After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went [ to look at the tomb ]. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, [ going to the tomb ], rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like [ lightning ], and his clothes were white [ as snow (was) ]. The guards were so afraid of him [ that they shook and became like dead men ]. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know [ that you are looking for Jesus, [ who was crucified ] ]. He is not here; he has risen, [ just as he said ]. Come and see the place [ where he lay ]. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, [ afraid yet filled with joy ], and ran [ to tell his disciples ]. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers [ to go to Galilee ]; there they will see me.
[ While the women were on their way ], some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything [ that had happened ]. [ When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan ], they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, [ telling them ], “You are [ to say ], ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away [ while we were asleep ].’ [ If this report gets to the governor ], we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did [ as they were instructed ]. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain [ where Jesus had told them [ to go ] ]. [ When they saw him ], they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, [ baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ], and [ teaching them to obey everything [ I have commanded you ] ]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is [ how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about]: His mother Mary was pledged [ to be married to Joseph ], but [ before they came together ], she was found [ to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit ]. [ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law , and yet did not want [ to expose her to public disgrace ] ], he had in mind [ to divorce her quietly ]. But [ after he had considered 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 home as your wife ], [ because [ what is conceived in her ] is from the Holy Spirit ].
She will give birth to a son, and you are [ to give him the name Jesus ], [ because he will save his people from their sins ].” All this took place [ to fulfill [ what the Lord had said through the prophet ] ]: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call [ him Immanue ]l” ( [ which means “God with us” ] ). [ When Joseph woke up ], he did [ what the angel of the Lord had commanded him ] and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage [ until she gave birth to a son ]. And he gave him the name Jesus.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin [ pledged [ to be married to a man [ named Joseph, a descendant of David ] ] ]. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you [ who are highly favored ]! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered [ what kind of greeting this might be ]. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are [ to call [ him Jesus ] ].
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “[ since I am a virgin ]?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one [ to be born ] will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going [ to have a child in her old age ], and she [ who was said [ to be unable [ to conceive ] ] ] is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
The next day John saw [ Jesus coming toward him ] and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, [ who takes away the sin of the world ]! This is the one [ I meant [ when I said ] ], ‘A man [ who comes after me ] has surpassed me [ because he was before me ].’ I myself did not know him, but the reason [ I came [ baptizing with water ] ] was [ that he might be revealed to Israel ].” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw [ the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him ]. And I myself did not know him, but the one [ who sent me [ to baptize with water ] ] told me, ‘The man [ [ on whom ] you see [ the Spirit come down and remain ] ] is the one [ who will baptize with the Holy Spirit ].’ I have seen and I testify [ that this is God’s Chosen One ].”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things [ that cause people [ to stumble ] ] are bound to come, but woe to anyone [ through whom they come ]. It would be better [ for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone [ tied around their neck than [ to cause one of these little ones [ to stumble ] ] ] ]. So watch yourselves. “[ If your brother or sister sins against you ], rebuke them; and [ if they repent ], forgive them. [ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you [ saying ‘I repent,’] you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “ [ If you have faith as small [ as a mustard seed (is) ], you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose [ one of you has a servant [ plowing or looking after the sheep ]. Will he say to the servant [ when he comes in from the field ], ‘Come along now and sit down [ to eat ]’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get [ yourself ready and wait on me [ while I eat and drink ] ]; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant [ because he did [ what he was told [ to do ] ] ]? So you also, [ when you have done everything [ you were told to do ] ], should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. [ As he was going into a village ], ten men [ who had leprosy ] met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” [ When he saw them ], he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And [ as they went ], they were cleansed. One of them, [ when he saw [ he was healed ] ], came back, [ praising God in a loud voice ]. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned [ to give praise to God ] except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Job 39 “Do you know [ when the mountain goats give birth ]? Do you watch [ when the doe bears her fawn ]? Do you count the months [ till they bear ]? Do you know the time [ they give birth ]? They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended. Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return.
“Who let [ the wild donkey go free ]? Who untied its ropes? I gave it the wasteland as its home, the salt flats as its habitat. It laughs at the commotion in the town; it does not hear a driver’s shout. It ranges the hills for its pasture and searches for any green thing. “Will the wild ox consent [ to serve you ]? Will it stay by your manger at night? Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? Will it till the valleys behind you? Will you rely on it for its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it [ to haul in your grain and bring it to your [ threshing ] floor ]?
"The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, [ though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork ]. She lays her eggs on the ground and lets [ them warm in the sand ], [ unmindful [ that a foot may crush them ] ], [ that some wild animal may trample them ]. She treats her young harshly, [ as if they were not hers ]; she cares [ not that her labor was in vain ], for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense.
Yet [ when she spreads her feathers [ to run ] ], she laughs at horse and rider. “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a [ flowing ] mane? Do you make [ it leap like a locust ], [ striking terror with its proud [ snorting ] ]? It paws fiercely, [ rejoicing in its strength ], and charges into the fray. It laughs at fear, [ afraid of nothing ]; it does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against its side, along with the [ flashing ] spear and lance. In [ frenzied ] excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still [ when the trumpet sounds ]. At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’ It catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry. “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold. From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar. Its young ones feast on blood, and [ where the slain are ], there it is.”
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw [ the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, [ prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband ] ]. And I heard [ a loud voice from the throne saying ], “Look! God’s [ dwelling ] place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or [ mourning ] or [ crying ] or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He [ who was seated on the throne ] said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 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 without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those [ who are victorious ] will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the [ unbelieving ], the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those [ who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars ]—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of [ burning ] sulfur. This is the second death.”
Those [ who are victorious ] will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the [ unbelieving ], the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those [ who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars ]—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of [ burning ] sulfur. This is the second death.”
“But to you [ who are listening ] I say: Love your enemies, do good to those [ who hate you ], bless those [ who curse you ], pray for those [ who mistreat you ]. [ If someone slaps you on one cheek ], turn to them the other also. [ If someone takes your coat ], do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone [ who asks you ], and [ if anyone takes [ what belongs to you ] ], do not demand it back. Do to others [ as you would have [ them do to you ] ].
“[ If you love those [ who love you ], what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those [ who love them ]. And [ if you do good to those [ who are good to you ], what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And [ if you lend to those [ from whom you expect repayment ] ], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, [ expecting [ to be repaid in full ] ]. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without [ expecting [ to get anything back ] ]. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, [ because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked ]. Be merciful, [ just as your Fatther is merciful ].
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, [ proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God ]. The Twelve were with him, and also some women [ who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases ]: Mary ( [ called Magdalene ] ) [ from whom seven demons had come out ]; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping [ to support them out of their own means ]. [ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town ], he told this parable:
“A farmer went out [ to sow his seed ]. [ As he was scattering the seed ], some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and [ when it came up ], the plants withered [ because they had no moisture ]. Other seed fell among thorns, [ which grew up with it and choked the plants ]. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more [ than was sown ].” [ When he said this ], he called out, “[ Whoever has ears [ to hear ] ], let [ them hear ].” His disciples asked him [ what this parable meant ]. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, [so that ], “‘though [ seeing ], they may not see; though [ hearing ], they may not understand.’ “This is the [ meaning ] of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
Those along the path are the ones [ who hear ], and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, [ so that they may not believe and be saved ]. Those on the rocky ground are the ones [ who receive the word with joy ] [ when they hear it ], but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of [ testing ] they fall away. The seed [ that fell among thorns ] stands for those [ who hear ], but [ as they go on their way ] they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, [ who hear the word, retain it, and by [ persevering ] produce a crop ].
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. [ When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders ], he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony [ they are bringing against you ]?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge— to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival [ to release a prisoner [ chosen by the crowd ] ].
At that time they had a [ well-known ] prisoner [ whose name was Jesus Barabbas ]. So [ when the crowd had gathered ], Pilate asked them, “[ Which one ] do you want me [ to release to you ]: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus [ who is called the Messiah ]?” For he knew [ it was out of self-interest [ that they had handed Jesus over to him ] ] ]. [ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat ], his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything [ to do with that innocent man ], for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd [ to ask for Barabbas and to have [ Jesus executed ] ].
“[ Which of the two ] do you want [ me to release to you ]?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus [ who is called the Messiah ]?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” [ When Pilate saw [ that he was getting nowhere ], but [ that instead an uproar was starting ] ], he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had [ Jesus flogged ], and handed him over [ to be crucified ].
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus [ to help her ]. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began [ to wait on them ]. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all [ who had various kinds of sickness ], and [ laying his hands on each one ], he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, [ shouting ], “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow [ them to speak ], [ because they knew he was the Messiah ]. At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and [ when they came to [ where he was ] ], they tried [ to keep him from [ leaving them ] ]. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, [ because that is [ why I was sent ] ].” And he kept on [ preaching in the synagogues of Judea ].
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, [ because that is [ why I was sent ] ].” And he kept on [ preaching in the synagogues of Judea ].
Now there was a Pharisee, a man [ named Nicodemus [ who was a member of the Jewish ruling council ] ]. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know [ that you are a teacher [ who has come from God ] ]. For no one could perform the signs [ you are doing ] [ if God were not with him ].” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God [ unless they are born again ].”
“How can someone be born [ when they are old ]?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb [ to be born ]!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God [ unless they are born of water and the Spirit ]. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at [ my saying ], ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows [ wherever it pleases ]. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell [ where it comes from or where it is going ]. So it is with everyone [ born of the Spirit ].”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of [ what we know ], and we testify to [ what we have seen ], but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe [ if I speak of heavenly things ]? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one [ who came from heaven—the Son of Man ]. [ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness ], so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [ that everyone [ who believes ] may have eternal life in him ].”
For God so loved the world [ that he gave his one and only Son ], [ that [ whoever believes in him ] shall not perish but have eternal life ]. For God did not send his Son into the world [ to condemn the world ], but [ to save the world through him ]. [ Whoever believes in him ] is not condemned, but [ whoever does not believe ] stands [ condemned already ] [ because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son ]. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light [ because their deeds were evil ]. Everyone [ who does evil ] hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear [ that their deeds will be exposed ]. But [ whoever lives by the truth ] comes into the light, [ so that it may be seen plainly [ that [ what they have done ] has been done in the sight of God ].
[ When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia ], they came to Thessalonica, [ where there was a Jewish synagogue ]. [ As was his custom ], Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [ explaining and proving [ that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead ] ]. “This Jesus [ I am proclaiming to you ] is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, [ as did a large number of [ God-fearing ] Greeks and quite a few prominent women. But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas [ in order to bring them out to the crowd ].
But [ when they did not find them ], they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials,[ shouting ]: “These men [ who have caused trouble all over the world ] have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, [ saying [ that there is another king, one [ called Jesus ] ] ].” [ When they heard this ], the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made [ Jason and the others post bond ] and let [ them go ].
One day [ as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news ], the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us [ by what authority you are doing these things ],” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: John’s baptism— was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “[ If we say, ‘From heaven,’] he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But [ if we say, ‘Of human origin,’] all the people will stone us, [ because they are persuaded [ that John was a prophet ] ].” So they answered, “We don’t know [ where it was from ].” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you [ by what authority I am doing these things ].”
Revelation 19 Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall
After this I heard [ what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting ]: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”
The twenty-four elders and the four [ living ] creatures fell down and worshiped God, [ who was seated on the throne ]. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, [ saying ]: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you [ who fear him ], both great and small!”
Then I heard [ what sounded like a great multitude ], like the roar of [ rushing ] waters and like loud peals of thunder, [ shouting ]: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let [ us rejoice and be glad and give him glory ]! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made [ herself ready ]. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her [ to wear ].” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those [ who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb ]!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet [ to worship him ]. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters [ who hold to the testimony of Jesus ]. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy [ who bears testimony to Jesus ].”
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.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me [ the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God ]. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear [ as crystal (is) ]. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel [ who talked with me ] had a [ measuring ] rod of gold [ to measure the city, its gates and its walls ]. The city was laid out like a square, as long [ as it was wide ]. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high [ as it is long ]. The angel measured the wall [ using human measurement ], and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure [ as glass is ].
The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure [ as transparent glass (is) ]. I did not see a temple in the city, [ because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple ]. The city does not need the sun or the moon [ to shine on it ], for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone [ who does [ what is shameful or deceitful ] ], but only those [ whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life ].
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. [ When he finished ], one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us [ to pray ], [ just as John taught his disciples ].” He said to them, “[ When you pray ], say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone [ who sins against us ]. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose [ you have a friend ], and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food [ to offer him ].’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, [ even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much [ as you need ]. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone [ who asks ] receives; the one [ who seeks ] finds; and to the one [ who knocks ], the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, [ if your son asks for a fish ], will give him a snake instead? Or [ if he asks for an egg ], will give him a scorpion? [ If you then, [ though you are evil ], know [ how to give good gifts to your children ], how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those [ who ask him ]!”
O Lord my God, [ when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds [ thy hands have made ] ], I see the stars, I hear the [ rolling ] thunder, [ Thy power throughout the universe displayed ]:
Refrain Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art!
[ When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear [ the birds sing sweetly in the trees ] ], [ When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze ]:
Refrain
And [ when I think [ that God, his Son [ not sparing ], Sent him [ to die ] ], I scarce can take it in, [ That on the cross, [ my burden gladly bearing ], He bled and died [ to take away my sin ]:
Refrain
[ When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home ], what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, 「My God, how great thou art!」
[ When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home ], what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, 「My God, how great thou art!」
[ When Jesus had called the Twelve together ], he gave them power and authority [ to drive out all demons ] and [ to cure diseases ], and he sent them out [ to proclaim the kingdom of God ] and [ to heal the sick ]. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [ Whatever house you enter ], stay there [ until you leave that town ].
[ If people do not welcome you ], leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, [ proclaiming the good news ] and [ healing people everywhere ]. Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all [ that was going on ]. And he was perplexed [ because some were saying [ that John had been raised from the dead ], others [ that Elijah had appeared ], and still others [ that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life ]. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this [ I hear such things about ]?” And he tried [ to see him ].
All [ that my soul in its sin can need ], All [ that my faith in its prayer can plead ]; Center of life and soul of my creed Is Jesus to me.
Refrain He is my rock in a weary land, He is my spring amidst the desert sand; Strength in my weakness [ that I may stand ], Is Jesus, Jesus.
My only claim for all sin [ forgiving ], Ground for my hope of a home in Heaven; Power [ through which my chains are all riven ] Is Jesus to me.
Refrain
Bread for the soul [ when I hunger sore ], Grace for my heart [ when I thirst for more ]; [ Sheltering ] rock [ when storms around me roar ] Is Jesus to me.
My only claim for all sin [ forgiving ], Ground for my hope of a home in Heaven; Power [ through which my chains are all riven ] Is Jesus to me.
Refrain
Bread for the soul [ when I hunger sore ], Grace for my heart [ when I thirst for more ]; [ Sheltering ] rock [ when storms around me roar ] Is Jesus to me.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree [ that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world ]. (This was the first census [ that took place [ while Quirinius was governor of Syria ] ]. ) And everyone went to their own town [ to register ]. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, [ because he belonged to the house and line of David ]. He went there [ to register with Mary, [ who was pledged [ to be married to him ] and was expecting a child ] ]. [ While they were there ], the time came [ for the baby to be born ], and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, [ because there was no guest room [ available for them ] ]. And there were shepherds [ living out in the fields nearby, [ keeping watch over their flocks at night ] ]. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news [ that will cause great joy for all the people ]. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby [ wrapped in cloths ] and [ lying in a manger ].” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, [ praising God ] and [ saying ], “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those [ on whom his favor rests ].”
[ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven ], the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing [ that has happened, [ which the Lord has told us about ] ].” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, [ who was lying in the manger ]. [ When they had seen him ], they spread the word [ concerning [ what had been told them about this child ], and all [ who heard it ] were amazed at [ what the shepherds said to them ]. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, [ glorifying and praising God for all the things [ they had heard and seen, [ which were just [ as they had been told ] ] ] ]. On the eighth day, [ when it was time [ to circumcise the child ] ], he was named Jesus, the name [ the angel had given him [ before he was conceived ] ].
故郷・英語訳版 1. Sometimes I dream [ I'm on the Hill [ Chasing the wild hare - freely at will Catching small fish - [ as the Brook murmurs by ] ] Place of my birthright - for you I sigh 2. Father and Mother - once you taught me [ That treasures of life - are all given free ]! Friendship and happiness - Sunshine and Rain Your words come back to me time and again 3. Clear crystal brooklet - fresh Hills of Blue Whisper across the Breeze - where are you? [ when fortune smiles on me ] - then Furusato I will return to you, I love you so!
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around [ to hear Jesus ]. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the [ lost ] sheep [ until he finds it ]? And [ when he finds it ], he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you [ that in the same way there will be more [ rejoicing ] in heaven over one sinner [ who repents ] than over ninety-nine righteous persons [ who do not need [ to repent ] ].
I tell you [ that in the same way there will be more [ rejoicing ] in heaven over one sinner [ who repents ] [ than (there will be) over ninety-nine righteous persons [ who do not need [ to repent ] ] ] ].
I tell you [ that in the same way there will be more [ rejoicing ] in heaven over one sinner [ who repents ] [ than (there will be) over ninety-nine righteous persons [ who do not need [ to repent ] ] ] ].
[ While they were still talking about this ], Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, [ thinking [ they saw a ghost ] ]. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, [ as you see [ I have ] ].” [ When he had said this ], he showed them his hands and feet. And [ while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement ], he asked them,
“Do you have anything here [ to eat ]?” They gave him a piece of [ broiled ] fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is [ what I told you [ while I was still with you ] ]: Everything must be fulfilled [ that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms ].” Then he opened their minds [ so they could understand the Scriptures ]. He told them, “This is [ what is written ]: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, [ beginning at Jerusalem ]. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you [ what my Father has promised ]; but stay in the city [ until you have been clothed with power from on high ].”
[ When they had finished [ eating ] ], Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know [ that I love you ].” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know [ that I love you ].” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt [ because Jesus asked him the third time ], “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know [ that I love you ].” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, [ when you were younger ] you dressed yourself and went [ where you wanted ]; but [ when you are old ] you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you [ where you do not want [ to go ] ].” Jesus said this [ to indicate the kind of death [ by which Peter would glorify God ] ]. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw [ that the disciple [ whom Jesus loved ] was following them ]. (This was the one [ who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper ] and had said, “Lord, who is going [ to betray you ]?”) [ When Peter saw him ], he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “[ If I want [ him to remain alive ] [ until I return ] ], what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers [ that this disciple would not die ]. But Jesus did not say [ that he would not die ]; he only said, “[ If I want [ him to remain alive [ until I return ] ], what is that to you?” This is the disciple [ who testifies to these things ] and [ who wrote them down ]. We know [ that his testimony is true ]. Jesus did many other things as well. [ If every one of them were written down ], I suppose [ that even the whole world would not have room for the books [ that would be written ] ].
But Jesus did not say [ that he would not die ]; he only said, “[ If I want [ him to remain alive [ until I return ] ], what is that to you?” This is the disciple [ who testifies to these things ] and [ who wrote them down ]. We know [ that his testimony is true ]. Jesus did many other things as well. [ If every one of them were written down ], I suppose [ that even the whole world would not have room for the books [ that would be written ] ].
[ While the women were on their way ], some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything [ that had happened ]. [ When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan ], they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, [ telling them ], “You are [ to say ], ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away [ while we were asleep ].’ [ If this report gets to the governor ], we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did [ as they were instructed ]. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain [ where Jesus had told [ them to go ] ]. [ When they saw him ], they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, [ baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ], and [ teaching [ them to obey everything [ I have commanded you ] ] ]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
[ When the Sabbath was over ], Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices [ so that they might go [ to anoint Jesus’ body ] ]. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But [ when they looked up ], they saw [ that the stone, [ which was very large ] , had been rolled away ]. [ As they entered the tomb ], they saw [ a young man [ dressed in a white robe ] sitting on the right side ], and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, [ who was crucified ]. He has risen! He is not here. See the place [ where they laid him ]. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, [ just as he told you ].’” [ Trembling and bewildered ], the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, [ because they were afraid ].
[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]
[ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week ], he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, [ out of whom he had driven seven demons ]. She went and told those [ who had been with him ] and [ who were mourning and weeping ]. [ When they heard [ that Jesus was alive ] and [ that she had seen him ] ], they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them [ while they were walking in the country ]. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven [ as they were eating ]; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal [ to believe those [ who had seen him [ after he had risen ] ] ].
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [ Whoever believes and is baptized ] will be saved, but [ whoever does not believe ] will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those [ who believe ]: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and [ when they drink deadly poison ], it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them ], he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs [ that accompanied it ].
[ While Peter was below in the courtyard ], one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. [ When she saw [ Peter warming himself ] ], she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand [ what you’re talking about ],” he said, and went out into the entryway. [ When the servant girl saw him there ], she said again to those [ standing around ], “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those [ standing near ] said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began [ to call down curses ], and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man [ you’re talking about ].” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word [ Jesus had spoken to him ]: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, [ where they were all alone ]. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became [ dazzling ] white, whiter [ than anyone in the world could bleach them ]. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, [ who were talking with Jesus ]. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good [ for us to be here ]. Let [ us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know [ what to say ], they were so frightened.)
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, [ whom I love ]. Listen to him!” Suddenly, [ when they looked around ], they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. [ As they were coming down the mountain ], Jesus gave them orders [ not to tell anyone [ what they had seen [ until the Son of Man had risen from the dead ] ] ] ]. They kept the matter to themselves, [ discussing [ what “[ rising from the dead ]” meant ] ]. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say [ that Elijah must come first ]?” Jesus replied, “[ To be sure ], Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written [ that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected ]? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything [ they wished ], [ just as it is written about him ].”
[ As they were coming down the mountain ], Jesus gave them orders [ not to tell anyone [ what they had seen [ until the Son of Man had risen from the dead ] ] ].
Meanwhile, [ when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, [ so that they were trampling on one another ] ], Jesus began [ to speak first to his disciples, [ saying ] ]: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, [ which is hypocrisy ]. There is nothing [ concealed ] [ that will not be disclosed ], or [ hidden ] [ that will not be made known ]. [ What you have said in the dark ] will be heard in the daylight, and [ what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms ] will be proclaimed from the roofs.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those [ who kill the body and after that can do no more ]. But I will show you [ whom you should fear ]: Fear him [ who, [ after your body has been killed ], has authority [ to throw you into hell ] ]. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more [ than many sparrows (are) ]. “I tell you, [ whoever publicly acknowledges me before others ], the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But [ whoever disowns me before others ] will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone [ who speaks a word against the Son of Man ] will be forgiven, but anyone [ who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit ] will not be forgiven. “[ When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities ], do not worry about [ how you will defend yourselves ] or [ what you will say ], for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time [ what you should say ].”
[ When evening came ], his disciples went down to the lake, [ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum ]. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. [ When they had rowed about three or four miles ], they saw [ Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water ]; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing [ to take him into the boat ], and immediately the boat reached the shore [ where they were heading ]. The next day the crowd [ that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake ] realized [ that only one boat had been there ], and [ that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples ], but [ that they had gone away alone ]. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place [ where the people had eaten the bread [ after the Lord had given thanks ] ]. [ Once the crowd realized [ that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there ] ], they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
[ When they found him on the other side of the lake ], they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, [ not because you saw the signs [ I performed ] but [ because you ate the loaves and had your fill ]. Do not work for food [ that spoils ], but for food [ that endures to eternal life, [ which the Son of Man will give you ]. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do [ to do the works [ God requires ] ]?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: [ to believe in the one [ he has sent ] ].” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give [ that we may see it and believe you ]? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; [ as it is written ]: ‘He gave them bread from heaven [ to eat ].’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses [ who has given you the bread from heaven ], but it is my Father [ who gives you the true bread from heaven ]. For the bread of God is the bread [ that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world ].” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. [ Whoever comes to me ] will never go hungry, and [ whoever believes in me ] will never be thirsty.
But [ as I told you ], you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those [ the Father gives me ] will come to me, and [ whoever comes to me ] I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven [ not to do my will but to do the will of him [ who sent me ] ]. And this is the will of him [ who sent me ], [ that I shall lose none of all those [ he has given me ], but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is [ that everyone [ who looks to the Son and believes in him ] shall have eternal life ], and I will raise them up at the last day.” At this the Jews there began [ to grumble about him ] [ because he said ], “I am the bread [ that came down from heaven ].”
They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, [ whose father and mother we know ]? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” “Stop [ grumbling among yourselves ],” Jesus answered.
On [ hearing it ], many of his disciples said, “This is a hard [ teaching ]. Who can accept it?” [ (Being) Aware [ that his disciples were grumbling about this ] ], Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what [ if you see [ the Son of Man ascend to [ where he was before ] ]! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words [ I have spoken to you ] — they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you [ who do not believe ].” For Jesus had known from the [ beginning ] [ which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is [ why I told you [ that no one can come to me [ unless the Father has enabled them ] ] ].”
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want [ to leave too ], do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come [ to believe and to know [ that you are the Holy One of God ] ].” Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, [ who, though [ (being) one of the Twelve ], was later [ to betray him ].)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer— at three in the afternoon. Now a man [ who was lame from birth ] was being carried to the temple gate [ called Beautiful, [ where he was put every day [ to beg from those [ going into the temple courts ] ] ]. [ When he saw [ Peter and John about to enter ], he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, [ as did John ]. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, [ expecting [ to get something from them ] ].
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but [ what I do have ] I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [ Taking him by the right hand ], he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began [ to walk ]. Then he went with them into the temple courts, [walking and jumping, and praising God ]. [ When all the people saw [ him walking and praising God ], they recognized him as the same man [ who used to sit [ begging at the temple gate [ called Beautiful ] ] ], and they were filled with wonder and amazement at [ what had happened to him ].
[ When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia ], they came to Thessalonica, [ where there was a Jewish synagogue ]. [ As was his custom ], Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [ explaining and proving [ that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead ] ]. “This Jesus [ I am proclaiming to you ] is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, [ as did a large number of God-[ fearing ] Greeks and quite a few prominent women ].
But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas [ in order to bring them out to the crowd ]. But [ when they did not find them ], they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, [ shouting ]: “These men [ who have caused trouble all over the world ] have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, [ saying [ that there is another king, one [ called Jesus ] ] ].” [ When they heard this ], the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for [ gaining wisdom ] and instruction; for [ understanding words of insight ]; for [ receiving instruction in prudent behavior ], [ doing [ what is right and just and fair ] ]; for [ giving prudence to those [ who are simple ], knowledge and discretion to the young ] — let [ the wise listen and add to their [ learning ] ], and let [ the discerning get guidance ]— for [ understanding proverbs and parables, the [ sayings ] and riddles of the wise ]. The fear of the LORD is the [ beginning ] of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom [ Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men ]
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your [ mother’s teaching ]. They are a garland [ to grace your head ] and a chain [ to adorn your neck ]. My son, [ if sinful men entice you ], do not give in to them. [ If they say ], “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them [ alive ], like the grave, and [ whole ], like those [ who go down to the pit ]; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; [ cast lots with us ]; we will all share the loot”— my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift [ to shed blood ].
How useless [ to spread a net [ where every bird can see it ] ]! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all [ who go after ill-[ gotten ] gain ]; it takes away the life of those [ who get it ].
Wisdom’s Rebuke Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you [ who are simple ] love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make [ known to you [ my teachings ] ]. But [ since you refuse [ to listen ] [ when I call ] and no one pays attention [ when I stretch out my hand ], [ since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke ], I in turn will laugh [ when disaster strikes you ]; I will mock [ when calamity overtakes you ]— [ when calamity overtakes you like a storm ], [ when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind ], [ when distress and trouble overwhelm you ].
“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, [ since they hated knowledge and did not choose [ to fear the LORD ] ]. [ Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke ], they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but [ whoever listens to me ] will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
My son, [ if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, [ turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to [ understanding ] ] ]— indeed, [ if you call out for insight and cry aloud for [ understanding ] ], and [ if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for [ hidden ] treasure ],
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and [ understanding ]. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those [ whose walk is blameless ], for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand [ what is right and just and fair ]—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and [ understanding ] will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men [ whose words are perverse ], [ who have left the straight paths [ to walk in dark ways ] ], [ who delight in [ doing wrong ] and rejoice in the perverseness of evil ], [ whose paths are crooked ] and [ who are devious in their ways ].
Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, [ who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant [ she made before God ] ]. Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None [ who go to her ] return or attain the paths of life. Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all [ that Jesus began [ to do and to teach until the day [ he was taken up to heaven ], after [ giving instructions through the Holy Spirit [ to the apostles [ he had chosen ] ]. After [ his suffering ], he presented himself to them and gave many [ convincing ] proofs [ that he was alive ]. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, [ while he was eating with them ], he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift [ my Father promised ], [ which you have heard [ me speak about ] ].
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not [ for you to know the times or dates [ the Father has set by his own authority ]. But you will receive power [ when the Holy Spirit comes on you ]; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [ After he said this ], he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky [ as he was going ], [ when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them ]. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here [ looking into the sky ]? This same Jesus, [ who has been taken from you into heaven ], will come back in the same way [ you have seen [ him go into heaven ] ].”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, [ because you have hidden these things from the wise and [ learned ], and revealed them to little children ]. Yes, Father, for this is [ what you were pleased [ to do ] ]. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those [ to whom the Son chooses [ to reveal him ] ].
“Come to me, all you [ who are weary and burdened ], and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
[ When Jesus heard [ what had happened ] ], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. [ Hearing of this ], the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. [ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd ], he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [ As evening approached ], the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, [ so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food ].” Jesus replied, “They do not need [ to go away ]. You give them something [ to eat ].” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people [ to sit down on the grass ]. [ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven ], he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of [ broken ] pieces [ that were left over ]. The number of those [ who ate ] was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
[ When the day of Pentecost came ], they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the [ blowing ] of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house [ where they were sitting ]. They saw [ what seemed [ to be tongues of fire [ that separated and came to rest on each of them ] ] ]. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began [ to speak in other tongues [ as the Spirit enabled them ] ]. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-[ fearing ] Jews from every nation under heaven.
[ When they heard this sound ], a crowd came together in bewilderment, [ because each one heard [ their own language being spoken ]. [ Utterly amazed ], they asked: “Aren’t all these [ who are speaking ] Galileans? Then how is it [ that each of us hears them in our native language ]? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs— we hear [ them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues ]!” [ Amazed and perplexed ], they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable [ to show them [ that they should always pray and not give up ] ]. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge [ who neither feared God nor cared [ what people thought ] ]. And there was a widow in that town [ who kept coming to him with the plea ], ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself,
‘[ Even though I don’t fear God or care [ what people think ] ], yet [ because this widow keeps bothering me ], I will see [ that she gets justice ], [ so that she won’t eventually come and attack me ]!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to [ what the unjust judge says ]. And will not God bring about justice for his [ chosen ] ones, [ who cry out to him day and night ]? Will he keep [ putting them off ]? I tell you, he will see [ that they get justice ], and quickly. However, [ when the Son of Man comes ], will he find faith on the earth?”
To some [ who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else ], Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple [ to pray ], one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you [ that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector ]. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all [ I get ].’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you [ that this man, rather than the other, went home [ justified before God ]. For all those [ who exalt themselves ] will be humbled, and those [ who humble themselves ] will be exalted.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things [ that cause [ people to stumble ] are bound to come ], but woe to anyone [ through whom they come ]. It would be better [ for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone [ tied around their neck ] than [ to cause one of these little ones to stumble ]. So watch yourselves. “[ If your brother or sister sins against you ], rebuke them; and [ if they repent ], forgive them. [ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you [ saying ]
‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “[ If you have faith as small [ as a mustard seed (is) ], you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be [ uprooted ] and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose [ one of you has a servant [ plowing or looking after the sheep ] ]. Will he say to the servant [ when he comes in from the field ], ‘Come along now and sit down [ to eat ]’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get [ yourself ready and wait on me [ while I eat and drink ] ]; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant [ because he did [ what he was told [ to do ] ] ]?
So you also, [ when you have done everything [ you were told [ to do ] ], should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. [ As he was going into a village ], ten men [ who had leprosy ] met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” [ When he saw them ], he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And [ as they went ], they were cleansed.
One of them, [ when he saw [ he was healed ] ], came back, [ praising God in a loud voice ]. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him— and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned [ to give praise to God ] except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
Once, on [ being asked by the Pharisees [ when the kingdom of God would come ] ], Jesus replied, “The [ coming ] of the kingdom of God is not something [ that can be observed ],
nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ [ because the kingdom of God is in your midst ].” Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming [ when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man ], but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go [ running off after them ]. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the [ lightning ], [ which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other ]. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “[ Just as it was in the days of Noah ], so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day [ Noah entered the ark ]. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day [ Lot left Sodom ], fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just like this on the day [ the Son of Man is revealed ]. On that day no one [ who is on the housetop, with possessions inside ], should go down [ to get them ]. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! [ Whoever tries [ to keep their life ] ] will lose it, and [ whoever loses their life ] will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “[ Where there is a dead body ], there the vultures will gather.”
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man [ whose manager was accused of [ wasting his possessions ] ]. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this [ I hear about you ]? Give an account of your management, [ because you cannot be manager any longer ].’ "The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough [ to dig ], and I’m ashamed [ to beg ]— I know [ what I’ll do [ so that, [ when I lose my job here ], people will welcome me into their houses ].’
“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ “The master commended the dishonest manager [ because he had acted shrewdly ]. For the people of this world are more shrewd in [ dealing with their own kind ] [ than are the people of the light ]. I tell you, use worldly wealth [ to gain friends for yourselves, [ so that [ when it is gone ], you will be welcomed into eternal [ dwellings ] ].
“[ Whoever can be trusted with very little ] can also be trusted with much, and [ whoever is dishonest with very little ] will also be dishonest with much. So [ if you have not been trustworthy in [ handling worldly wealth ] ], who will trust you with true riches? And [ if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property ], who will give you property of your own? “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, [ who loved money ], heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones [ who justify yourselves in the eyes of others ], but God knows your hearts. [ What people value highly ] is detestable in God’s sight.
For years, scientists have been predicting [ the Sun would by around 2012 move into solar maximum, a period of intense flares and sunspot activity, but lately a curious calm has suggested quite the opposite.
According to three studies [ released in the United States on Tuesday ], experts believe [ the familiar sunspot cycle may be shutting down and heading toward a pattern of inactivity [ unseen since the 17th century ]. The signs include a [ missing ] jet stream, [ fading ] spots, and slower activity near the poles, said experts from the National Solar Observatory and Air Force Research Laboratory.
"This is highly unusual and unexpected," said Frank Hill, associate director of the NSO's Solar Synoptic Network, [ as the [ findings ] of the three studies were presented at the annual [ meeting ] of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in Las Cruces, New Mexico ]. "But the fact [ that three completely different views of the Sun point in the same direction ] is a powerful indicator [ that the sunspot cycle may be going into hibernation ] ]." Solar activity tends [ to rise and fall every 11 years or so ]. The solar maximum and solar minimum each mark about half the interval of the magnetic pole reversal on the Sun, [ which happens every 22 years ]. Hill said [ the current cycle, number 24, "may be the last normal one for some time and the next one, cycle 25, may not happen for some time.
"This is important [ because the solar cycle causes space weather [ which affects modern technology ] and may contribute to climate change ]," he told reporters. Experts are now probing [ whether this period of inactivity could be a second Maunder Minimum, [ which was a 70-year period [ when hardly any sunspots were observed between 1645-1715, a period [ known as the "Little Ice Age ]." "[ If we are right ], this could be the last solar maximum [ we'll see for a few decades ]. That would affect everything from space exploration to Earth's climate," said Hill.
Solar flares and eruptions can send highly [ charged ] particles [ hurtling toward Earth ] and interfere with satellite communications, GPS systems and even airline controls.
Geomagnetic forces have been known [ to occasionally garble the world's modern gadgetry ], and warnings were issued as recently as last week [ when a moderate solar flare sent a coronal mass ejection in the Earth's direction ]. The temperature change [ associated with any reduction in sunspot activity ] would likely be minimal and may not be enough [ to offset the impact of greenhouse gases on global [ warming ] ], [ according to scientists [ who have published recent papers on the topic ] ]. "Recent solar 11-year cycles are associated empirically with changes in global surface temperature of 0.1 Celsius," said Judith Lean, a solar physicist with the US Naval Research Laboratory.
[ If the cycle were [ to stop or slow down ], the small fluctuation in temperature would do the same, [ eliminating the slightly cooler effect of a solar minimum [ compared to the warmer solar maximum ] ]. The phenomenon was witnessed during the [ descending ] phase of the last solar cycle. This "cancelled part of the greenhouse gas [ warming ] of the period 2000-2008, [ causing the net global surface temperature [ to remain approximately flat -- and leading to the big debate of [ why the Earth hadn't (been) warming in the past decade ] ]," Lean, [ who was not involved in the three studies ] presented, said in an email to AFP.
A study in the March 2010 issue of Geophysical Research Letters explored [ what effect an extended solar minimum might have ], and found no more than a 0.3 Celsius dip by 2100 [ compared to normal solar fluctuations ] ]. "A new Maunder-type solar activity minimum cannot offset the global [ warming ] [ caused by human greenhouse gas emissions ]," wrote authors Georg Feulner and Stefan Rahmstorf, [ noting [ that forecasts by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have found a range of 3.7 Celsius to 4.5 Celsius rise by this century's end [ compared to the latter half of the 20th century ] ] ]. "Moreover, any offset of global [ warming ] [ due to a grand minimum of solar activity ] would be merely a temporary effect, [ since the distinct solar minima during the last millennium typically lasted for only several decades or a century at most ]."
That [ which was from the [ beginning ], [ which we have heard ], [ which we have seen with our eyes ], [ which we have looked at and our hands have touched ]— this we proclaim [ concerning the Word of life ]. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, [ which was with the Father and has appeared to us ].
We proclaim to you [ what we have seen and heard, [ so that you also may have fellowship with us ] ]. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this [ to make our joy complete ].
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
This is the message [ we have heard from him and declare to you ]: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. [ If we claim [ to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness ] ], we lie and do not live out the truth.
But [ if we walk in the light, [ as he is in the light ] ], we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. [ If we claim to be without sin ], we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [ If we confess our sins ], he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [ If we claim [ we have not sinned ] ], we make [ him out [ to be a liar ] ] and his word is not in us.
That [ which was from the [ beginning ] ], [ which we have heard ], [ which we have seen with our eyes ], [ which we have looked at and our hands have touched ]— this we proclaim [ concerning the Word of life ].
My dear children, I write this to you [ so that you will not sin ]. But [ if anybody does sin ], we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the [ atoning ] sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know [ that we have come [ to know him [ if we keep his commands ] ] ]. [ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do [ what he commands ] is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But [ if anyone obeys his word ], love for God is truly made complete in them. This is [ how we know [ we are in him ] ]: [ Whoever claims to live in him ] must live [ as Jesus did ]. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, [ which you have had since the [ beginning ] ].
This old command is the message [ you have heard ]. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, [ because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining ]. Anyone [ who claims [ to be in the light but hates a brother or sister ] is still in the darkness. Anyone [ who loves their brother and sister ] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them [ to make them stumble ]. But anyone [ who hates a brother or sister ] is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know [ where they are going, [ because the darkness has blinded them ] ].
I am writing to you, dear children, [ because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name ]. I am writing to you, fathers, [ because you know him [ who is from the [ beginning ] ]. I am writing to you, young men, [ because you have overcome the evil one ]. I write to you, dear 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 men, [ because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one ].
[ After Jesus had said this ], he went on ahead, [ going up to Jerusalem ]. [ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill [ called the Mount of Olives ], he sent two of his disciples, [ saying to them ], “Go to the village ahead of you, and [ as you enter it ], you will find a colt [ tied there ], [ which no one has ever ridden ]. Untie it and bring it here. [ If anyone asks you ], ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Those [ who were sent ahead ] went and found it [ just as he had told them ]. [ As they were untying the colt ], its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [ As he went along ], people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place [ where the road goes down the Mount of Olives ], the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully [ to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles [ they had seen ]: “Blessed is the king [ who comes in the name of the Lord ]!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “ [ if they keep quiet ], the stones will cry out.” [ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city ], he wept over it and said, “[ If you, even you, had only known on this day [ what would bring you peace ] ]— but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you [ when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, [ because you did not recognize the time of [ God’s coming to you ] ].”
[ When Jesus entered the temple courts ], he began [ to drive out those [ who were selling ] ]. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made [ it ‘a den of robbers ].’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying [ to kill him ]. Yet they could not find any way [ to do it ], [ because all the people hung on his words ].
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, [ so that those [ who come in ] can see the light ]. For there is nothing hidden [ that will not be disclosed ], and nothing concealed [ that will not be known or brought out into the open ]. Therefore consider carefully [ how you listen ]. [ Whoever has ] will be given more; [ whoever does not have ], [ even [ what ] they think [ they have ] ] will be taken from them.”
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, [ so that those [ who come in ] can see the light ]. For there is nothing [ hidden ] [ that will not be disclosed ], and nothing [ concealed ] [ that will not be known or brought out into the open ]. Therefore consider carefully [ how you listen ]. [ Whoever has ] will be given more; [ whoever does not have ], [ even [ what ] they think [ they have ] ] will be taken from them.”
It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So [ as evening approached ], Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, [ who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God ], went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised [ to hear [ that he was already dead ] ]. [ Summoning the centurion ], he asked him [ if Jesus had already died ]. [ When he learned from the centurion [ that it was so ], he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb [ cut out of rock ]. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw [ where he was laid ].
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, [ who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, [ observing all the Lord’s commands ] and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless [ because Elizabeth was not able to conceive ], and they were both very old. Once [ when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God ], he was chosen by lot, [ according to the custom of the priesthood ], [ to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense ].
And [ when the time for the [ burning ] of incense came ], all the [ assembled ] worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, [ standing at the right side of the altar of incense ]. [ When Zechariah saw him ], he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are [ to call [ him John ] ]. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never [ to take wine or other fermented drink ], and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit [ even before he is born ]. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, [ to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous ]— [ to make ready a people [ prepared for the Lord ] ].”
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent [ to speak to you and to tell you this good news ]. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day [ this happens ], [ because you did not believe my words, [ which will come true at their [ appointed ] time ] ].” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering [ why he stayed so long in the temple ]. [ When he came out ], he could not speak to them. They realized [ he had seen a vision in the temple ], for he kept [ making signs to them ] but remained [ unable [ to speak ] ]. [ When his time of service was completed ], he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin [ pledged [ to be married to a man [ named Joseph, a descendant of David ] ] ]. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “[ Greetings ], you [ who are highly favored ]! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered [ what kind of [ greeting ] this might be ]. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are [ to call [ him Jesus ] ]. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “[ since I am a virgin ]?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one [ to be born ] will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she [ who was said [ to be unable [ to conceive ] ] ] is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, [ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth ]. [ When Elizabeth heard [ Mary’s greeting ] ], the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child [ you will bear ]! But why am I so favored, [ that the mother of my Lord should come to me ]? [ As soon as the sound of [ your greeting ] reached my ears ], the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she [ who has believed [ that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her ] ]!”
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call [ me blessed ], for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those [ who fear him ], from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those [ who are proud in their inmost thoughts ]. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, [ remembering [ to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever ] ], [ just as he promised our ancestors ].” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
[ When Jesus heard [ that John had been put in prison ] ], he withdrew to Galilee. [ Leaving Nazareth ], he went and lived in Capernaum, [ which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— [ to fulfill [ what was said through the prophet Isaiah ] ]: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people [ living in darkness ] have seen a great light; on those [ living in the land of the shadow of death ] a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began [ to preach ], “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
[ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee ], he saw two brothers, Simon [ called Peter ] and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out [ to fish for people ].” At once they left their nets and followed him. [ Going on from there ], he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, [ preparing their nets ]. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of [ standing from the clan of Elimelek, [ whose name was Boaz ] ]. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let [ me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone [ in whose eyes I find favor ].” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So she went out, entered a field and began [ to glean behind the harvesters ]. [ As it turned out ], she was working in a field [ belonging to Boaz, [ who was from the clan of Elimelek ] ].
Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they answered. Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite [ who came back from Moab with Naomi ]. She said, ‘Please let [ me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters ].’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women [ who work for me ]. Watch the field [ where the men are harvesting ], and follow along after the women. I have told the men [ not to lay a hand on you ]. And [ whenever you are thirsty ], go and get a drink from the water jars [ the men have filled ].”
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes [ that you notice me ]—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about [ what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband— how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came [ to live with a people [ you did not know before ] ]. May the LORD repay you for [ what you have done ]. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, [ under whose wings you have come [ to take refuge ] ].”
“May I continue [ to find favor in your eyes ], my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by [ speaking kindly to your servant ]— [ though I do not have the [ standing ] of one of your servants ].” At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” [ When she sat down with the harvesters ], he offered her some [ roasted ] grain. She ate all [ she wanted ] and had some [ left over ]. [ As she got up to glean ], Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let [ her gather among the sheaves ] and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave [ them for her to pick up ], and don’t rebuke her.” So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley [ she had gathered ], and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw [ how much she had gathered ]. Ruth also brought out and gave her [ what she had left over [ after she had eaten enough ] ]. Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man [ who took notice of you ]!”
Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one [ at whose place she had been working ]. “The name of the man [ I worked with today ] is Boaz,” she said. “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped [ showing his kindness to the [ living ] and the dead ].” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.[b]” Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers [ until they finish [ harvesting all my grain ] ].’” Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good [ for you, my daughter, to go with the women [ who work for him ] ], [ because in someone else’s field you might be harmed ].” So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz [ to glean [ until the barley and wheat harvests were finished ]. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
Now there were some [ present at that time ] [ who told Jesus about the Galileans [ whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices ] ]. Jesus answered, “Do you think [ that these Galileans were worse sinners [ than all the other Galileans (were) ] [ because they suffered this way ]? I tell you, no! But [ unless you repent ], you too will all perish.
Or those eighteen [ who died [ when the tower in Siloam fell on them ] ]— do you think [ they were more guilty [ than all the others [ living in Jerusalem ] ]? I tell you, no! But [ unless you repent ], you too will all perish.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree [ growing in his vineyard ], and he went [ to look for fruit on it ] but did not find any. So he said to the man [ who took care of the vineyard ], ‘For three years now I’ve been coming [ to look for fruit on this fig tree ] and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. [ If it bears fruit next year ], fine! [ If not ], then cut it down.’”
One Sabbath, [ when Jesus went [ to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee ] ], he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man [ suffering from abnormal [ swelling ] of his body ]. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful [ to heal on the Sabbath ] or not?” But they remained silent. So [ taking hold of the man ], he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “[ If one of you has a child or an ox [ that falls into a well on the Sabbath day ] ], will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing [ to say ].
[ When he noticed [ how the guests picked the places of honor at the table ] ], he told them this parable: " [ When someone invites you to a [ wedding ] feast ], do not take the place of honor, for a person [ more distinguished [ than you ] ] may have been invited. [ If so ], the host [ who invited both of you ] will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, [ humiliated ], you will have to take the least important place. But [ when you are invited ], take the lowest place, [ so that [ when your host comes ], he will say to you ], ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’
Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those [ who exalt themselves ] will be humbled, and those [ who humble themselves ] will be exalted.” Then Jesus said to his host, “[ When you give a luncheon or dinner ], do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; [ if you do ], they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But [ when you give a banquet ], invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. [ Although they cannot repay you ], you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
[ When one of those at the table with him heard this ], he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one [ who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God ].” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant [ to tell those [ who had been invited ] ], ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began [ to make excuses ]. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way [ to try them out ]. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘[ what you ordered has been done ], but there is still room.’ "Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel [ them to come in ], [ so that my house will be full ]. I tell you, [ not one of those [ who were invited ] will get a taste of my banquet ].’”
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother [ to divide the inheritance with me ].” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed [ me a judge or an arbiter between you ]?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place [ to store my crops ].’ “Then he said, ‘This is [ what I’ll do ]. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself,
“You have [ plenty of grain laid up for many years ]. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get [ what you have prepared for yourself ]?’ “This is [ how it will be with [ whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God ] ].”
“There was a rich man [ who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day ]. At his gate was laid a beggar [ named Lazarus ], [ covered with sores and longing [ to eat [ what fell from the rich man’s table ] ] ]. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came [ when the beggar died ] and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, [ where he was in torment ], he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus [ to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue ], [ because I am in agony in this fire ].’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember [ that in your lifetime you received your good things ], [ while Lazarus received bad things ], but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, [ so that those [ who want to go from here to you ] cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us ].’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let [ him warn them ], [ so that they will not also come to this place of torment ].’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let [ them listen to them ].’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘ but [ if someone from the dead goes to them ], they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘[ If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets ], they will not be convinced [ even if someone rises from the dead ].’”
From that time on Jesus began [ to explain to his disciples [ that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law ], and [ that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life ] ]. Peter took him aside and began [ to rebuke him ]. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a [ stumbling ] block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “[ Whoever wants [ to be my disciple ] ] must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For [ whoever wants [ to save their life ] ] will lose it, but [ whoever loses their life for me ] will find it. What good will it be [ for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul ]? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person [ according to [ what they have done ] ]. “Truly I tell you, some [ who are standing here ] will not taste death [ before they see [ the Son of Man coming in his kingdom ] ].”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, [ because you have hidden these things from the wise and [ learned ], and revealed them to little children ]. Yes, Father, for this is [ what you were pleased [ to do ] ]. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those [ to whom the Son chooses [ to reveal him ] ]. “Come to me, all you [ who are weary and burdened ], and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Jesus, [ once more deeply moved ], came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone [ laid across the entrance ]. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you [ that [ if you believe ], you will see the glory of God ]?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you [ that you have heard me ]. I knew [ that you always hear me ], but I said this for the benefit of the people [ standing here ], [ that they may believe [ that you sent me ] ].” [ When he had said this ], Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, [ his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face ]. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let [ him go ].”
In the [ beginning ] was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the [ beginning ]. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made [ that has been made ]. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man [ sent from God ] [ whose name was John ]. He came as a witness [ to testify [ concerning [ that light, [ so that through him all might believe ] ] ] ]. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light [ that gives light to everyone ] was coming into the world. He was in the world, and [ though the world was made through him ], the world did not recognize him. He came to that [ which was his own ], but his own did not receive him. Yet to all [ who did receive him ], to those [ who believed in his name], he gave the right [ to become children of God ]— children [ born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God ].
The Word became flesh and made [ his dwelling ] among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, [ who came from the Father, [ full of grace and truth ] ]. (John testified [ concerning him ]. He cried out, [ saying ], “This is the one [ I spoke about [ when I said ] ], ‘He [ who comes after me ] has surpassed me [ because he was before me ].’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace [ already given ]. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, [ who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father ], has made [ him known ].
He came to that [ which was his own ], but his own did not receive him. Yet to all [ who did receive him ], to those [ who believed in his name], he gave the right [ to become children of God ]— children [ born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God ].
In the land of Uz there lived a man [ whose name was Job ]. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used [ to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays ], and they would invite their three sisters [ to eat and drink with them ]. [ When a period of [ feasting ] had run its course ], Job would make arrangements [ for them to be purified ]. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a [ burnt ] [ offering ] for each of them, [ thinking ], “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From [ roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it ].” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man [ who fears God and shuns evil ].”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything [ he has ]? You have blessed the work of his hands, [ so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land ]. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything [ he has ], and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything [ he has ] is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day [ when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house ], a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one [ who has escaped [ to tell you ] ]!” [ While he was still speaking ], another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one [ who has escaped [ to tell you ] ]!” [ While he was still speaking ], another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three [ raiding ] parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one [ who has escaped [ to tell you ] ]!”
[ While he was still speaking ], yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, [ when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house ]. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one [ who has escaped [ to tell you ] ]!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “[ Naked ] I came from my mother’s womb, and [ naked ] I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by [ charging God with [ wrongdoing ] ].
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw [ the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, [ prepared as a bride [ beautifully dressed for her husband ] ]. And I heard [ a loud voice from the throne saying ], “Look! [ God’s dwelling ] place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or [ mourning ] or [ crying ] or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He [ who was seated on the throne ] said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 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 without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those [ who are victorious ] will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the [ unbelieving ], the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those [ who practice magic arts ], the idolaters and all liars— they will be consigned to the fiery lake of [ burning ] sulfur. This is the second death.”
Jesus, [ once more deeply moved ], came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone [ laid across the entrance ]. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you [ that [ if you believe ], you will see the glory of God ]?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you [ that you have heard me ]. I knew [ that you always hear me ], but I said this for the benefit of the people [ standing here ], [ that they may believe [ that you sent me ] ].” [ When he had said this ], Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, [ his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face ]. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let [ him go ].”
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, [ because the LORD has anointed me [ to proclaim good news to the poor ] ]. He has sent me [ to bind up the [ brokenhearted ] ], [ to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ], [ to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God ], [ to comfort all [ who mourn ], and provide for those [ who grieve in Zion ] ]—
[ to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of [ mourning ], and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair ]. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a [ planting ] of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places [ long devastated ];
they will renew the [ ruined ] cities [ that have been devastated for generations ]. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
Matthew 7 Judging Others "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way [ you judge others ], you will be judged, and with the measure [ you use ], it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let [ me take the speck out of your eye ],’ [ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye ]? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly [ to remove the speck from your brother’s eye ]. “Do not give dogs [ what is sacred ]; do not throw your pearls to pigs. [ If you do ], they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. You judge others, and in the same way you will be judged. You use a measure, and with the measure, you will be measured. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘You havea speck in your eye. I'll take it out of your eye.’ All the time there is a plank in your own eye! You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, Then you will see clearly and you can remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
You have sacred things and do not give them to dogs. Do not throw your pearls to pigs.
You do, then they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
私は授業をした。 Good morning, everyone! Good morning, teacher! OK. Please sit down. How are you, Ichiro? I'm fine, Good! How are you, Kyoko? I'm tired today. I'm sleepy now. Oh, that's too bad. Well, everyone, Let us begin today's lesson. Kyoko is tired and sleepy. Last night, what time did you go to bed, Kyoko? Around three o'clock in the morning. You did go to bed around three! What did you do last night? I played with computer games. Oh, you play-phobic!
Now Jesus learned [ that the Pharisees had heard [ that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples [ than John (did) ]— [ although in fact it was not Jesus [ who baptized ], but his disciples ]. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria [ called Sychar ], near the plot of ground [ Jacob had given to his son Joseph ]. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, [ tired [ as he was from the journey ], sat down by the well. It was about noon. [ When a Samaritan woman came [ to draw water ], Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town [ to buy food ].)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “[ If you knew the gift of God and [ who it is [ that asks you for a drink ] ], you would have asked him and he would have given you [ living ] water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing [ to draw with ] and the well is deep. Where can you get this [ living ] water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, [ who gave us the well and drank from it himself ], [ as did also his sons and his livestock ]?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone [ who drinks this water ] will be thirsty again, but [ whoever drinks the water [ I give them ] ] will never thirst. Indeed, the water [ I give them ] will become in them a spring of water [ welling up to eternal life ].” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water [ so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep [ coming here [ to draw water ] ].” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right [ when you say [ you have no husband ] ]. The fact is, [ you have had five husbands ], and the man [ you now have ] is not your husband. [ What you have just said ] is quite true.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see [ that you are a prophet ]. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim [ that the place [ where we must worship ] is in Jerusalem ].” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming [ when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem ]. You Samaritans worship [ what you do not know ]; we worship [ what we do know ], for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come [ when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth ], for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know [ that Messiah” ([ called Christ ]) “is coming ]. [ When he comes ], he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one [ speaking to you ]—I am he.”
Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service [ to embalm his father Israel ]. So the physicians embalmed him, [ taking a full forty days, for that was the time [ required for [ embalming ] ]. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. [ When the days of [ mourning ] had passed ], Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “[ If I have found favor in your eyes ], speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, ‘My father made [ me swear an oath ] and said, “I am about [ to die ]; bury me in the tomb [ I dug for myself in the land of Canaan ].” Now let [ me go up and bury my father ]; then I will return.’”
Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, [ as he made [ you swear [ to do ] ].” So Joseph went up [ to bury his father ]. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him— the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those [ belonging to his father’s household ]. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company. [ When they reached the [ threshing ] floor of Atad, near the Jordan ], they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of [ mourning ] for his father. [ When the Canaanites [ who lived there ] saw the [ mourning ] at the [ threshing ] floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of [ mourning ].” That is [ why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim ]. So Jacob’s sons did [ as he had commanded them ] : They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, [ which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite ]. After [ burying his father ], Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others [ who had gone with him [ to bury his father] ] .
[ As he went along ], he saw a man [ blind from birth ]. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, [ that he was born [ blind ]?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened [ so that the works of God might be displayed in him ]. [ As long as it is day ], we must do the works of him [ who sent me ]. Night is coming, [ when no one can work ]. [ While I am in the world ], I am the light of the world.” After [ saying this ], he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home [ seeing ].
His neighbors and those [ who had formerly seen [ him begging ] asked, “Isn’t this the same man [ who used [ to sit and beg ] ]?” Some claimed [ that he was ]. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man [ they call Jesus ] made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me [ to go to Siloam and wash ]. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me [ that bears no fruit ], [ while every branch [ that does bear fruit ] he prunes [ so that it will be even more fruitful ]. You are already clean because of the word [ I have spoken to you ]. Remain in me, [ as I also remain in you ]. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit [ unless you remain in me ]. “I am the vine; you are the branches. [ If you remain in me and I in you ], you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [ If you do not remain in me ], you are like a branch [ that is thrown away and withers ]; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [ If you remain in me and my words remain in you ], ask [ whatever you wish ], and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, [ that you bear much fruit, [ showing [ yourselves to be my disciples ] ].
“[ As the Father has loved me ], so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [ If you keep my commands ], you will remain in my love, [ just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love ]. I have told you this [ so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete ]. My command is this: Love each other [ as I have loved you ]. Greater love has no one than this: [ to lay down one’s life for one’s friends ]. You are my friends [ if you do [ what I command ] ]. I no longer call [ you servants ], [ because a servant does not know his master’s business ]. Instead, I have called [ you friends ], for everything [ that I learned from my Father ] I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you [ so that you might go and bear fruit ]— fruit [ that will last ]—and [ so that [ whatever you ask in my name ] the Father will give you ]. This is my command: Love each other.
Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles [ to be mocked and flogged and crucified ]. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
A Mother’s Request Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, [ kneeling down ], asked a favor of him. “What is it [ you want ]?” he asked. She said, “Grant [ that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom ].” “You don’t know [ what you are asking ],” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup [ I am going to drink ]?”
“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but [ to sit at my right or left ] is not [ for me to grant ]. These places belong to those [ for whom they have been prepared by my Father ].” [ When the ten heard about this ], they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know [ that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them ]. Not so with you. Instead, [ whoever wants to become great among you ] must be your servant, and [ whoever wants to be first ] must be your slave— [ just as the Son of Man did not come [ to be served ], but [ to serve ], and [ to give his life as a ransom for many ] ].”
[ When Joseph’s brothers saw [ that their father was dead ] ], they said, “What [ if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs [ we did to him ] ]?” So they sent word to Joseph, [ saying ], “Your father left these instructions [ before he died ]: ‘This is [ what you are [ to say to Joseph ] ]: I ask you [ to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs [ they committed in [ treating you so badly ] ].’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” [ When their message came to him ], Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended [ to harm me ], but God intended it for good [ to accomplish [ what is now being done ] ], the [ saving ] of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about [ to die ]. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land [ he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ].” And Joseph made [ the Israelites swear an oath ] and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And [ after they embalmed him ], he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, [ whose mother was Tamar ], Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, [ whose mother was Rahab ], Boaz the father of Obed, [ whose mother was Ruth ], Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, [ whose mother had been Uriah’s wife ], Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus [ who is called the Messiah ]. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
This is [ how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged [ to be married to Joseph ], but [ before they came together ], she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. [ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want [ to expose her to public disgrace ] ], he had in mind [ to divorce her quietly ]. But [ after he had considered 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 home as your wife ], [ because [ what is conceived in her ] is from the Holy Spirit ].
She will give birth to a son, and you are [ to give him the name Jesus ], [ because he will save his people from their sins ]:.” All this took place [ to fulfill [ what the Lord had said through the prophet ] ]: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call [ him Immanuel ]” ([ which means “God with us” ]). [ When Joseph woke up ], he did [ what the angel of the Lord had commanded him ] and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage [ until she gave birth to a son ]. And he gave him the name Jesus.
What then shall we say [ that Abraham, our forefather [ according to the flesh ], discovered in this matter ]? [ If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works ], he had something [ to boast about ]—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one [ who works ], wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
However, to the one [ who does not work but trusts God [ who justifies the ungodly ] ], their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing [ when he speaks of the blessedness of the one [ to whom God credits righteousness apart from works ] ]: “Blessed are those [ whose transgressions are forgiven ], [ whose sins are covered ]. Blessed is the one [ whose sin the Lord will never count against them ].” Is this blessedness only for the [ circumcised ], or also for the [ uncircumcised ]? We have been saying [ that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness ]. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it [ after he was circumcised, or before ]? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness [ that he had by faith [ while he was still uncircumcised ] ].
So then, he is the father of all [ who believe but have not been circumcised ], in order [ that righteousness might be credited to them ]. And he is then also the father of the [ circumcised [ who not only are circumcised ] but [ who also follow in the footsteps of the faith [ that our father Abraham had [ before he was circumcised ] ] ] ] ]. It was not through the law [ that Abraham and his offspring received the promise [ that he would be heir of the world ] ] ], but through the righteousness [ that comes by faith ].
For [ if those [ who depend on the law ] are heirs ], faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, [ because the law brings wrath ]. And [ where there is no law ] there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, [ so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring— not only to those [ who are of the law ] but also to those [ who have the faith of Abraham ]. He is the father of us all. [ As it is written ]: “I have made [ you a father of many nations ].” He is our father in the sight of God, [ in whom he believed ]—the God [ who gives life to the dead and calls into [ being ] things [ that were not ]. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, [ just as it had been said to him ], “So shall your offspring be.” Without [ weakening in his faith ], he faced the fact [ that his body was as good as dead ]— [ since he was about a hundred years old ]—and [ that Sarah’s womb was also dead ]. Yet he did not waver through unbelief [ regarding the promise of God ], but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [ being fully persuaded [ that God had power [ to do [ what he had promised ] ] ]. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, [ to whom God will credit righteousness ]— for us [ who believe in him [ who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead ] ].
Yet he did not waver through unbelief [ regarding the promise of God ], but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [ being fully persuaded [ that God had power [ to do [ what he had promised ] ] ]. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, [ to whom God will credit righteousness ]— for us [ who believe in him [ who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead ] ]. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
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Visas For Life [Hardcover] Yukiko Sugihara Yukiko Sugihara (Author) › Visit Amazon's Yukiko Sugihara Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author Are you an author? Learn about Author Central (Author), Sir Edmund L de Rothschild (Introduction) 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews) 3 Reviews 5 star: (2) 4 star: (1) 3 star: (0) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (0)
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A remarkable story that deserves wider recognition. In many ways much more fascinating than the Wallenberg or Schindler stories because unlike either, he put himself at great personal risk and very much unlike Schindler, he stood to gain absolutely nothing. This is a highly personal and direct account by Yukiko Sugihara's wife that covers not only the events surrounding the issuing of the visas, but also follows the family through the rest of the war and its aftermath...
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. [ When he finished ], one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us [ to pray ], [ just as John taught his disciples ].” He said to them, “[ When you pray ], say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone [ who sins against us ]. And lead us not into temptation.’” Then Jesus said to them, “ Suppose [ you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say], ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food [ to offer him ].’ And suppose [ the one inside answers ], ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, [ even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship ], yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much [ as you need ].
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone [ who asks ] receives; the one [ who seeks ] finds; and to the one [ who knocks ], the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, [ if your son asks for a fish ], will give him a snake instead? Or [ if he asks for an egg ], will give him a scorpion? [ If you then, [ though you are evil], know [ how to give good gifts to your children ] ], how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those [ who ask him ]!”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things [ that cause people [ to stumble ] ] are bound to come, but woe to anyone [ through whom they come ]. It would be better [ for them to be thrown into the sea with [ a millstone tied around their neck ] [ than to cause [ one of these little ones to stumble ] ]. So watch yourselves. “[ If your brother or sister sins against you ], rebuke them; and [ if they repent ], forgive them. [ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you [ saying ] ] ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “[ If you have faith as small [ as a mustard seed (is) ], you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose [ one of you has a servant [ plowing or looking after the sheep ]. Will he say to the servant [ when he comes in from the field ], ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’ Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me [ while I eat and drink ]; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant [ because he did [ what he was told [ to do ] ]? So you also, [ when you have done everything [ you were told [ to do ] ], should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began [ to pick some heads of grain and eat them ]. [ When the Pharisees saw this ], they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing [ what is unlawful on the Sabbath ].” He answered, “Haven’t you read [ what David did [ when he and his companions were hungry ] ]? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the [ consecrated ] bread— [ which was not lawful [ for them to do ], but [ only for the priests ] ]. Or haven’t you read in the Law [ that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent ]? I tell you [ that something greater than the temple is here ].
[ If you had known [ what these words mean ] ], ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” [ Going on from that place ], he went into their synagogue, and a man with a [ shriveled ] hand was there. [ Looking for a reason [ to bring charges against Jesus ] ], they asked him, “Is it lawful [ to heal on the Sabbath ]?” He said to them, “[ If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath ], will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person [ than a sheep (is) ]! Therefore it is lawful [ to do good on the Sabbath ].” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted [ how they might kill Jesus ].
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see [ who Jesus was ], but [ because he was short ] he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree [ to see him ], [ since Jesus was coming that way ]. [ When Jesus reached the spot ], he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone [ to be the guest of a sinner ].”
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and [ if I have cheated anybody out of anything ], I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, [ because this man, too, is a son of Abraham ]. For the Son of Man came [ to seek and to save the lost ].”
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, [ accompanied by his disciples ]. [ When the Sabbath came ], he began [ to teach in the synagogue ], and many [ who heard him ] were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom [ that has been given him ]? What are these remarkable miracles [ he is performing ]? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
They are not mere things that appear or disappear. Nor are they things impure or pure. Nor do they merely increase or decrease. And so, within that emptiness, there is no form, there is no sensing, no imagining, no willing, no conceiving. There are no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind.
There are no sights, no sounds, no smells, no tastes, no objects felt, no realms conceived. There are no worlds, from "there is no worlds of eyes " to " there is no worlds conceived by mind."
Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death [Paperback] Sharon Linnea Sharon Linnea (Author) › Visit Amazon's Sharon Linnea Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author Are you an author? Learn about Author Central (Author), Tom Veres (Photographer) 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews) 10 Reviews 5 star: (8) 4 star: (1) 3 star: (1) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (0)
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This true account of Raoul Wallenberg, a man who saved more than 100,000 Jewish men, women and children from extinction during the Holocaust, is gripping and well-written.
DeathOn February 6, 1957, the Soviets released a document dated July 17, 1947, which stated "I report that the prisoner Wallenberg who is well-known to you, died suddenly in his cell this night, probably as a result of a heart attack or heart failure.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, [ who was crucified ]. He has risen! He is not here. See the place [ where they laid him ]. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, [ just as he told you ].’” [ Trembling and bewildered ], the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, [ because they were afraid ]. (The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.)
[ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week ], he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, [ out of whom he had driven seven demons ]. She went and told those [ who had been with him ] and [ who were mourning and weeping ]. [ When they heard [ that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him ] ], they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them [ while they were walking in the country ]. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven [ as they were eating ]; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal [ to believe those [ who had seen him [ after he had risen ] ] ]. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [ Whoever believes and is baptized ] will be saved, but [ whoever does not believe ] will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those [ who believe ]: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and [ when they drink deadly poison ], it will not hurt them at all;
they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them ], he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs [ that accompanied it ].
[ While they were still talking about this ], Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, [ thinking [ they saw a ghost ] ]. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, [ as you see I have ].” [ When he had said this ], he showed them his hands and feet. And [ while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here [ to eat ]?” They gave him a piece of [ broiled ] fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is [ what I told you [ while I was still with you ] ]: Everything must be fulfilled [ that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms ].” Then he opened their minds [ so they could understand the Scriptures ].
He told them, “This is [ what is written ]: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, [ beginning at Jerusalem ]. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you [ what my Father has promised ]; but stay in the city [ until you have been clothed with power from on high ].”
[ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany ], he lifted up his hands and blessed them. [ While he was blessing them ], he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all [ that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day [ he was taken up to heaven ], after [ giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles [ he had chosen ]. After his [ suffering ], he presented himself to them and gave many [ convincing ] proofs [ that he was alive ]. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, [ while he was eating with them ], he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift [ my Father promised ], [ [ which ] you have heard [ me speak about ] ]. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not [ for you to know the times or dates [ the Father has set by his own authority ] ]. But you will receive power [ when the Holy Spirit comes on you ]; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [ After he said this ], he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky [ as he was going ], [ when suddenly two men [ dressed in white ] stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here [ looking into the sky ]? This same Jesus, [ who has been taken from you into heaven ], will come back in the same way [ you have seen [ him go into heaven ] ].”
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Blessed is the one [ who perseveres under trial ] [ because, [ having stood the test ], that person will receive the crown of life [ that the Lord has promised to those [ who love him ] ] ]. [ When tempted ], no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted [ when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed ]. Then, [ after desire has conceived ], it gives birth to sin; and sin, [ when it is full-grown ], gives birth to death.
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long [ as I live ]. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, [ who cannot save ]. [ When their spirit departs ], they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those [ whose help is the God of Jacob ], [ whose hope is in the LORD their God ]. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the [ oppressed ] and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those [ who are bowed down ], the LORD loves the righteous.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the [ oppressed ] and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those [ who are bowed down ], the LORD loves the righteous.
“All this I have told you [ so that you will not fall away ]. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming [ when anyone [ who kills you ] will think [ they are offering a service to God ] ]. They will do such things [ because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, [ so that [ when their time comes ] you will remember [ that I warned you about them ] ] ]. I did not tell you this from the [ beginning ] [ because I was with you ], but now I am going to him [ who sent me ]. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief [ because I have said these things ]. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good [ that I am going away ]. [ Unless I go away ], the Advocate will not come to you; but [ if I go ], I will send him to you.
[ When he comes ], he will prove [ the world to be in the wrong about sin ] and righteousness and judgment: about sin, [ because people do not believe in me ]; about righteousness, [ because I am going to the Father, [ where you can see me no longer ] ]; and about judgment, [ because the prince of this world now stands [ condemned ]. “I have much more to say to you, more [ than you can now bear ]. But [ when he, the Spirit of truth, comes ], he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only [ what he hears ], and he will tell you [ what is yet [ to come ] ]. He will glorify me [ because it is from me [ that he will receive [ what he will make known to you ] ]. All [ that belongs to the Father ] is mine. That is [ why I said [ the Spirit will receive from me [ what he will make known to you ] ] ].”
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man [ who sowed good seed in his field ]. But [ while everyone was sleeping ], his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. [ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads ], then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want [ us to go and pull them up ]?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘[ because [ while you are pulling the weeds ], you may uproot the wheat with them ]. Let [ both grow together until the harvest ]. At that time I will tell the harvesters:
First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles [ to be burned ]; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus [ to touch him ]. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. [ When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him ], Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like [ trees walking around ].” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, [ saying ], “Don’t even go into the village.”
1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
He then began [ to teach them [ that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again ] ]. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began [ to rebuke him ]. But [ when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples ], he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Jesus Heals a Boy [ Possessed by an Impure Spirit ]
[ When they came to the other disciples ], they saw a large crowd around them and [ the teachers of the law arguing with them ]. [ As soon as all the people saw Jesus ], they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran [ to greet him ]. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, [ who is possessed by a spirit [ that has robbed him of speech ] ]. [ Whenever it seizes him ], it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples [ to drive out the spirit ], but they could not.” “You [ unbelieving ] generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So they brought him. [ When the spirit saw Jesus ], it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, [ foaming at the mouth ]. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water [ to kill him ]. But [ if you can do anything ], take pity on us and help us.” “‘[ If you can ]’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one [ who believes ].” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help [ me overcome my unbelief ]!” [ When Jesus saw [ that a crowd was running to the scene ] ], he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse [ that many said ], “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. [ After Jesus had gone indoors ], his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
[ After Jesus had gone indoors ], his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”