Jan's Guide to:The 4 Gospels

   Holy Scripture: The Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Roman Catholic Bible
(All words printed in the verses, that are printed in red, are the words of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God)

Introduction:
In Matthew's Gospel, he presents his story of Jesus, describes the demands of Christian discipleship, and the breaking-in, of the new and final age, through the ministry, particularly through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.The Gospel, begins with a narrative prologue, the first part, the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham - the father of Israel. At the beginning of his genealogy, Jesus is designated as "the son of David, the son of Abraham. For, this, is the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Royal Anointed One. In the first of the episodes of infancy narrative, follows the genealogy, the mystery of Jesus' person, is declared. He, is conceived of a virgin, by the power of the Spirit of God. The first of the gospel's fulfillment citations shows that, he, Jesus was the one, to whom the prophecies of Israel were pointing to."He shall be named Emmanuel, for in him, God is with us (1:23). This announcement, of the birth of this new born king of the Jews, greatly troubles not only King Herod, but all Jerusalem (2:1-3). Yet, the Gentile magi, are over joyed, to find him, and offer him their homage, and their gifts (2:10-11). Thus, his ultimate rejection, by his most of his own people, and the acceptance, by the Gentile nations, is foreshadowed.
Because Jesus must be taken to Egypt, to escape the murderous plan of Herod, by his sojourn there and his return, after Herod's death, he relives the Exodus experience of Israel. The words of the Lord, through the prophet Hosea were fulfilled: "Out of Egypt, i, called my son" (2:15). If Israel is God's son, Jesus, is so, too, in a way, far surpassing the dignity of that nation: as Jesus' marvelous birth and the unfolding of his story show. Back in the land of Israel, Jesus must be taken to Nazareth - in Galilee, because of the danger to his life - in Judea, where Herod's son Archelaus, is now ruling. The dangers to Jesus, in the infancy narrative, anticipate, those of his coming passion. And, if, his life is to be spared, in spite of the dangers, it is because his destiny, is to die on the cross, as a "ransom" for the many" (20, 28). So thus, the word of the angel, will be fulfilled, " ... he, wll save his people from their sins". In 4:12, Matthew begins his account of the ministry of Jesus, introducing it, by: the preparatory preaching of John the Baptist (3:1-12), the Baptism of Jesus, that culminates in, God's proclaiming him, his "Beloved Son" (3:13-17), and the Temptation, in which he proves his true sonship, by his victory over the devil's attempt to deflect him, from the way of obedience to the Father (4:1-11).
The central message, of Jesus' preaching, is: the coming of the kingdom of heaven, and the need for repentance, a complete change of heart and conduct, on the part of those, who are to receive this great gift of God (4:17). Galilee, is the setting for most of his ministry. He leaves there, for Judea, only in 19:1, and his minitry in Jerusalem, the goal of his journey, is limited to a few days (21:1-25, 46). In Matthew's Gospel, there are 5 great discourses of Jesus. The discourses are: the "Sermon on the Mount: (5:3-7, 27), the missionary discourse (10:5-42), the parable discourse (13:3-52), the "church order" discourse (18:3-35), and the eschatological discourse (24:4-25, 46). No other evangelist, gives the teaching of Jesus, with such elegance and order, as he.
In the "Sermon on the Mount" the theme of righteousness, is prominent. Righteousness, means, doing the will of the heavenly Father (7:21), and his will, is to be proclaimed, in a manner, that is startling, to all who identify it, with the Law of Moses. The antitheses, of the Sermon (5:21-48), both accept and reject elements of the law, and in the former case, the understanding of the Law's demands, is deepened and extended. The antitheses, are the best commentary, on the meaning of Jesus' claim, that he has come not to abolish, but to fulfill the Law (5:17). What is meant by fulfillment of the Law, is not the demand to keep it exactly as it stood, before Jesus' coming, but rather, his bringing the Law, to be a lasting expression, of the will of God, and in that fulfillment, there is much that will pass away. Jesus said: "until heaven and earth pass away" not even the smallest part of the Law will pass (5:18). The time of fulfillment, is not the dissolution of the universe, but the Coming of the New Age", which will [begin to] occur, with Jesus' Death and Resurrection.
While righteousness, in the New Age, will continue to mean, conduct, that is in accordance, with the Law, it will be conduct in accordance with the Law, as expounded and interpreted by Jesus. Jesus, speaks harshly, of those, who claim to belong to him, his condemnation of these, who disobey his word, is severe. In 4:23, a summary statement of Jesus' activity, speaks not only of his teaching and proclaiming the gospel, but of his "curing every disease and illness, among the people." The narrative section that follows the Sermon on the Mount (8:1-9, 38), is composed principally, of accounts of those merciful deeds of Jesus, but it is far from being simply a collection of stories, about miraculous cures. The nature of the community that Jesus will establish, is shown. It, will always be under the protection of him, whose power, can deal with all dangers (8:23-27). But, it is only for, those, who are prepared, to follow him, at whatever cost (8:16-22), it is for not only believing Israelites, but Gentiles, who have come to faith in him (8:10-12).
The disciples, begin to have some insight [enlightened] - however imperfect, into the ministry of Jesus' person. They, wonder about him, whom, "the winds and the sea obey" (8:27), and they, witness his bold declaration, of the forgiveness of the paralytic's sins (9:2). This episode, of the narrative, moves on two levels. When the crowd sees the cure, that testifies to the authority of Jesus, the Son of Man, to forgive sins (9:6), they glorify God, "who had given such authority, to human beings" (9:8). The forgiveness of sins, is now not the prerogative of Jesus, alone, but of "human beings," that is, of the disciples, who constitute the community of Jesus - the church.
The end of the section, prepares for the discourse on the church's mission (10:5-42). Jesus, is moved to pity, at the sight of the crowds, who are like sheep, without a shepherd (9:36), and he sends out the twelve disciples, to make the proclamation, with which his own ministry began: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (10:7, 4:17), and to drive out demons and cure the sick, as he, has done (10:1). Their mission, is limited, to Israel (10:5-6), as Jesus's own was (15:24), yet that perspective, broadens, and the discourse begins to speak of the mission, that the disciples will have, after the resurrection, and of the severe persecution, that will attend it (10:18). Again, the discourse, moves on two levels, that of the time of Jesus, and that of, the time of the Church.
The narrative section, of the third book, (11:2-12, 50), deals with the growing opposition to Jesus. Hostility, toward him, has already been manifested (8, 10: 9, 3,:10-13, 34), but, here it becomes more intense. The rejection of Jesus, comes, as before, who takes "counsel against him, to put him to death" (12, 14), and they, repeat their earlier accusation, that he drives out demons, because he is in league with demonic power (12:22-24). But, they, are not alone, in their rejection. Jesus complains, of the lack of faith of "this generation" of Israelites (11:16-19), and he reproaches the towns "where, most of his mighty deeds,had been done" for not heeding his call, to repentance (11:20-24). This dark picture, is relieved, by Jesus' praise of the Father, who has enabled "the child-like" to accept him (11:25-27). But, on the whole, the story, is one of opposition, to his word, and blindness to the meaning of his deeds. The whole section ends, with his declaring that, not even the most intimate blood relationship with him, counts for anything. His only true relatives, are those, who do the will of his heavenly Father (12:48-50).
The narrative of rejection, leads up to the parable discourse (13:3-52). The reason given, for Jesus' speaking to the crowds, in parables, is that they have hardened themselves, against his clear teaching, unlike the disciples, to whom knowledge of "the mysteries of the kingdom, has been granted" (13:10-16). In 13:36, he dismisses the crowds, and continues the discourse to his disciples - alone, who claim, at the end, to have understood, all that he has said (13:51). But, lest the impression be given, that the church of Jesus is made up only of true disciples, the explanation of the parable of the weeds, among the wheat (13:37-43), as well as, the parable of the net thrown into the sea "which, collects fish of every kind" (13:47-49), shows that it is composed of both the righteous, and the wicked, and that separation, between the two, will be made only at the time of the final judgment.
In the narrative, that constitutes the first part of the fourth book of the gospel (13:54-17, 27), Jesus is shown, preparing for the establishment of his church, with its teaching authority, that will supplant blind guidance. The church of Jesus, will be built on Peter (16:18), who, will be given authority, to bind and loose on earth, an authority, whose exercise will be confirmed, in heaven (16:19). The metaphor, of binding and loosing, has a variety of meanings, among them, that of giving authoritative teaching. This promise, is made to Peter, directly, after he has confessed Jesus, to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God (16:16), a confession, that he has made, as the result of revelation, given to him, by the heavenly Father (16:7). Matthew's ecclesiology, is based on his high christology.
Directly after that confession, Jesus begins to instruct his disciples, about how he must go the way of suffering and death (16:21). Peter, who has been praised, for his confession, protects against this, and receives, from Jesus, the sharpest of rebukes, for attempting to deflect Jesus, from his God-appointed destiny. The future rock, upon whom the church will be built, is still a man of "little faith" (14:31). Both he, and the other disciples, must know, not only that Jesus will have to suffer and die, but that they too, will have to follow him, on the way of the cross, if they, are truly to be his disciples (16:24-25). The discourse, following this narrative (18:1-35), is often called the "church order" discourse, although, that title, is perhaps misleading, since the emphasis, is not on the structure of the church, but, on the care that the disciples must have for one another, in respect to guarding each other's faith in Jesus (18:6-7), to seeking out those, who have wandered from the fold (18:10-14), and to repeated forgiving, of their fellow disciples, who have offended them (18:21-35). But, there is also, the obligation, to correct the sinful fellow Christian and, should one refuse to be corrected, separation from the community, is demanded (18:15-18).
The narrative of the fifth book (19:1-23, 39), begins with the departure of Jesus and his disciples, from Galilee, for Jerusalem. In the course of their journey, Jesus, for the third time, predicts the passion, that awaits him, at Jerusalem, and also, his resurrection (20:17-19). At his entrance, into the city, he is hailed as the Son of David, by the crowds accompanying him (21:9). He cleanses the temple (21:12-17), and in the few days, of his Jerusalem ministry, he engages in a series of controversies, with the Jewish religious leaders, meanwhile, speaking parables, against them, and against all, who have rejected God's invitation, to the messianic banquet (22:1-10), against all, Jew and Gentile, who have accepted, but have shown themselves - unworthy of it (22:11-14). Once again, the perspective of Matthew, includes not only the time of Jesus' ministry, but that of the preaching of the gospel, after his resurrection. The narrative, culminates, in Jesus' denunciation, of the religious leaders, reflecting not only his own opposition to them, but that of Matthews church (23:1-36), and in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem (23:37-39).
In the discourse of the fifth book (24:1-25, 46), the last of the great structural discourses of the gospel, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, and his own final coming, - time unknown (24, 36:44), and the disciples are exhorted, in various parables,to live in readiness, for it, a readiness, that entails faithful attention, to the duties of the interim period. The coming of Jesus, will bring with it, the Great Judgment, by which, the everlasting destiny, of all, will be determined (25,31:46). The story of Jesus' passion and resurrection (26:1-28, 20), the climax of the gospel, throws light on all, that has preceded. In Matthew, "righteousness" means both the faithful response to the will of God, demanded of all, to whom that will is announced, and also, the saving activity, of God, for his people. The passion, supremely exemplifies, both meanings, of that central Matthean word. In Jesus' absolute faithfulness, to the Father's will, that he drink the cup of suffering, the incomparable model, for Christian obedience, is given; in his death "forgiveness of sins" the saving power of God, is manifested, as never before.
Matthew's portrayal, of Jesus, in his passion, combines both the majestic serenity, of the obedient Son, who goes his destined way, in fulfillment of the scriptures, confident, of his ultimate vindication, by God, and the depths of fear and abandonment, that he feels, in face of death. These two aspects, are expressed by an Old Testament theme, that occurs often, in the narrative: the portrait of the suffering Righteous One, who complains to God, in his misery, but is certain of eventual deliverance, from his terrible ordeal. The passion-resurrection of Gd's Son, means nothing less, than the turn of the ages, a new stage of history, and the coming of the Son of Man in his kingdom. That is the sense, of the apocalyptic signs, that accompany Jesus' death, and resurrection. Although the old age continues, as it will, until the manifestation of Jesus' triumph, at his parousia, the final Age, has now begun. This, is known, only to those, who have seen the Risen One, and to those, both Jews an Gentiles, who have believed in their announcement, of Jesus' triumph and have themselves, become his disciples. To them, he is constantly, though invisibly, present, verifying the name Emmanuel, "God is with us."

*[Jesus is the Son of God, and son of man,
And, he is also called: Priest and Prophet, thus his words and teachings are Prophetic: and Pertaining to the End Times}

The Principal Divisions of the Gospel according to Matthew, are the following:
I: The Infancy Narrative (1, 1-2, 23)
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom (3:1-7, 29)
III: Ministry and Mission in Galilee (8:1-11,)
IV: Opposition from Israel (11:2-13, 53)
V: Jesus, the Kingdom, and the Church (13, 54-18, 35)
VI: Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem (19:1-25, 46)
VII: The Passion and Resurrection: 26:1-28, 20)

Book 1: The Gospel According To Matthew:
(Chapters 1- 28)
I: + THE INFANCY NARRATIVE
CHAPTER 1
+ The Genealogy of Jesus. [Son of God and son of man]

1. + The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2. Abraham became the father of Isaac.
Isaac - the father of Jacob.
Jacob - the father of Judah and his brothers.
3. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron.
Hezron - the father of Ram.
4. Ram - the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon - the father of Salmon.
5. Salmon - the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse.
6. Jesse - the father of David, the king.
David became the the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
7. + Solomon became the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam - the father of Abijah.
Abijah - the father of Asaph.
8. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat - the father of Joram.
Joram - the father of Uzziah.
9. Uzziah became the father of Jotham.
Jotham - the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz - the father of Hezekiah.
10. + Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh - the father of Amos.
Amos - the father of Josiah.
11. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah, and his brothers (at the time of the Babylonian exile).
12. After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel - the father of Zerubbabel.
13. Zerubbabel - the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim.
Eliakm - the father of Azor.
14. Azor - the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim.
Achim - the father of Eliud.
15. Eliud - the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan.
Matthan - the father of Jacob.
16. Jacob - the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her (Mary) was born Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
17. + Thus, the total number of generations from Abraham to David, is fourteen (14) generations.
From David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen (14) generations.
From the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen (14) generations.
[Thus, 42 generations]

+ The Birth of Jesus.
18. + Now, this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph.
But, before they lived together, she was found with child, through the holy Spirit.
19. + Joseph, her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
20. + Such, was his intention:
When, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said:
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary , your wife, into your home."
"For, it is through the holy Spirit, that this child has been conceived in her."
21.+ "She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22. All this, took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23. + "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son."
"And, they shall name him Emmanuel."
"Which means: "God is with us."
24. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and, took his wife into his home.
+ He had no relations with her, until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

CHAPTER 2
+ The Visit of the Magi.
1. + When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
2. +saying: "Where is the newborn King of the Jews?"
"We saw his star at its rising, and have come to do him homage."
3. When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem, with him.
4.+ Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them, where the Messiah was to be born.
5. They said to him: "In Bethlehem of Judea."
" For, thus, it has been written, through the prophet:
6. "And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah."
"Are by no means, least among the rulers of Judah."
"Since, from you, shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel."
7. Then, Herod called the magi, secretly, and ascertained from them the time o the star's appearance.
8. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said:
"Go and search diligently for the child." "When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."
9. After their audience with the king they set out.
And, behold, the star that they had seen at its rising, preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
10.They were over joyed, at seeing the star,
11. + and on entering the house, they saw the child, with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves, and did him homage.
Then, they opened their treasures, and offered him gifts of: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12. And, having been warned in a dream, not to return to Herod, they departed for their country, by another way.

+ The Flight to Egypt.
13. + When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, in a dream, and said:
"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you."
"Herod, is going to search for the child, to destroy him."
14. Joseph, rose and took the child and his mother, by night, and departed for Egypt.
15. + He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled:
"Out of Egypt I called my son."

The Massacre of the Infants.
16. When Herod realized, that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem, and its vicinity, two years old and under.
In accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
17.Then, was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
18 + "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentations."
" Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

The Return from Egypt.
19. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared, in a dream, to Joseph in Egypt.
20. + And said: "Rise,take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel."
"For, those, who sought the child's life are dead."
21. He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22. + But, when he heard that Archeaus was ruling over Judea, in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there.
And, because he had been warned, in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
23.+ He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that, what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled:
"He shall be called a Nazorean."

II: THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM
CHAPTER 3
+ The Preaching of John the Baptist.
1. + In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea,
2. + [and] saying:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
3. + It was of him, that the prophet Isaiah had spoken, when he said:

"A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths'."

4. + John wore clothing made of camel's hair, and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
5. At that time, Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan, were going out to him.
6. +And, were being baptized by him, in the Jordan River, as they acknowledged their sins.
7. + When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them:
" You brood of vipers!"
"Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?"
8. "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."
9. "And, do not presume to say to yourselves: "We have Abraham as our father."
"For, I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham, from these stones."
10. "Even now, the ax lies at the root of the trees."
"Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit, will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
11. + "I am baptizing you with water, for repentance."
"But, the one, who is coming after me is mightier than I."
"I am not worthy to carry his sandals."
"He, will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire."
12. + "His winnowing fan, is in his hand."
"He, will clear his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into his barn."
"But, the chaff, he will burn with unquenchable fire."

+ The Baptism of Jesus.
13. + Then, Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
14. + John tried to prevent him, saying: "I need to be baptized by you, and yet, you are coming to me?"
15. Jesus said to him, in reply: "Allow it now, for thus, it is fitting for us, to fulfill all righteousness."
Then, he allowed him.
16. + After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, for him.
And, he saw the Spirit of God, descending, like a dove, and coming upon him.
17. + And, a voice, came from the heavens, saying: "This, is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

CHAPTER 4
+ The Temptation of Jesus.
1. + Then, Jesus, was led by the Spirit, into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.
2. + He fasted for forty days and forty nights.
And, afterwards, he was hungry.
3. The tempter approached, and said to him: "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."
4. + He said, in reply: "It is written: 'One does not live by bread, alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
5. +Then, the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple.
6. And, said to him: "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written:
"He will command his angels concerning you."
"And, with their hands, they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
7. Jesus answered him: "Again, it is written: "You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."
8. Then, the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, in their magnificence.
9. + And, he said to him: "All these, I shall give to you, if, you will prostrate yourself and worship me."
10. At this, Jesus said to him: " Get away, Satan!" "It is written: "The Lord, your God, shall you worship, and him alone, shall you serve."
11. Then, the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.

+ The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry.
[Jesus' Prophetic Teachings. For the End of Days]
12. + When he heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
13. He left Nazareth, and went to live in Capernaum, by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14. That, what had been said through Isaiah the prophet, might be fulfilled:
15. "Land of Zebulun, and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan."
"Galilee of the Gentiles,
16. the people who, sit in darkness, have seen a great light."
"On those, dwelling in a land, overshadowed by death, light has arisen."
17. +From that time on, Jesus began to preach, and say: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

+ The Call of the First Disciples.
18. + As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers.
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, they were fishermen.
19. He said to them: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
20. + At once, they left their nets and followed him.
21. He walked along from there, and saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them,
22. and immediately they left their boat, and their father, and followed him.

+ Ministering to a Great Multitude.
23. + He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom.
And, curing every disease and illness, among the people.
24. + His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him, all, who were sick with various diseases, and, racked with pain.
And, those, who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.
25. + And, great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan, followed him.

CHAPTER 5
+The Sermon on the Mount.
1. + When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2. He began to teach them, saying:

+ The Beatitudes [Christian Character]
Jesus says:
3.+ "Blessed, are the poor in spirit, for theirs, is the kingdom of heaven."
4. + "Blessed, are they, who mourn, for they, will be comforted."
5.+ "Blessed, are the meek, for they, will inherit the land."
6.+ "Blessed, are they, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they, will be satisfied."
7.+ "Blessed, are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
8.+ Blessed, are the clean of heart, for they will see God."
9.+"Blessed, are the peacemakers, for they, will be called children of God."
10.+"Blessed, are they, who are persecuted, for the sake of righteousness, for theirs, is the kingdom of heaven."
11.+"Blessed, are you, when they insult you and persecute you, and utter every kind of evil against you, falsely, because of me."
12.+"Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."
"Thus, they persecuted the prophets, who were before you."

+ The Similes of Salt and Light.
[Stay Steadfast in God]
Jesus says:
13.+ "You, are the salt of the earth."
"But, if salt loses its taste, with what, can it be seasoned ?"
"It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out, and trampled underfoot."

14. You, are the light of the world."
"A city, set on a mountain, cannot be hidden."
15. "Nor, do they light a lamp, and then, put it under a bushel basket."
"It , is set on a lampstand, where it gives light, to all, in the house."
16. "Just so, your light must shine before others."
"That, they may see your good deeds, and glorify your heavenly Father."

+ Teaching about the Law.
[The Commandments and the Prophets still Valid]
Jesus says:
17. + "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets."
" I have come, not to abolish, but to fulfill."
18."Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away."
"Not the smallest letter, or the smallest part of a letter, will pass from the Law."
"Until, all things have taken place."
19. + "Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these Commandments.
"And, teaches others to do so, will be called least, in the kingdom of heaven."
"But, whoever obeys, and teaches these Commandments, will be called greatest, in the kingdom of heaven.'
20. "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes, and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

+ Teaching about Anger.
[Unbelief /unreconciled]
Jesus says:
21. + "You, have heard, that it was said to your ancestors:
"You shall not kill"
"And, whoever kills, will be liable to judgment."
22.+" But, I say to you, whoever is angry with your brother [or sister], will be liable to judgment."
"And, whoever says to his brother [or sister], "Raqa" will be answerable to the Sanhedrin [the religious - priests]."
"And, whoever says: "You fool", will be liable to fiery Gehenna."
23."Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother [or sister] has anything against you."
24. "Leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother [or sister], and then come and offer your gift."
25. "Settle with your opponent quickly, while on the way to court with them."
"Otherwise, your opponent will hand you over to the Judge [God]."
"And, the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison."
26. "Amen, I say to you, you will not be released, until you have paid the last penny."

Teaching about Adultery.
[Teaching about a False Leader and/or False Follower]
Jesus says:
27.+ "You have heard, that it was said: "You shall not commit adultery."
28."But, I say to you, everyone, who looks at a woman, with lust, has already committed adultery with her, in his heart."
29.+ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out, and throw it away."
"It is better for you to lose one of your 'members', than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna."
30. "And, if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."
"It is better for you to lose one of your members, than to have your whole body go into Gehenna."

+ Teaching about Divorce.
Jesus says:
31.+ "It was also said: "Whoever divorces his wife, must give her a bill of divorce."
32. "But, I say, whoever divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, causes her to commit adultery."
"And, whoever marries a divorced woman, commits adultery."

Teaching about Oaths.
Jesus says:
33.+ "Again, you, have heard that it was said to your ancestors: "Do not take a false oath."
"But, make good to the Lord, all that you vow."
34.+ "But, I say to you, do not swear at all."
"Not by heaven, for it is God's throne."
35. "Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool."
"Nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King."
36. "Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black."
37.+ "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes', and, your 'No' mean 'No'."
"Anything more, is from the evil one."

Teaching about Retaliation.
[Showing Mercy]
Jesus says:
38. "You, have heard, that it was said: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."
39. "But, I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil."
"When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well."
40. "If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic hand him your cloak as well."
41.+ "Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles."
42. "Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

+ Love of Enemies.
[Be Just]
Jesus says:
43. + "You have heard, that it was said: "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
44. "But, I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45. that you may be children of your heavenly Father.
"For, he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust."
46.+ "For, if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?"
"Do not, the tax collectors do the same?"
47.+ "And, if you greet your brothers [or sisters], only, what is unusual about that?"
48.+ "So, be perfect, just as your heavenly Father - is perfect."

CHAPTER 6
+ Teaching about Alms-giving.
[Honesty]
Jesus says:
1.+ "But, take care not to perform righteous deeds, in order that people may see them."
"Otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father."
2.+ "When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you."
"As, the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, to win the praise of others."
"Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward."
3. "But, when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing."
4. "So that, your almsgiving may be secret."
"And, your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you."

Teaching about Prayer.
[Piety]
Jesus says:
5. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites."
"Who love to stand and pray in the synagogues, and on the street corners."
"So that, others may see them."
"Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward."
6. "But, when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father, in secret."
"And, your Father, who sees, in secret, will repay you."
7.+ "In praying, do not babble, like the pagans - who think that they will be heard, because of their many words."
8. "Do not be like them."
"Your Father knows what you need, before you ask him."

+ The Lord's Prayer.
[Forgiveness]
Jesus says:
9.+ This, is how you are to pray:
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10. your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11.+ Give us today, our daily bread;
12.+ and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
13.+ and do not subject us to the final test,
but, deliver us from the evil one."

14.+ "If you, forgive others, their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you."
15. "But, if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

Teaching about Fasting.
[Jesus says:]
16. + "When you fast, do not look gloomy, like the hypocrites."
"They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear, to others, to be fasting."
"Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward."
17. "But, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face."
18. "So that, you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father, who is hidden."
"And, your Father, who sees what is hidden, will repay you."

+ Treasure in Heaven.
[Spirituality]
Jesus says:
19. + "Do not store up for yourselves, treasures on earth."
"Where, moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal."
20. "But, store up treasures in heaven."
"Where, neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal."
"For, where your treasure is, there also, will your heart be."

+ The Light of the Body.
[Truth and Deception and Choice between Good or Evil]
Jesus says:
22. "The lamp of the body is the eye."
"If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light."
23. "But, if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness."
"And, if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be."

+ God and Money.
[Choice of Serving Carnal or Spiritual Desires] [masters:Good or Evil]
Jesus says:
24. + "No one can serve two masters."
"He/she will either hate one and love the other."
"Or, be devoted to one and despise the other."
"You cannot serve [both] God and mammon [material wealth]."

+ Dependence on God.
[Seek God and He will Provide]
Jesus says:
25.+"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life."
"What you will eat or drink."
"Or, about your body, what you will wear."
"Is not life - more than food, and body - more than clothing?"
26. "Look at the birds in the sky"
"They do not sow or reap."
"They gather nothing into barns."
"Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them."
"Are not, you, more important than they?"
27.+ "Can any of you, by worrying, add a single moment to your life-span?"
28. "Why, are you anxious about clothes?"
"Learn from the way the wild flowers grow."
"They do not work or spin."
29. "But, I tell you that, not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was clothed like one of them."
30.+ If God, so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today, and is thrown into the oven tomorrow."
"Will he not, much more, provide for you, O you, of little faith?"
31. "So, do not worry, and say:
"What are we to eat?"
"Or, what are we to drink?"
"Or, what are we to wear?"
32. "All, these things, the pagans seek."
"Your heavenly Father knows, that you need them all."
33+ "But, seek first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."
"And, all these things, will be given you, besides."
34. "Do not worry about tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, will take care of itself."
"Sufficient for a day is its own evil."

CHAPTER 7
+ Judging Others.
[Judge Yourself]
Jesus says:
1. + "Stop judging, that you may not be judged."
2. "For, as you judge, so will you, be judged."
"And, the measure, with which you measure, will be measured out to you."
3. "Why do you, notice the splinter in your brother's/sister's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?"
4. "How can you, say to your brother/sister: 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye', while, the wooden beam is in your eye?"
5.+ "You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first."
"Then, you will see clearly, to remove the splinter from your brother's/sister's eye."

+ Pearls before Swine.
[Do not give what is good to those who are evil, they will only destroy what is good]
Jesus says:
6.+ "Do not give, what is holy - to dogs."
"Or, throw your pearls - before swine."
"Lest, they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces."

The Answer to Prayers.
[Seek God and the Ways of God]
Jesus says:
7. "Ask, and, it will be given to you."
"Seek, and you will find."
"Knock, and the door will be opened to you."
8. "For, everyone who asks, receives."
"And, the one who seeks, finds."
"And, to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
9.+ Which one of you, would hand his son a stone, when he asks for a loaf of bread."
10. "Or, a snake, when he asks for a fish?"
11. "If you, then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts, to your children."
"How much more, will your heavenly Father give - good things, to those, who ask him."

+ The Golden Rule.
[Treat others, the way you would like to be treated]
Jesus says:
12.+ "Do to others, whatever you would have them do - to you."
"This, is the Law and the prophets."

+ The Narrow Gate.
[What Path Will You Choose?:Good or Evil]
[The Path to Hell, is the Easier Path]
Jesus says:
13.+ "Enter through the narrow gate."
"For, the gate is wide, and the road broad, that leads to destruction."
"And those, who enter through it, are many."
14. "How narrow the gate, and constricted the road, that leads to life."
"And those, who find it, are few."

+ False Prophets.
[Deceitful and Misleading Teachers]
Jesus says:
15.+ "Beware of false prophets."
"Who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath, are ravenous wolves."
16. "By their fruits, you will know them."
"Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs - from thistles?"
17. "Just so, every good tree - bears good fruit, and a rotten tree - bears bad fruit."
18. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit."
"Nor, can a rotten tree bear good fruit."
19. "Every tree, that does not bear good fruit, will be cut down, and thrown into the fire."
20. "So, by their fruits, you will know them."

+ The True Disciple.
[The True and the Tricksters]
Jesus says:
21.+ "Not everyone, who says to me: 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven."
"But, only, the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
22. "Many, will say to me on that Day:
"Lord. Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?"
"Did we not drive out demons in your name?"
"Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?"
23.+ "Then, I will declare to them, solemnly:
" I never knew you".
"Depart from me, you evil doers."

+ The Two Foundations.
[Free Will, Choice of two Paths to Follow. Follow Jesus]
[For the End Times]
Jesus says:
24.+ "Everyone who listens to these words of mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man/woman, who built his/her house on rock."
25. "The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house."
"But, it did not collapse."
"It, had been set, solidly, on rock."
26. "And, everyone, who listens to these words of mine, but does not act on them, will be like a fool, who built his/her house on sand."
27. "The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew, and buffeted the house."
"And, it collapsed, and was completely ruined."
28.+ When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching.
29.+ For, he taught them, as one having authority, and not, as their scribes.

III: + MINISTRY AND MISSION IN GALILEE.
[Jesus' Heals the Physically Sick and Spiritually Downtrodden]
CHAPTER 8
The Cleansing of a Leper.
1. When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
2. +And, then, a leper approached, did him homage, and said: "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean."
3. He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said: "I will do it." [and he said: ] "Be made clean."
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.
4.+Then, Jesus said to him:
"See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest."
"And, offer the gift that Moses prescribed."
"That, will be proof for them."

+ The Healing of a Centurion's Servant.
[Belief in God]
5.+ When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him, and appealed to him, saying:
6. "Lord, my servant is lying at home, paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."
7. He said to him: "I will come and cure him."
8+ The centurion said in reply:
"Lord, I am not worthy, to have you enter under my roof."
"Only say the word, and my servant will be healed."
9. "For, I too, am a person, subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me."
"And, I say to one, 'Go', and he goes."
"And, to another, 'Come here', and he comes."
"And, to my slave, 'Do this', and he does it."
10.+ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those, following him:
"Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel, have I found such faith."
11.+ "I say to you, many will come from the east and west."
"And, will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, at the banquet, in the kingdom of heaven."
12. "But, the children of the kingdom, will be driven out, into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."
13. And, Jesus said, to the centurion:
"You may go."
"As you have believed, let it be done for you."
And, at that very hour, his servant was healed.

+ The Cure of Peter's Mother-in-Law.
14.+ Jesus, entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law, lying in bed with a fever.
15. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him.

+ Other Healings.
[Jesus' works were foretold, by the prophets, so that when it was time to be fulfilled, the people would understand.]
16.+ When it was evening, they brought him, many , who were possessed by demons, and, he drove out the spirits, by a word.
And, cured all the sick,
17.+ to fulfill, what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:

"He took away our infirmities, and bore our diseases."

+ The Would-be Followers of Jesus.
[Those, with 'good' Intentions?]
[The Spiritually Dead]
18.+ When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side.
19.+ A scribe, approached, and said to him: "Teacher, I will follow you where ever you go."
20.+Jesus answered him: "Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests."
"But, the Son of Man, has nowhere to rest, his head."
21. Another of his disciples said to him: "Lord, let me go first, and bury my father."
22.+ But, Jesus answered him:
"Follow me, and let the 'dead' bury the dead."

The Calming of the Storm at Sea.
23.+ He got into a boat, and his disciples followed him.
24.+Suddenly, a violent storm came up on the sea, so that, the boat was being swamped by waves.
But, he was asleep.
25.+They came and woke him, saying:"Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
26.+He said to them: "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?"
Then, he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
27. The men were amazed and said: "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?"

+ The Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs.
[Demonic Possession]
28.+ When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes.
Two demoniacs, who were coming from the tombs, met him.
They, were so savage, that no one could travel by that road.
29.+ They cried out: "What have you to do with us, Son of God?"
"Have you come here to torment us, before the appointed time?"
30.+ Some distance away, a herd of many swine, was feeding.
31.The demons pleaded with him: "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
32. And, he said to them: "Go then!"
They came out, and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank, into the sea where they drowned.
33.The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town, they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
34.Thereupon, the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their district.

CHAPTER 9
+ The Healing of a Paralytic.
[God is Merciful]
1.+ He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town.
2. And there, people brought to him, a paralytic, lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic: "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
3.+At that, some of the scribes said to themselves: "This man is blaspheming."
4. Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said:
"Why, do you harbor evil thoughts?"
"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Rise and walk'?"
6.+ "But, that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" ----
He then said to the paralytic: "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
7. He rose, and went home.
8.+ When the crowds saw this, they were struck with awe, and glorified God - who had given such authority to human beings.

+ The Call of Mathew.
[Conversion of the Heart]
9.+ As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the customs post.
He said to him: "Follow me."
And, he got up and followed him.
10.+ While he was at table, in his house, many tax collectors and sinners, came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
11.+ The Pharisees saw this, and said to the disciples: "Why, does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12.+ He heard this, and said:
"Those, who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do."
13.+ "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'."
"I did not come to call the righteous, but, the sinners."

The Question about Fasting.
[Mourning and Rejoicing]
[Both Old T and New T are Valid]
14.Then, the disciples of John approached him and said:
"Why do we, and the Pharisees fast much."
"But, your disciples do not fast?"
15.+ Jesus answered them:
"Can the wedding guests mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?"
"The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them."
"And, then, they will fast."
16.+ "No one patches an old cloak, with a piece of unshrunken cloth."
"For, its fullness pulls away from the cloak, and the tear gets worse."
17.+"People, do not put new wine, into old wineskins."
"Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined."
"Rather, they pour new wine, into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."

+ The Official's Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage.
+18. While he was saying these things to them, an official came forward, knelt down before him and said:
"My daughter has just died." "But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."
19. Jesus, rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20.+ A woman, suffering hemorrhages for twelve years, came up behind him, and touched the tassel on his cloak.
21. She said to herself: "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."
22. Jesus, turned around and saw her, and said:
"Courage, daughter!" "Your faith has saved you."
And, from that hour, the woman was cured.
23. When Jesus, arrived at the official's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd who were making a commotion,
24.+ he said: "Go away!" "The girl is not dead, but sleeping."
And, they ridiculed him.
25. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.
26. And, news of this, spread throughout the land.

The Healing of Two Blind Men.
27.+ And, as Jesus passed on, from there, two blind men followed [him], crying out: "Son of David, have pity on us!"
28. When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them:
"Do you believe that I can do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they said to him.
29. Then, he touched their eyes, and said:
"Let it be done for you, according to your faith."
30. And, their eyes were opened.
Jesus, warned them sternly, [saying]: "See that no one knows about this."
31. But, they went out, and spread word of him, throughout all that land.

The Healing of a Mute Person.
32.+ As they were going out, a demoniac, who could not speak, was brought to him.
33. And, when the demon was driven out, the mute person, spoke.
The crowds were amazed, and said: "Nothing like this, has ever been seen in Israel."
34.+ But, the Pharisees said: "He, drives out demons, by the prince of demons."

The Compassion of Jesus.
35.+ Jesus, went around to all the towns and villages, teaching, in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.
36.+ At the sight of the crowds, his heart, was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep, without a shepherd.
37.+ Then, he said, to his disciples:
"The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few."
38. So, ask the Master of the harvest, to send out laborers, for his harvest."

CHAPTER 10
The Mission of the Twelve.
1.+ Then, he summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority, over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure every disease and every illness.
2.+ The names, of the twelve apostles, are these:
First, Simon - called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James - the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3. Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew - the tax collector, James - the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
4. Simon - the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot - who betrayed him.

The Commissioning of the Twelve.
5.+ Jesus, sent out these twelve, after instructing them thus:
"Do not, go into pagan territory, or enter a Samaritan town."
6. "Go, rather, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
7. "As you go, make this proclamation: "The Kingdom of heaven, is at hand."
8.+ "Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons."
"Without cost, you have received; without cost, you are to give."
9."Do not take gold or silver or copper, for your belts,"
10. "no sack for the journey, or second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick."
"The laborer, deserves his keep."
11. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there, until you leave."
12. "As you enter a house, wish it peace.
13.+ If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it."
"If not, let your peace return to you."
14.+ "Whoever will not receive you, or listen to your words --- go outside that house or town, and shake the dust from your feet."
15. "Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, on the Day of Judgment, that for that town."

Coming Persecutions.
16. "Behold, I am sending you, like sheep, in the midst of wolves; so, be shrewd [wise] as serpents, and simple - as doves [at peace]."
17.+ "But, beware, of people for, they, will hand you over to courts, and scourge you in their synagogues,"
18. "and, you will be led, before governors and kings, for my sake, as a witness, before them and the pagans."
19. "When, they, hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak, or what you are to say."
"You, will be given, at that moment, what you are to say."
20. "For, it will not be you, who speak, but the Spirit of your Father - speaking through you."
21.+ "Brother, will hand over brother - to death, and the father - his child";
"Children, will rise up, against parents, and have them put to death."
22.+ "You, will be hated, by all, because of my Name, but whoever endures to the end, will be saved."
23.+ "When, they, persecute you, in one town, flee to another."
"Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes."
24. "No disciple, is above his Teacher, no slave above his Master."
25.+ "It is enough, for the disciple, that he become like his teacher [Christ-like], for the slave, that he become like his master."
"If, they, have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more, those of his household!"

Courage Under Persecution.
[Do not fear man, Fear God]
26.+ "Therefore, do not be afraid of them."
"Nothing, is concealed, that will not be revealed, nor secret, that will not be known."
27. "What I say to you, in the darkness, speak in the light."
"What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."
28. "And, do not, be afraid, of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul."
"Be afraid, of the one who can destroy both soul and body, in Gehenna."
29. "Are not 'two sparrows', sold for a small coin?"
"Yet, not one of them, falls to the ground, without your Father's knowledge."
30. "Even all the hairs of your head, are counted."
31. "So, do not be afraid; you, are worth more, than many sparrows."
32.+ "Everyone, who acknowledges me, before others, I will acknowledge, before my heavenly Father."
33. "But, whoever denies me, before others, I will deny, before my heavenly Father."

Jesus: A Cause of Division.
[Divided: Good from Evil]
34. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth."
"I, have come to bring, not peace, but the sword."
35. "For, I, have come to set a man, against his father, a daughter, against her mother.
"And, a daughter-in-law, against her mother-in-law"
36. "And, one's enemies, will be those, of his own household."

The Conditions of Discipleship.
[Divided: Goats from Sheep]
37. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me."
"And, whoever loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me."
38.+ "And, whoever does not take up his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me."
39.+ "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it."

Rewards.
40.+ "Whoever receives you, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives the One who sent me."
41.+ "Whoever receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward."
"And, whoever receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward."
42. "And, whoever gives only a cup of cold water, to one of these little ones to drink, because he is a disciple ----- amen, I say to you, he will surely not, lose his reward."

CHAPTER 11
1.+ When Jesus finished giving these Commands, to his twelve disciples, he went away from that place, to teach and preach, in their towns.

IV: OPPOSITION FROM ISRAEL
The Messengers from John the Baptist.
2.+ When John heard, in prison, of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him,
3.+ with this question: "Are you the one, who is to come, or should we look for another?"
4. Jesus said, to them, in reply: "Go, and tell John, what you hear and see":
5.+ "The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
6. And, blessed, is the one who takes no offense at me."

Jesus' Testimony to John.
7. As they were going off, Jesus, began to speak to the crowds, about John:
"What, did you go out to the desert to see?"
"A reed, swayed by the wind?"
8. "Then, what, did you go out to see?"
"Someone dressed in fine clothing?"
"Those, who wear fine clothing, are in royal palaces."
9.+ "Then, why, did you go out?"
"To see a Prophet?"
"Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet."
10. "This, is the one about whom it is written:"
 "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you."
"He, will prepare your way before you."
11.+ "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women, there has been none, greater than John the Baptist."
"Yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he."
12.+ "From the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven, suffers violence, and the violent, are taking it by force."
13.+ "All the Prophets, and the Law, prophesied, up to the time of John."
14. "And, if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one, who is to come."
15. "Whoever has ears, ought to hear."
16.+ "To what, shall I, compare this generation?"
"It is like children, who sit in marketplaces, and call to one another."
17. "We, played the flute for you, but, you did not dance, we, sang a dirge, but you did not mourn."
18. "For, John, came neither eating nor drinking, and they said:   He, is possessed by a demon."
19. "The Son of man came, eating and drinking, and they said: 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners'."
"But,   wisdom,   is vindicated, by her works."

Reproaches to Unrepentant Towns.
20. Then, he began to reproach the towns, where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they, had not repented.
21.+ "Woe to you, Chorazin!, Woe to you, Bethsaida!"
"For, if the mighty deeds done in your midst, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they, would long ago, have repented, in sackcloth and ashes."
22. "But, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, on the Day of Judgment, than for you."
23.+ "And, as for you, Capernaum: 'Will you be exalted to heaven?: "You, will go down to the netherworld."
"For, if the mighty deeds, done in your midst, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day."
24. "But, I tell you, it will be more tolerable, for the land of Sodom, on the Day of Judgment, than for you."

The Praise of the Father.
25.+ At that time, Jesus said, in reply:
"I give you praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth"
"For, although you have hidden these things from the wise, and the learned, you have revealed them, to the childlike."
26. "Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will."
27. "All things, have been handed over to me, by my Father."
"No one, knows the Son, except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son, and, anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him [the Father]."

The Gentle Mastery of Christ.
28.+ "Come to me, all you, who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."
29.+ "Take my yoke, upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart."
"And you will find rest, for yourselves."
30. "For, my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

CHAPTER 12
Picking Grain on the Sabbath.
1.+ At that time, Jesus, was going through a field of grain, on the sabbath.
His disciples, were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
2. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him: "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do, on the sabbath."
3.+ He said to them:
"Have you not read, what David did, when he and his companions were hungry,
4. How he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he, nor his companions, but only the priests could lawfully eat?"
5.+ "Or, have you not read, in the Law, that on the sabbath, the priests serving in the temple, violate the sabbath, and are innocent?"
6. "I say to you, something, greater than the temple is here."
7.+ If, you knew, what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men."
8.+ "For, the Son of man, is Lord of the Sabbath."

The Man with the Withered Hand.

9. Moving on from there, he went into their synagogue,
10,+ And behold, there was a man there, who had a withered hand
They questioned him, so that, they might accuse him: : "Is it lawful, to cure, on the sabbath?"
11.+ He said to them:
"Which one of you, who has a sheep, that falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not take hold of it, and lift it out?"
12. "How much more valuable, a person is, than a sheep."
"So, it is lawful, to do good, on the sabbath."
13. Then, he said to the man: "Stretch out your hand."
He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other.
14.+ But, the Pharisees, went out and took counsel, against him, to put him to death.

The Chosen Servant.
15.+ When Jesus, realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all.
16. But, he warned them, not to make him known.
17. This, was to fulfill, what had been spoken, through Isaiah the prophet:
18. "Behold, my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom I delight."
"I, shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19.+ He, will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20. A bruised reed, he will not break, a smoldering wick, he will not quench,
"Until, he brings justice, to victory."
21.+ "And, in his Name, the Gentiles will hope."

Jesus and Beelzebul.
22.+ Then, they brought him a demonic, who was blind and mute.
He cured the mute person, so that, he could speak and see.
23.+ All the crowd, was astounded, and said: "Could this perhaps be, the Son of David?"
24.+ But, when the Pharisees heard this, they said: "This man, drives out demons, only by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons."
25.+ But, he knew what they were thinking and said to them:
"Every kingdom, divided against itself, will be laid waste, and no town or house, divided against itself, will stand."
26. "And, if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, how, then, will his kingdom stand?"
27.+ "And, if I drive out demons, by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?"
"Therefore, they will be your judges."
28.+ "But, if, it is, by the Holy Spirit of God, that I, drive out demons, then the kingdom of God, has come upon you."
29.+ "How, can anyone enter a strong man's house, and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man?"
"Then, he can plunder his house."
30.+ "Whoever is not with me, is against me, and whoever does not gather with me - scatters."
31.+ "Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy, will be forgiven people,
But blashemy, against the Spirit, will not be forgiven."
32. "And, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, will be forgiven,"
"But, whoever speaks against the holy Spirit, will not be forgiven, either in this Age, or in the Age to Come."

A Tree and Its Fruits.
33.+ "Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for, a tree is known, by its fruit."
34.+ "You brood of vipers, how can you say good things, when you are evil?"
"For, from the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks."
35. "A good person, brings forth good, out of a store of goodness, but an evil person, brings forth evil, out of a store of evil."
36.+ "I tell you, on the Day of Judgment, people will render an account, for every careless word they speak."
37. "By your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

The Demand for a Sign.
38.+ Then, some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him: "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
39.+ He said to them in reply:
"An evil and unfaithful generation, seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet."
40.+ "Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale, three [3] days, and three [3], nights,
so will the Son of man, be, in the heart of the earth - three days and three nights."
41.+ "At the Judgment, the men of Nineveh, will arise, with this generation, and condemn it, because they, repented, at the preaching of Jonah."
"And, there is something greater, than Jonah here."
42. "At the Judgment, the 'queen of the South', will arise, with this generation and condemn it,
"Because she, came from the Ends of the earth, to hear the wisdom of Solomon."
"And, there is something greater, than Solomon here."

The Return of the Unclean Spirit.
43. "When, an unclean spirit [demon], goes out of a person, it roams through arid regions, searching for rest, but finds none."
44. Then, it says: "I, will return to my home, from which I came."
"But, upon returning, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order."
45. "Then, it goes and brings back, with itself, seven [7] other spirits, more evil, than itself."
"And, they move in and dwell there."
"And, the last condition, of that person, is worse than the first."
"Thus, it will be, with this evil generation."

The True Family of Jesus.
46. While he was still speaking, to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him.
47.+ Someone told him: "Your mother and your brothers, are standing outside, asking to speak with you."
48. But, he said in reply, to the one, who told him: "Who, is my mother?, Who, are my brothers?"
49. And stretching out his hand, toward his disciples, he said:
"Here, are my mother and my brothers."
50. "For, whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is my brother, and sister, and mother."

CHAPTER 13
The Parable of the Sower.
1.+ On that day, Jesus went out of the house, and sat down by the sea.
2. Such large crowds gathered around him, that he got into a boat, and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
3.+ And, he spoke to them, at length, in parables, saying:
"A sower, went out to sow."
4. "And, as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came, and ate it up."
5. "Some, fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil."
"It sprang up, at once, because the soil was not deep."
6. "And, when the sun rose, it was scorched, and it withered, for lack of root."
7. "Some seed, fell among thorns, and the thorns, grew up, and choked it."
8. "But, some seed fell, on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty fold."
9. "Whoever has ears, ought to hear."

The Purpose of Parables.
10. The disciples, approached him, and said: "Why, do you speak to them in parables?"
11.+ He said to them in reply:
"Because, knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, has been granted to you, but to them, it has not been granted."
12.+ "To anyone, who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich."
"From anyone who has not, even what he has, will be taken away.
13.+