10 everlasting j shall be upon their

La 2: 15 of beauty, the j of all the earth?”

Bar 5: 9 For God will lead Israel with j,

Lk 1: 44 the child in my womb leaped for j.

2: 10 bringing you good news of great j

Ro 14: 17 but righteousness and peace and j in

Gal 5: 22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, j,

Heb 12: 2 j that was set before him endured

Jas 1: 2 consider it nothing but j,

JUBILEE

Lev 25: 10 It shall be a j for you:

Nu 36: 4 when the j of the Israelites comes,

JUDEA

Mt 2: 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem of J,

Lk 3: 1 Pontius Pilate was governor of J,

Ac 1: 8 my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all J

JUDGE JUDGED, JUDGES, JUDGMENT, JUDGMENTS

1Sa 2: 10 LORD will j the ends of the earth;

Ps 96: 13 for he is coming to j the earth.

Sir 35: 15 for the Lord is the j,

Eze 34: 17 I shall j between sheep and sheep,

Lk 6: 37 not j, and you will not be judged;

Jn 7: 24 Do not j by appearances,

Ro 3: 6 then how could God j the world?

1Co 6: 2 that the saints will j the world?

2Ti 4: 1 who is to j the living and the dead,

Rev 20: 4 on them were given authority to j.

JUDGED JUDGE

1Co 11: 31 if we j ourselves, we would not be j.

Rev 20: 12 dead were j according to their works

JUDGES JUDGE

Jdg 2: 16 Then the LORD raised up j,

Sir 16: 12 j a person according to one’s deeds.

Lk 11: 19 Therefore they will be your j.

JUDGMENT JUDGE

Ex 6: 6 arm and with mighty acts of j.

Ps 1: 5 wicked will not stand in the j,

Ecc 12: 14 God will bring every deed into j,

Wis 12: 12 Or will resist your j?

Sir 18: 20 Before j comes, examine yourself;

Jer 25: 31 he is entering into j with all flesh,

Da 7: 22 j was given for the holy ones of the

Ro 14: 10 we will all stand before the j seat of

2Co 5: 10 all of us must appear before the j

Heb 9: 27 to die once, and after that the j,

Jas 2: 13 mercy triumphs over j.

1Jn 4: 17 may have boldness on the day of j,

Rev 18: 10 For in one hour your j has come.”

JUDGMENTS JUDGE

Ps 119: 75 LORD, that your j are right,

Ro 11: 33 How unsearchable are his j and

Rev 19: 2 for his j are true and just;

JUST JUSTICE, JUSTIFICATION, JUSTIFIED, JUSTIFY

Ge 18: 25 Judge of all the earth do what is j?”

Tob 3: 2 O Lord, and all your deeds are j;

Sir 18: 2 the Lord alone is j.

1Jn 1: 9 he who is faithful and j will forgive

Rev 15: 3 J and true are your ways, King of

JUSTICE JUST

Ex 23: 6 not pervert the j due to your poor

Ps 33: 5 He loves righteousness and j;

Isa 30: 18 For the LORD is a God of j;

Jer 9: 24 I act with steadfast love, j,

Hos 12: 6 to your God, hold fast to love and j,

Am 5: 24 But let j roll down like waters,

Lk 11: 42 and neglect j and the love of God;

JUSTIFICATION JUST

Ro 4: 25 trespasses and was raised for our j.

2Co 3: 9 more does the ministry of j abound

Gal 2: 21 for if j comes through the law,

JUSTIFIED JUST

Mt 12: 37 for by your words you will be j,

Ro 5: 1 Therefore, since we are j by faith,

10: 10 believes with the heart and so is j,

Gal 2: 16 that we might be j by faith in Christ,

Jas 2: 24 is j by works and not by faith alone.

K

KEEP KEEPER

Ge 17: 9 for you, you shall k my covenant,

Ex 19: 5 obey my voice and k my covenant,

Nu 6: 24 The LORD bless you and k you;

Dt 5: 10 love me and k my commandments.

Ne 1: 5 love him and k his commandments;

Pr 7: 2 k my commandments and live,

Ecc 3: 6 time to k, and a time to throw away;

12: 13 Fear God, and k his commandments

Lk 17: 33 those who lose their life will k it.

KEEPER KEEP

Ge 4: 9 am I my brother’s k?”

Ps 121: 5 The LORD is your k;

KEY KEYS

Rev 3: 7 true one, who has the k of David,

KEYS KEY

Mt 16: 19 you the k of the kingdom of heaven,

Rev 1: 18 I have the k of Death and of Hades.

KILL KILLED, KILLS

Ecc 3: 3 a time to k, and a time to heal;

Mt 10: 28 not fear those who k the body but cannot k the soul;

Mk 14: 1 to arrest Jesus by stealth and k him;

KILLED KILL

Mk 9: 31 after being k, he will rise again.”

Ac 3: 15 and you k the Author of life,

KILLS KILL

2Co 3: 6 the letter k, but the Spirit gives life.

KIND KINDNESS

1Co 13: 4 Love is patient; love is k;

Eph 4: 32 and be k to one another,

KINDNESS KIND

Pr 31: 26 teaching of k is on her tongue.

Ro 2: 4 k is meant to lead you to repentance

Gal 5: 22 joy, peace, patience, k, generosity,

KING KINGDOM, KINGS

2Sa 2: 4 there they anointed David k over

Tob 10: 13 Lord of heaven and earth, K over all

Jdt 9: 12 K of all your creation, Ps 2: 6 set my k on Zion, my holy hill.”

10: 16 The LORD is k forever and ever;

Isa 6: 5 have seen the K, the LORD of hosts!

Mt 2: 2 who has been born k of the Jews?

27: 37 “This is Jesus, the K of the Jews.”

1Ti 1: 17 To the K of the ages, immortal,

Rev 19: 16 “K of kings and Lord of lords.”

KINGDOM KING

Ex 19: 6 you shall be for me a priestly k and

2Sa 7: 12 and I will establish his k.

Ps 145: 13 Your k is an everlasting k,

Wis 10: 10 she showed him the k of God,

Mt 4: 17 “Repent, for the k of heaven has

5: 3 for theirs is the k of heaven.

6: 10 Your k come. Your will be done,

Mk 10: 24 how hard it is to enter the k of God!

Lk 17: 21 in fact, the k of God is among you.”

Jn 18: 36 “My k is not from this world.

Ro 14: 17 the k of God is not food and drink

1Co 6: 9 wrongdoers will not inherit the k

1Th 2: 12 calls you into his own k and glory.

Heb 12: 28 receiving a k that cannot be shaken,

Rev 11: 15 world has become the k of our Lord

KINGS KING

Ps 2: 2 The k of the earth set themselves,

Isa 52: 15 k shall shut their mouths because of

Ac 4: 26 The k of the earth took their stand,

1Ti 6: 15 the King of k and Lord of lords.

Rev 19: 16 “King of k and Lord of lords.”

KISS

Ps 2: 12 k his feet, or he will be angry,

SS 1: 2 Let him k me with the kisses of his

Mt 26: 48 “The one I will k is the man; arrest

2Co 13: 12 Greet one another with a holy k.

KNEE KNEES

Isa 45: 23 “To me every k shall bow,

Ro 14: 11 says the Lord, every k shall bow to

Php 2: 10 at the name of Jesus every k should

KNEES KNEE

1Ki 19: 18 the k that have not bowed to Baal,

Eph 3: 14 I bow my k before the Father,

KNOCK KNOCKING

Lk 11: 9 k, and the door will be opened for

KNOCKING KNOCK

Rev 3: 20 I am standing at the door, k;

KNOW FOREKNEW, KNOWLEDGE, KNOWN, KNOWS

Job 19: 25 For I k that my Redeemer lives,

Ps 46: 10 “Be still, and k that I am God!

Jer 31: 34 “K the LORD,” for they shall all k

Mt 6: 3 left hand k what your right hand is

22: 34 denied three times that you k me.”

Jn 10: 14 I k my own and my own k me,

1Co 13: 12 I k only in part; then I will k fully,

Heb 8: 11 ‘K the Lord,’ for they shall all k me,

1Jn 2: 4 Whoever says, “I have come to k

Rev 3: 3 not k at what hour I will come to

KNOWLEDGE KNOW

Ge 2: 9 the tree of the k of good and evil.

Pr 1: 7 of the LORD is the beginning of k;

Sir 3: 25 without k there is no wisdom.

1Co 8: 1 K puffs up, but love builds up.

Eph 3: 19 the love of Christ that surpasses k,

Col 2: 3 the treasures of wisdom and k.

1Jn 2: 20 and all of you have k.

KNOWN KNOW

Ps 139: 1 you have searched me and k me.

Lk 6: 44 for each tree is k by its own fruit.

KNOWS KNOW

Ps 94: 11 The LORD k our thoughts,

Sir 42: 18 Most High k all that may be known;

Mt 6: 8 your Father k what you need before

24: 36 about that day and hour no one k,

L

LABOR

Ex 20: 9 Six days you shall l and do all your

LADDER

Ge 28: 12 there was a l set up on the earth,

LAID LAY

Isa 53: 6 the LORD has l on him the iniquity

Mk 16: 6 Look, there is the place they l him.

1Jn 3: 16 that he l down his life for us—

LAKE

Rev 19: 20 were thrown alive into the l of fire

20: 14 This is the second death, the l of fire

LAMB

Ge 22: 8 “God himself will provide the l for

Ex 12: 21 and slaughter the passover l.

Isa 53: 7 like a l that is led to the slaughter,

Mk 14: 12 when the Passover l is sacrificed,

Jn 1: 29 L of God who takes away the sin of

1Co 5: 7 For our paschal l, Christ, has been

1Pe 1: 19 like that of a l without defect or

Rev 5: 12 the L that was slaughtered to

21: 23 and its lamp is the L.

LAME

Isa 35: 6 then the l shall leap like a deer,

Zep 3: 19 And I will save the l and gather the

Mt 11: 5 the l walk, the lepers are cleansed,

LAMP LAMPS, LAMPSTAND, LAMPSTANDS

Ps 119: 105 Your word is a l to my feet and a

Mt 5: 15 lighting a l puts it under the bushel

LAMPS LAMP

Ex 25: 37 You shall make the seven l for it;

LAMPSTAND LAMP

1Mc 4: 50 and lit the lamps on the l,

Ex 25: 31 You shall make a l of pure gold.

LAMPSTANDS LAMP

Rev 1: 20 the seven l are the seven churches.

LAND

Ge 1: 10 God called the dry l Earth,

Ex 3: 8 a l flowing with milk and honey,

Nu 13: 2 to spy out the l of Canaan,

Jos 11: 23 So Joshua took the whole l,

2Ki 17: 5 the king of Assyria invaded all the l

25: 21 So Judah went into exile out of its l.

2Ch 7: 14 will forgive their sin and heal their l.

Ps 37: 11 But the meek shall inherit the l,

LANGUAGE

Ge 11: 9 LORD confused the l of all the earth;

LAST EVERLASTING

Isa 44: 6 I am the first and I am the l;

Mt 19: 30 first will be l, and the l will be first.

Heb 1: 2 l days he has spoken to us by a Son,

Rev 1: 17 I am the first and the l,

LAUGH

Ecc 3: 4 a time to weep, and a time to l;

Lk 6: 21 you who weep now, for you will l.

LAW LAWFUL

Dt 1: 5 Moses undertook to expound this l

31: 9 Then Moses wrote down this l,

Jos 1: 8 book of the l shall not depart out of

1Mc 2: 48 They rescued the l out of the hands

Ps 1: 2 their delight is in the l of the LORD,

119: 97 Oh, how I love your l!

Jer 31: 33 I will put my l within them,

Mt 5: 17 come to abolish the l or the prophets

Lk 24: 44 written about me in the l of Moses,

Ro 6: 14 you are not under l but under grace.

10: 4 For Christ is the end of the l so that

Heb 10: 1 Since the l has only a shadow of the

Jas 2: 10 For whoever keeps the whole l but

LAWFUL LAW

1Co 6: 12 “All things are l for me,”

10: 23 “All things are l,” but

LAY LAID

Mt 28: 6 Come, see the place where he l.

Jn 10: 15 I l down my life for the sheep.

LEAD LEADS

Isa 11: 6 and a little child shall l them.

LEADS LEAD

Ps 23: 2 he l me beside still waters;

LEAST

Mt 2: 6 are by no means l among the rulers

5: 19 called l in the kingdom of heaven;

Lk 9: 48 l among all of you is the greatest.”

LEAVE LEFT

Mk 10: 7 this reason a man shall l his father

Heb 13: 5 said, “I will never l you or forsake

LEAVEN

Ex 12: 15 on the first day you shall remove l LEAVES

Ge 3: 7 and they sewed fig l together

Eze 47: 12 and their l for healing.”

Rev 22: 2 l of the tree are for the healing of

LEFT LEAVE

Mt 6: 3 your l hand know what your right

Lk 17: 34 one will be taken and the other l.

LEGS

Jn 19: 33 they did not break his l.

LEPER LEPROUS

Mt 8: 2 and there was a l who came to him

26: 6 in the house of Simon the l,

LEPERS LEPROUS

Lk 7: 22 the lame walk, the l are cleansed,

LEPROUS LEPER, LEPERS

Ex 4: 6 he took it out, his hand was l,

Nu 12: 10 Miriam had become l,

LETTER

Mt 5: 18 not one l, not one stroke of a l,

2Co 3: 6 the l kills, but the Spirit gives life.

LEVIATHAN

Job 41: 1 you draw out L with a fishhook,

Ps 74: 14 You crushed the heads of L;

LEVITES LEVITICAL

Nu 1: 53 L shall camp around the tabernacle

Jos 14: 4 no portion was given to the L in the

Ne 8: 9 L who taught the people said to all

LEVITICAL LEVITES

Heb 7: 11 attainable through the l priesthood

LIAR LIE

Pr 19: 22 and it is better to be poor than a l.

Jn 8: 44 for he is a l and the father of lies.

LIE LIAR, LYING

Nu 23: 19 that he should l, or a mortal,

Ps 23: 2 makes me l down in green pastures;

1Jn 2: 21 know that no l comes from the truth.

LIFE LIVE

Ge 2: 7 into his nostrils the breath of l;

2: 9 the tree of l also in the midst of the

9: 5 require a reckoning for human l.

Ex 21: 23 then you shall give l for l,

Dt 30: 19 Choose l so that you and your

Sir 4: 12 Whoever loves her loves l,

Isa 53: 10 you make his l an offering for sin,

Da 12: 2 shall awake, some to everlasting l,

Mt 7: 14 and the road is hard that leads to l,

10: 39 Those who find their l will lose it,

20: 28 to give his l a ransom for many.”

Jn 1: 4 in him was l, and the l was the light

3: 15 believes in him may have eternal l.

6: 35 said to them, “I am the bread of l.

11: 25 “I am the resurrection and the l.

14: 6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the l.

Ac 3: 15 and you killed the Author of l,

Ro 5: 21 eternal l through Jesus Christ our

2Co 3: 6 the letter kills, but the Spirit gives l.

Php 4: 3 whose names are in the book of l.

1Jn 5: 20 He is the true God and eternal l.

Rev 2: 8 who was dead and came to l:

Rev 20: 4 came to l and reigned with Christ

20: 12 book was opened, the book of l.

22: 2 the tree of l with its twelve kinds

LIGHT ENLIGHTENED, ENLIGHTENS, LIGHTS

Ge 1: 3 “Let there be l” and there was l.

Isa 9: 2 in darkness have seen a great l;

60: 1 Arise, shine; for your l has come,

Mt 4: 16 in darkness have seen a great l,

5: 14 “You are the l of the world.

Jn 1: 9 true l, which enlightens everyone,

8: 12 saying, “I am the l of the world.

Ro 13: 12 and put on the armor of l;

2Co 11: 14 Satan disguises himself as an angel of l.

Rev 22: 5 for the Lord God will be their l,

LIGHTS LIGHT

Ge 1: 16 God made the two great l—

Jas 1: 17 coming down from the Father of l,

LIKENESS

Ge 1: 26 in our image, according to our l;

Ro 8: 3 his own Son in the l of sinful flesh,

Php 2: 7 of a slave, being born in human l.

LION LIONS

Isa 11: 7 the l shall eat straw like the ox.

Rev 5: 5 See, the L of the tribe of Judah,

LIONS LION

Da 6: 20 able to deliver you from the l?”

LISTEN

Ex 23: 22 But if you l attentively to his voice

2Ki 17: 40 They would not l, however,

Sir 11: 8 Do not answer before you l,

Mk 9: 7 my Son, the Beloved; l to him!”

Lk 16: 31 ‘If they do not l to Moses and the

Jas 1: 19 be quick to l, slow to speak,

LIVE ALIVE, LIFE, LIVES, LIVING

Ge 3: 22 and eat, and l forever”—

Ex 33: 20 for no one shall see me and l.”

Lev 18: 5 by doing so one shall l:

Dt 8: 3 one does not l by bread alone,

Wis 5: 15 But the righteous l forever,

Sir 34: 14 those who fear the Lord will l,

Hab 2: 4 but the righteous l by their faith.

Mt 4: 4 ‘One does not l by bread alone,

Jn 11: 25 even though they die, will l,

Ro 14: 8 If we l, we l to the Lord,

2Co 5: 15 those who l might l no longer for

LIVES LIVE

Tob 13: 1 “Blessed be God who l forever,

Job 19: 25 For I know that my Redeemer l,

Ro 6: 10 but the life he l, he l to God.

Rev 15: 7 of God, who l forever and ever;

LIVING LIVE

Ge 2: 7 and the man became a l being.

Dt 5: 26 the voice of the l God speaking out

Jer 2: 13 forsaken me, the fountain of l water,

Zec 14: 8 that day l waters shall flow out from

Mt 16: 16 the Messiah, the Son of the l God.”

Jn 4: 10 he would have given you l water.”

6: 51 I am the l bread that came down

Ro 12: 1 present your bodies as a l sacrifice,

Heb 4: 12 the word of God is l and active,

LOAVES

Mk 6: 41 Taking the five l and the two fish,

8: 6 and he took the seven l,

LOCUSTS

Ex 10: 4 I will bring l into your country.

Mt 3: 4 and his food was l and wild honey.

Rev 9: 3 from the smoke came l on the earth,

LONG

Ex 20: 12 that your days may be l in the land

Ps 13: 1 How l, O LORD?

Rev 6: 10 how l will it be before you judge

LORD LORD’S, LORDS

Dt 10: 17 God is God of gods and L of lords,

Jdt 6: 19 L God of heaven, see their

Ps 110: 1 The LORD says to my l,

Wis 8: 3 and the L of all loves her.

Sir 1: 1 All wisdom is from the L,

Da 3: 57 Bless the L, all you works of the L;

13: 2 and one who feared the L.

Mt 7: 22 many will say to me, ‘L, L,

Mk 1: 3 ‘Prepare the way of the L,

12: 29 the L our God, the L is one;

Lk 2: 11 who is the Messiah, the L.

Jn 13: 13 You call me Teacher and L—

20: 28 “My L and my God!”

Ac 2: 34 ‘The L said to my L, “Sit at my

Ro 4: 24 in him who raised Jesus our L

10: 12 the same L is L of all and

1Co 8: 6 and one L, Jesus Christ,

2Co 3: 17 Now the L is the Spirit,

Eph 4: 5 one L, one faith, one baptism,

Php 2: 11 that Jesus Christ is L, to the glory

1Pe 3: 15 in your hearts sanctify Christ as L.

Rev 4: 8 “Holy, holy, holy, the L God

19: 16 “King of kings and L of lords.”

22: 20 Amen. Come, L Jesus!

†LORD †LORD’S

Ge 2: 7 L God formed man from the dust of

13: 4 Abram called on the name of the L.

18: 14 Is anything too wonderful for the L?

Ex 15: 3 The L is a warrior; the L is his name.

34: 6 and proclaimed, “The L, the L,

Lev 19: 2 for I the L your God am holy.

Nu 6: 24 The L bless you and keep you;

Dt 6: 4 The L is our God, the L alone.

Jos 24: 15 my household, we will serve the L.”

1Sa 2: 2 “There is no Holy One like the L,

Ne 8: 10 the joy of the L is your strength.”

Job 1: 21 the L gave, and the L has taken

Ps 1: 2 their delight is in the law of the L,

10: 16 The L is king forever and ever;

23: 1 The L is my shepherd, I shall not

33: 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the L

110: 1 The L says to my lord,

150: 6 that breathes praise the L!

Pr 1: 7 fear of the L is the beginning of

3: 5 Trust in the L with all your heart,

Isa 6: 3 “Holy, holy, holy is the L of hosts;

53: 6 the L has laid on him the iniquity

Jer 31: 34 “Know the L,” for they shall all

La 3: 25 The L is good to those who wait for

Eze 37: 4 O dry bones, hear the word of the L.

48: 35 time on shall be, The L is There.

Hos 14: 1 Return, O Israel, to the L your God,

Joel 1: 15 For the day of the L is near,

Am 5: 6 Seek the L and live,

Ob 1: 15 the day of the L is near against all

Na 1: 3 The L is slow to anger but great in

Zep 1: 14 The great day of the L is near,

Zec 14: 9 the L will be one and his name one.

Mal 4: 5 and terrible day of the L comes.

LORD’S LORD

Mk 12: 11 was the L doing, and it is amazing

Lk 4: 19 to proclaim the year of the L favor.”

Ro 14: 8 or whether we die, we are the L.

1Co 10: 26 the earth and its fullness are the L.”

†LORD’S †LORD

Dt 32: 9 the L own portion was his people,

Isa 59: 1 the L hand is not too short to save,

Ob 1: 21 and the kingdom shall be the L.

LORDS LORD

Dt 10: 17 God is God of gods and Lord of l,

Rev 19: 16 “King of kings and Lord of l.”

LOSS LOST

Sir 32: 24 who trusts the Lord will not suffer l.

Php 3: 8 I regard everything as l because of

LOST LOSS

Ps 119: 176 I have gone astray like a l sheep;

Lk 15: 6 I have found my sheep that was l.’

19: 10 came to seek out and to save the l.”

LOTS

Ps 22: 18 and for my clothing they cast l.

Mt 27: 35 among themselves by casting l;

LOVE BELOVED, LOVED, LOVES

Ex 20: 6 but showing steadfast l to the

34: 6 and abounding in steadfast l and

Lev 19: 18 shall l your neighbor as yourself:

Dt 6: 5 You shall l the LORD your God

2Ch 6: 42 Remember your steadfast l

Ne 1: 5 steadfast l with those who l him

1Mc 4: 33 with the sword of those who l you,

Ps 18: 1 I l you, O LORD, my strength.

86: 5 abounding in steadfast l to all who

119: 97 Oh, how I l your law!

136: 1 for his steadfast l endures forever.

Pr 8: 17 I l those who l me,

Ecc 3: 8 a time to l, and a time to hate;

SS 1: 2 For your l is better than wine,

Sir 2: 15 and those who l him keep his ways.

7: 30 With all your might l your Maker,

Isa 54: 8 but with everlasting l I will have

La 3: 22 steadfast l of the LORD never ceases,

Da 14: 38 have not forsaken those who l you.”

Hos 11: 4 of human kindness, with bands of l.

Joel 2: 13 and abounding in steadfast l,

Jnh 4: 2 and abounding in steadfast l,

Mt 5: 44 L your enemies and pray

6: 24 either hate the one and l the other,

Mk 12: 31 shall l your neighbor as yourself.’

Lk 6: 32 For even sinners l those who l them.

10: 27 “You shall l the Lord your God

Jn 12: 25 Those who l their life lose it,

13: 34 new commandment, that you l one

14: 15 “If you l me, you will keep my

15: 13 No one has greater l than this,

Ro 5: 8 But God proves his l for us in that

12: 9 Let l be genuine; hate what is evil,

1Co 8: 1 Knowledge puffs up, but l builds up.

13: 4 L is patient; l is kind;

13: 13 and the greatest of these is l.

Gal 5: 22 the fruit of the Spirit is l, joy,

Eph 3: 19 l of Christ that surpasses knowledge

5: 25 Husbands, l your wives,

1Ti 6: 10 For the l of money is a root of all

Heb 10: 24 provoke one another to l and good

13: 5 your lives free from the l of money,

2Pe 1: 7 and mutual affection with l.

1Jn 2: 15 not l the world or the things in the

3: 1 See what l the Father has given us,

5: 3 For the l of God is this,

2Jn 1: 6 And this is l, that we walk according

Jude 1: 21 keep yourselves in the l of God;

Rev 2: 4 abandoned the l you had at first.

LOVED LOVE

Jer 31: 3 have l you with an everlasting love;

Jn 3: 16 God so l the world that he gave his

15: 9 the Father has l me, so I have l you;

15: 12 love one another as I have l you.

1Jn 4: 19 We love because he first l us.

LOVES LOVE

Pr 3: 12 the LORD reproves the one he l,

17: 17 A friend l at all times,

Wis 8: 3 and the Lord of all l her.

Sir 4: 12 Whoever l her l life,

Lk 7: 47 to whom little is forgiven, l little.”

Ro 13: 8 who l another has fulfilled the law.

Eph 5: 28 He who l his wife l himself.

Heb 12: 6 Lord disciplines those whom he l,

Rev 1: 5 who l us and freed us from our sins

LOWER LOWLY

Ps 8: 5 have made them a little l than God,

Heb 2: 7 made them for a little while l than

LOWLY LOWER

Jdt 9: 11 But you are the God of the l,

Pr 16: 19 It is better to be of a l spirit

Ro 12: 16 but associate with the l;

LOYALTY

Dt 7: 9 God who maintains covenant l

Ru 3: 10 this last instance of your l

Ps 101: 1 I will sing of l and of justice;

Hos 4: 1 There is no faithfulness or l,

LUKEWARM

Rev 3: 16 because you are l, and neither cold

LUST LUSTS

Mt 5: 28 looks at a woman with l has already

2Pe 1: 4 that is in the world because of l,

LUSTS LUST

Ro 1: 24 gave them up in the l of their hearts

LYING LIE

Pr 6: 17 a l tongue, and hands that shed

Wis 1: 11 and a l mouth destroys the soul.

M

MADE MAKE

Ge 1: 31 God saw everything that he had m,

2: 22 he m into a woman and brought her

6: 6 was sorry that he had m humankind

15: 18 the LORD m a covenant with Abram,

Ex 20: 11 For in six days the LORD m heaven

Ps 8: 5 have m them a little lower than God

118: 24 This is the day that the LORD has m;

139: 14 I am fearfully and wonderfully m.

Sir 43: 33 For the Lord has m all things,

Ac 2: 36 that God has m him both Lord and

Eph 2: 5 m us alive together with Christ—

MAGDALENE

Mt 27: 56 Among them were Mary M,

MAJESTIC MAJESTY

Ex 15: 11 Who is like you, m in holiness,

Ps 8: 1 how m is your name in all the earth!

MAJESTY MAJESTIC

1Ch 29: 11 the glory, the victory, and the m;

Ps 93: 1 The LORD is king, he is robed in m;

2Pe 1: 16 we had been eyewitnesses of his m.

MAKE MADE, MAKER

Ge 1: 26 “Let us m humankind in our image,

2: 18 will m him a helper as his partner.”

Ex 20: 4 You shall not m for yourself an idol,

Nu 6: 25 LORD m his face to shine upon you,

Mt 28: 19 and m disciples of all nations,

MAKER MAKE

Ge 14: 19 God Most High, m of heaven and

Ps 95: 6 kneel before the LORD, our M!

Sir 7: 30 With all your might love your M,

Isa 54: 5 For your M is your husband,

MALE

Ge 1: 27 m and female he created them.

Lev 20: 13 If a man lies with a m as with a

Rev 12: 5 she gave birth to a son, a m child,

MAN

Ge 2: 7 LORD God formed m from the dust

2: 18 not good that the m should be alone;

Mt 9: 6 Son of M has authority on earth to

Lk 6: 5 The Son of M is lord of the sabbath.

Jn 9: 35 “Do you believe in the Son of M?”

1Co 11: 3 that Christ is the head of every m,

Rev 1: 13 I saw one like the Son of M,

MANGER

Lk 2: 12 in bands of cloth and lying in a m.”

MANNA

Ex 16: 31 The house of Israel called it m;

Jn 6: 49 ate the m in the wilderness,

Rev 2: 17 I will give some of the hidden m,

MANY

Mt 22: 14 m are called, but few are chosen.”

Mk 10: 45 and to give his life a ransom for m.”

Ro 12: 5 who are m, are one body in Christ,

MARK

Ge 4: 15 And the LORD put a m on Cain,

Eze 9: 6 but touch no one who has the m.

Rev 19: 20 who had received the m of the beast

MARRIAGE MARRIED, MARRIES

Mt 22: 30 are given in m, but are like angels

Heb 13: 4 Let m be held in honor by all,

Rev 19: 7 for the m of the Lamb has come,

MARRIED MARRIAGE

1Ti 3: 2 be above reproach, m only once,

Tit 1: 6 m only once, whose children are

MARRIES MARRIAGE

Mk 10: 11 and m another commits adultery

Ro 7: 3 if she m another man, she is not an

1Co 7: 28 and if a virgin m, she does not sin.

MASTER MASTERS, TASKMASTERS

Mal 1: 6 if I am a m, where is the respect due

Jn 15: 20 Servants are not greater than their m

2Pe 2: 1 deny the M who bought them—

MASTERS MASTER

Mt 6: 24 “No one can serve two m;

MEDIATOR

Gal 3: 19 ordained through angels by a m.

1Ti 2: 5 m between God and humankind,

Heb 8: 6 he is the m of a better covenant,

MEDITATE MEDITATION

Jos 1: 8 you shall m on it day and night,

Ps 1: 2 on his law they m day and night.

Wis 12: 22 we may m upon your goodness,

Sir 6: 37 and m at all times on his

MEDITATION MEDITATE

Ps 19: 14 of my mouth and the m of my heart

119: 97 It is my m all day long.

MEEK MEEKNESS

Ps 37: 11 But the m shall inherit the land,

Mt 5: 5 “Blessed are the m, for they will

MEEKNESS MEEK

Col 3: 12 kindness, humility, m, and patience.

Jas 1: 21 with m the implanted word

MEETING

Ex 27: 21 In the tent of m, outside the curtain

40: 34 the cloud covered the tent of m,

MELCHIZEDEK

Ge 14: 18 King M of Salem brought out bread

Ps 110: 4 forever according to the order of M.”

Heb 7: 1 This “King M of Salem, priest of

MEMBERS

Ro 7: 23 I see in my m another law at war

1Co 6: 15 that your bodies are m of Christ?

12: 18 God arranged the m in the body,

MERCIES MERCY

La 3: 22 his m never come to an end;

2Co 1: 3 the Father of m and the God of all

MERCIFUL MERCY

Dt 4: 31 the LORD your God is a m God,

Ps 111: 4 the LORD is gracious and m.

Sir 2: 11 the Lord is compassionate and m;

Jer 3: 12 not look on you in anger, for I am m

Mt 5: 7 “Blessed are the m, for they will

Lk 6: 36 Be m, just as your Father is m.

MERCY MERCIES, MERCIFUL

Ex 25: 17 make a m seat of pure gold;

1Ch 21: 13 of the LORD, for his m is very great;

Sir 2: 17 for equal to his majesty is his m,

Hab 3: 2 in wrath may you remember m.

Mt 9: 13 learn what this means, ‘I desire m,

23: 23 of the law: justice and m and faith.

Ro 9: 15 “I will have m on whom I have m,

Eph 2: 4 But God, who is rich in m,

Jas 2: 13 m triumphs over judgment.

MESSENGER MESSAGE

Mt 11: 10 I am sending my m ahead of you,

2Co 12: 7 a m of Satan to torment me,

MESSIAH CHRIST, MESSIAHS

Mt 16: 16 Peter answered, “You are the M,

Lk 2: 11 a Savior, who is the M, the Lord.

Ac 2: 36 God has made him both Lord and M

Ro 9: 5 according to the flesh, comes the M,

Rev 11: 15 kingdom of our Lord and of his M,

MESSIAHS MESSIAH

Mk 13: 22 False m and false prophets will

MIDWIVES

Ex 1: 17 But the m feared God; they did not

MIGHT ALMIGHTY, MIGHTY

2Ch 20: 6 In your hand are power and m,

Sir 7: 30 With all your m love your Maker,

Zec 4: 6 m, nor by power, but by my spirit,

MIGHTY MIGHT

Ge 49: 24 by the hands of the M One of Jacob,

Ex 6: 1 by a m hand he will let them go;

Ps 99: 4 M King, lover of justice, you have

Isa 9: 6 Wonderful Counselor, M God,

Rev 18: 8 for m is the Lord God who judges

MILE

Mt 5: 41 one m, go also the second m.

MILK

Ex 3: 8 a land flowing with m and honey,

Heb 5: 12 You need m, not solid food;

MILLSTONE STONE

Lk 17: 2 better for you if a m were hung

MIND MINDFUL

Nu 23: 19 mortal, that he should change his m.

Sir 37: 17 The m is the root of all conduct;

Jnh 3: 9 God may relent and change his m;

Mt 22: 37 all your soul, and with all your m.’

1Co 2: 16 who has known the m of the Lord

Php 2: 5 same m be in you that was in Christ

Heb 7: 21 sworn and will not change his m,

MINDFUL MIND

Ps 8: 4 beings that you are m of them,

Heb 2: 6 beings that you are m of them,

MINISTERS MINISTRY

2Co 3: 6 to be m of a new covenant,

11: 15 if his m also disguise themselves as m

MINISTRY MINISTERS

2Co 5: 18 has given us the m of reconciliation;

Eph 4: 12 equip the saints for the work of m,

Heb 8: 6 now obtained a more excellent m,

MIRACLES See also JESUS: MIRACLES

Ps 78: 11 and the m that he had shown them.

Ac 19: 11 did extraordinary m through Paul,

1Co 12: 29 Are all teachers? Do all work m?

Heb 2: 4 signs and wonders and various m,

MOCKED MOCK

Gal 6: 7 God is not m, for you reap

MOMENT MOMENTARY

Ps 30: 5 For his anger is but for a m;

Isa 54: 7 For a brief m I abandoned you,

1Co 15: 52 in a m, in the twinkling of an eye,

MOMENTARY MOMENT

2Co 4: 17 this slight m affliction is preparing

MONEY

Mk 11: 15 the tables of the m changers

1Ti 6: 10 love of m is a root of all kinds

Heb 13: 5 your lives free from the love of m,

MOON MOONS

Joel 2: 31 to darkness, and the m to blood,

Ac 2: 20 to darkness and the m to blood,

Rev 6: 12 the full m became like blood,

21: 23 no need of sun or m to shine on it,

MOONS MOON

2Ch 8: 13 the new m, and the three annual

Col 2: 16 or of observing festivals, new m,

MORALS

1Co 15: 33 “Bad company ruins good m.”

MORNING

Ge 1: 5 and there was m, the first day.

Ps 30: 5 but joy comes with the m.

La 3: 23 every m; great is your faithfulness.

Lk 24: 22 They were at the tomb early this m,

2Pe 1: 19 the day dawns and the m star rises

Rev 22: 16 of David, the bright m star.”

MOST

Ge 14: 18 he was priest of God M High.

Ex 26: 33 the holy place from the m holy.

Ps 91: 1 live in the shelter of the M High,

Mk 5: 7 Jesus, Son of the M High God?

MOTH

Ps 39: 11 consuming like a m what is dear to

Mt 6: 19 where m and rust consume and

MOTHER

Ge 2: 24 a man leaves his father and his m

3: 20 because she was the m of all living.

Ex 20: 12 Honor your father and your m,

Tob 4: 3 Honor your m and do not abandon

Sir 3: 6 who honor their m obey the Lord;

Isa 66: 13 As a m comforts her child, so I will

Mt 10: 37 loves father or m more than me is

Jn 19: 27 to the disciple, “Here is your m.”

Eph 5: 31 a man will leave his father and m

Rev 17: 5 m of whores and of earth’s

MOUNT MOUNTAIN, MOUNTAINS

Ex 19: 20 the LORD descended upon M Sinai,

Ps 78: 68 M Zion, which he loves.

Mk 13: 3 he was sitting on the M of Olives

Rev 14: 1 the Lamb, standing on M Zion!

MOUNTAIN MOUNT

Isa 2: 2 the m of the LORD’s house shall

Mt 4: 8 a very high m and showed him all

17: 20 you will say to this m, ‘Move from

MOUNTAINS MOUNT

1Co 13: 2 have all faith, so as to remove m,

MOURN MOURNFUL, MOURNING

Ecc 3: 4 a time to m, and a time to dance;

Sir 7: 34 but m with those who m.

Mt 5: 4 “Blessed are those who m,

MOURNING MOURN

Rev 21: 4 m and crying and pain will be no

MOUTH

Dt 8: 3 that comes from the m of the LORD.

Ps 19: 14 Let the words of my m and

Sir 28: 25 and a bolt for your m.

Mt 4: 4 every word that comes from the m

Rev 19: 15 From his m comes a sharp sword

MULTIPLY

Ge 1: 28 to them, “Be fruitful and m,

9: 7 And you, be fruitful and m,

Dt 6: 3 that you may m greatly in a land

MULTITUDE

Jas 5: 20 and will cover a m of sins.

1Pe 4: 8 for love covers a m of sins.

MURDER MURDERER

Ex 20: 13 You shall not m.

Hos 4: 2 lying, and m, and stealing and

Mt 5: 21 of ancient times, ‘You shall not m’

MURDERER MURDER

Nu 35: 16 the m shall be put to death.

Jn 8: 44 He was a m from the beginning

MUSTARD

Mt 17: 20 have faith the size of a m seed,

Mk 4: 31 It is like a m seed, which,

MYRRH

Mt 2: 11 gifts of gold, frankincense, and m.

Mk 15: 23 offered him wine mixed with m;

MYSTERY

Da 2: 19 m was revealed to Daniel in a vision

Ro 11: 25 I want you to understand this m:

1Co 15: 51 Listen, I will tell you a m!

Eph 3: 4 my understanding of the m of Christ

1Ti 3: 9 must hold fast to the m of the faith

Rev 17: 5 a name, a m: “Babylon the great,

N

NAILING NAILS

Col 2: 14 He set this aside, n it to the cross.

NAILS NAILING

Jn 20: 25 put my finger in the mark of the n

NAKED

Ge 2: 25 the man and his wife were both n,

Job 1: 21 “N I came from my mother’s womb, and n shall

NAME NAMES

Ge 2: 19 every living creature, that was its n.

4: 26 people began to invoke the n of

Ex 3: 15 my n forever, and this my title

20: 7 wrongful use of the n of the LORD

Ps 9: 10 know your n put their trust in you,

Pr 18: 10 The n of the LORD is a strong tower;

Sir 2: 17 and equal to his n are his works.

Isa 42: 8 I am the LORD, that is my n;

Eze 20: 9 But I acted for the sake of my n,

Joel 2: 32 on the n of the LORD shall be saved;

Mt 1: 21 a son, and you are to n him Jesus,

6: 9 Father in heaven, hallowed be your n.

28: 19 baptizing them in the n of the Father

Jn 1: 12 received him, who believed in his n,

20: 31 believing you may have life in his n.

Ac 4: 12 for there is no other n under heaven

Php 2: 9 gave him the n that is above every n

Rev 13: 17 n of the beast or the number of its n.

19: 13 his n is called The Word of God.

NAMES NAME

Mt 10: 2 are the n of the twelve apostles:

Rev 21: 14 the twelve n of the twelve apostles

NARROW

Lk 13: 24 “Strive to enter through the n door;

NATION NATIONS

Ge 12: 2 I will make of you a great n, and

Ex 32: 10 and of you I will make a great n.”

Isa 66: 8 a n be delivered in one moment?

1Pe 2: 9 a holy n, God’s own people,

NATIONS NATION

Ge 18: 18 the n of the earth shall be blessed in

Am 9: 12 and all the n who are called

Mt 28: 19 and make disciples of all n,

Mk 11: 17 a house of prayer for all the n’?

Ro 4: 18 become “the father of many n,”

Rev 22: 2 the tree are for the healing of the n.

NAZARETH

Mt 2: 23 made his home in a town called N,

Jn 1: 46 Can anything good come out of N?

19: 19 “Jesus of N, the King of the Jews.”

NAZIRITE

Nu 6: 2 make a special vow, the vow of a n,

Jdg 13: 5 boy shall be a n to God from birth.

NEAR

Dt 30: 14 No, the word is very n to you;

Isa 55: 6 call upon him while he is n;

Lk 10: 9 ‘The kingdom of God has come n

Jas 4: 8 Draw n to God, and he will draw n to

NEED NEEDY

Mt 6: 8 for your Father knows what you n

Heb 4: 16 and find grace to help in time of n.

NEEDLE

Lk 18: 25 a camel to go through the eye of a n

NEEDY NEED

1Sa 2: 8 he lifts the n from the ash heap,

Ps 113: 7 and lifts the n from the ash heap,

NEIGHBOR

Lev 19: 18 shall love your n as yourself:

Dt 5: 20 bear false witness against your n.

Mt 19: 19 You shall love your n as yourself.”

NEVER

La 3: 22 steadfast love of the LORD n ceases,

1Co 13: 8 Love n ends. But as for prophecies,

Heb 13: 5 he has said, “I will n leave you or

NEW

Ecc 1: 9 there is nothing n under the sun.

Isa 65: 17 create n heavens and a n earth;

Jer 31: 31 I will make a n covenant with the

La 3: 23 they are n every morning;

Eze 36: 26 A n heart I will give you,

Mt 9: 17 is n wine put into old wineskins;

Lk 22: 20 is the n covenant in my blood.

Jn 13: 34 I give you a n commandment,

2Co 3: 6 to be ministers of a n covenant,

Heb 8: 8 when I will establish a n covenant

2Pe 3: 13 we wait for n heavens and a n earth,

Rev 21: 1 I saw a n heaven and a n earth;

21: 5 “See, I am making all things n.”

NEWS

Isa 52: 7 who brings good n, who announces

Mt 11: 5 the poor have good n brought to

Mk 1: 15 repent, and believe in the good n.”

NIGHT NIGHTS

Ge 1: 5 and the darkness he called N.

1Th 5: 2 Lord will come like a thief in the n.

Rev 22: 5 And there will be no more n;

NIGHTS NIGHT

Ge 7: 12 on the earth forty days and forty n.

Jnh 1: 17 of the fish three days and three n.

Mt 4: 2 He fasted forty days and forty n,

12: 40 for three days and three n the Son

NOISE

Ps 66: 1 Make a joyful n to God, all the earth

2Pe 3: 10 will pass away with a loud n,

NOTHING

Ecc 1: 9 there is n new under the sun.

Jer 32: 17 N is too hard for you.

Mt 17: 20 and n will be impossible for you.”

Jn 15: 5 apart from me you can do n.

NUMBER

Rev 13: 18 Its n is six hundred sixty-six.

O

OATH

Dt 7: 8 and kept the o that he swore to your

Heb 7: 20 This was confirmed with an o;

OBEDIENCE OBEY

Ro 5: 19 so by the one man’s o the many will

Heb 5: 8 learned o through what he suffered;

OBEDIENT OBEY

Php 2: 8 and became o to the point of death

OBEY OBEDIENCE, OBEDIENT

Ex 19: 5 if you o my voice and keep my

Dt 12: 28 Be careful to o all these words that

Mt 28: 20 o everything that I have commanded

Ac 5: 29 “We must o God rather than any

Eph 6: 1 Children, o your parents in the Lord,

1Jn 5: 3 love of God is this, that we o his

OFFENSE

Mk 6: 3 And they took o at him.

Gal 5: 11 o of the cross has been removed.

OFFERING OFFERINGS

Ge 4: 4 LORD had regard for Abel and his o,

1Mc 4: 44 what to do about the altar of burnt o,

Ps 40: 6 Sacrifice and o you do not desire,

Da 11: 31 shall abolish the regular burnt o

Eph 5: 2 a fragrant o and sacrifice to God.

Heb 10: 14 For by a single o he has perfected

OFFERINGS OFFERING

1Mc 1: 45 to forbid burnt o and sacrifices

Hos 6: 6 of God rather than burnt o.

Mk 12: 33 important than all whole burnt o

OIL

Ex 25: 6 o for the lamps, spices for the anointing o

Ps 23: 5 you anoint my head with o;

Jas 5: 14 anointing them with o in the name

OLD

Mk 2: 22 puts new wine into o wineskins;

Eph 4: 22 your o self, corrupt and deluded by

OLIVE OLIVES

Zec 4: 3 And by it there are two o trees,

Ro 11: 17 and you, a wild o shoot,

Rev 11: 4 two o trees and the two lampstands

OLIVES OLIVE

Zec 14: 4 Mount of O shall be split in two

Mt 24: 3 he was sitting on the Mount of O,

OMEGA

Rev 1: 8 “I am the Alpha and the O,”

ONCE ONE

Ro 6: 10 he died, he died to sin, o for all;

Heb 7: 27 this he did o for all when he offered

9: 27 it is appointed for mortals to die o,

ONE FIRST, ONCE

Ge 2: 24 and they become o flesh.

Zec 14: 9 the LORD will be o and his name o.

Mk 12: 29 the Lord our God, the Lord is o;

Jn 10: 30 The Father and I are o.”

1Co 12: 13 For in the o Spirit we were all baptized

Eph 4: 5 o Lord, o faith, o baptism,

ONLY

Jn 1: 14 the glory as of a father’s o son,

3: 16 that he gave his o Son,

1Ti 1: 17 the o God, be honor and glory

1Jn 4: 9 God sent his o Son into the world so

OPPRESSED

Jdt 9: 11 God of the lowly, helper of the o,

Ps 146: 7 who executes justice for the o;

Isa 53: 7 He was o, and he was afflicted,

ORACLES

Ro 3: 2 entrusted with the o of God.

ORDAIN

Ex 29: 9 shall then o Aaron and his sons.

1Ti 5: 22 Do not o anyone hastily,

ORPHAN ORPHANED, ORPHANS

Ex 22: 22 You shall not abuse any widow or o.

Hos 14: 3 In you the o finds mercy.”

ORPHANED ORPHAN

Jn 14: 18 will not leave you o; I am coming

ORPHANS ORPHAN

Sir 4: 10 Be a father to o, and be like a

Jas 1: 27 to care for o and widows in their

OUTSTRETCHED

Ex 6: 6 I will redeem you with an o arm

Ps 136: 12 an o arm, for his steadfast love

Jer 27: 5 by my great power and my o arm

OVERCOME

Jn 1: 5 and the darkness did not o it.

Ro 12: 21 Do not be o by evil, but o evil with

1Jn 2: 14 and you have o the evil one.

OVERSHADOW OVERSHADOWED

Lk 1: 35 power of the Most High will o you;

OVERSHADOWED OVERSHADOW

Lk 9: 34 a cloud came and o them;

OWE

Mt 18: 28 he said, ‘Pay what you o.’

Ro 13: 8 O no one anything, except to love

P

PAIN

Ge 3: 16 in p you shall bring forth children,

Rev 21: 4 and crying and p will be no more,

PALM

Jn 12: 13 So they took branches of p trees

Rev 7: 9 robed in white, with p branches in

PARABLE PARABLES

Ps 78: 2 I will open my mouth in a p;

PARABLES PARABLE; See also JESUS:

PARABLES

Sir 39: 2 penetrates the subtleties of p;

Mt 13: 35 I will open my mouth to speak in p;

PARADISE

Lk 23: 43 today you will be with me in P.”

2Co 12: 4 was caught up into P and heard

Rev 2: 7 tree of life that is in the p of God.

PARALYTIC PARALYZED

Mt 9: 2 saw their faith, he said to the p,

PARALYZED PARALYTIC

Jn 5: 3 many invalids—blind, lame, and p.

Ac 8: 7 who were p or lame were cured.

PARCHMENTS

2Ti 4: 13 also the books, and above all the p.

PARDON

Ex 34: 9 p our iniquity and our sin,

Isa 55: 7 our God, for he will abundantly p.

PARENTS

Eph 6: 1 Children, obey your p in the Lord,

PARTIALITY

Dt 16: 19 distort justice; you must not show p;

Pr 24: 23 P in judging is not good.

Sir 35: 15 and with him there is no p.

Ro 2: 11 For God shows no p.

Jas 3: 17 without a trace of p or hypocrisy.

PARTNERS

1Co 10: 20 not want you to be p with demons.

Heb 3: 1 holy p in a heavenly calling,

PASS PASSED, PASSING

Ex 12: 13 when I see the blood, I will p over

33: 19 make all my goodness p before you,

Am 5: 17 I will p through the midst of you,

Mt 24: 35 Heaven and earth will p away, but my words will not p

2Pe 3: 10 then the heavens will p away

PASSED PASS

Ex 12: 27 he p over the houses of the Israelites

2Co 5: 17 everything old has p away;

Rev 21: 4 for the first things have p away.”

PASSING PASS

1Co 7: 31 present form of this world is p away

1Jn 2: 17 the world and its desire are p away,

PASSIONS

Gal 5: 24 have crucified the flesh with its p

2Ti 2: 22 Shun youthful p and pursue

PASSOVER

Ex 12: 11 It is the p of the LORD.

Dt 16: 1 the month of Abib by keeping the p

Mk 14: 12 when the P lamb is sacrificed,

PASTORS

Eph 4: 11 evangelists, some p and teachers,

PASTURES

Ps 23: 2 He makes me lie down in green p;

PATH PATHS

Ps 119: 105 lamp to my feet and a light to my p.

PATHS PATH

Mt 3: 3 of the Lord, make his p straight.’”

Heb 12: 13 and make straight p for your feet,

PATIENCE PATIENT

Mic 2: 7 Is the LORD’s p exhausted?

Ro 2: 4 his kindness and forbearance and p?

Gal 5: 22 fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, p,

2Pe 3: 15 regard the p of our Lord as salvation

PATIENT PATIENCE

1Co 13: 4 Love is p; love is kind;

PEACE PEACEMAKERS

Ps 122: 6 Pray for the p of Jerusalem:

Isa 57: 19 P, p, to the far and the near,

Jer 6: 14 saying, “P, p,” when there is no p.

Mic 5: 5 and he shall be the one of p.

Lk 2: 14 on earth p among those whom he

Jn 14: 27 P I leave with you; my p I give

1Co 14: 33 is a God not of disorder but of p.

Gal 5: 22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, p,

Php 4: 7 the p of God, which surpasses all

PEACEMAKERS PEACE

Mt 5: 9 “Blessed are the p, for they will be

PEARLS

Mt 7: 6 do not throw your p before swine,

PENTECOST

Ac 2: 1 When the day of P had come,

PEOPLE

Ex 5: 1 the God of Israel, ‘Let my p go,

Dt 4: 20 a p of his very own possession,

Ru 1: 16 your p shall be my p,

Ps 29: 11 the LORD bless his p with peace!

Isa 40: 1 Comfort, O comfort my p, says

Mt 1: 21 he will save his p from their sins.”

Heb 8: 10 their God, and they shall be my p.

1Pe 2: 9 a holy nation, God’s own p,

PERFECT PERFECTER, PERFECTION

2Sa 22: 31 This God—his way is p;

Ps 19: 7 The law of the LORD is p, reviving

Mt 5: 48 Be p, therefore, as your heavenly Father is p.

Ro 12: 2 what is good and acceptable and p.

Heb 7: 19 (for the law made nothing p);

1Jn 4: 18 in love, but p love casts out fear;

PERFECTER PERFECT

Heb 12: 2 Jesus the pioneer and p of our faith,

PERFECTION PERFECT

Heb 6: 1 Therefore let us go on toward p,

1Jn 2: 5 the love of God has reached p.

PERISH PERISHABLE

Est 4: 16 and if I p, I p.”

Ps 1: 6 but the way of the wicked will p.

Jn 3: 16 who believes in him may not p

2Pe 3: 9 with you, not wanting any to p,

PERISHABLE PERISH

1Co 9: 25 they do it to receive a p wreath,

15: 42 What is sown is p, what is raised is

1Pe 1: 23 not of p but of imperishable seed,

PERSECUTE PERSECUTED,

PERSECUTION

Mt 5: 44 and pray for those who p you,

Ac 9: 4 “Saul, Saul, why do you p me?”

Ro 12: 14 Bless those who p you; bless

PERSECUTED PERSECUTE

2Co 4: 9 p, but not forsaken; struck down,

2Ti 3: 12 godly life in Christ Jesus will be p.

PERSECUTION PERSECUTE

Mt 13: 21 or p arises on account of the word,

Ro 8: 35 Will hardship, or distress, or p, or

Heb 10: 33 publicly exposed to abuse and p,

PERSEVERANCE PERSEVERE

Heb 12: 1 let us run with p the race that is set

PERSEVERE PERSEVERANCE

Da 12: 12 Happy are those who p

Ro 12: 12 be patient in suffering, p in prayer.

PHARAOH PHARAOH’S

Ex 14: 17 I will gain glory for myself over P

PHARAOH’S PHARAOH

Ex 7: 3 But I will harden P heart,

Heb 11: 24 refused to be called a son of P

PHARISEE PHARISEES

Lk 11: 37 a P invited him to dine with him;

Jn 3: 1 a P named Nicodemus,

Ac 5: 34 a P in the council named Gamaliel,

Php 3: 5 as to the law, a P;

PHARISEES PHARISEE

Mt 5: 20 that of the scribes and P,

16: 6 beware of the yeast of the P and

23: 13 “But woe to you, scribes and P,

PHILISTINE PHILISTINES

1Sa 17: 37 save me from the hand of this P.”

PHILISTINES PHILISTINE

1Sa 5: 1 the P captured the ark of God,

Am 1: 8 the remnant of the P shall perish,

PIERCED

Zec 12: 10 look on the one whom they have p,

Jn 19: 37 look on the one whom they have p.”

Rev 1: 7 even those who p him;

PIG

Dt 14: 8 the p, because it divides the hoof

PILLAR

Ge 19: 26 and she became a p of salt.

Ex 13: 21 and in a p of fire by night,

PIONEER

Heb 2: 10 make the p of their salvation perfect

12: 2 Jesus the p and perfecter of our faith

PIT

Sir 21: 10 but at its end is the p of Hades.

Rev 20: 3 into the p, and locked and sealed it

PLACE

Jn 14: 3 And if I go and prepare a p for you,

PLAGUE PLAGUES

Zec 14: 12 the p with which the LORD will

Rev 11: 6 strike the earth with every kind of p,

PLAGUES PLAGUE

Hos 13: 14 O Death, where are your p?

Rev 15: 1 seven angels with seven p, which

PLANT

Ge 1: 29 I have given you every p yielding

Ecc 3: 2 time to p, and a time to pluck up

PLEASE PLEASED, PLEASES, PLEASING

Sir 2: 16 Those who fear the Lord seek to p

Ro 8: 8 who are in the flesh cannot p God.

15: 3 For Christ did not p himself;

Heb 11: 6 without faith it is impossible to p God,

PLEASED PLEASE

Mic 6: 7 Will the LORD be p with thousands

Mt 3: 17 Beloved, with whom I am well p.”

Col 1: 19 the fullness of God was p to dwell,

PLEASES PLEASE

1Jn 3: 22 commandments and do what p him.

PLEASING PLEASE

Ps 104: 34 May my meditation be p to him,

Eph 5: 10 to find out what is p to the Lord.

Php 4: 18 a sacrifice acceptable and p to God.

PLOT

Ps 2: 1 and the peoples p in vain?

Na 1: 9 Why do you p against the LORD?

PLOWSHARES

Isa 2: 4 they shall beat their swords into p,

Joel 3: 10 Beat your p into swords, and your

POLLUTED POLLUTES

Ac 15: 20 from things p by idols and from

Rev 21: 8 the cowardly, the faithless, the p,

POLLUTES POLLUTED

Nu 35: 33 blood p the land, and no expiation

POOR POVERTY

Ex 23: 6 not pervert the justice due to your p

1Sa 2: 8 He raises up the p from the dust;

Ps 113: 7 He raises the p from the dust,

Mt 5: 3 “Blessed are the p in spirit,

Mk 10: 21 own, and give the money to the p,

12: 42 p widow came and put in two small

2Co 6: 10 as p, yet making many rich;

8: 9 yet for your sakes he became p,

Jas 2: 5 Has not God chosen the p in the

PORTION

Dt 32: 9 the LORD’s own p was his people,

Sir 17: 17 Israel is the Lord’s own p.

La 3: 24 “The LORD is my p,” says my soul,

POSSESSED POSSESSION

Mt 8: 16 many who were p with demons;

POSSESSION POSSESSED, POSSESSIONS

Ex 19: 5 treasured p out of all the peoples.

Ps 2: 8 and the ends of the earth your p.

POSSESSIONS POSSESSION

Lk 12: 15 not consist in the abundance of p.”

1Co 13: 3 If I give away all my p,

POSSIBLE

Mt 19: 26 but for God all things are p.”

26: 39 if it is p, let this cup pass from me;

POTTER

Sir 33: 13 Like clay in the hand of the p,

Isa 64: 8 we are the clay, and you are our p;

Ro 9: 21 Has the p no right over the clay,

POUR POURED

Isa 44: 3 I will p my spirit upon your

Eze 39: 29 I p out my spirit upon the house of

Joel 2: 28 I will p out my spirit on all flesh;

Ac 2: 17 I will p out my Spirit upon all flesh,

POURED POUR

Mt 26: 28 is p out for many for the forgiveness

Ac 2: 33 he has p out this that you both see

Tit 3: 6 This Spirit he p out on us richly

POVERTY POOR

Mk 12: 44 out of her p has put in everything

2Co 8: 9 by his p you might become rich.

POWER POWERFUL, POWERS

1Ch 29: 11 O LORD, are the greatness, the p,

Jdt 9: 14 the God of all p and might,

Sir 39: 18 and none can limit his saving p.

Isa 40: 29 He gives p to the faint,

Zec 4: 6 by might, nor by p, but by my spirit,

Mt 22: 29 the scriptures nor the p of God.

Mk 13: 26 coming in clouds’ with great p and

1Co 1: 17 might not be emptied of its p.

Eph 1: 19 the immeasurable greatness of his p

Php 3: 10 Christ and the p of his resurrection

2Pe 1: 3 divine p has given us everything

Rev 19: 1 and glory and p to our God,

20: 6 these the second death has no p,

POWERFUL POWER

Mk 1: 7 one who is more p than I is coming

POWERS POWER

Ro 8: 38 present, nor things to come, nor p,

Eph 6: 12 against the cosmic p of this present

PRACTICE PRACTICES

Sir 50: 29 For if they put them into p,

Mt 23: 3 for they do not p what they teach.

PRACTICES PRACTICE

Ex 23: 24 or worship them, or follow their p,

Col 3: 9 stripped off the old self with its p

PRAISE

Ex 15: 2 this is my God, and I will p him,

Dt 10: 21 He is your p; he is your God,

Tob 12: 6 Bless and sing p to his name.

Ps 150: 6 that breathes p the LORD!

Pr 27: 2 Let another p you, and not your own

31: 31 let her works p her in the city gates.

Mt 21: 16 nursing babies you have prepared p

Rev 19: 5 “P our God, all you his servants,

PRAY PRAYED, PRAYER, PRAYERS

2Ch 7: 14 humble themselves, p, seek my face

Ps 122: 6 P for the peace of Jerusalem:

Sir 37: 15 But above all p to the Most High

Mt 5: 44 and p for those who persecute you,

6: 5 you p, do not be like the hypocrites;

Lk 11: 1 teach us to p, as John taught his

Ro 8: 26 do not know how to p as we ought,

1Th 5: 17 p without ceasing,

PRAYED PRAY

Mk 1: 35 to a deserted place, and there he p.

14: 35 threw himself on the ground and p

PRAYER PRAY

Pr 15: 29 but he hears the p of the righteous.

Isa 56: 7 house shall be called a house of p

Mt 21: 13 house shall be called a house of p’

Mk 11: 24 I tell you, whatever you ask for in p,

Ro 12: 12 patient in suffering, persevere in p.

Jas 5: 16 The p of the righteous is powerful

PRAYERS PRAY

Heb 5: 7 Jesus offered up p and supplications

Rev 5: 8 which are the p of the saints.

PREACH PREACHING

Tit 1: 9 able both to p with sound doctrine

PREACHING PREACH

1Ti 5: 17 those who labor in p and teaching;

PRECEPTS PRECEPT

Ps 19: 8 the p of the LORD are right,

Mt 15: 9 teaching human p as doctrines.’”

PRECIOUS

Ps 72: 14 and p is their blood in his sight.

Pr 3: 15 She is more p than jewels,

Isa 28: 16 a tested stone, a p cornerstone,

1Pe 1: 19 but with the p blood of Christ,

2: 6 a cornerstone chosen and p;

2Pe 1: 1 received a faith as p as ours

PREDESTINED

Ro 8: 30 those whom he p he also called;

PREDICTION PREDICTIONS

Isa 44: 26 and fulfills the p of his messengers;

PREDICTIONS PREDICT

Jude 1: 17 the p of the apostles of our Lord

PREPARE

Ps 23: 5 You p a table before me in the

Mt 3: 3 ‘P the way of the Lord, make his

Jn 14: 2 I have told you that I go to p a place

PRESENCE PRESENT

Ex 25: 30 the bread of the P on the table

Ps 51: 11 Do not cast me away from your p,

139: 7 Or where can I flee from your p?

Jn 17: 5 with the glory that I had in your p

PRESENT PRESENCE

Ro 6: 13 but p yourselves to God as

1Co 3: 22 or death or the p or the future—

Eph 5: 27 p the church to himself in splendor,

2Ti 2: 15 p yourself to God as one approved

PRICE

Mt 27: 9 the one on whom a p had been set,

1Co 6: 20 For you were bought with a p;

PRIDE PROUD

Ps 20: 7 our p is in the name of the LORD

Pr 16: 18 P goes before destruction,

Sir 10: 13 For the beginning of p is sin,

Mk 7: 22 licentiousness, envy, slander, p,

1Jn 2: 16 the desire of the eyes, the p in riches

PRIEST PRIESTHOOD, PRIESTS

Ge 14: 18 he was p of God Most High.

Ps 110: 4 “You are a p forever according to

Mk 14: 63 Then the high p tore his clothes and

Heb 3: 1 apostle and high p of our confession

7: 3 the Son of God, he remains a p

PRIESTHOOD PRIEST

Ex 29: 9 the p shall be theirs by a perpetual

Heb 7: 24 but he holds his p permanently,

1Pe 2: 5 a holy p, to offer spiritual sacrifices

PRIESTS PRIEST

Ex 28: 1 the Israelites, to serve me as p—

Mk 15: 3 the chief p accused him of many

Heb 7: 27 Unlike the other high p, he has no

Rev 20: 6 they will be p of God and of Christ,

PRINCE PRINCES

Isa 9: 6 Everlasting Father, P of Peace.

Eze 37: 25 David shall be their p forever.

PRINCES PRINCE

1Sa 2: 8 to make them sit with p and inherit

Da 8: 25 even rise up against the Prince of p.

PRISONER PRISONERS

Mk 15: 6 at the festival he used to release a p

Eph 3: 1 that I Paul am a p for Christ Jesus

PRISONERS PRISONER

Ps 146: 7 The LORD sets the p free;

Isa 61: 1 to the captives, and release to the p;

PRIZE

1Co 9: 24 but only one receives the p?

Php 3: 14 the p of the heavenly call of God in

PROMISE PROMISED, PROMISES

Ps 105: 42 For he remembered his holy p,

Eph 2: 12 and strangers to the covenants of p,

2Pe 3: 9 The Lord is not slow about his p,

PROMISED PROMISE

Dt 1: 11 and bless you, as he has p you!

Ac 13: 23 to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he p;

Eph 1: 13 with the seal of the p Holy Spirit;

Heb 10: 23 for he who has p is faithful.

PROMISES PROMISE

Jos 21: 45 the good p that the LORD had made

2Co 1: 20 every one of God’s p is a “Yes.”

PROOFS PROVE

Ac 1: 3 to them by many convincing p,

PROPHECIES PROPHESY

1Co 13: 8 as for p, they will come to an end;

PROPHECY PROPHESY

Ac 21: 9 daughters who had the gift of p.

1Co 12: 10 to another p, to another

2Pe 1: 20 that no p of scripture is a matter

PROPHESY PROPHECIES, PROPHECY,

PROPHET, PROPHETS

Joel 2: 28 sons and your daughters shall p,

Mt 7: 22 Lord, did we not p in your name,

1Co 13: 9 only in part, and we p only in part;

Rev 11: 3 my two witnesses authority to p

PROPHET PROPHESY

Dt 18: 18 a p like you from among their own

1Mc 4: 46 until a p should come to tell what

Mal 4: 5 the p Elijah before the great and

Lk 4: 24 no p is accepted in the prophet’s

Rev 16: 13 and from the mouth of the false p.

PROPHETS PROPHESY

Nu 11: 29 that all the LORD’s people were p,

1Mc 9: 27 that p ceased to appear among them.

Mt 5: 17 come to abolish the law or the p;

22: 40 hang all the law and the p.”

1Co 12: 28 the church first apostles, second p,

Eph 2: 20 the foundation of the apostles and p,

4: 11 some p, some evangelists,

Rev 11: 10 these two p had been a torment to

18: 20 you saints and apostles and p!

PROSPER PROSPERITY

Ps 1: 3 In all that they do, they p.

Isa 53: 10 the will of the LORD shall p.

PROSPERITY PROSPER

Dt 30: 15 have set before you today life and p,

PROSTITUTE PROSTITUTES

Jos 2: 1 a p whose name was Rahab,

1Co 6: 15 and make them members of a p?

Heb 11: 31 By faith Rahab the p did not perish

PROSTITUTES PROSTITUTE

Sir 9: 6 Do not give yourself to p,

Mt 21: 31 the p are going into the kingdom of

PROUD PRIDE

Ps 94: 2 give to the p what they deserve!

Pr 21: 4 Haughty eyes and a p heart—

Jas 4: 6 God opposes the p, but gives grace

PROVERBS

Pr 1: 1 The p of Solomon son of David,

Ecc 12: 9 and studying and arranging many p.

Sir 39: 3 seeks out the hidden meanings of p

PROVOKE PROVOKED

Jer 25: 6 not p me to anger with the work of

Heb 10: 24 how to p one another to love

PROVOKED PROVOKE

Ps 78: 41 and p the Holy One of Israel.

PRUNES

Jn 15: 2 he p to make it bear more fruit.

PSALMS

Lk 24: 44 and the p must be fulfilled.”

Eph 5: 19 you sing p and hymns and spiritual

PUFFS

1Co 8: 1 Knowledge p up, but love builds up.

PUNISH PUNISHING,

PUNISHMENT

Ex 32: 34 I will p them for their sin.”

1Pe 2: 14 by him to p those who do wrong

PUNISHING PUNISH

Dt 5: 9 p children for the iniquity of parents

Joel 2: 13 in steadfast love, and relents from p.

PUNISHMENT PUNISH

Isa 53: 5 was the p that made us whole,

Mt 25: 46 these will go away into eternal p,

1Jn 4: 18 for fear has to do with p,

PURE PURIFICATION, PURIFIED

2Sa 22: 27 with the p you show yourself p,

Ps 19: 9 the fear of the LORD is p, enduring

Hab 1: 13 Your eyes are too p to behold evil,

Mt 5: 8 “Blessed are the p in heart, for they

Php 4: 8 whatever is p, whatever is pleasing,

Tit 1: 15 To the p all things are p,

1Jn 3: 3 purify themselves, just as he is p.

PURIFICATION PURE

Heb 1: 3 When he had made p for sins,

PURIFIED PURE

1Pe 1: 22 p your souls by your obedience to

PURPLE

Ex 25: 4 p, and crimson yarns and fine linen,

Mk 15: 17 And they clothed him in a p cloak;

PURPOSE

Isa 46: 10 saying, “My p shall stand,

Ro 8: 28 who are called according to his p.

2Ti 1: 9 works but according to his own p

Q

QUAILS

Ex 16: 13 In the evening q came up

Nu 11: 31 and it brought q from the sea and

QUARRELED

Ex 17: 7 the Israelites q and tested the LORD,

Nu 20: 3 The people q with Moses and said,

QUEEN

1Ki 10: 1 the q of Sheba heard of the fame of

Rev 18: 7 in her heart she says, ‘I rule as a q;

QUIET

1Ti 2: 2 q and peaceable life in all godliness

1Pe 3: 4 beauty of a gentle and q spirit,

R

RABBI

Jn 1: 38 “R” (which translated means Teacher),

RACE

Ecc 9: 11 the sun the r is not to the swift,

1Co 9: 24 that in a r the runners all compete,

Heb 12: 1 let us run with perseverance the r

1Pe 2: 9 But you are a chosen r, a royal

RAIN RAINBOW

Ge 7: 4 For in seven days I will send r on

Isa 45: 8 let the skies r down righteousness;

Mt 5: 45 sends r on the righteous and on the

Rev 11: 6 so that no r may fall during the days

RAINBOW BOW

Rev 4: 3 the throne is a r that looks like an

RAISE RISE

Jn 2: 19 and in three days I will r it up.”

2Co 4: 14 who raised the Lord Jesus will r us

RAISED RISE

Mt 17: 23 and on the third day he will be r.”

Ac 2: 24 God r him up, having freed him

Ro 4: 25 and was r for our justification.

1Co 15: 4 r on the third day in accordance

RANSOM

Ps 49: 8 For the r of life is costly, and can

Mt 20: 28 and to give his life a r for many.”

1Ti 2: 6 who gave himself a r for all

REAP

Gal 6: 7 for you r whatever you sow.

Rev 14: 15 for the hour to r has come,

REBUILD BUILD

Ezr 1: 3 and r the house of the LORD,

Ne 2: 17 let us r the wall of Jerusalem,

Da 9: 25 went out to restore and r Jerusalem

Ac 15: 16 and I will r the dwelling of David,

REBUKE

Pr 27: 5 Better is open r than hidden love.

Zec 3: 2 said to Satan, “The LORD r you,

Mk 8: 32 Peter took him aside and began to r

2Ti 4: 2 convince, r, and encourage,

RECEIVE

Jn 16: 24 Ask and you will r, so that your joy

Ac 2: 38 you will r the gift of the Holy Spirit.

20: 35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to r.’

Rev 4: 11 to r glory and honor and power,

RECKONED

Ge 15: 6 LORD r it to him as righteousness.

Ro 4: 3 it was r to him as righteousness.”

RECONCILIATION

Ro 5: 11 whom we have now received r.

2Co 5: 18 and has given us the ministry of r;

REDEEM REDEEMER, REDEMPTION

Ex 6: 6 I will r you with an outstretched

Gal 4: 5 to r those who were under the law,

REDEEMER REDEEM

Job 19: 25 For I know that my R lives,

Ps 19: 14 O LORD, my rock and my r.

REDEMPTION REDEEM

Lk 21: 28 because your r is drawing near.”

Eph 1: 7 In him we have r through his blood,

Heb 9: 12 own blood, thus obtaining eternal r.

REFINE

Jer 9: 7 I will now r and test them,

Zec 13: 9 r them as one refines silver,

REFLECTED REFLECTION

2Co 3: 18 though r in a mirror,

REFLECTION REFLECTED

1Co 11: 7 since he is the image and r of God;

Heb 1: 3 He is the r of God’s glory

REFUGE

Nu 35: 11 select cities to be cities of r for you,

Ps 2: 12 Happy are all who take r in him.

REGULATIONS

Col 2: 20 Why do you submit to r,

Heb 9: 10 r for the body imposed until the

REIGN

Ex 15: 18 The LORD will r forever and ever.”

Ps 146: 10 The LORD will r forever,

1Co 15: 25 r until he has put all his enemies

2Ti 2: 12 we will also r with him;

Rev 11: 15 and he will r forever and ever.”

22: 5 and they will r forever and ever.

REJECTED

Ps 118: 22 The stone that the builders r

Isa 53: 3 He was despised and r by others;

Mt 21: 42 ‘The stone that the builders r

REJOICE

Ps 118: 24 let us r and be glad in it.

Zep 3: 17 he will r over you with gladness,

Php 4: 4 R in the Lord always; again I will say, R.

RELENT RELENTED

Eze 24: 14 I will not spare, I will not r.

Joel 2: 14 whether he will not turn and r,

Jnh 3: 9 God may r and change his mind;

RELENTED RELENT

1Ch 21: 15 LORD took note and r concerning

Jer 4: 28 I have not r nor will I turn back.

REMEMBER REMEMBRANCE

Ge 9: 15 I will r my covenant that is between

Ex 20: 8 R the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

Dt 8: 18 But r the LORD your God,

Sir 23: 18 The Most High will not r sins.”

2Ti 2: 8 R Jesus Christ, raised from the dead

Heb 8: 12 and I will r their sins no more.”

REMEMBRANCE REMEMBER

Lk 22: 19 Do this in r of me.”

REMNANT

Isa 10: 21 A r will return, the r of Jacob,

Jer 50: 20 will pardon the r that I have spared.

Ro 9: 27 only a r of them will be saved;

RENEW RENEWAL, RENEWED,

RENEWING

Isa 40: 31 the LORD shall r their strength,

La 5: 21 r our days as of old—

RENEWAL RENEW

Mt 19: 28 I tell you, at the r of all things,

RENEWED RENEW

2Co 4: 16 inner nature is being r day by day.

Eph 4: 23 to be r in the spirit of your minds,

RENEWING RENEW

Ro 12: 2 transformed by the r of your minds,

REPENT REPENTANCE

Sir 18: 21 and when you have sinned, r.

Mt 3: 2 “R, for the kingdom of heaven has

Ac 2: 38 “R, and be baptized every one of

REPENTANCE REPENT

Mk 1: 4 a baptism of r for the forgiveness

Lk 3: 8 Bear fruits worthy of r.

Ro 2: 4 kindness is meant to lead you to r?

2Co 7: 10 r that leads to salvation and brings

2Pe 3: 9 any to perish, but all to come to r.

REPROVE

Pr 19: 25 r the intelligent, and they will gain

Tit 2: 15 exhort and r with all authority.

Rev 3: 19 r and discipline those whom I love.

REQUIRE

Dt 10: 12 does the LORD your God r of you?

Mic 6: 8 the LORD r of you but to do justice,

RESCUE RESCUED

Mt 6: 13 but r us from the evil one.

2Pe 2: 9 the Lord knows how to r the godly

RESCUED RESCUE

Sir 51: 12 and r me in time of trouble.

Col 1: 13 has r us from the power of darkness

RESIST

Mt 5: 39 I say to you, Do not r an evildoer.

Ro 9: 19 For who can r his will?”

Jas 4: 7 R the devil, and he will flee from

REST RESTED

Ex 31: 15 seventh day is a sabbath of solemn r

Ps 95: 11 swore, “They shall not enter my r.”

Mt 11: 28 and I will give you r.

Heb 4: 10 those who enter God’s r also cease

RESTED REST

Ge 2: 2 he r on the seventh day from all the

Ex 20: 11 all that is in them, but r the seventh

RESURRECTION

Mt 22: 30 For in the r they neither marry nor

Mk 12: 18 Sadducees, who say there is no r,

Jn 11: 25 said to her, “I am the r and the life.

1Co 15: 12 you say there is no r of the dead?

Php 3: 10 know Christ and the power of his r

Rev 20: 5 This is the first r.

RETURN

Ge 3: 19 you are dust, and to dust you shall r.

Mal 3: 7 R to me, and I will r to you,

REVEAL REVEALED, REVELATION

Mt 11: 27 to whom the Son chooses to r him.

REVEALED REVEAL

Isa 40: 5 the glory of the LORD shall be r,

Mt 16: 17 flesh and blood has not r this to you

Lk 17: 30 on the day that the Son of Man is r.

Ro 1: 17 in it the righteousness of God is r

REVELATION REVEAL

1Co 14: 6 some r or knowledge or prophecy

Eph 3: 3 was made known to me by r,

REVERE REVERENCE

Jos 24: 14 “Now therefore r the LORD,

Tob 4: 5 “R the Lord all your days,

Mal 4: 2 But for you who r my name the sun

REVERENCE REVERE

Eph 5: 21 subject to one another out of r for

REVILE REVILED

Ex 22: 28 You shall not r God, or curse

Mt 5: 11 people r you and persecute you

REVILED REVILE

1Co 4: 12 When r, we bless;

1Pe 4: 14 If you are r for the name of Christ,

REWARD

Ps 19: 11 in keeping them there is great r.

Isa 40: 10 r is with him, and his recompense

Mt 6: 5 I tell you, they have received their r.

Lk 6: 23 for surely your r is great in heaven;

Rev 22: 12 I am coming soon; my r is with me,

RIB

Ge 2: 22 r that the LORD God had taken from

RICH RICHES

Mt 19: 23 hard for a r person to enter the

2Co 8: 9 by his poverty you might become r.

Eph 2: 4 But God, who is r in mercy,

RICHES RICH

Sir 13: 24 R are good if they are free from sin;

Lk 8: 14 they are choked by the cares and r

Ro 11: 33 O the depth of the r and wisdom

1Jn 2: 16 the desire of the eyes, the pride in r

RIGHT BIRTHRIGHT

Ex 15: 6 Your r hand, O LORD, glorious in

Dt 6: 18 Do what is r and good in the sight

Ps 110: 1 says to my lord, “Sit at my r hand

Pr 14: 12 a way that seems r to a person,

Ac 2: 34 said to my Lord, “Sit at my r hand,

Heb 1: 13 “Sit at my r hand until I make your

RIGHTEOUS RIGHTEOUSNESS

Ps 11: 7 For the LORD is r; he loves r deeds;

Wis 5: 15 r live forever, and their reward

Sir 35: 22 and does justice for the r,

Jer 23: 5 I will raise up for David a r Branch,

Eze 3: 20 if the r turn from their righteousness

Hab 2: 4 but the r live by their faith.

Mt 5: 45 rain on the r and on the unrighteous.

Mk 2: 17 come to call not the r but sinners.”

Ro 1: 17 one who is r will live by faith.”

Heb 10: 38 but my r one will live by faith.

1Jn 2: 1 with the Father, Jesus Christ the r;

Rev 19: 8 the fine linen is the r deeds of the

RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUS

Ge 15: 6 the LORD reckoned it to him as r.

Isa 11: 5 R shall be the belt around his waist,

Jer 23: 6 be called: “The LORD is our r.”

Da 9: 24 to bring in everlasting r,

Hos 10: 12 Sow for yourselves r; reap steadfast

Mt 5: 6 those who hunger and thirst for r,

Jn 16: 8 about sin and r and judgment:

Ro 5: 18 act of r leads to justification

Gal 3: 6 and it was reckoned to him as r,”

Eph 6: 14 and put on the breastplate of r.

2Pe 3: 13 heavens and a new earth, where r

RIPE

Jn 4: 35 how the fields are r for harvesting.

Rev 14: 15 the harvest of the earth is fully r.”

RISE ARISE, RAISE, RAISED, ROSE

Da 12: 13 shall r for your reward at the end of

Mal 4: 2 the sun of righteousness shall r,

Mt 27: 63 ‘After three days I will r again.’

1Th 4: 16 and the dead in Christ will r first.

ROAD

Mt 7: 13 and the r is easy that leads to

ROBBERS

Jer 7: 11 become a den of r in your sight?

Mt 21: 13 but you are making it a den of r.”

ROBE

Ex 28: 4 a breastpiece, an ephod, a r,

Jn 19: 5 crown of thorns and the purple r.

Rev 6: 11 They were each given a white r and

19: 13 He is clothed in a r dipped in blood,

ROCK

Ex 17: 6 Strike the r, and water will come

Nu 20: 8 you shall bring water out of the r

1Sa 2: 2 there is no R like our God.

Mt 16: 18 and on this r I will build my church,

Mk 15: 46 that had been hewn out of the r.

1Pe 2: 8 and a r that makes them fall.”

ROD

Ps 2: 9 shall break them with a r of iron,

23: 4 your r and your staff—they comfort

Pr 13: 24 who spare the r hate their children,

Rev 2: 27 to rule them with an iron r,

ROLL

Mk 16: 3 “Who will r away the stone for us

ROOT

Isa 11: 10 On that day the r of Jesse

53: 2 and like a r out of dry ground;

Ro 15: 12 “The r of Jesse shall come,

1Ti 6: 10 For the love of money is a r of all

Rev 5: 5 the tribe of Judah, the R of David,

ROSE RISE

SS 2: 1 I am a r of Sharon, a lily

1Th 4: 14 believe that Jesus died and r again,

RULE

Eph 1: 21 far above all r and authority and

Col 3: 15 the peace of Christ r in your hearts,

RUMORS

Mt 24: 6 you will hear of wars and r of wars;

RUN

Isa 40: 31 they shall r and not be weary,

Heb 12: 1 let us r with perseverance the race

RUST

Mt 6: 19 where moth and r consume

LtJ 6: 12 cannot save themselves from r

S

SABBATH

Ex 20: 8 Remember the s day, and keep it holy.

1Mc 1: 43 to idols and profaned the s.

Mk 2: 28 Son of Man is lord even of the s.”

SACRIFICE SACRIFICED

Ex 12: 27 ‘It is the passover s to the LORD,

1Sa 15: 22 Surely, to obey is better than s,

Ps 40: 6 S and offering you do not desire,

Da 9: 27 he shall make s and offering cease;

Hos 6: 6 For I desire steadfast love and not s,

Mt 9: 13 this means, ‘I desire mercy, not s.’

Ro 3: 25 put forward as a s of atonement

Heb 13: 15 let us continually offer a s of praise

1Jn 2: 2 and he is the atoning s for our sins,

SACRIFICED SACRIFICE

1Co 5: 7 our paschal lamb, Christ, has been s.

8: 1 Now concerning food s to idols:

SADDUCEES

Mt 16: 6 the yeast of the Pharisees and S.”

Mk 12: 18 S, who say there is no resurrection,

SAFE SAFETY

Ps 37: 28 righteous shall be kept s forever,

Pr 18: 10 the righteous run into it and are s.

SAFETY SAFE

Dt 12: 10 around so that you live in s,

Eze 34: 28 they shall live in s,

SAINTS

Ps 31: 23 Love the LORD, all you his s.

Ro 8: 27 the Spirit intercedes for the s

1Co 6: 2 that the s will judge the world?

Eph 4: 12 equip the s for the work of ministry,

Rev 5: 9 by your blood you ransomed for God s

SALT

Ge 19: 26 back, and she became a pillar of s.

Mt 5: 13 “You are the s of the earth;

SALVATION SAVE

Ex 15: 2 and he has become my s;

Ps 27: 1 The LORD is my light and my s;

Isa 52: 7 brings good news, who announces s,

Bar 4: 29 everlasting joy with your s.

Lk 3: 6 all flesh shall see the s of God.’”

Ac 4: 12 There is s in no one else,

Php 2: 12 work out your own s with fear

Heb 2: 3 escape if we neglect so great a s?

2Pe 3: 15 regard the patience of our Lord as s.

SAMARITAN

Lk 10: 33 But a S while traveling came near

Jn 4: 7 A S woman came to draw water,

SANCTIFICATION SANCTIFY

Ro 6: 19 as slaves to righteousness for s.

1Th 4: 3 For this is the will of God, your s:

SANCTIFIED SANCTIFY

Jn 17: 19 so that they also may be s in truth.

1Co 6: 11 But you were washed, you were s,

SANCTIFY SANCTIFICATION,

SANCTIFIED

Lev 11: 44 s yourselves therefore, and be holy,

Heb 13: 12 to s the people by his own blood.

SANCTUARY

Ex 25: 8 And have them make me a s,

1Ch 22: 19 build the s of the LORD God

1Mc 1: 21 He arrogantly entered the s

Heb 9: 24 Christ did not enter a s made by

SAND

Mt 7: 26 foolish man who built his house on s.

SAT SIT

Heb 10: 12 “he s down at the right hand of God,

Rev 3: 21 and s down with my Father

SATAN

1Ch 21: 1 S stood up against Israel,

Job 1: 6 and S also came among them.

Zec 3: 2 “The LORD rebuke you, O S!

Mt 4: 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, S!

16: 23 said to Peter, “Get behind me, S!

2Co 11: 14 S disguises himself as an angel of light.

Rev 12: 9 who is called the Devil and S,

20: 7 S will be released from his prison

SAVE SALVATION, SAVED,

SAVIOR

Isa 59: 1 LORD’s hand is not too short to s,

Jer 15: 20 for I am with you to s you

Mt 1: 21 he will s his people from their sins.”

16: 25 who want to s their life will lose it,

Lk 19: 10 came to seek out and to s the lost.”

SAVED SAVE

Isa 45: 22 Turn to me and be s,

Joel 2: 32 on the name of the LORD shall be s;

Mt 10: 22 who endures to the end will be s.

Mk 15: 31 He s others; he cannot save himself.

Ro 10: 13 on the name of the Lord shall be s.”

Eph 2: 8 For by grace you have been s

SAVIOR SAVE

Isa 49: 26 know that I am the LORD your S,

Hos 13: 4 and besides me there is no s.

1Ti 4: 10 who is the S of all people,

Tit 2: 13 of the glory of our great God and S,

2Pe 3: 18 knowledge of our Lord and S Jesus

SCARLET

Isa 1: 18 your sins are like s, they shall be

Mt 27: 28 stripped him and put a s robe on him

SCEPTER

Ge 49: 10 The s shall not depart from Judah,

Nu 24: 17 and a s shall rise out of Israel;

SCRIBES

Mt 7: 29 having authority, and not as their s.

23: 13 “But woe to you, s and Pharisees,

SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURES

Lk 4: 21 “Today this s has been fulfilled in

Jn 10: 35 and the s cannot be annulled—

1Ti 4: 13 attention to the public reading of s,

2Ti 3: 16 All s is inspired by God and is useful

SCRIPTURES SCRIPTURE

Mt 22: 29 know neither the s nor the power

Lk 24: 45 their minds to understand the s,

Jn 5: 39 “You search the s because you think

SEA

Ps 95: 5 The s is his, for he made it,

Mic 7: 19 all our sins into the depths of the s.

Rev 4: 6 there is something like a s of glass,

21: 1 and the s was no more.

SEAL

2Co 1: 22 by putting his s on us and giving us

Eph 1: 13 the s of the promised Holy Spirit;

Rev 7: 3 our God with a s on their foreheads.

SEASON SEASONS

Ps 1: 3 which yield their fruit in its s,

Ecc 3: 1 For everything there is a s,

SEASON SEASONS

1Th 5: 1 Now concerning the times and the s,

SEAT

Ex 25: 17 make a mercy s of pure gold;

Ro 14: 10 stand before the judgment s of God.

2Co 5: 10 must appear before the judgment s

SECRET

Dt 29: 29 The s things belong to the LORD

Ro 2: 16 will judge the s thoughts of all.

SEE SEEN, SEES, SIGHT

Ex 33: 20 for no one shall s me and live.”

Jn 9: 25 that though I was blind, now I s.”

Rev 1: 7 the clouds; every eye will s him,

SEED SEEDS, SEEDTIME

Mt 17: 20 have faith the size of a mustard s,

SEEDS SEED

Mt 13: 8 Other s fell on good soil

Mk 4: 31 the smallest of all the s on earth;

SEEK

1Ch 28: 9 If you s him, he will be found by

Ps 34: 10 those who s the LORD lack no good

Sir 2: 16 who fear the Lord s to please him,

Isa 55: 6 S the LORD while he may be found,

Lk 19: 10 came to s out and to save

Heb 11: 6 that he rewards those who s him.

SEEN SEE

Jn 1: 18 No one has ever s God.

14: 9 Whoever has s me has s the Father.

SELF-CONTROL

2Pe 1: 6 with s, and s with endurance,

SEPARATE

Mt 19: 6 joined together, let no one s.”

Ro 8: 35 will s us from the love of Christ?

SERPENT

Ge 3: 1 the s was more crafty than any other

2Co 11: 3 the s deceived Eve by its cunning,

Rev 20: 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient s,

SERVANT

Isa 42: 1 Here is my s, whom I uphold,

53: 11 my s, shall make many righteous,

Zec 3: 8 going to bring my s the Branch.

Lk 1: 38 “Here am I, the s of the Lord;

Ac 3: 13 has glorified his s Jesus,

Heb 3: 5 faithful in all God’s house as a s,

SERVE

Jos 24: 15 my household, we will s the LORD.”

1Sa 12: 20 but s the LORD with all your heart;

Mt 6: 24 You cannot s God and wealth.

Mk 10: 45 Son of Man came not to be served but to s,

1Pe 4: 10 s one another with whatever gift

SEVEN SEVENTH

Ge 7: 2 with you s pairs of all clean animals,

Ex 25: 37 You shall make the s lamps for it;

Jos 6: 4 march around the city s times,

Da 9: 25 prince, there shall be s weeks;

Mt 18: 22 “Not s times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven

Rev 1: 12 turning I saw s golden lampstands,

5: 1 and on the back, sealed with s seals;

Rev 8: 2 I saw the s angels who stand before

12: 3 a great red dragon, with s heads and

15: 1 s angels with s plagues,

SEVENTH SEVEN

Ge 2: 2 on the s day God finished the work

Ex 20: 10 the s day is a sabbath to the LORD

Heb 4: 4 God rested on the s day from all his

SEVENTY SEVENTY-SEVEN

Da 9: 24 S weeks are decreed for your people

SEVENTY-SEVEN SEVENTY

Mt 18: 22 “Not seven times, but, I tell you, s

SHADOW

Ps 17: 8 hide me in the s of your wings,

91: 1 who abide in the s of the Almighty,

SHAME ASHAMED

Da 12: 2 some to s and everlasting contempt.

1Co 1: 27 foolish in the world to s the wise;

Heb 12: 2 endured the cross, disregarding its s,

1Jn 2: 28 be put to s before him at his coming.

SHARE

Col 1: 12 to s in the inheritance of the saints

Heb 12: 10 in order that we may s his holiness.

Jude 1: 3 to you about the salvation we s,

SHARPENS SHARPER

Pr 27: 17 Iron s iron, and one person s

SHARPER SHARPENS

Heb 4: 12 s than any two-edged sword,

SHED

Ge 9: 6 shall that person’s blood be s;

Rev 16: 6 s the blood of saints and prophets,

SHEEP

Isa 53: 6 All we like s have gone astray;

Mt 9: 36 like s without a shepherd.

Jn 10: 7 I am the gate for the s.

10: 15 And I lay down my life for the s.

Heb 13: 20 the great shepherd of the s,

1Pe 2: 25 For you were going astray like s,

SHEOL

Ps 139: 8 if I make my bed in S, you are there.

Hos 13: 14 O S, where is your destruction?

SHEPHERD SHEPHERDS

Ps 23: 1 The LORD is my s, I shall not want.

Isa 40: 11 He will feed his flock like a s;

Mt 2: 6 ruler who is to s my people Israel.’”

Jn 10: 11 “I am the good s.

Heb 13: 20 the great s of the sheep,

1Pe 5: 4 And when the chief s appears,

SHEPHERDS SHEPHERD

Lk 2: 8 there were s living in the fields,

SHIELD

Eph 6: 16 With all of these, take the s of faith,

SHINE SHINES

Nu 6: 25 LORD make his face to s upon you,

Ps 4: 6 light of your face s on us, O LORD!”

Da 12: 3 Those who are wise shall s like the

Mt 5: 16 let your light s before others,

SHINES SHINE

Jn 1: 5 The light s in the darkness,

SHORT

Ro 3: 23 sinned and fall s of the glory of God;

SHOW SHOWED

Ex 33: 18 Moses said, “S me your glory,

Ps 85: 7 S us your steadfast love, O LORD,

Jn 14: 8 said to him, “Lord, s us the Father,

1Co 12: 31 will s you a still more excellent way

SHOWED SHOW

Jn 20: 20 he s them his hands and his side.

SICK SICKNESS

Mt 8: 16 and cured all who were s.

Jas 5: 14 Are any among you s?

SICKNESS SICK

Ex 23: 25 I will take s away from among you.

Mt 4: 23 and curing every disease and every s

SIDE

Jn 19: 34 soldiers pierced his s with a spear,

SIGHT SEE

Mt 11: 5 blind receive their s, the lame walk,

2Co 5: 7 for we walk by faith, not by s.

SIGN SIGNS

Mt 24: 3 the s of your coming and of the end

Mk 8: 12 does this generation ask for a s?

SIGNS SIGN

Ge 1: 14 be for s and for seasons and for days

Mt 16: 3 cannot interpret the s of the times.

Jn 20: 30 Jesus did many other s in the

1Co 1: 22 Jews demand s and Greeks desire

Rev 16: 14 demonic spirits, performing s,

SILENT

Isa 53: 7 a sheep that before its shearers is s,

Mk 14: 61 But he was s and did not answer.

SILVER

Mt 26: 15 They paid him thirty pieces of s.

Ac 3: 6 But Peter said, “I have no s or gold,

SIN SINNED, SINNER, SINNERS, SINS

Nu 32: 23 and be sure your s will find you out.

2Ch 7: 14 forgive their s and heal their land.

Tob 12: 10 but those who commit s

Ps 119: 11 so that I may not s against you.

Wis 10: 13 but delivered him from s.

Sir 3: 30 so almsgiving atones for s.

Isa 53: 12 yet he bore the s of many,

Mt 5: 29 If your right eye causes you to s,

Jn 1: 29 who takes away the s of the world!

Ro 6: 23 For the wages of s is death,

Heb 4: 15 tested as we are, yet without s.

1Jn 1: 7 Jesus his Son cleanses us from all s.

SINAI

Ex 19: 20 the LORD descended upon Mount S,

SING SONG, SONGS, SUNG

Jdt 16: 13 I will s to my God a new song:

Ps 47: 6 S praises to God, s praises;

Da 3: 59 s praise to him and highly exalt him

1Co 14: 15 I will s praise with the spirit,

Col 3: 16 gratitude in your hearts s psalms,

Rev 5: 9 They s a new song:

SINNED SIN

Ps 51: 4 Against you, you alone, have I s,

Sir 18: 21 and when you have s, repent.

La 5: 7 Our ancestors s; they are no more,

Ro 3: 23 all have s and fall short of the glory

1Jn 1: 10 If we say that we have not s,

SINNER SIN

Lk 15: 7 over one s who repents than

Jas 5: 20 that whoever brings back a s

SINNERS SIN

Pr 23: 17 Do not let your heart envy s,

Ro 5: 8 we still were s Christ died for us.

1Ti 1: 15 Jesus came into the world to save s

SINS SIN

1Sa 2: 25 if someone s against the LORD,

Sir 2: 11 he forgives s and saves

Eze 18: 4 only the person who s that shall die.

Mt 9: 6 has authority on earth to forgive s”—

Lk 11: 4 forgive us our s, for we ourselves

Ac 3: 19 to God so that your s may be wiped

1Co 15: 3 Christ died for our s in accordance

Heb 9: 28 offered once to bear the s of many,

1Jn 1: 9 If we confess our s, he who is faithful

Rev 1: 5 loves us and freed us from our s

SISTER

Pr 7: 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my s,”

Mk 3: 35 the will of God is my brother and s

SIT SAT

Ps 110: 1 says to my lord, “S at my right hand

Mt 20: 23 to s at my right hand and at my left,

Heb 1: 13 “S at my right hand until I make

SIX

Ex 20: 9 S days you shall labor and do all

Pr 6: 16 are s things that the LORD hates,

SKULL

Mt 27: 33 Golgotha (which means Place of a S)

SLANDER SLANDERED

Ps 15: 3 who do not s with their tongue,

Pr 10: 18 and whoever utters s is a fool.

Mt 15: 19 fornication, theft, false witness, s.

1Pe 2: 1 all guile, insincerity, envy, and all s.

SLANDERED SLANDER

1Co 4: 13 when s, we speak kindly.

SLAUGHTER

Isa 53: 7 like a lamb that is led to the s,

Ac 8: 32 “Like a sheep he was led to the s,

SLAVE SLAVERY

Mk 10: 44 first among you must be s of all.

Jn 8: 34 who commits sin is a s to sin.

Gal 3: 28 there is no longer s or free,

SLAVERY SLAVE

Gal 5: 1 do not submit again to a yoke of s.

SLEEP ASLEEP, SLEEPER, SLEEPING

Ps 121: 4 keeps Israel will neither slumber nor s.

Da 12: 2 Many of those who s in the dust of

SLEEPER SLEEP

Eph 5: 14 “S, awake! Rise from the dead,

SLEEPING SLEEP

Mt 9: 24 for the girl is not dead but s.”

26: 40 to the disciples and found them s;

SLING

1Sa 17: 50 over the Philistine with a s and a stone,

SLOW SLOWNESS

Ex 34: 6 merciful and gracious, s to anger,

Sir 5: 4 for the Lord is s to anger.

2Pe 3: 9 The Lord is not s about his promise,

SLOWNESS SLOW

2Pe 3: 9 think of s, but is patient with you,

SNOW

Ps 51: 7 and I shall be whiter than s.

Isa 1: 18 sins are like scarlet, they shall be like s;

Da 7: 9 his clothing was white as s,

Rev 1: 14 as white wool, white as s;

SOBER

1Th 5: 6 but let us keep awake and be s;

2Ti 4: 5 always be s, endure suffering,

SODOM

Ge 19: 24 rained on S and Gomorrah sulfur

Lk 10: 12 it will be more tolerable for S than

Rev 11: 8 city that is prophetically called S

SOLDIERS

Mt 28: 12 give a large sum of money to the s,

Jn 19: 23 When the s had crucified Jesus,

SON SONS

Ex 4: 23 now I will kill your firstborn s.’”

2Sa 7: 14 and he shall be a s to me.

Ps 2: 7 He said to me, “You are my s;

Sir 4: 10 be like a s of the Most High,

Isa 7: 14 is with child and shall bear a s,

Mt 1: 23 virgin shall conceive and bear a s,

3: 17 from heaven said, “This is my S,

16: 16 the Messiah, the S of the living God.”

Mk 10: 45 S of Man came not to be served but to

Lk 1: 35 he will be called S of God.

Jn 3: 16 loved the world that he gave his only S,

1Th 1: 10 to wait for his S from heaven,

Heb 1: 2 last days he has spoken to us by a S,

1Jn 4: 9 God sent his only S into the world

Rev 12: 5 she gave birth to a s, a male child,

14: 14 the cloud was one like the S of Man,

SONG SING

Ps 40: 3 He put a new s in my mouth,

Rev 5: 9 They sing a new s: “You are worthy

15: 3 and the s of the Lamb:

SONGS SING

Col 3: 16 hymns, and spiritual s to God.

SONS SON

Ac 2: 17 s and your daughters shall prophesy,

2Co 6: 18 you shall be my s and daughters,

SOON

Rev 22: 20 says, “Surely I am coming s.”

SOUL SOULS

Dt 6: 5 all your s, and with all your might.

Jos 22: 5 all your heart and with all your s.”

Sir 7: 29 With all your s fear the Lord,

Mt 10: 28 fear him who can destroy both s and

Heb 4: 12 piercing until it divides s from spirit

Jas 5: 20 will save the sinner’s s from death

3Jn 1: 2 just as it is well with your s.

SOULS SOUL

Jer 6: 16 walk in it, and find rest for your s.

Mt 11: 29 and you will find rest for your s.

SOWS

Jn 4: 37 ‘One s and another reaps.’

2Co 9: 6 who s sparingly will also reap

SPARROWS

Lk 12: 7 you are of more value than many s.

SPEAK SPEAKING

Ecc 3: 7 time to keep silence, and a time to s;

Mt 13: 13 The reason I s to them in parables is

Ac 2: 4 began to s in other languages,

1Co 12: 30 Do all s in tongues?

SPEAKING SPEAK

1Co 14: 39 and do not forbid s in tongues;

Eph 4: 15 But s the truth in love,

SPEAR SPEARS

Jn 19: 34 the soldiers pierced his side with a s,

SPIES SPY

Nu 13: 32 we have gone through as s

Jos 2: 1 two men secretly from Shittim as s,

SPIRIT SPIRITS, SPIRITUAL

Ge 6: 3 My s shall not abide in mortals forever,

Nu 11: 25 s rested upon them, they prophesied.

Ps 31: 5 Into your hand I commit my s;

51: 17 acceptable to God is a broken s;

Isa 42: 1 I have put my s upon him;

Eze 36: 26 and a new s I will put within you;

Joel 2: 28 I will pour out my s on all flesh;

Mt 1: 18 to be with child from the Holy S.

5: 3 “Blessed are the poor in s,

26: 41 the s indeed is willing, but the flesh

Mk 1: 8 will baptize you with the Holy S.”

Jn 3: 5 without being born of water and S.

4: 24 God is s, and those who worship him must worship in s and truth.”

14: 26 But the Advocate, the Holy S,

Ac 2: 4 of them were filled with the Holy S

Ro 8: 26 the S helps us in our weakness;

1Co 12: 4 are varieties of gifts, but the same S;

2Co 3: 6 the letter kills, but the S gives life.

Gal 5: 22 the fruit of the S is love, joy, peace,

Eph 1: 13 the seal of the promised Holy S;

5: 18 but be filled with the S,

1Th 5: 19 Do not quench the S.

Heb 4: 12 piercing until it divides soul from s,

1Jn 4: 1 Beloved, do not believe every s,

SPIRITS SPIRIT

Lk 4: 36 power he commands the unclean s,

Rev 1: 4 seven s who are before his throne,

SPIRITUAL SPIRIT

1Co 2: 13 interpreting s things to those who are s.

12: 1 Now concerning s gifts,

14: 1 Pursue love and strive for the s gifts,

Eph 1: 3 every s blessing in the heavenly

1Pe 2: 5 yourselves be built into a s house,

SPIT

Mk 14: 65 began to s on him, to blindfold him,

Rev 3: 16 am about to s you out of my mouth.

SPY SPIES

Nu 13: 2 men to s out the land of Canaan,

Jos 6: 25 whom Joshua sent to s out Jericho.

STAFF

Ex 4: 4 and it became a s in his hand—

Nu 17: 6 the s of Aaron was among theirs.

Ps 23: 4 your rod and your s—they comfort me.

STAND STANDING

Ex 14: 13 “Do not be afraid, s firm,

Job 19: 25 at the last he will s upon the earth;

Ps 1: 5 wicked will not s in the judgment,

Mt 12: 25 house divided against itself will s.

Ro 14: 10 all s before the judgment seat of God.

STANDING STAND

1Co 10: 12 So if you think you are s,

Rev 3: 20 I am s at the door, knocking;

STAR STARS

Nu 24: 17 a s shall come out of Jacob,

Isa 14: 12 are fallen from heaven, O Day S,

Mt 2: 2 For we observed his s at its rising,

2Pe 1: 19 day dawns and the morning s rises

Rev 9: 1 saw a s that had fallen from heaven

22: 16 of David, the bright morning s.”

STARS STAR

Ge 1: 16 to rule the night—and the s.

Job 38: 7 when the morning s sang together

Rev 1: 16 In his right hand he held seven s,

STATUE

Da 2: 31 there was a great s.

STATUTE STATUTES

Lev 16: 29 This shall be a s to you forever:

Nu 19: 21 It shall be a perpetual s for them.

STATUTES STATUTE

Ge 26: 5 commandments, my s, and my laws.

Dt 4: 1 give heed to the s and ordinances

Ne 9: 13 good s and commandments,

Ps 119: 8 I will observe your s;

STEADFAST

Heb 6: 19 a sure and s anchor of the soul,

1Pe 5: 9 Resist him, s in your faith,

STEAL

Ex 20: 15 You shall not s.

Mt 6: 19 and where thieves break in and s;

STILL

Ps 46: 10 “Be s, and know that I am God!

Mk 4: 39 said to the sea, “Peace! Be s!”

STING

1Co 15: 55 Where, O death, is your s?”

STONE CORNERSTONE, MILLSTONE,

STONED, STONES

Ex 31: 18 tablets of s, written with the finger of

1Sa 17: 50 the Philistine with a sling and a s,

Ps 118: 22 The s that the builders rejected has

Isa 28: 16 in Zion a foundation s, a tested s,

Eze 36: 26 from your body the heart of s

Mt 4: 6 will not dash your foot against a s.’”

Mk 12: 10 ‘The s that the builders rejected has

16: 3 “Who will roll away the s for us

Ro 9: 32 have stumbled over the stumbling s,

2Co 3: 3 not on tablets of s but on tablets

STONED STONE

Ac 14: 19 Then they s Paul and dragged him

Heb 11: 37 s to death, they were sawn in two,

STONES STONE

Mt 3: 9 God is able from these s to raise

Lk 19: 40 were silent, the s would shout out.”

1Co 3: 12 precious s, wood, hay, straw—

1Pe 2: 5 like living s, let yourselves be built

STRAIGHT

Pr 3: 6 and he will make s your paths.

Isa 40: 3 s in the desert a highway for our God.

Mt 3: 3 way of the Lord, make his paths s.’”

Ac 9: 11 Get up and go to the street called S,

STRANGER STRANGERS

Dt 10: 19 You shall also love the s,

Mt 25: 35 I was a s and you welcomed me,

STRANGERS STRANGER

Ro 12: 13 extend hospitality to s.

Heb 11: 13 They confessed that they were s

STREAMS

Ps 1: 3 like trees planted by s of water,

42: 1 As a deer longs for flowing s,

STRENGTH STRONG

Ex 15: 2 The LORD is my s and my might,

1Ch 16: 11 Seek the LORD and his s,

Ne 8: 10 for the joy of the LORD is your s.”

Jdt 9: 11 your s does not depend on numbers,

1Mc 3: 19 but s comes from Heaven.

Ps 46: 1 God is our refuge and s,

Isa 40: 31 for the LORD shall renew their s,

Mk 12: 30 all your mind, and with all your s.’

STRENGTHEN STRONG

Ps 119: 28 s me according to your word.

Heb 12: 12 hands and s your weak knees,

STRENGTHENS STRONG

Php 4: 13 do all things through him who s me.

STRIFE

Pr 23: 29 Who has sorrow? Who has s?

Ro 1: 29 Full of envy, murder, s, deceit,

Gal 5: 20 enmities, s, jealousy, anger,

STRIKE

Ge 3: 15 he will s your head, and you will s

Ex 17: 6 S the rock, and water will come out

Mk 14: 27 ‘I will s the shepherd, and the sheep

STRONG STRENGTH, STRENGTHEN,

STRENGTHENS, STRONGHOLD

Dt 31: 6 Be s and bold; have no fear

Jos 1: 6 Be s and courageous; for you shall

Ecc 9: 11 nor the battle to the s, nor bread to

Ro 15: 1 We who are s ought to put up with

1Co 1: 27 in the world to shame the s;

2Co 12: 10 whenever I am weak, then I am s.

Eph 6: 10 be s in the Lord and in the strength

STRONGHOLD STRONG

Ps 9: 9 The LORD is a s for the oppressed,

Na 1: 7 a s in a day of trouble;

STUDY

Ezr 7: 10 Ezra had set his heart to s the law

Ecc 12: 12 much s is a weariness of the flesh.

STUMBLE STUMBLING

Mt 18: 9 And if your eye causes you to s,

Ro 9: 33 a stone that will make people s,

STUMBLING STUMBLE

Mt 16: 23 You are a s block to me;

Ro 11: 9 a s block and a retribution for them;

1Co 8: 9 not somehow become a s block to

SUBDUE

Ge 1: 28 and fill the earth and s it;

SUBJECT

Ro 13: 1 be s to the governing authorities;

Eph 5: 21 s to one another out of reverence

SUBMISSION SUBMIT

1Ti 2: 11 a woman learn in silence with full s.

Heb 5: 7 was heard because of his reverent s.

SUBMISSIVE SUBMIT

1Ti 3: 4 keeping his children s and respectful

Tit 2: 5 kind, being s to their husbands,

SUBMIT SUBMISSION, SUBMISSIVE

Heb 13: 17 Obey your leaders and s to them,

SUCCEED SUCCESSFUL

Pr 15: 22 but with many advisers they s.

Ecc 10: 10 but wisdom helps one to s.

SUCCESSFUL SUCCEED

Jos 1: 7 that you may be s wherever you go.

SUDDENLY

Mal 3: 1 Lord whom you seek will s come to

Mk 13: 36 find you asleep when he comes s.

SUFFER SUFFERED, SUFFERING,

SUFFERINGS

Lk 22: 15 this Passover with you before I s;

24: 46 the Messiah is to s and to rise from

Heb 9: 26 then he would have had to s again

SUFFERED SUFFER

1Pe 2: 21 because Christ also s for you,

SUFFERING SUFFER

Isa 53: 3 a man of s and acquainted with

Mk 8: 31 Son of Man must undergo great s,

SUFFERINGS SUFFER

Ro 8: 18 the s of this present time are not

SUFFICIENT

2Co 12: 9 “My grace is s for you,

SULFUR

Ge 19: 24 rained on Sodom and Gomorrah s

Ps 11: 6 he will rain coals of fire and s;

Rev 21: 8 in the lake that burns with fire and s, SUN

sum

Jos 10: 13 And the s stood still,

Ecc 1: 9 there is nothing new under the s.

Mt 5: 45 he makes his s rise on the evil and

Rev 22: 5 they need no light of lamp or s,

SUPPER

Lk 22: 20 he did the same with the cup after s,

Rev 19: 9 to the marriage s of the Lamb.”

SUPPLICATION SUPPLICATIONS

Eph 6: 18 at all times in every prayer and s.

SUPPLICATIONS SUPPLICATION

1Ti 2: 1 then, I urge that s, prayers,

Heb 5: 7 Jesus offered up prayers and s,

SURPASSES

Eph 3: 19 the love of Christ that s knowledge,

Php 4: 7 the peace of God, which s all

SUSTAINS

Ps 3: 5 for the LORD s me.

Heb 1: 3 he s all things by his powerful word.

SWALLOW SWALLOWED

Jnh 1: 17 provided a large fish to s up Jonah;

Mt 23: 24 You strain out a gnat but s a camel!

SWALLOWED SWALLOW

1Co 15: 54 “Death has been s up in victory.”

SWEAR

Dt 10: 20 and by his name you shall s.

Ps 24: 4 and do not s deceitfully.

Mt 5: 34 Do not s at all, either by heaven,

SWEAT

Ge 3: 19 By the s of your face you shall eat

Lk 22: 44 ·s became like great drops of blood‚

SWINE

1Mc 1: 47 sacrifice s and other unclean animals,

Mt 7: 6 do not throw your pearls before s,

SWORD SWORDS

Ge 3: 24 and a s flaming and turning to guard

Sir 21: 3 All lawlessness is like a two-edged s

Mt 10: 34 not come to bring peace, but a s.

Eph 6: 17 the s of the Spirit, which is the word

Heb 4: 12 sharper than any two-edged s,

Rev 1: 16 mouth came a sharp, two-edged s,

SWORDS SWORD

Isa 2: 4 shall beat their s into plowshares,

Joel 3: 10 Beat your plowshares into s,

SYMPATHIZE SYMPATHY

Heb 4: 15 unable to s with our weaknesses,

SYMPATHY SYMPATHIZE

Php 2: 1 any compassion and s,

1Pe 3: 8 all of you, have unity of spirit, s,

SYNAGOGUE SYNAGOGUES

Lk 4: 16 he went to the s on the sabbath day,

Ac 18: 26 He began to speak boldly in the s;

SYNAGOGUES SYNAGOGUE

Mt 4: 23 teaching in their s and proclaiming

Jn 18: 20 always taught in s and in the temple,

T

TABERNACLE

Ex 25: 9 concerning the pattern of the t

40: 34 the glory of the LORD filled the t.

1Ch 6: 48 for all the service of the t of the house

TABLE TABLES

Ex 25: 23 You shall make a t of acacia wood,

Ps 23: 5 a t before me in the presence of my

TABLES TABLE

Mk 11: 15 overturned the t of the money changers

TABLETS

Ex 31: 18 gave him the two t of the covenant,

2Co 3: 3 not on t of stone but on t of human hearts.

TALENT

Mt 25: 25 and hid your t in the ground.

TAX TAXES

Mt 11: 19 a friend of t collectors and sinners!’

Lk 18: 10 Pharisee and the other a t collector.

TAXES TAX

Mt 22: 17 Is it lawful to pay t to the emperor,

Ro 13: 7 t to whom t are due,

TEACH TEACHER, TEACHERS,

TEACHING

Dt 6: 1 to t you to observe in the land that

Jer 31: 34 No longer shall they t one another,

Col 3: 16 t and admonish one another in all

1Jn 2: 27 so you do not need anyone to t you.

TEACHER TEACH

Ecc 1: 1 words of the T, the son of David,

Jn 1: 38 “Rabbi” (which translated means T)

TEACHERS TEACH

Ps 119: 99 more understanding than all my t,

1Co 12: 28 second prophets, third t;

Eph 4: 11 evangelists, some pastors and t,

Jas 3: 1 Not many of you should become t,

TEACHING TEACH

Mk 1: 27 A new t—with authority!

TEAR

Rev 7: 17 God will wipe away every t from

TEETH TOOTH

Mt 8: 12 will be weeping and gnashing of t.”

TEMPLE

2Ch 2: 12 who will build a t for the LORD,

1Mc 4: 48 sanctuary and the interior of the t,

Mt 4: 5 placed him on the pinnacle of the t,

12: 6 something greater than the t is here.

1Co 3: 16 you are God’s t and that God’s Spirit

Eph 2: 21 and grows into a holy t in the Lord;

Rev 21: 22 its t is the Lord God the Almighty and

TEMPTATION TEMPTED

1Ti 6: 9 who want to be rich into t and

Jas 1: 12 Blessed is anyone who endures t.

TEMPTED TEMPTATION

Mk 1: 13 wilderness forty days, t by Satan;

Gal 6: 1 care that you yourselves are not t.

TEN

Ex 34: 28 the covenant, the t commandments.

TENT

Ex 27: 21 the t of meeting, outside the curtain

2Co 5: 1 the earthly t we live in is destroyed,

TEST TESTED, TESTING

Dt 6: 16 put the LORD your God to the t,

Sir 37: 27 My child, t yourself while you live;

Lk 4: 12 not put the Lord your God to the t.’

10: 25 then a lawyer stood up to t Jesus.

2Co 13: 5 indeed, you fail to meet the t!

1Jn 4: 1 t the spirits to see whether they are

TESTED TEST

Ge 22: 1 After these things God t Abraham.

Ps 78: 41 They t God again and again,

Heb 4: 15 been t as we are, yet without sin.

TESTIMONY

Mk 14: 59 on this point their t did not agree.

Rev 1: 9 the word of God and the t of Jesus.

TESTING TEST

1Co 10: 13 No t has overtaken you that is not

Jas 1: 3 t of your faith produces endurance;

THANK THANKS, THANKSGIVING

2Ch 29: 31 bring sacrifices and t offerings to

Ps 52: 9 I will t you forever,

Sir 35: 4 gives alms sacrifices a t offering.

THANKS THANK

1Co 11: 24 and when he had given t,

THANKSGIVING THANK

Ps 50: 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of t,

Php 4: 6 with t let your requests be made known

Rev 7: 12 glory and wisdom and t and honor

THIEF THIEVES

Ex 22: 1 The t shall make restitution,

Jn 10: 10 The t comes only to steal and kill

1Th 5: 2 day of the Lord will come like a t in

Rev 16: 15 (“See, I am coming like a t!

THIEVES THIEF

Mt 6: 19 and where t break in and steal;

THINK THOUGHTS

Ro 12: 3 not to t of yourself more highly than

1Co 10: 12 So if you t you are standing,

THIRD THREE

Mt 26: 44 and prayed for the t time,

Lk 18: 33 and on the t day he will rise again.”

THIRST THIRSTY

Mt 5: 6 who hunger and t for righteousness,

Rev 7: 16 will hunger no more, and t no more;

THIRSTY THIRST

Mt 25: 35 I was t and you gave me something

Jn 6: 35 believes in me will never be t.

Rev 22: 17 And let everyone who is t come.

THORN THORNS

2Co 12: 7 a t was given me in the flesh,

THORNS THORN

Jn 19: 2 the soldiers wove a crown of t and

THOUGHTS THINK

Isa 55: 8 For my t are not your t,

1Co 3: 20 “The Lord knows the t of the wise,

Heb 4: 12 judge the t and intentions of the heart.

THOUSAND

Ps 90: 4 t years in your sight are like yesterday

2Pe 3: 8 one day is like a t years, and a t years

Rev 20: 4 and reigned with Christ a t years.

THREE THIRD

Mt 18: 20 two or t are gathered in my name,

26: 34 you will deny me t times.”

Mk 8: 31 be killed, and after t days rise again.

2Co 12: 8 T times I appealed to the Lord

1Jn 5: 7 There are t that testify:

THRONE

Ps 45: 6 Your t, O God, endures forever

Isa 6: 1 I saw the Lord sitting on a t, high

Mt 19: 28 the Son of Man is seated on the t

Heb 4: 16 approach the t of grace with boldness,

Rev 4: 10 they cast their crowns before the t,

20: 11 I saw a great white t and the one

THUMMIM

Ex 28: 30 you shall put the Urim and the T,

THUNDER

Ex 9: 23 and the LORD sent t and hail,

Rev 4: 5 and rumblings and peals of t,

TIME TIMES

Est 4: 14 dignity for just such a t as this.”

Ecc 3: 1 a t for every matter under heaven:

Da 7: 25 for a t, two times, and half a t.

Ro 5: 6 the right t Christ died for the ungodly.

2Co 6: 2 See, now is the acceptable t;

Gal 4: 4 when the fullness of t had come,

Rev 12: 14 for a t, and times, and half a t.

TIMES TIME

Sir 20: 12 but pay for it seven t over.

Mt 16: 3 cannot interpret the signs of the t.

18: 22 seven t, but, I tell you, seventy-seven t.

Mk 14: 30 you will deny me three t.”

TITHE

Dt 12: 17 the t of your grain, your wine, and

Mal 3: 10 Bring the full t into the storehouse,

TODAY

Ps 2: 7 my son; t I have begotten you.

Heb 1: 5 my Son; t I have begotten you”?

13: 8 Christ is the same yesterday and t

TOMB

Mk 15: 46 laid it in a t that had been hewn out

Lk 24: 2 the stone rolled away from the t,

TOMORROW

Mt 6: 34 “So do not worry about t,

Jas 4: 14 do not even know what t will bring.

TONGUE TONGUES

Isa 45: 23 shall bow, every t shall swear.”

Php 2: 11 every t should confess that Jesus Christ

TONGUES TONGUE

Ac 2: 3 Divided t, as of fire, appeared

1Co 12: 10 t, to another the interpretation of t.

TOOTH TEETH

Ex 21: 24 t for t, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Mt 5: 38 ‘An eye for an eye and a t for a t.’

TOWER

Ge 11: 4 and a t with its top in the heavens,

Pr 18: 10 The name of the LORD is a strong t;

TRADITION

Mt 15: 2 disciples break the t of the elders?

Col 2: 8 empty deceit, according to human t,

TRAIN TRAINING

Pr 22: 6 T children in the right way, and

1Ti 4: 7 T yourself in godliness,

TRAINING TRAIN

1Ti 4: 8 while physical t is of some value,

2Ti 3: 16 and for t in righteousness,

TRAITOR

Lk 6: 16 and Judas Iscariot, who became a t.

TRANSFIGURED

Mt 17: 2 And he was t before them,

TRANSFORM TRANSFORMED

Php 3: 21 will t the body of our humiliation

TRANSFORMED TRANSFORM

Ro 12: 2 be t by the renewing of your minds,

2Co 3: 18 are being t into the same image

TRANSGRESSION TRANSGRESSIONS

Ex 23: 21 for he will not pardon your t;

Da 9: 24 to finish the t, to put an end to sin,

TRANSGRESSIONS TRANSGRESSION

Ps 103: 12 so far he removes our t from us.

Isa 53: 5 But he was wounded for our t,

TREASURE TREASURES

Mt 6: 21 where your t is, there your heart

2Co 4: 7 But we have this t in clay jars,

2Ti 1: 14 Guard the good t entrusted to you,

TREASURES TREASURE

Col 2: 3 are hidden all the t of wisdom

TREE

Ge 3: 24 to guard the way to the t of life.

Mt 12: 33 for the t is known by its fruit.

Rev 22: 2 the t of life with its twelve kinds

TREMBLING

Ps 2: 11 Serve the LORD with fear, with t

Php 2: 12 your own salvation with fear and t;

TRESPASS TRESPASSES

Ro 5: 15 But the free gift is not like the t.

TRESPASSES TRESPASS

Mt 6: 14 For if you forgive others their t,

2Co 5: 19 not counting their t against them,

TRIAL TRIALS

Lk 11: 4 do not bring us to the time of t.”

2Pe 2: 9 knows how to rescue the godly from t,

Rev 3: 10 I will keep you from the hour of t

TRIALS TRIAL

Jas 1: 2 whenever you face t of any kind,

1Pe 1: 6 you have had to suffer various t,

TRIBES

Ge 49: 28 All these are the twelve t of Israel,

Ex 24: 4 to the twelve t of Israel.

Mt 19: 28 judging the twelve t of Israel.

Rev 21: 12 inscribed the names of the twelve t

TRIUMPHAL TRIUMPHS

2Co 2: 14 Christ always leads us in t procession,

TRIUMPHS TRIUMPHAL

Jas 2: 13 mercy t over judgment.

TROUBLE TROUBLED

Ps 9: 9 a stronghold in times of t.

Pr 11: 8 The righteous are delivered from t,

Isa 33: 2 our salvation in the time of t.

Mt 6: 34 Today’s t is enough for today.

TROUBLED TROUBLE

Jn 14: 1 “Do not let your hearts be t.

TRUE TRUTH

Ps 119: 151 and all your commandments are t.

Jn 1: 9 The t light, which enlightens

1Jn 5: 20 He is the t God and eternal life.

Rev 3: 14 the Amen, the faithful and t witness,

19: 11 Its rider is called Faithful and T,

TRUMPET

1Co 15: 52 twinkling of an eye, at the last t.

1Th 4: 16 and with the sound of God’s t,

TRUST ENTRUSTED, TRUSTED,

TRUSTWORTHY

Ps 37: 3 T in the LORD, and do good;

Pr 3: 5 T in the LORD with all your heart,

Sir 2: 6 T in him, and he will help you;

TRUSTED TRUST

Da 3: 28 delivered his servants who t in him.

6: 23 because he had t in his God.

13: 35 for her heart t in the Lord.

TRUSTWORTHY TRUST

1Mc 14: 41 until a t prophet should arise,

Ps 111: 7 and just; all his precepts are t.

Rev 22: 6 “These words are t and true,

TRUTH TRUE

Tob 3: 2 all your ways are mercy and t;

Pr 23: 23 Buy t, and do not sell it;

Jn 1: 17 grace and t came through Jesus Christ.

4: 23 worship the Father in spirit and t,

8: 32 and the t will make you free.”

14: 6 “I am the way, and the t, and the life.

14: 17 This is the Spirit of t,

Eph 4: 15 But speaking the t in love,

2Ti 2: 15 rightly explaining the word of t.

TURNED TURN

Isa 53: 6 we have all t to our own way,

Ro 3: 12 All have t aside, together they have

TWELVE

Ge 49: 28 All these are the t tribes of Israel,

Mt 10: 1 Jesus summoned his t disciples

Lk 9: 17 t baskets of broken pieces.

Rev 21: 12 inscribed the names of the t tribes

22: 2 tree of life with its t kinds of fruit,

TWINKLING

1Co 15: 52 in the t of an eye, at the last trumpet

TWO TWICE, TWO-EDGED

Ge 1: 16 God made the t great lights—

6: 19 bring t of every kind into the ark,

Ex 31: 18 the t tablets of the covenant,

Dt 17: 6 of t or three witnesses the death

Mt 6: 24 “No one can serve t masters;

19: 5 and the t shall become one flesh’?

TWO-EDGED TWO

Heb 4: 12 sharper than any t sword,

Rev 1: 16 his mouth came a sharp, t sword,

U

UNBELIEF UNBELIEVER,

UNBELIEVERS

Mk 6: 6 And he was amazed at their u.

9: 24 cried out, “I believe; help my u!”

UNBELIEVER UNBELIEF

1Co 10: 27 If an u invites you to a meal and

2Co 6: 15 does a believer share with an u?

UNBELIEVERS UNBELIEF

2Co 6: 14 Do not be mismatched with u.

UNCIRCUMCISED UNCIRCUMCISION

Ac 7: 51 people, u in heart and ears,

Ro 4: 11 he had by faith while he was still u.

Col 3: 11 circumcised and u, barbarian,

UNCIRCUMCISION UNCIRCUMCISED

1Co 7: 19 Circumcision is nothing, and u is

Gal 5: 6 neither circumcision nor u counts

UNCLEAN UNCLEANNESS

Lev 5: 2 when any of you touch any u thing

Isa 52: 11 Touch no u thing;

Mk 3: 11 Whenever the u spirits saw him,

Rev 21: 27 But nothing u will enter it,

UNDERSTAND UNDERSTANDING

Lk 24: 45 opened their minds to u the scriptures,

Eph 5: 17 but u what the will of the Lord is.

UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTAND

Ex 36: 1 has given skill and u to know how

Pr 2: 6 from his mouth come knowledge and u

Lk 2: 47 heard him were amazed at his u

Php 4: 7 peace of God, which surpasses all u,

UNGODLY

Ro 5: 6 the right time Christ died for the u.

2Pe 2: 6 example of what is coming to the u;

UNITY

Ps 133: 1 when kindred live together in u!

Eph 4: 3 to maintain the u of the Spirit

UNJUST

Ro 3: 5 That God is u to inflict wrath on us?

Heb 6: 10 For God is not u; he will

UNLEAVENED

Ex 12: 17 shall observe the festival of u bread,

Mt 26: 17 first day of U Bread the disciples

UNRIGHTEOUS UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

Mt 5: 45 rain on the righteous and on the u.

2Pe 2: 9 u under punishment until the day

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNRIGHTEOUS

Ps 92: 15 and there is no u in him.

1Jn 1: 9 and cleanse us from all u.

URIM

Ex 28: 30 of judgment you shall put the U

USEFUL

2Ti 3: 16 scripture is inspired by God and is u

V

VAIN VANITY

Ps 2: 1 and the peoples plot in v?

Mt 15: 9 in v do they worship me,

Php 2: 16 that I did not run in v or labor in v.

VALLEY

Ps 23: 4 through the darkest v, I fear no evil;

VANITY VAIN

Ecc 1: 2 v of vanities! All is v.

VEIL

Ex 34: 33 he put a v on his face;

2Co 3: 15 a v lies over their minds;

VENGEANCE AVENGE, AVENGER,

AVENGING

Ps 94: 1 O LORD, you God of v,

Isa 34: 8 For the LORD has a day of v,

Na 1: 2 the LORD takes v on his adversaries

VICTORY

Pr 21: 31 but the v belongs to the LORD.

1Co 15: 54 Death has been swallowed up in v.”

VINE VINEYARD

Jn 15: 1 “I am the true v, and my Father is

VINEYARD VINE

Isa 5: 1 had a v on a very fertile hill.

Mt 21: 33 a landowner who planted a v,

VIOLENCE

Ge 6: 11 and the earth was filled with v.

Isa 53: 9 although he had done no v,

Hab 2: 17 because of human bloodshed and v

VIRGIN

Mt 1: 23 the v shall conceive and bear a son,

Lk 1: 34 “How can this be, since I am a v?”

VISION VISIONS

Isa 22: 1 oracle concerning the valley of v.

Da 8: 26 As for you, seal up the v,

VISIONS VISION

Nu 12: 6 make myself known to them in v;

Eze 1: 1 were opened, and I saw v of God.

Da 1: 17 Daniel also had insight into all v

Joel 2: 28 and your young men shall see v.

Ac 2: 17 and your young men shall see v,

VOICE

Heb 3: 7 says, “Today, if you hear his v,

Rev 3: 20 if you hear my v and open the door,

VOID

Ge 1: 2 the earth was a formless v

VOW

Ecc 5: 4 Fulfill what you v.

Sir 18: 23 Before making a v, prepare yourself

W

WAGES

Ro 6: 23 For the w of sin is death,

WAIT

Ps 27: 14 W for the LORD; be strong,

Sir 2: 7 fear the Lord, w for his mercy;

1Th 1: 10 to w for his Son from heaven,

WALK

Dt 10: 12 to w in all his ways, to love him,

Ps 23: 4 I w through the darkest valley,

Isa 40: 31 they shall w and not faint.

2Co 5: 7 for we w by faith, not by sight.

WALL

Jos 6: 20 shout, and the w fell down flat;

Ne 2: 17 let us rebuild the w of Jerusalem,

Eph 2: 14 has broken down the dividing w,

WANT

Ps 23: 1 LORD is my shepherd, I shall not w.

WAR WARRIOR, WARS

Ecc 3: 8 a time for w, and a time for peace.

WARRIOR WAR

Ex 15: 3 LORD is a w; the LORD

WARS WAR

Mt 24: 6 you will hear of w and rumors of w;

WASH

Ps 51: 7 w me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Jn 13: 5 and began to w the disciples’ feet

WATER WATERS

Jer 2: 13 the fountain of living w,

Eze 36: 25 I will sprinkle clean w upon you,

Mk 1: 8 I have baptized you with w;

Jn 2: 9 tasted the w that had become wine,

3: 5 without being born of w and Spirit.

4: 10 he would have given you living w.”

1Jn 5: 6 the one who came by w and blood,

Rev 22: 1 showed me the river of the w of life,

WATERS WATER

Ge 7: 7 the ark to escape the w of the flood.

Isa 55: 1 who thirsts, come to the w;

WAY WAYS

Ps 1: 6 watches over the w of the righteous,

Pr 22: 6 Train children in the right w,

Mt 3: 3 ‘Prepare the w of the Lord,

Jn 14: 6 “I am the w, and the truth, and the life.

1Co 12: 31 show you a still more excellent w.

Heb 10: 20 the new and living w that he opened

WAYS WAY

Dt 10: 12 to walk in all his w, to love him,

Sir 2: 15 who love him keep his w.

WEAK WEAKNESS, WEAKNESSES

Mt 26: 41 indeed is willing, but the flesh is w.”

1Co 1: 27 God chose what is w in the world

2Co 12: 10 whenever I am w, then I am strong.

WEAKNESS WEAK

Ro 8: 26 the Spirit helps us in our w;

WEAKNESSES WEAK

Heb 4: 15 to sympathize with our w,

WEALTH

Sir 5: 1 Do not rely on your w,

Rev 5: 12 receive power and w and wisdom

WEARY

Isa 40: 31 they shall run and not be w,

Heb 12: 3 you may not grow w or lose heart.

WEDDING

Jn 2: 1 there was a w in Cana of Galilee,

WEEKS

Ex 34: 22 You shall observe the festival of w,

Lev 23: 15 you shall count off seven w;

WEEP WEEPING

Ecc 3: 4 a time to w, and a time to laugh;

Ro 12: 15 w with those who w.

WEEPING WEEP

Ps 30: 5 W may linger for the night,

Mt 8: 12 will be w and gnashing of teeth.”

WELL

Dt 6: 3 so that it may go w with you,

Mt 3: 17 with whom I am w pleased.”

17: 5 I am w pleased; listen to him!”

2Pe 1: 17 with whom I am w pleased.”

WICKED WICKEDNESS

Ps 1: 5 the w will not stand in the judgment,

Isa 48: 22 no peace,” says the LORD, “for the w.”

Eze 18: 23 any pleasure in the death of the w,

WICKEDNESS WICKED

Ps 45: 7 you love righteousness and hate w.

Lk 11: 39 inside you are full of greed and w.

WIDOW WIDOWS

Ex 22: 22 shall not abuse any w or orphan.

Ps 146: 9 he upholds the orphan and the w,

1Ti 5: 4 If a w has children or grandchildren,

WIDOWS WIDOW

1Ti 5: 3 Honor w who are really w.

Jas 1: 27 to care for orphans and w in their

WIFE WIVES

Ge 2: 24 and his mother and clings to his w,

Ex 20: 17 shall not covet your neighbor’s w,

Tob 8: 6 his w Eve as a helper and support.

Pr 18: 22 who finds a w finds a good thing,

Sir 26: 3 A good w is a great blessing;

Mt 5: 32 that anyone who divorces his w,

Eph 5: 28 He who loves his w loves himself.

Rev 21: 9 the bride, the w of the Lamb.”

WILDERNESS

Isa 40: 3 the w prepare the way of the LORD,

Mt 3: 3 voice of one crying out in the w:

WILL WILLING

Ps 40: 8 I delight to do your w, O my God;

Mt 6: 10 Your w be done, on earth as it is in

Lk 22: 42 yet, not my w but yours be done.”

Jn 4: 34 “My food is to do the w of him who

Eph 6: 6 doing the w of God from the heart.

1Jo 5: 14 if we ask anything according to his w,

WILLING WILL

Mt 26: 41 spirit indeed is w, but the flesh is weak.

Lk 22: 42 if you are w, remove this cup from

WIND

Ecc 1: 14 all is vanity and a chasing after w.

Jn 3: 8 The w blows where it chooses,

Ac 2: 2 a sound like the rush of a violent w,

WINE

Mt 9: 17 is new w put into old wineskins;

Jn 2: 9 tasted the water that had become w,

Eph 5: 18 Do not get drunk with w, for that is

WINGS

Ex 19: 4 and how I bore you on eagles’ w

Ps 17: 8 hide me in the shadow of your w,

Mal 4: 2 shall rise, with healing in its w.

Lk 13: 34 hen gathers her brood under her w,

WIPE

Isa 25: 8 GOD will w away the tears from all

Rev 21: 4 he will w every tear from their eyes.

WISDOM WISE

1Ki 4: 29 God gave Solomon very great w,

Pr 1: 20 W cries out in the street;

9: 10 fear of the LORD is the beginning of w,

Wis 6: 12 W is radiant and unfading, Sir 1: 1 All w is from the Lord,

24: 1 THE PRAISE OF W

Jer 9: 23 Do not let the wise boast in their w,

Mt 13: 54 this man get this w and these deeds

Lk 2: 52 Jesus increased in w and in years,

Ro 11: 33 the depth of the riches and w and

1Co 1: 19 “I will destroy the w of the wise,

Col 2: 3 whom are hidden all the treasures of w

Jas 3: 17 But the w from above is first pure,

Rev 5: 12 wealth and w and might and honor

WISE WISDOM

Ps 19: 7 are sure, making w the simple;

Pr 3: 7 Do not be w in your own eyes;

Da 12: 3 are w shall shine like the brightness

1Co 1: 26 not many of you were w by human

Eph 5: 15 not as unwise people but as w,

WITHER WITHERS

Ps 1: 3 and their leaves do not w.

Eze 47: 12 Their leaves will not w nor their

WITHERS WITHER

Jn 15: 6 is thrown away like a branch and w;

1Pe 1: 24 The grass w, and the flower falls,

WITNESS EYEWITNESSES, WITNESSES

Dt 19: 15 single w shall not suffice to convict

Rev 1: 5 faithful w, the firstborn of the dead,

WITNESSES WITNESS

Mt 26: 60 though many false w came forward.

Heb 12: 1 surrounded by so great a cloud of w,

Rev 11: 3 my two w authority to prophesy

WIVES WIFE

Eph 5: 22 W, be subject to your husbands as

1Pe 3: 1 W, in the same way, accept the

WOMAN WOMEN

Ge 2: 22 he made into a w and brought her to

3: 15 enmity between you and the w,

Jdt 16: 5 foiled them by the hand of a w.

Ps 113: 9 He gives the barren w a home,

Pr 11: 16 A gracious w gets honor,

31: 30 w who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Rev 12: 1 a w clothed with the sun,

WOMEN WOMAN

Lk 1: 42 “Blessed are you among w,

23: 55 w who had come with him from

1Pe 3: 5 that the holy w who hoped in God

WONDERFUL WONDERS

Ge 18: 14 Is anything too w for the LORD?

Isa 9: 6 named W Counselor, Mighty God,

WONDERS WONDERFUL

Ex 3: 20 and strike Egypt with all my w that

Ps 136: 4 who alone does great w,

Jn 4: 48 signs and w you will not believe.”

2Th 2: 9 who uses all power, signs, lying w,

WORD BYWORD, WORDS

Dt 30: 14 No, the w is very near to you;

Ps 119: 105 Your w is a lamp to my feet and

Pr 30: 5 Every w of God proves true;

Isa 40: 8 the w of our God will stand forever.

Jn 1: 1 In the beginning was the W, and the W was with God, and the W was God.

1: 14 the W became flesh and lived among

2Ti 2: 15 rightly explaining the w of truth.

Jas 1: 22 But be doers of the w,

Rev 19: 13 his name is called The W of God.

WORDS WORD

Ex 20: 1 Then God spoke all these w:

Dt 11: 18 put these w of mine in your heart

Mt 24: 35 but my w will not pass away.

WORK WORKS

Ge 2: 2 the seventh day God finished the w

Ex 20: 10 you shall not do any w—

Php 2: 12 w out your own salvation with fear

2Ti 3: 17 equipped for every good w.

WORKS WORK

Gal 2: 16 and not by doing the w of the law,

5: 19 the w of the flesh are obvious:

Eph 2: 9 not the result of w, so that no one may

1Ti 6: 18 to do good, to be rich in good w,

WORLD

Mt 5: 14 “You are the light of the w.

16: 26 gain the whole w but forfeit their life?

Jn 1: 10 yet the w did not know him.

3: 16 loved the w that he gave his only Son,

8: 12 saying, “I am the light of the w.

1Jn 2: 15 not love the w or the things in the w.

Rev 11: 15 kingdom of the w has become the

WORRY

Mt 6: 25 do not w about your life,

10: 19 not w about how you are to speak

WORSHIP

Ex 20: 5 not bow down to them or w them;

Ps 100: 2 W the LORD with gladness;

Mt 4: 9 if you will fall down and w me.”

Jn 4: 24 who w him must w in spirit and truth.”

Ro 12: 1 which is your spiritual w.

WORTHY

2Sa 22: 4 LORD, who is w to be praised,

Eph 4: 1 to lead a life w of the calling

Rev 4: 11 “You are w, our Lord and God,

5: 12 W is the Lamb that was slaughtered

WOUNDS

1Pe 2: 24 by his w you have been healed.

WRAPPED

Mk 15: 46 the body, w it in the linen cloth,

Lk 2: 7 w him in bands of cloth,

WRATH

Nu 16: 46 For w has gone out from the LORD;

Ps 2: 5 Then he will speak to them in his w,

Pr 15: 1 A soft answer turns away w,

Sir 16: 11 For mercy and w are with the Lord;

Zep 1: 15 That day will be a day of w,

Mt 3: 7 you to flee from the w to come?

Ro 1: 18 w of God is revealed from heaven

1Th 1: 10 rescues us from the w that is coming

Rev 6: 17 the great day of their w has come,

WRITE WRITING, WRITTEN, WROTE

Ex 34: 27 LORD said to Moses: W these words;

Dt 6: 9 w them on the doorposts of your house

Pr 7: 3 w them on the tablet of your heart.

Jer 31: 33 and I will w it on their hearts;

Heb 8: 10 and w them on their hearts,

WRITING WRITE

Ex 32: 16 and the w was the w of God,

WRITTEN WRITE

Lk 24: 44 everything w about me in the law

Jn 21: 25 if every one of them were w down,

Rev 21: 27 are w in the Lamb’s book of life.

WRONG WRONGED

Lk 23: 41 but this man has done nothing w.”

Ac 23: 9 “We find nothing w with this man.

WRONGED WRONG

1Co 6: 7 Why not rather be w?

WROTE WRITE

Ex 24: 4 And Moses w down all the words

Y

YEAR YEARS

Ex 23: 14 Three times in the y you shall hold a

Heb 10: 1 continually offered y after y,

YEARS YEAR

Ps 90: 4 For a thousand y in your sight are like

Jer 25: 12 Then after seventy y are completed,

Da 9: 2 of Jerusalem, namely, seventy y.

2Pe 3: 8 the Lord one day is like a thousand y,

Rev 20: 2 and bound him for a thousand y,

YEAST

Mt 16: 6 beware of the y of the Pharisees and

Gal 5: 9 A little y leavens the whole batch of

YESTERDAY

Heb 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same y and today

YOKE

Mt 11: 30 my y is easy, and my burden is light.”

YOUTH YOUNG

Ecc 12: 1 Remember your creator in the days of your y,

Z

ZEAL

1Mc 2: 26 Thus he burned with z for the law,

Ps 69: 9 z for your house that has consumed me

Jn 2: 17 “Z for your house will consume me.

Ro 10: 2 testify that they have a z for God,

ZION

2Sa 5: 7 David took the stronghold of Z,

Ps 2: 6 I have set my king on Z, my holy hill.

Isa 28: 16 I am laying in Z a foundation stone,

Mic 4: 2 For out of Z shall go forth instruction,

Zec 9: 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Z!

Mt 21: 5 “Tell the daughter of Z,

Ro 11: 26 “Out of Z will come the Deliverer;

1Pe 2: 6 “See, I am laying in Z a stone,

Rev 14: 1 the Lamb, standing on Mount Z!

Credits

Jacket design: Nita Ybarra

Copyright

Some illustrations not available for the electronic edition.

“The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

NRSV STANDARD CATHOLIC ED BIBLE ANGLICIZED: THE NEW TESTAMENT. Copyright © 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Adobe Digital Edition August 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-199019-9

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a Or birth

b Or Jesus Christ

c Other ancient authorities read Asa

c Other ancient authorities read Asa

d Other ancient authorities read Amon

d Other ancient authorities read Amon

e Or the Christ

e Or the Christ

a Or Jesus Christ

b Other ancient authorities read her first born son

c Or astrologers; Gk magi

d Or in the East

e Or the Christ

f Or rule

c Or astrologers; Gk magi

d Or in the East

g Gk saw the star

a Gk he

b Or astrologers; Gk magi

b Or astrologers; Gk magi

a Gk he

c Or is at hand

d Or in

d Or in

a Or my beloved Son

b Gk he

a Or is at hand

b Gk He

c Gk gospel

d Gk he

e Other ancient authorities lack falsely

a Gk one iota

b Or annuls

c Gk a brother; other ancient authorities add without cause

d Gk say Raca to(an obscure term of abuse)

e Gk a brother

f Gk Gehenna

g Gk your brother

g Gk your brother

h Gk lacks to court

f Gk Gehenna

f Gk Gehenna

a Or evil

b Gk your brothers

c Other ancient authorities add openly

c Other ancient authorities add openly

d Or our bread for tomorrow

a Or us into temptation

b Or from evil. Other ancient authorities add, in some form, For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours for ever. Amen.

c Other ancient authorities add openly

d Gk eating

d Gk eating

e Gk mammon

f Other ancient authorities lack or what you will drink

g Or add one cubit to your height

a Other ancient authorities lack of God

b Or its

c Gk brother’s

d Gk brother

c Gk brother’s

e Other ancient authorities read for the road is wide and easy

a Gk he

b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

c Other ancient authorities read Truly I tell you, not even

a Other ancient authorities read Gergesenes; others, Gerasenes

a Gk reclined

b Gk were reclining

c Other ancient authorities lack often

d Gk lacks of the synagogue

a Other ancient authorities lack this verse

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities read Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus

d Or is at hand

e The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

a Gk Gehenna

a Or the Christ

b Other ancient authorities read two of his

c The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

d Or Why then did you go out? To see someone

e Other ancient authorities read Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?

f Or has been coming violently

g Other ancient authorities add to hear

h Other ancient authorities read children

a Or praise

b Or for so it was well-pleasing in your sight

c Other ancient authorities lack crowds

a Gk sons

a Other ancient authorities lack verse 47

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities add to hear

d Or mysteries

a Gk stumbles

b Gk hid in

c Other ancient authorities read the prophet Isaiah

a Other ancient authorities lack of the world

b Other ancient authorities add to hear

c Gk them

d Gk tetrarch

a Other ancient authorities read his brother’s wife

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities read was out on the lake

d Other ancient authorities read the wind

a Other ancient authorities read commanded, saying

b Or is an offering

c Other ancient authorities add or the mother

d Other ancient authorities read law; others, commandment

e Other ancient authorities lack of the blind

a Other ancient authorities read Magdala or Magdalan

b Gk him

c Other ancient authorities lack ²When it is…of the times

a Or the Christ

b Gk Petros

c Gk petra

d Other ancient authorities add Jesus

a Or the Christ

e Other ancient authorities read we

f Or tents

a Or my beloved Son

b Gk it or him

c Gk the demon

d Gk faith as a grain of

e Other ancient authorities add verse 21, But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting

f Other ancient authorities read living

g Gk didrachma

g Gk didrachma

h Gk he

i Gk stater; the stater was worth two didrachmas

a Gk Gehenna

b Other ancient authorities add verse 11, For the Son of Man came to save the lost

c Other ancient authorities read my

d Gk If your brother

e Other ancient authorities lack against you

f Gk the brother

g Gk if my brother

h Or seventy times seven

a A talent was worth more than fifteen years’ wages of a labourer

b The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

c Gk brother

d Other ancient authorities read except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; others add at the end of the verse and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery

a Other ancient authorities add from my youth

b Gk lacks the money

c Other ancient authorities read manifold

d Gk a denarius

a Gk a denarius

a Gk a denarius

a Gk a denarius

b Gk is your eye evil because I am good?

c Other ancient authorities add for many are called but few are chosen

d Other ancient authorities add or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

e Other ancient authorities lack Lord

a Or “The Lord needs them and will send them back immediately.”

b Or Most of the crowd

c Other ancient authorities add of God

d Gk lacks heard

a Gk He

b Or keystone

a Gk the fruits of it

b Other ancient authorities lack verse 44

c Other ancient authorities read who say that there is no resurrection

a Other ancient authorities add of God

b Or Christ

c Gk in spirit

d Other ancient authorities lack hard to bear

e Gk brothers

f Or the Christ

a Other authorities add here (or after verse 12) verse 14, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation

b Gk Gehenna

c Other ancient authorities add and of the plate

b Gk Gehenna

a Other ancient authorities lack desolate

b Or the Christ

c Other ancient authorities add and pestilences

d Or stumble

e Or gospel

b Or the Christ

f Or christs

a Or it

b Other ancient authorities lack nor the Son

c Other ancient authorities read at what hour

d Gk to give them

a Or cut him off

b Gk virgins

c Other ancient authorities add and the bride

b Gk virgins

b Gk virgins

d Other ancient authorities add in which the Son of Man is coming

e A talent was worth more than fifteen years’ wages of a labourer

a Gk these my brothers

b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

a Or gospel

b Other ancient authorities add disciples

c Other ancient authorities add new

a Or into temptation

a Or Christ

b Gk the Nazorean

c Gk he

d Other ancient authorities read righteous

e Other ancient authorities read Zechariah or Isaiah

f Or I took

g Or the price of the precious One

h Other ancient authorities read I gave

a Or Christ

a Other ancient authorities lack Jesus

a Other ancient authorities lack Jesus

b Or the Christ

b Or the Christ

c Other ancient authorities read this righteous blood, or this righteous man’s blood

d Gk the praetorium

e Other ancient authorities add in order that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.’

a Or blasphemed

b Or is he unable to save himself?

c Or earth

d Other ancient authorities add And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out came water and blood

e Or gave up his spirit

f Or a son of God

a Or Take a guard

b Gk you know how

c Other ancient authorities read the Lord

d Other ancient authorities lack from the dead

e Gk they

f Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Or gospel

b Other ancient authorities lack the Son of God

c Other ancient authorities read in the prophets

d Gk before your face

e Other ancient authorities read John was baptizing

f Or in

f Or in

g Or my beloved Son

a Or gospel

b Other ancient authorities read of the kingdom

c Or is at hand

a Or gospel

d Or A new teaching! With authority he

e Other ancient authorities read he

a The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

b Other ancient authorities lack kneeling

c Other ancient authorities read anger

d Gk he

a The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

d Gk he

e Gk they

f Gk He

g Gk reclined

h Gk his

i Gk reclining

j Other ancient authorities read and

k Other ancient authorities add and drink

a Gk they

b Other ancient authorities lack but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins

a Other ancient authorities lack whom he also named apostles

b Other ancient authorities lack So he appointed the twelve

c Other ancient authorities lack and sisters

a Or mystery

b Or stumble

a Other ancient authorities read Gergesenes; others, Gadarenes

b Gk he

c Gk they

d Gk him

b Gk he

a Other ancient authorities lack in the boat

b Or ignoring; other ancient authorities read hearing

c Other ancient authorities read son of the carpenter and of Mary

d Or stumbled

a Gk his

b Other ancient authorities read He was

c Gk he

d Other ancient authorities read he did many things

e Other ancient authorities read the daughter of Herodias herself

a Gk his

a The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

b Meaning of Gk uncertain

a Other ancient authorities read and when they come from the market-place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves

b Other ancient authorities add and beds

c Gk walk

d Gk lacks to God

e Other ancient authorities add verse 16, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen’

f Other ancient authorities add and Sidon

g Or Lord; other ancient authorities prefix Yes

a Gk he

b Other ancient authorities read Mageda or Magdala

c Gk they

d Other ancient authorities read the Herodians

a Gk They

b Gk he

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities add or tell anyone in the village

d Or the Christ

e Other ancient authorities read lose their life for the sake of the gospel

f Other ancient authorities read and of mine

g Or in

h Gk no fuller

i Or tents

a Or my beloved Son

b Gk him

b Gk him

c Gk He

d Other ancient authorities add with tears

e Other ancient authorities add and fasting

a Other ancient authorities add who does not follow us

b Other ancient authorities lack in me

c Gk Gehenna

d Verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) are lacking in the best ancient authorities

c Gk Gehenna

d Verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) are lacking in the best ancient authorities

e Other ancient authorities either add or substitute and every sacrifice will be salted with salt

f Or how can you restore its saltiness?

g Other ancient authorities lack and

e Other ancient authorities either add or substitute and every sacrifice will be salted with salt

a Other ancient authorities lack and be joined to his wife

b Gk lacks the money

c Other ancient authorities add for those who trust in riches

d Other ancient authorities read to him

e Or gospel

a Aramaic Rabbouni

a Gk they: other ancient authorities read he

b Other ancient authorities read ‘If you have

c Other ancient authorities read are receiving

d Other ancient authorities add verse 26, ‘But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’

a Or keystone

b Gk his brother

a Other ancient authorities add when they rise

b Or the Christ

a Gk I am

b Gk gospel

c Or the Christ

d Or christs

a Or it

b Other ancient authorities add and pray

c Gk him

d The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

e The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

f Or gospel

a Gk lacks bread

b Other ancient authorities read same bowl

c Other ancient authorities add new

a Aramaic for Father

b Or into temptation

c Or the Christ

a Or gateway

b Other ancient authorities lack Then the cock crowed

c Other ancient authorities read what should I do

d Other ancient authorities lack the man you call

e Gk the praetorium

a Gk him

b Other ancient authorities add verse 28, And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘And he was counted among the lawless.’

c Or blasphemed

d Or the Christ

e Or earth

f Other ancient authorities read made me a reproach

g Other ancient authorities add cried out and

h Or a son of God

i Gk he

j Gk it

a Gk it

b Some of the most ancient authorities bring the book to a close at the end of verse 8. One authority concludes the book with the shorter ending; others include the shorter ending and then continue with verses 9–20. In most authorities verses 9–20 follow immediately after verse 8, though in some of these authorities the passage is marked as being doubtful.

c Other ancient authorities add Amen

d Other ancient authorities add, in whole or in part, And they excused themselves, saying, ‘This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things of the spirits. Therefore reveal your righteousness now’—thus they spoke to Christ. And Christ replied to them, ‘The term of years of Satan’s power has been fulfilled, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who have sinned I was handed over to death, that they may return to the truth and sin no more, that they may inherit the spiritual and imperishable glory of righteousness that is in heaven.’

a Or gospel

b Other ancient authorities lack in their hands

c Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Or for a long time

a Other ancient authorities add Blessed are you among women

b Gk I do not know a man

c Other ancient authorities add of you

d Or believed, for there will be

e Other ancient authorities read Elizabeth

a Gk a horn of salvation

a Other ancient authorities read has broken upon

b Or the Christ

c Gk army

d Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

a Gk Symeon

b Or the Lord’s Christ

c Gk In the Spirit, he

d Gk he

e Gk slave

a Gk Symeon

f Gk Hanna

g Gk him

a Gk they

b Or be about my Father’s interests?

c Or in stature

d Gk tetrarch

d Gk tetrarch

d Gk tetrarch

a Or the Christ

b Or in

c Gk tetrarch

d Or my beloved Son

e Other ancient authorities read You are my Son, today I have begotten you

f Gk Salathiel

g Other ancient authorities read Salmon

h Other ancient authorities read Amminadab, son of Aram; others vary widely

i Gk he

i Gk he

f Gk Salathiel

a Gk he

b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

a Or the Christ

b Other ancient authorities read Galilee

c Gk he

a The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

b Gk he

a The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

c Gk him

d Other ancient authorities read was present to heal them

c Gk him

e Gk into the midst

f Gk Man

a Gk reclining

b Other ancient authorities read better; others lack verse 39

c Other ancient authorities read On the second first sabbath

d Gk he

e Other ancient authorities add to do

a Gk cast out your name as evil

b Other ancient authorities read despairing of no one

a Gk brother’s

b Gk brother

b Gk brother

a Gk brother’s

c Other ancient authorities read founded upon the rock

d Gk he

a Other ancient authorities read Next day

b Gk he

c Gk He

d The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

b Gk he

e Gk him

f Or Why then did you go out? To see someone

g Or praised God

a Gk him

b The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

c Gk he

d Other ancient authorities read him

a Or mysteries

b Gk lacks I speak

a Other ancient authorities read Gadarenes; others, Gergesenes

b Other ancient authorities read a man of the city who had had demons for a long time met him. He wore

c Gk he

d Gk they

e Gk him

a Other ancient authorities read Gadarenes; others, Gergesenes

e Gk him

c Gk he

f Other ancient authorities lack and had spent all she had on physicians

g Other ancient authorities add and those who were with him

a Gk he

b Gk tetrarch

c Gk him

a Gk he

b Or The Christ

a Gk he

c Or but when they were fully awake

d Or tents

e Other ancient authorities read my Beloved

f Or it

a Other ancient authorities add as Elijah did

b Other ancient authorities read rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what spirit you are of, ⁵⁶ for the Son of Man has not come to destroy the lives of human beings but to save them.’ Then

c Gk he

a Other ancient authorities read seventy-two

b Or is at hand for you

c Or is at hand

a Other ancient authorities read seventy-two

d Gk he

e Other authorities read in the spirit

f Or praise

g Or for so it was well-pleasing in your sight

d Gk he

a Gk him

b The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

c Other ancient authorities read few things are necessary, or only one

d Other ancient authorities read Our Father in heaven

e A few ancient authorities read Your Holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us. Other ancient authorities add Your will be done, on earth as in heaven

f Or our bread for tomorrow

g Or us into temptation. Other ancient authorities add but rescue us from the evil one (or from evil)

a Other ancient authorities add bread, will give a stone; or if your child asks for

b Other ancient authorities read the Father give the Holy Spirit from heaven

c Gk sons

a Other ancient authorities add or under the bushel basket

a Or power

b Gk Gehenna

c Other ancient authorities add or what

a Or add a cubit to your stature

b Other ancient authorities read Consider the lilies; they neither spin nor weave

c Other ancient authorities read God’s

d Other ancient authorities add would have watched and

e Or cut him off

a Gk settle with him

a Gk hid in

b Gk He

a Gk lacks for me

b Other ancient authorities lack the time comes when

c Gk he

c Gk he

d Other ancient authorities read a donkey

c Gk he

a The Greek word for you here is plural

b Or how can it be used for seasoning?

c Gk drachmas, each worth about a day’s wage for a labourer

a Gk he

b Other ancient authorities read filled his stomach with

c Other ancient authorities add Treat me as one of your hired servants

a Gk he

a Gk he

a Gk mammon

b Gk tents

a Gk mammon

a Gk mammon

c Or everyone is strongly urged to enter it

d Gk to Abraham’s bosom

e Gk in his bosom

a Gk He

b Gk your brother

c Gk faith as a grain of

d Gk he

e The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

f Gk his

d Gk he

g Or within

a Other ancient authorities lack in his day

b Other ancient authorities add verse 36, ‘Two will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.’

c Gk he

d Or so that she may not finally come and slap me in the face

a Gk lacks the money

b Gk the Nazorean

a The mina, rendered here by pound, was about three months’ wages for a labourer

a Gk lacks from God

a Or keystone

b Gk his brother

a Or the Christ

b Other ancient authorities read his

a Gk I am

b Or at hand

c Gk a mouth

d Or is at hand

a Gk him

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities read never eat it again

d Other ancient authorities lack, in whole or in part, verses 19b–20 (which is given…in my blood)

a Or has obtained permission

b Gk He

c Or into temptation

d Other ancient authorities lack verses 43 and 44

c Or into temptation

a Or the Christ

b Gk him

c Or is an anointed king

a Gk he

b Here, or after verse 19, other ancient authorities add verse 17, Now he was obliged to release someone for them at the festival

c Gk him

a Other ancient authorities lack the sentence Then Jesus…what they are doing

b Or the Christ

c Other ancient authorities add written in Greek and Latin and Hebrew (that is, Aramaic)

d Or blaspheming

b Or the Christ

e Other ancient authorities read in

f Or earth

g Or the sun was eclipsed. Other ancient authorities read the sun was darkened

h Or righteous

i Gk was dawning

j Other ancient authorities add of the Lord Jesus

a Gk They

b Gk but they

c Other ancient authorities lack He is not here, but has risen

d Other ancient authorities lack verse 12

e Gk sixty stadia; other ancient authorities read a hundred and sixty stadia

f Other ancient authorities read walk along, looking sad?’

g Other ancient authorities read Jesus the Nazorean

h Or to set Israel free

i Or the Christ

j Other ancient authorities lack within us

a Other ancient authorities lack and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’

b Other ancient authorities lack verse 40

c Or the Christ

d Or nations. Beginning from Jerusalem ⁴⁸you are witnesses

e Other ancient authorities lack and was carried up into heaven

f Other ancient authorities lack worshipped him, and

g Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Or ³ through him. And without him not one thing came into being that has come into being. ⁴In him was life

b Or He was the true light that enlightens everyone coming into the world

c Or to his own home

d Or the Father’s only Son

e Other ancient authorities read It is an only Son, God, or It is the only Son

f Gk bosom

g Or the Christ

a Or the Christ

b Other ancient authorities read is God’s chosen one

c Or Christ

d Gk him

e From the word for rock in Aramaic (kepha) and Greek (petra), respectively

a Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

a Gk him

b Or born anew

c The same Greek word means both wind and spirit

d The Greek word for you here is plural

e Or anew

c The same Greek word means both wind and spirit

f The Greek word for you here and in verse 12 is plural

g Other ancient authorities add who is in heaven

h Some interpreters hold that the quotation concludes with verse 15

h Some interpreters hold that the quotation concludes with verse 15

i Other ancient authorities read the Jews

a Or the Christ

b Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues to the end of verse 36

c Gk set a seal to

d Other ancient authorities read the Lord

e Other ancient authorities lack this sentence

f The Greek word for you here and in verses 21 and 22 is plural

a Gk I am

b Or the Christ

c Or ³⁵…the fields are already ripe for harvesting. ³⁶ The reaper is receiving

d Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

a That is, Aramaic

b Other ancient authorities read Bethesda, others Bethsaida

c Other ancient authorities add, wholly or in part, waiting for the stirring of the water; ⁴for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was made well from whatever disease that person had.

d Or had left because of

e Gk that one

a Or among

b Gk of Galilee of Tiberias

c Gk Two hundred denarii; the denarius was the usual day’s wage for a labourer

a Gk the men

b Gk about twenty-five or thirty stadia

c Gk I am

d Other ancient authorities lack after the Lord had given thanks

e Or he who

a Other ancient authorities read the Christ, the Son of the living God

a Other ancient authorities read Judas Iscariot son of Simon; others, Judas son of Simon from Karyot (Kerioth)

b Other ancient authorities read was not at liberty

c Or Tabernacles

d Other ancient authorities read wants it

e Other ancient authorities add yet

f Other ancient authorities lack as it were

g Or this man know his letters

h Or the Christ

h Or the Christ

a Or the Christ

b Other ancient authorities read is doing

c Or come to me and drink. ³⁸ The one who believes in me, as

d Gk out of his belly

e Other ancient authorities read for as yet the Spirit (others, Holy Spirit) had not been given

a Or the Christ

a Or the Christ

a Or the Christ

f Gk him

a Other ancient authorities add the sins of each of them

b Or Lord

c The most ancient authorities lack 7.53–8.11; other authorities add the passage here or after 7.36 or after 21.25 or after Luke 21.38, with variations of text; some mark the passage as doubtful.

d Gk according to the flesh

e Other ancient authorities read he

f Gk I am

g Or What I have told you from the beginning

a Gk I am

b Other ancient authorities read you do what you have heard from your father

c Other ancient authorities read If you are Abraham’s children, then do

a Other ancient authorities read has Abraham seen you?

b Other ancient authorities read I

c Other ancient authorities read us

d Gk him

e Or the Christ

a Other ancient authorities read the Son of God

b Sir and Lord translate the same Greek word

b Sir and Lord translate the same Greek word

a Other ancient authorities read has taken

b Or the Christ

c Other ancient authorities read My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand

d Other ancient authorities read in the law

e Other ancient authorities lack and understand; others read and believe

f Gk him

a Gk he

b Gk Didymus

a Gk he

c Gk fifteen stadia

d Other ancient authorities lack and the life

e Or the Christ

a Or our temple; Greek our place

b Gk he

c Gk his feet

d Three hundred denarii would be nearly a year’s wages for a labourer

a Gk lacks She bought it

b Other ancient authorities read with him began to testify that he had called…from the dead

a Other ancient authorities read all things

b Or the Christ

c Other ancient witnesses read when

a Gk from supper

b Other ancient authorities lack except for the feet

c The Greek word for you here is plural

d Gk slaves

e Other ancient authorities read ate bread with me

f Gk I am

g Gk dipped it

h Other ancient authorities read Judas Iscariot son of Simon; others, Judas son of Simon from Karyot (Kerioth)

i Gk After the piece of bread

a Other ancient authorities lack If God has been glorified in him

b Or You believe

c Or If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you

d Other ancient authorities read Where I am going you know, and the way you know

e Other ancient authorities read If you had known me, you would have known

f Other ancient authorities lack me

g Other ancient authorities read me, keep

h Or Helper

i Or among

a Or Helper

b The same Greek root refers to pruning and cleansing

b The same Greek root refers to pruning and cleansing

c Or be

d Gk slaves

e Gk slave

a Gk were of the world

b Gk Slaves

c Or Helper

c Or Helper

d Or convict the world of

a Or will ask me no question

b Other ancient authorities read Father, he will give it to you in my name

c Other ancient authorities read the Father

d Gk flesh

a Other ancient authorities read protected in your name those whom

b Gk except the son of destruction

c Or among themselves

d Or from evil

e Other ancient authorities read be one in us

f Gk the Nazorean

g Gk I am

h Gk he

g Gk I am

f Gk the Nazorean

g Gk I am

a Gk the praetorium

a Gk the praetorium

a Gk the praetorium

a Gk the praetorium

b Or seated him

c That is, Aramaic

a That is, Aramaic

b Gk the Nazorean

a That is, Aramaic

c Or there is one who knows

a Gk lacks to look

b That is, Aramaic

a Gk Didymus

b Other ancient authorities read may continue to believe

c Or the Christ

a Gk Didymus

d Gk two hundred cubits

a Gk among the brothers

b Other ancient authorities lack what is that to you

a Or eating

b Or by

c Or the brother of

a Gk brothers

b Gk Men, brothers

c Or swelling up

d Other ancient authorities read the share

a Gk Men, Israelites

b Gk the Nazorean

c Gk the pains of death

d Gk Men, brothers

e Gk he

f Or the Christ

g Or by

a Or Christ

b Gk Men, brothers

c Gk them

d Or from house to house

e Or sincere

f Gk the Nazorean

a Gk Men, Israelites

b Or child

c Gk him

d Gk brothers

e Or his Christ

e Or his Christ

d Gk brothers

b Or child

f Gk While they

g Other ancient authorities read Jonathan

h Gk them

a Gk the Nazorean

b Gk This

c Or keystone

d Gk their own

e Or child

f Or his Christ

e Or child

g Gk slaves

e Or child

a Gk to men

b Meaning of Gk uncertain

a Other ancient authorities read Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name?

b Gk than men

c Gk Men, Israelites

d Or from house to house

e Or the Christ

f Or keep accounts

g Gk brothers

a Or spirit

b Gk the Nazorean

c Gk Men, brothers

d Gk he

a Gk they

b Gk his brothers, the sons of Israel

c Gk him

d Gk your brothers

a Gk he

b Other ancient authorities read for the God of Jacob

c Gk with hands

d Gk him

e Gk fell asleep

a Other ancient authorities read a city

b Or the Christ

c Gk fallen

d Gk they

e The Greek word for you and the verb pray are plural

f Gk after they

g Or go at noon

a Other ancient authorities add all or most of verse 37, And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities lack in a vision

a Gk him

b Gk that this

c Or the Christ

d Gk through the wall

e Gk brothers

f Gk all of them

g The name Tabitha in Aramaic and the name Dorcas in Greek mean a gazelle

a One ancient authority reads two; others lack the word

b Gk he

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk lacks believers

a Or not to hesitate

b Other ancient authorities read Greeks

c Or were guests of

d Gk brothers

a Gk He

b Gk brothers

c Gk he

a Other ancient authorities read from

b Gk tetrarch

c Gk Men, Israelites

d Other ancient authorities read cared for

a Gk untie the sandals

b Other ancient authorities read you

c Gk fell asleep

d Gk this

e Gk all

f Gk they

g Other ancient authorities read God

a Gk they

a Gk they

b Gk he

c Or The priest of Zeus-Outside-the-City

d Gk Men

a Or committed in the grace of God to the work

b Gk brothers

c Gk Men, brothers

c Gk Men, brothers

a Other ancient authorities read things. ¹⁸ Known to God from of old are all his works.”

b Other ancient authorities lack and from whatever has been strangled

c Gk from among them

d Gk brothers

e Other ancient authorities add saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”,

f Gk men

g Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled

h Gk When they

d Gk brothers

d Gk brothers

i Other ancient authorities add verse 34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there

d Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk He

a Gk brothers

c Other authorities read a city of the first district

d Other ancient authorities read to us

a Gk He

b Other ancient authorities read word of God

c Gk brothers

d Gk they

e Or the Christ

e Or the Christ

a Gk brothers

b Gk politarchs

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

c Or civic centre; Gk agora

d Gk From one; other ancient authorities read From one blood

a Other ancient authorities read the Lord

b Gk he

c Gk He

d Gk with the word

e Or the Christ

f Gk reviled him, he shook out his clothes

g Gk left there

h Other ancient authorities read Titus

i Other ancient authorities read all the Greeks

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities read I must at all costs keep the approaching festival in Jerusalem, but I

c Gk went up

d Gk the Galatian region

a Gk brothers

e Or the Christ

f Other ancient authorities read of a certain Tyrannus, from eleven o’clock in the morning to four in the afternoon

a Gk them

b Gk they

c Gk some of the Asiarchs

a Meaning of Gk uncertain

b Other ancient authorities read your

c Other ancient authorities read about other matters

d Gk given them

e Other ancient authorities add after remaining at Trogyllium

a Or And now, bound in the spirit

b Other ancient authorities read of the Lord

c Or with his own blood; Gk with the blood of his Own

d Other ancient authorities add and Myra

a Or continued

b Gk brothers

c Gk four daughters, virgins,

d Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled

a Gk he

b Gk He

c That is, Aramaic

c That is, Aramaic

d Gk the Nazorean

a Gk him

b Or up for the lashes

a Gk him

c Gk he

d Gk Men, brothers

a Gk concerning hope and resurrection

a Other ancient authorities add Farewell

b Gk praetorium

c Gk he

d Gk lacks Your Excellency

e Gk Nazoreans

f Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law. ⁷ But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, ⁸ commanding his accusers to come before you.

g Other ancient authorities read of the dead, both of

a Gk him

a Other ancient authorities read with anything

b Gk on them

c Gk O king

a Gk the Nazorean

b Gk O king

c That is, Aramaic

d Other ancient authorities read the things that you have seen

e Or the Christ

f Or Quickly you will persuade me to play the Christian

a Gk it

b Other ancient authorities read Clauda

c Gk helps

a Other ancient authorities read seventy-six; others, about seventy-six

b Gk place of two seas

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk they

c Or I have asked you to see me and speak with me

a Other ancient authorities add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, arguing vigorously among themselves

b Or in his own rented dwelling

a Gk slave

b Or Spirit

c Gk my spirit in the gospel

d Gk brothers

a Or The one who is righteous through faith will live

b Or God-hated

c Gk lacks You say

a Gk they

b Gk when you are being judged

a Or at any disadvantage?

b Or through the faith of Jesus Christ

c Or a place of atonement

d Or who has the faith of Jesus

e Other ancient authorities read say about

a Other ancient authorities lack already

b Gk Therefore it

c Other ancient authorities read let us

d Other ancient authorities add by faith

a Or let us

a Or let us

b Gk the wrath

c Or righteousness

a Or weapons

a Or weapons

b Gk the weakness of your flesh

c Gk brothers

c Gk brothers

a Gk sold under sin

b Or spirit

c Here the Greek word you is singular number; other ancient authorities read me or us

d Or and as a sin-offering

b Or spirit

b Or spirit

b Or spirit

b Or spirit

a Or spirit

a Or spirit

b Other ancient authorities read the Christ or Christ Jesus or Jesus Christ

c Other ancient authorities read on account of

d Gk brothers

e Aramaic for Father

f Or ¹⁵a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ ¹⁶ The Spirit itself bears witness

g Or by

h Other ancient authorities read awaits

i Other ancient authorities add for us

j Gk the one

k Gk he or it

l Gk according to God

m Other ancient authorities read God makes all things work together for good, or in all things God works for good

n Gk among many brothers

a Or Is it Christ Jesus…for us?

b Gk my brothers

c Or the Christ

d Or Messiah, who is God over all, blessed for ever; or Messiah. May he who is God over all be blessed for ever

a Other ancient authorities read for he will finish his work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make the sentence shortened on the earth

b Or descendants; Gk seed

c Or trusts in it

d Gk Brothers

e Or namely, that

a Or gospel

b Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God

c Other ancient authorities add But if it is by works, it is no longer on the basis of grace, otherwise work would no longer be work

a Gk transgression

b Gk them

a Gk transgression

c Gk my flesh

d Other ancient authorities read the richness

e Other ancient authorities read neither will he spare you

f Gk lacks of Israel

g Gk brothers

h Gk lacks of God

i Other ancient authorities lack now

a Gk brothers

b Or reasonable

c Gk age

d Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God

e Other ancient authorities read serve the opportune time

f Or give yourselves to humble tasks

g Gk the wrath

a Gk it

b Or conviction

c Other ancient authorities read for God

d Gk brother

e Other ancient authorities read of Christ

e Other ancient authorities read of Christ

a Or confess

b Other ancient authorities lack to God

c Gk of a brother

d Gk brother

e Other ancient authorities add or be upset or be weakened

e Other ancient authorities add or be upset or be weakened

f Or conviction

f Or conviction

g Other authorities, some ancient, add here 16.25–27

h Or thank

a Gk brothers

b Gk speak of those things that Christ has not accomplished

c Other ancient authorities read of the Spirit or of the Holy Spirit

d Or gospel

d Or gospel

e Gk have sealed to them this fruit

f Other ancient authorities add of the gospel

a Gk brothers

g Other ancient authorities read my bringing of a gift

h One ancient authority adds 16.25–27 here

i Or minister

a Gk first fruits

b Or Junias; other ancient authorities read Julia

c Or compatriots

d Or compatriot

e Gk brothers

e Gk brothers

f Gk their own belly

g Other ancient authorities lack this sentence

c Or compatriots

h Or I Tertius, writing this letter in the Lord, greet you

i Other ancient authorities add verse 24, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.

j Gk the one

k Other ancient authorities lack to whom. The verse then reads, to the only wise God be the glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

l Other ancient authorities lack 16.25–27 or include it after 14.23 or 15.33; others put verse 24 after verse 27

a Gk theirs

b Other ancient authorities lack my

c Or to

d Gk brothers

e Gk my brothers

f Other ancient authorities read I am thankful

a Gk brothers

b Gk according to the flesh

c Gk no flesh

d Or of

a Gk brothers

e Other ancient authorities read testimony

f Other ancient authorities read the persuasiveness of wisdom

a Or interpreting spiritual things in spiritual language, or comparing spiritual things with spiritual

b Or natural

c Gk brothers

d In verses 16 and 17 the Greek word for you is plural

a Gk brothers

b Or Who makes you different from another?

c Or am sending

a Or on the man who has done such a thing in the name of the Lord Jesus

b Other ancient authorities add Jesus

c Gk brother

c Gk brother

c Gk brother

c Gk brother

d Gk brothers

a The quotation may extend to the word other

b Or sanctuary

c Gk brother

d Other ancient authorities read us

a Or avail yourself of the opportunity

b Gk brothers

c Or present

d Gk in the flesh

b Gk brothers

e Gk virgin

e Gk virgin

e Gk virgin

a Gk falls asleep

b The quotation may extend to the end of the verse

c Gk the weak brother…is destroyed

d Gk against the brothers

e Gk my brother’s falling

f Gk cause my brother

g Gk a sister as wife

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities read the Lord

a Gk my beloved

b Gk Israel according to the flesh

c The same Greek word means man or husband

d Or head of the woman

a Or glory

a Or glory

b Gk lacks a symbol of

c Or have freedom of choice regarding her head

d Other ancient authorities read is broken for

e Other ancient authorities add in an unworthy manner,

f Other ancient authorities read the Lord’s body

g Gk fallen asleep

h Or When we are judged, we are being disciplined by the Lord

i Gk brothers

a Or spiritual persons

b Gk brothers

a Other ancient authorities read body to be burned

b Gk in a riddle

c Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities put verses 34–35 after verse 40

c Gk my brothers

a Gk brothers

b Or gospel

a Gk brothers

c Gk fallen asleep

c Gk fallen asleep

c Gk fallen asleep

d Or Then come the rest

e Gk he

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities add the Lord

c Other ancient authorities read let us

a Gk brothers

d Gk fall asleep

a Gk beloved brothers

b Or it was not at all God’s will for him

c Gk brothers

c Gk brothers

d Gk Marana tha. These Aramaic words can also be read Maran atha, meaning Our Lord has come

e Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities read your

c Other ancient authorities read holiness

a Other ancient authorities read pleasure

b Gk according to the flesh

a Other ancient authorities read like the others

b Other ancient authorities read your

c Gk on stones

d Gk of what

a Other ancient authorities read put it on

b Gk according to the flesh

a Gk according to the flesh

b Or God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself

c Gk As we work together

d Other ancient authorities read you

a Gk lacks in your hearts

b Gk brothers

c Gk grace

d Gk this grace

a Other ancient authorities read your love for us

b Gk this grace

c Gk the grace

d Or the gospel

b Gk this grace

e Other ancient authorities lack himself

f Gk apostles

g Other ancient authorities add of boasting

a Or benevolence

a Or benevolence

b Gk according to the flesh

c Gk in the flesh

b Gk according to the flesh

d Gk fleshly

e Or the gospel

e Or the gospel

a Other ancient authorities lack and pure

b Gk the gospel of God

c Gk brothers

d Gk according to the flesh

a Gk brothers

b Gk ethnarch

c Other ancient authorities read and wanted to

d Gk through the wall

e Other ancient authorities read To keep

f Other ancient authorities lack to keep me from being too elated

g Other ancient authorities read my power

a Other ancient authorities read with him

b Gk brothers

c Or rejoice

d Or encourage one another

e Or and the sharing in

a Gk all the brothers

b Or a messenger

c Gk slave

d Gk brothers

a Gk in me

b Gk false brothers

c Or had been

d Some interpreters hold that the quotation extends into the following paragraph

a Or reckoned as righteous; and so elsewhere

b Or the faith of Jesus Christ

c Or the faith of Christ

d Or by the faith of the Son of God

e Or righteousness

f Gk he

g Or The one who is righteous through faith will live

h Gk does them

i Gk Brothers

j Or covenant(as in verse 17)

k Gk seed

l Gk seeds

k Gk seed

a Gk seed

b Or through the faith of Jesus Christ

a Gk seed

c Or the rudiments

d Other ancient authorities read your

e Aramaic for Father

f Other ancient authorities read an heir of God through Christ

g Or beggarly rudiments

h Gk Brothers

a Other ancient authorities read For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia

b Other ancient authorities read we

c Gk brothers

c Gk brothers

d Or made effective

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk the flesh

c Other ancient authorities add murder

d Gk Brothers

e Other ancient authorities read in this way fulfil

a Or through whom

b Other ancient authorities add in Christ Jesus

c Gk brothers

a Other ancient authorities lack in Ephesus, reading saints who are also faithful

b Gk in him

c Or been made a heritage

d Other ancient authorities read who

e Other ancient authorities lack and your love

a Gk He

b Other ancient authorities read in Christ

c Gk in the flesh

d Or reconcile both of us in one body for God

e Or in him, or in himself

f Or keystone

a Gk in the Spirit

b Or of

c Gk it

d Other ancient authorities read to bring to light

e Or by

f Or the faith of him

g Or I

h Other ancient authorities add of our Lord Jesus Christ

i Gk fatherhood

a Other ancient authorities add first

b Other ancient authorities read building up faith

c Other ancient authorities read us

d Other ancient authorities read you

a Other ancient authorities add of his flesh and of his bones

a Other ancient authorities lack in the Lord

b Other ancient authorities read your

c Or In all circumstances

d Other ancient authorities lack of the gospel

e Gk to the brothers

f Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk slaves

b Or overseers

c Or overseers and helpers

d Or because I hold you in my heart

e Gk in grace

f Gk brothers

g Gk whole praetorium

f Gk brothers

h Other ancient authorities read word of God

a Or that you have

a Gk his

b Gk apostle

c Other ancient authorities read longing to see

d Other ancient authorities read of the Lord

e Gk my brothers

f Or farewell

g Gk the mutilation

a Other ancient authorities read worship God in spirit

b Or through the faith of Christ

c Gk him

d Or have already been made perfect

e Gk Brothers

f Other ancient authorities read my own yet

g Gk upward

e Gk Brothers

h Or commonwealth

i Or our humble bodies

j Or his glorious body

k Gk my brothers

l Or loyal Syzygus

m Or Farewell

m Or Farewell

a Gk brothers

b Gk take account of

c Gk I rejoiced

d Gk lacks to show it

a Gk brothers

e Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk brothers

b Gk slave

c Other ancient authorities read our

d Gk his

e Other ancient authorities read called

f Other ancient authorities read us

g Other ancient authorities add through his blood

h Or by

a Or by

b Other ancient authorities read you have now been reconciled

c Gk in the body of his flesh

d Other ancient authorities read of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ

e Gk to walk

f Or the rudiments of the world

a Gk a circumcision made without hands

b Gk he

c Other ancient authorities read made us; others, made

d Or divested himself of

e Other ancient authorities read not dwelling

f Meaning of Gk uncertain

g Gk by the mind of his flesh

h Or the rudiments of the world

i Or are of no value, serving only to indulge the flesh

j Other authorities read our

k Other ancient authorities lack on those who are disobedient (Gk the children of disobedience)

l Or living among such people

m Or filthy

n Gk its creator, ¹¹where

a Other ancient authorities read just as Christ

b Other ancient authorities read of God, or of the Lord

c Other ancient authorities read to the Lord

d In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

d In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

e Gk not for men

f Or you are slaves of, or be slaves of

g Or opportunity

h Gk slave

i Other authorities read that I may know how you are

a Gk slave

b Gk brothers

c Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk brothers

b Gk For they

a Gk brothers

a Other ancient authorities read infants

b Gk brothers

b Gk brothers

c Other ancient authorities read their own prophets

d Or completely or for ever

b Gk brothers

e Gk lacks proclaiming

b Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Or how to take a wife for himself

c Gk brother

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

d Gk fallen asleep

d Gk fallen asleep

d Gk fallen asleep

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk despise prophecies

c Or complete

d Gk Brothers

a Gk brothers

e Gk to all the brothers

f Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Other ancient authorities read the

b Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk the man of lawlessness; other ancient authorities read the man of sin

c Gk the son of destruction

d Other ancient authorities lack Jesus

e Other ancient authorities read consume

a Gk brothers

f Other ancient authorities read from the beginning

g Or through our gospel

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

h Or from evil

a Gk brothers

i Gk from every brother who is

a Other ancient authorities read you

b Gk Brothers

c Gk a brother

d Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Or plan

a Gk to the ages of the ages

b Other ancient authorities add in Christ

c Or wife

c Or wife

d Or her husband

e Some interpreters place these words at the end of the previous paragraph. Other ancient authorities read The saying is commonly accepted

f Or overseer

g Or an overseer

h Gk the husband of one wife

a Or Their wives, or Women deacons

b Gk be husbands of one wife

c Gk Who; other ancient authorities read God; others, Which

d Or justified

e Or by the Spirit

f Or the last

g Gk brothers

h Or deacon

a Other ancient authorities read suffer reproach

b Gk to the reading

c Gk by the presbytery

d Or an elder, or a presbyter

e Gk she

f Gk the wife of one husband

g Other ancient authorities read believing man or woman; others, believing man

h Or compensation

a Gk Do not lay hands on

b Gk are brothers

c Or since they are believers and beloved, who devote themselves to good deeds

d Other ancient authorities add Withdraw yourself from such people

e Other ancient authorities read world—it is certain that

f Gk confessed

a The Greek word for you here is plural; in other ancient authorities it is singular. Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Other ancient authorities add of the Gentiles

b Or what has been entrusted to me

a Or promptly

b Other ancient authorities read the Lord

c Gk of these things

d Gk slave

a Or by him, to do his (that is, God’s) will

b Gk lacks two men

c Or Every scripture inspired by God is also

a Other ancient authorities read Gaul

b Gk all the brothers

c The Greek word for you here is plural. Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk slave

b Other ancient authorities read Grace, mercy,

c Gk husband of one wife

d Or an overseer

a Or has appeared to all, bringing salvation

b Or of the great God and our Saviour

c Gk commandment

d Gk washing

a Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk the brother

b Gk the sister

c In verses 4 to 21, you is singular

d Other ancient authorities read you (plural)

e Or as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner

f The name Onesimus means useful or (compare verse 20) beneficial

a Here you is singular

b Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Or the Son

b Or bears along

c Or God is your throne

d Other ancient authorities read his

a Other ancient authorities lack like clothing

b Gk all of them

c Gk he

d Gk What is man that you are mindful of him?

e Gk or the son of man that you care for him? In the Hebrew of Psalm 8.4–6 both man and son of man refer to all humankind

f Or them only a little lower

g Other ancient authorities add and set them over the works of your hands

c Gk he

h Or who was made a little lower

i Other ancient authorities read apart from God

c Gk he

j Gk are all of one

c Gk he

k Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Other ancient authorities lack all

c Gk his

d Gk this one

c Gk his

c Gk his

e Other ancient authorities add to the end

a Gk brothers

a Other ancient authorities read it did not meet with faith in those who listened

b Gk he

b Gk he

c Or tempted

a Gk he

b Or him

c Or towards maturity

d Other ancient authorities read let us do

e Gk for his name

a Gk he

b Other ancient authorities lack Even

c Or a tenth

d Gk brothers

c Or a tenth

a Or able to save completely

b Gk lacks other

c Or tabernacle

d Gk he

e Gk He

a Or tabernacle

b Gk the presentation of the loaves

a Or tabernacle

c Or the place of atonement

a Or tabernacle

a Or tabernacle

d Gk parable

e Other ancient authorities read good things to come

f Gk more perfect

a Or tabernacle

g Other ancient authorities read Holy Spirit

h Other ancient authorities read your

a The Greek word used here means both covenant and will

a The Greek word used here means both covenant and will

a The Greek word used here means both covenant and will

b Other ancient authorities lack and goats

c Or tabernacle

d Other ancient authorities read they

e Gk he

f Meaning of Gk uncertain

a Gk by that will

b Gk this one

c Gk on their minds and I will remember

d Gk Therefore, brothers

a Gk by this

b Or was not made out of visible things

c Gk greater

d Gk through it

e Or By faith Sarah herself, though barren, received power to conceive, even when she was too old, because she considered him faithful who had promised.

a Gk his bones

b Other ancient authorities add By faith Moses, when he was grown up, killed the Egyptian, because he observed the humiliation of his people (Gk brothers)

c Or the Messiah

d Or because

e Gk would not touch them

f Or unbelieving

g Other ancient authorities add they were tempted

a Other ancient authorities read sin that easily distracts

b Or who instead of

c Other ancient authorities read such hostility from sinners against themselves

d Or no chance to change his father’s mind

e Gk it

f Other ancient authorities read a mountain

g Or angels, and to the festal gathering²³and assembly

a Gk were in the body

b Gk not by foods

c Or tabernacle

a Other ancient authorities read you

b Gk brothers

c Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk slave

b Gk brothers

c Gk brother

d Gk he; other ancient authorities read God

a Gk my beloved brothers

b Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning

c Gk at the face of his birth

c Gk at the face of his birth

d Gk My brothers

e Or hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without acts of favouritism

f Gk Sit under my footstool

g Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Or wheel of birth

c Gk Gehenna

d Gk My brothers

e Gk my brothers

a Or by

b Or you murder and you covet

c Gk He

d Gk brothers

a Or will eat your flesh, since you have stored up fire

b Gk brothers

c Or is at hand

d Gk Brothers

b Gk brothers

b Gk brothers

e Gk My brothers

f Gk his

a Or Rejoice in this

b Other ancient authorities read known

a Gk gird up the loins of your mind

b Other ancient authorities add through the Spirit

c Or constantly

d Other ancient authorities read a pure heart

e Or through the word of the living and enduring God

f Or you yourselves are being built

g Or it

a Gk a people for his possession

b Gk God on the day of visitation

c Or every institution ordained for human beings

d Gk slaves

e Gk Love the brotherhood

f Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree

g Gk bruise

a Gk vessel

b Gk their fear

c Or respect

d Other ancient authorities read died

e Other ancient authorities read us

f Or a pledge to God from

g Other ancient authorities add for us; others, for you

h Gk rest of the time in the flesh

a Or they malign you

b Or is at hand

c Other ancient authorities add and of power

d Other ancient authorities add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified

e Other ancient authorities lack exercising the oversight

f Other ancient authorities lack as God would have you do it

g Or of those who are older

a Or be vigilant

b Gk your brotherhood

c Gk She who is

d Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Other ancient authorities read Simon

b Gk slave

c Or of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ

d Other ancient authorities read through

e Gk brotherly

e Gk brotherly

f Gk brothers

g Gk tent

h Gk the putting off of my tent

a Other ancient authorities read my beloved Son

b Other ancient authorities read but moved by the Holy Spirit saints of God spoke

c Gk because of them

d Gk Tartaros

e Other ancient authorities read pits

f Other ancient authorities lack to extinction

g Other ancient authorities read an example to those who were to be ungodly

h Or angels; Gk glories

i Other ancient authorities read before the Lord; others lack the phrase

j Gk in their destruction

k Other ancient authorities read receiving

a Other ancient authorities read love-feasts

b Other ancient authorities read Beor

c Other ancient authorities read actually

d Gk our fathers fell asleep

e Other ancient authorities read on your account

f Other ancient authorities read will be burned up

g Or earnestly desiring

a Other ancient authorities lack Amen

a Other ancient authorities read your

a Or that

b Gk hating a brother

c Gk loves a brother

d Or in it

e Gk hates a brother

f Or the desire for it

g Other ancient authorities read you know all things

h Or the Messiah

a Other ancient authorities read you

b Or it

b Or it

c Or because the children of God abide in him

d Gk his brother

e Gk brothers

d Gk his brother

d Gk his brother

a Other ancient authorities read does away with Jesus(Gk dissolves Jesus)

b Other ancient authorities add him; others add God

c Gk brothers

d Gk brother

c Gk brothers

e Or the Messiah

a A few other authorities read (with variations) ⁷ There are three that testify in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. ⁸ And there are three that testify on earth:

b Other ancient authorities read in the Son

c Gk your brother

d Gk he

e Other ancient authorities read know the true God

f Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Other ancient authorities add the Lord

b Other ancient authorities read you

c Other ancient authorities add Amen

a Gk brothers

a Gk brothers

b Gk for the sake of the name

c Gk the Gentiles

a Gk brothers

d Gk lacks for him

a Gk Judas

b Gk slave

c Other ancient authorities read sanctified

d Or by

d Or by

e Or the only Master and our Lord Jesus Christ

f Other ancient authorities read though you were once for all fully informed, that Jesus (or Joshua) who saved

g Gk went after other flesh

h Or angels; Gk glories

i Or condemnation for blasphemy

a Or reefs

b Or without fear. They are shepherds who care only for themselves

c Gk came

d Gk Christ to

e Gk by the flesh. The Greek text of verses 22–23 is uncertain at several points

a Gk slaves

b Gk and he made

c Gk slave

d Other ancient authorities read washed

b Gk and he made

e Gk priests to

f Or testimony to Jesus

g Or in the Spirit

a Or deny my faith

b Gk slaves

c Or to shepherd

a Or beginning

a Or in the Spirit

b Or written on the inside, and sealed on the back

a Gk ransomed for God from

b Gk priests to

c Or ‘Go!’

c Or ‘Go!’

d Or went

c Or ‘Go!’

e Gk a denarius

e Gk a denarius

c Or ‘Go!’

f Gk slaves

g Gk brothers

a Gk slaves

a That is, Destruction

b That is, Destroyer

c Other ancient authorities lack four

d Gk hyacinth

a Gk slaves

b Or allegorically; Gk spiritually

c Or the spirit

d Other ancient authorities read I

a Gk Christ

b Gk slaves

c Or to shepherd

a Gk Christ

b Gk brothers

c Or persecuted

d Gk Then he; other ancient authorities read Then I stood

e Gk the plague of its death

f Other ancient authorities lack this sentence

g Or written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered from the foundation of the world

a Gk whose plague of its death

b Or that had received the plague of the sword

c Or spirit

d Other ancient authorities read six hundred and sixteen

e Gk sit

a Or to their faith in

b Gk one thousand six hundred stadia

c Gk slave

d Other ancient authorities read the ages

a Or tabernacle

b Other ancient authorities read stone

c Gk and keeps his robes

a Gk weighing about a talent

b Or in the Spirit

a Other ancient authorities lack the words a haunt of every foul beast and attach the words and hateful to the previous line so as to read a haunt of every foul and hateful bird

b Other ancient authorities read She has made all nations drink

c Or resources

a Or chariots, and human bodies and souls

a Gk her

b Gk slaves

b Gk slaves

c Gk he said

d Gk slave

e Gk brothers

f Or to Jesus

f Or to Jesus

a Other ancient authorities read sprinkled with

b Or will shepherd

c Or for the testimony of Jesus

d Other ancient authorities read from God, out of heaven, or out of heaven from God

a Gk the tabernacle

b Gk will tabernacle

c Other ancient authorities read people

d Other ancient authorities add and be their God

e Or the unbelieving

f Or in the Spirit

a Gk He

b Gk twelve thousand stadia

c That is, almost seventy-five yards

d Gk he

e Or the Lamb. ² In the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, is the tree of life

f Gk slaves

f Gk slaves

a Gk slave

b Gk brothers

c Other ancient authorities read do his commandments

d Other ancient authorities lack all; others lack the saints; others lack Amen