94 33

MATTHEW.

CH. XIV Another similitude he gave them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman mingled in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

34 All these similitudes Jesus spoke to the people; for he taught them 36 only by similitudes; in this verifying the word of the Prophet, "I will discourse in parables; I will utter things concerning which, all antiquity has been silent."

Then Jesus leaving the multitude, retired to the house, where his disciples accosted him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel in 37 the field. Jesus answering, said to them, He who sowed the good seed 38 is the Son of Man. The field is the world: the good seed are the sons of 39 the kingdom; and the darnel are the sons of the evi one; the enemy

who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the conclusion of this 40 state; and the reapers are the angels. As, therefore, the darnel is gath41 ered and burnt, so shall it be at the conclusion of this state. The Son

of Man will send his angels, who shall gather out of his kingdom all 42 seducers and iniquitous persons, and throw them into the burning fur43 nace: weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be there. Then shall the righteous shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field, which, when a man has discovered, he conceals the discovery, and for joy thereof, sells all that he has, and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl extremely precious, 46 which a merchant, in quest of fine pearls, having found, sold all that he had and purchased it.

47

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a sweep-net cast into the sea, 48 which encloses fishes of every kind. When it is full, they draw it 49 ashore, and gather the good into vessels, but throw the useless away. So

shall it be at the conclusion of this state. The angels will come and sep50 arate the wicked from among the righteous, and throw them into the burning furnace. Weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be there. 51. Jesus said, Do you understand all these things? They answered, Yes, Mas ter. He added, Every scribe, therefore, instructed for the Reign of Heav en, is like a householder, who brings out of his store-house new things 53 and old. And after he had finished these similitudes, he departed theno

SECTION VIII.

The People twice fed in the Desert.

JESUS being come into his own country, taught the inhabitants in their synagogue: and they said with astonishment, Whence has this man 55 this wisdom, and this power of working miracles? Is not this the carpen. ter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And do not his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas, and all his sisters, live amongst 56 us? Whence, then, has he all these things? Thus they were offended at him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is no where disregarded, 58 except in his own country, and in his own family. And he did not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

XIV. At that time, Herod the tetrarch, hearing of the fame of Jesus, 2 said to his servants, This is John the Immerser; he is raised from the dead; and therefore miracles are performed by him.

For Herod had caused John to be apprehended, imprisoned, and 4 bound, on account of Herodias his brother Philip's wife; for John had 5 said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her. And Herod would have put him to death, but was afraid of the populace, who accounted him 6 a prophet. But when Herod's birth day was kept, the daughter of Her 7 odias danced before the company, and pleased Herod, wherefore he 8 swore he would grant her whatever she should ask. She being instiga ted by her mother, said, Give me here in a basin the head of John the

9 Immerser. And the king was sorry; nevertheless, from a regard to his 10 oath and his guests, he commanded that it should be given her. Accor 11 dingly John was beheaded in the prison by his order. And his head

was brought in a basin and presented to the young woman; and she car12 ried it to her mother. After which his disciples went and brought the body, and having buried it, came and told Jesus.

13

When Jesus heard this, he embarked privately, and retired into a des ert place; of which the people being informed, followed him by land 14 out of the cities. Observing, as he landed, a great multitude, he had compassion on them, and healed their sick."

Towards the evening his disciples accosted him, saying, This is a des ert place, and the time is now past, dismiss the multitude, that they may 16 go to the villages, and buy themselves provisions. Jesus answered, They 18 need not go. Sapply then yourselves. They said to him, We have here but five loaves and two fishes. He replied, Bring them bither to 19 me. Then having commanded the people to recline upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking towards heaven, blessed them; then breaking the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, 20 and they distributed them among the people. When all had eat, and were satisfied, they carried off twelve baskets full of the fragments that 21 remained. Now they that had eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 Immediately he obliged the disciples to embark and pass over before 23 him, while he dismissed the multitude. Having dismissed the multi

tude, he retired by himself to a mountain to pray, and remained there 24 alone till it was late. By that time the bark was half way over, tossed 25 by the waves, for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the 26 night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw

him walking on the sea, being terrified, they exclaimed, An apparition: 27 and cried out for fear. Jesus immediately epoke to them, saying, Take 28 courage; it is I, be not afraid. Peter answering, said to him, If it be 29 you, Master, bid me to come to you on the water. Jesus said, Come.

Then Peter getting out of the bark, walked on the water towards Jesus. 20 But finding the wind boisterous, he was frightened; and beginning to 31 sink, cried, Master, save me. Jesus instantly stretching out his hand,

caught him, and said to him, Distrustful man, wherefore did you doubt? 32. When they had gone aboard, the wind ceased. Then those in the bark came, and prostrated themselves before him, saying, You are assuredly God's son.

Having passed over, they landed on the territory of Gennesaret; the inhabitants of which knowing him, sent through all that country, and 36 brought to him all the diseased, who besought him to let them touch but a tuft of his mantle; and as many as touched, were cured.

XV.-Then some Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem addressed him, 2 saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? 3 For they wash not their hands before meals? Jesus answering, said to them, Why do you yourselves, by your tradition, transgress the com4 mandment of God? For God has commanded, saying, "Honor father and mother;" and "Whosoever reviles father or mother, let him be 6 punished with death." But you affirm, If a man say to father or moth6 er, I devote whatever of mine shall profit you, he shall not afterwards honor, by his assistance, his father or his mother. Thus, by your tradi7 tion, you annul the commandment of God. Hypocrites, well do you 8 suit the character which Isaiah gave of you, saying, "This people honor 9 me with their lips, though their heart is estranged from me. But in vain they worship me, while they teach institutions merely human."

Then, having called the multifude, he said to them, Hear, and be instructed. It is not what goes into the mouth pollutes the man; but 12 it is what proceeds out of the mouth that pollutes the man. Ou which his disciples accosting him, said, Did you observe how the Ph.

96

13 isees, when they heard that saying, were offended? He answered, Eve ry plant which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be extirpated 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind 15 lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Then Peter addressing 16 him, said, Explain to us that parable. Jesus answered, Are you also 17 void of understanding? Do you not yet apprehend, that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach, and is thrown out into the sink. 18 But that which proceeds out of the mouth, issues from the heart, and 19 so pollutes the man. For out of the heart proceed malicious contrivances, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, cal20 umnies. These are the things which pollute the man; but to eat with unwashed hands pollutes not the man.

21.

Then Jesus withdrew into the confines of Tyre and Sidon; and be hold! a Canaanitish woman of these territories came to him, crying, Master, Son of David, have pity on me; my daughter is grievously af 23 flicted by a Demon. But he gave her no answer. Then his disciples interposed, and untreated him, saying, Dismiss her, for she clamors after 24 us. He answering, said, My mission is on y to the lost sheep of the stock 25 of Israel. She, nevertheless, advanced, and prostrating herself before him, 26 said, O Lord, help me! He replied, It is not seemly to take the children' 27 bread, and throw it to the dogs. True, sir, returned she, yet even the dogs are allowed the crumbs, which fall from their master's table. 28 Then Jesus, answering, said to her, O woman! great is your faith. Be it to you as you desire. And that instant her daughter was healed.

Then Jesus called to him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now attended me three days, and have nothing to eat; I will not dismiss them fasting, lest they faint by 33 the way. His disciples answered, Whence can we get bread enough in 34 this solitude to satisfy such a crowd? He asked them, How many loaves 35 have you? They said Seven, and a few small fishes. Then commanding the people to reeline upon the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fishes, which, having given thanks, he divided, and gave to his disci37 ples, who distributed them among the people. When all had eat, and were satisfied, they carried off seven hand-baskets full of the fragments 38 that remained. Now they that had eat were four thousand men, be sides women and children.

Then having dismissed the multitude, he embarked, and sailed to the coast of Magdala.

XVI-Thither some Pharisees and Sadducees repaired, who, to try 2 him, desired that be would show them a sign in the sky. He answer 3 the sky is red: and in the morning, There will be a storm to-day, for ing, said to them, in the evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red and lowering. You can judge aright of the appearance 4 of the sky, but can you not discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous race demands a sign, but no sign shall be given it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then leaving them he departed.

Now his disciples, before they came over, had forgot to bring loaves with them, Jesus said to them, Take heed, and beware of the leaven 7 of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. On which they said, reasoning among themselves, This is because we have brought no loaves with us. 8 Jesus perceiving it, said, What do you reason amongst yourselves, O you distrustful? that I speak thus, because you have brought no loaves? 9 Have you no reflection? or do you not remember the five loaves among

10 the five thousand, and how many baskets you filled with the fragments: nor the seven loaves among the four thousand, and how many hand11 baskets you filled? How is it that you do not understand, that I spoke not concerning bread, when I bade you beware of the leaven of the 12 Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then they understood, that he cautioned them not against the leaven, which the Pharisees and the Sadducees used in bread, but against their doctrine.

SECTION IX.

The Transfiguration.

13 AS Jesus was going to the district of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his 14 disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of Man is? They an

swered, Some say, John the Immerser; others, Elijah; others, Jeremiah, 15 or one of the Prophets. But who, returned he, do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answering, said, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living 17 God. Jesus replying, said to him, Happy are you, Simon Barjona; for

flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in 18 heaven. I tell you, likewise, you are named Stone; and on this rock I will build my congregation, over which the gates of Hades shall not 19 prevail. Moreover, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven whatever you shall bind on the earth, shall be bound in heaven; and 20 whatever you shall loose on the earth. shall be loosed in heaven. Then he forbade his disciples to tell any man, that he is the Messiah.

21

From that time Jesus began to disclose to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and there suffer much from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and that he must be raised 22 the third day. On which Peter taking him aside, reproved him, say. 23 ing, be this far from you, Master; this shall not befalt you. But he

turning said to Peter, Get you hence, adversary, you are an obstacle in my way; for you relish not the things of God, but the things of men. 24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come under my guidance, let him renounce himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For, whosoever would save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever will 26 lose his life for my sake, shall find it. What is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, with the forfeit of his life? or what will a 27 man not give in ransom for his life? For the Son of Man, vested with his Father's glory, shall come hereafter with his heavenly messengers, 28 and recompense every one according to his actions. Indeed, I say to you, some of those who are present, shall not taste death, until they see the Son of Man enter upon his Reign.

XVII.-After six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John brother of James, apart to the top of a high mountain, and was transfigured in 2 their presence. His face shone as the sun; and his raiment became 3 white as the light. And presently appeared to them Moses and Elijah 4 conversing with him. Peter, upon this, addressing Jesus, said, Master,

it is good for us to stay here; let us make here, if you will, three booths; 5 one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was speaking, behold! a bright cloud covered them, and out of the cloud a voice came, which said, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I delight: 6 hear him. The disciples hearing this, fell upon their faces, and were 7 greatly frightened. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Arise; 8 be not afraid. Then lifting up their eyes, they saw none but Jesus.

9

As they went down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, say. ing, Tell no person what you have seen, until the Son of Man rise from 10 the dead. Then the disciples asked him, saying, Why say the scribes 11 that Elijah must come first? Jesus answering, said to them, To con12 summate the whole, Elijah indeed must come first. But I tell you,

Elijah is come already, though they did not acknowledge him, but have treated him as they pleased. Thus they will treat the Son of Ma

13 also. Then the disciples understood, that he spoke concerning John the Immerser.

14 When they were come to the multitude, a man came to him, who 15 kneeling, said, Sir, have pity on my son; for he is grievously distressed 16 with lunacy; often he falls into the fire, and often into the water, and 17 I presented him to your disciples; but they could not cure him. Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverse race! how long shall I be 18 with your how long shall 1 suffer you: Bring him hither to me.

19

Jesus rebuked the demon and he came out and the lad was instantly cured.

At that time the disciples came to him privately, saying, Why could 20 not we expel the demon? Jesus answered, Because of your unbelief; for, indeed, I say to you, if you had faith, though but as a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mountain, Remove to youder place, and it 21 would remove: yes, nothing would be impossible to you. This kind, however, is not dispossessed, unless by prayer and fasting.

22 While they remained in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of Man 23 is to be delivered up to men, who will kill him: but the third day be shall be raised again. And they were grieved exceedingly.

24 When they were come to Capernauni, the collectors came and asked 25 Peter, Does not your teacher pay the didrachnia? He said, Yes. Being

come into the house, before he spoke, Jesus said to him, What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth exact tribute or 26 custom? from their own sons, or from others? Peter answered, From 27 others. Jesus replied. The sons then are exemp'ed. Nevertheless, lest we should give them offerce, go to the sea and throw a line, draw out the first fish that is hooked, and, having opened its mouth, you shall find a stater; take that, and give it them for me and you.

XVIII. At that time the disciples came to Jesus inquiring, Who sha 2 be the greatest in the Reign of Heaven? Jesus calling to him a chil 3 placed him in the midst of them, and said; Indeed, I say to you, unles you be changed, and become as children, you shall never enter the king 4 dom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall become humble like this 5 child, shall be greatest in the Reign of Heaven. Nay, whosoever re6 ceives one such child, in my name, receives me: but whoever shall ensnare any of these little ones, who believe in me, it were better for him, that an upper mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk in the ocean.

7 Alas for the world because of snares! Snares indeed there must be; 8 nevertheless, alas for the ensnarer! Wherefore, if your hand or foot en snare you, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter lame or maimed into life, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the 9 everlasting fire. And if your eye ensnare you, pluck it out and throw it away: it is better for you to en'er one-eyed into life, than having two 10 eyes to be cast into hell fire. Beware of contemning any of these little

ones; for I assure you, that in heaven, their angels continually bebold 11 the face of my heavenly Father: and the Son of Man is come to recover 12 the lost. What think you? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them have strayed, will he not leave the ninety-nine upon the moun 13 tains, and go in quest of the stray? And if he happen to find it, indeed, I say to you, he cerives greater joy from it, than from the ninety-nine 14 which went not astray. Thus it is not the will of your Father in heav en, that any of these little ones should be lost.

15 Wherefore, if your brother trespass against you, go and expostulate with him, when you and he are alone together. If he hear you, you 16 have gained your brother; but if he will not hear, take one or two along with you, that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every thing 17 may be ascertained. If he despise them, tell the congregation; and, if be despise the congregation also, let him be to you as a pagan or publican. 18 Indeed, I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind on the earth, shall be