Even if all shall take offence, nevertheless I will not. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that to-day, in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he said over and over again, If I must die with thee, I will never deny thee. Likewise also said they all.

And they came to a place named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be amazed, and troubled, and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? hadst thou not strength to watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is

weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

And when he came again, he found them sleeping, (for their eyes were heavy,) and they knew not how they should answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep hereafter and rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Wake up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. And immediately, while he yet spake, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, cometh, and with him a multitude with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And when he came, he went straightway to him, and saith, Rabbi; and kissed him.

CHAPTER XLII.

And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a

sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and sticks to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. And all (the disciples then) left him, and fled. And they led Jesus away to Caiaphas, the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the court of the high priest and sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but the evidence was not consistent. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what do these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. But all judged him to be in danger of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to

strike him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants carried him off with violence [i.e. with blows].

And as Peter was in the court, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, And thou wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied it, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and a cock crew. And another maid saw him, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And again a little after, they that stood by said to Peter, Truly thou art of them: for thou art also a Galilæan. But he began to curse and to swear, I know not this man of whom you speak. And a second time a cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou wilt deny me thrice. And thinking thereon, he wept.

CHAPTER XLIII.

AND straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest. And the chief priests accused him of many things: (but he answered nothing.) And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they accuse thee of. Still Jesus answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Now at each feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they asked for. And there was a man named Barabbas, bound with the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the crowd rose, and began to ask (him to do) as he did ever unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye