Joseph’s Final Test

44 Joseph commanded his steward, “Fill the men’s bags with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver at the top of his bag.(A) Put my cup, the silver one, at the top of the youngest one’s bag, along with the silver for his grain.” So he did as Joseph told him.

At morning light, the men were sent off with their donkeys. They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Get up. Pursue the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Isn’t this the cup that my master drinks from and uses for divination?(B) What you have done is wrong!’”

When he overtook them, he said these words to them. They said to him, “Why does my lord say these things? Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found at the top of our bags. How could we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If it is found with one of us, your servants, he must die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.”(C)

10 The steward replied, “What you have said is right, but only the one who is found to have it will be my slave, and the rest of you will be blameless.”

11 So each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. 12 The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes,(D) and each one loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

14 When Judah and his brothers reached Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell to the ground before him.(E) 15 “What have you done?” Joseph said to them. “Didn’t you know that a man like me could uncover the truth by divination?”

16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed your servants’ iniquity. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one in whose possession the cup was found.”

17 Then Joseph said, “I swear that I will not do this. The man in whose possession the cup was found will be my slave. The rest of you can go in peace to your father.”

Judah’s Plea for Benjamin

18 But Judah approached him and said, “My lord, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh.(F) 19 My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 and we answered my lord, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age.(G) The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him to me so that I can see him.’(H) 22 But we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’ 23 Then you said to your servants, ‘If your younger brother does not come down with you, you will not see me again.’(I)

24 “This is what happened when we went back to your servant my father: We reported to him the words of my lord. 25 But our father said, ‘Go again, and buy us a little food.’(J) 26 We told him, ‘We cannot go down unless our younger brother goes with us. If our younger brother isn’t with us, we cannot see the man.’ 27 Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28 One is gone from me—I said he must have been torn to pieces—and I have never seen him again.(K) 29 If you also take this one from me and anything happens to him, you will bring my gray hairs down to Sheol in sorrow.’(L)

30 “So if I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us—his life is wrapped up with the boy’s life— 31 when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hairs of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. 32 Your servant became accountable to my father for the boy, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will always bear the guilt for sinning against you, my father.’(M) 33 Now please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave, in place of the boy. Let him go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the grief that would overwhelm my father.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 It(A) was two days before the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a cunning(F) way to arrest Jesus and kill him.(G) “Not during the festival,” they said, “so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

While(H) he was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon the leper,[a](J) as he was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head.(L) But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii[b](M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing(O) for me. You always have the poor(P) with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.(Q) She has done what she could; she has anointed my body(R) in advance for burial.(S) Truly I tell you,(T) wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

10 Then(W) Judas Iscariot,(X) one of the Twelve,(Y) went to the chief priests(Z) to betray Jesus(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him money.(AB) So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray(AC) him.

Preparation for Passover

12 On(AD) the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb,(AE) his disciples(AF) asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples(AH) went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Betrayal at the Passover

17 When(AI) evening came, he arrived with the Twelve.(AJ) 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”

20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man(AK) will go just as it is written(AL) about him,(AM) but woe(AN) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

The First Lord’s Supper

22 As(AO) they were eating, he took bread,(AP) blessed and broke(AQ) it, gave it to them,(AR) and said, “Take it; this is my body.”(AS) 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,[c](AU) which is poured out(AV) for many.(AW) 25 Truly I tell you,(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it new[d](AZ) in the kingdom of God.”(BA)

26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)

Peter’s Denial Predicted

27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away,[e] because it is written:(BD)

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep(BE) will be scattered.[f](BF)

28 But after I have risen,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)

29 Peter(BI) told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”(BJ)

31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.

The Prayer in the Garden

32 Then(BK) they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples,(BL) “Sit here while I pray.”(BM) 33 He took Peter,(BN) James,(BO) and John(BP) with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved[g] to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba,[h] Father!(BS) All things are possible(BT) for you. Take this cup(BU) away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon,(BV) are you sleeping?(BW) Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BX) so that you won’t enter into temptation.[i](BY) The spirit(BZ) is willing, but the flesh(CA) is weak.” 39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.(CB) 41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man(CC) is betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CD) 42 Get up; (CE) let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”

Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus

43 While(CF) he was still speaking, Judas,(CG) one of the Twelve,(CH) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CI) and the elders.(CJ) 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” (CK) and kissed him. 46 They took hold of him and arrested him. 47 One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,[j] to capture me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple,(CL) and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures(CM) must be fulfilled.”(CN)

50 Then they all deserted him and ran away.(CO) 51 Now a certain young man, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, was following him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CP)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

53 They(CQ) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CR) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CS) assembled.(CT) 54 Peter(CU) followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants,[k](CV) warming himself by the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CW) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death,(CX) but they could not find any. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CY) against him, and the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands,(CZ) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DA) even on this.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 61 But he kept silent and did not answer.(DB) Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah,(DC) the Son(DD) of the Blessed(DE) One?”

62 “I am,”(DF) said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man(DG) seated at the right hand(DH) of Power and coming with the clouds(DI) of heaven.”[l](DJ)

63 Then the high priest(DK) tore his robes(DL) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DM) 64 You have heard the blasphemy.(DN) What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.(DO)

65 Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” (DP) The temple servants(DQ) also took him and slapped him.

Peter Denies His Lord

66 While(DR) Peter(DS) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”(DT)

68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway,[m] and a rooster crowed.[n]

69 When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”

70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.”[o](DU)

71 Then he started to curse and swear,(DV) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DW) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Gk lepros; a term for various skin diseases; see Lv 13–14
  2. 14:5 A denarius = one day’s wage
  3. 14:24 Other mss read the new covenant
  4. 14:25 Or drink new wine; lit drink it new
  5. 14:27 Other mss add because of me this night
  6. 14:27 Zch 13:7
  7. 14:34 Or “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow
  8. 14:36 Aramaic for father
  9. 14:38 Or won’t be put to the test
  10. 14:48 Or insurrectionist
  11. 14:54 Or temple police, or officers, also in v. 65
  12. 14:62 Ps 110:1; Dn 7:13
  13. 14:68 Or forecourt
  14. 14:68 Other mss omit and a rooster crowed
  15. 14:70 Other mss add and your speech shows it

10 I am disgusted with my life.(A)
I will give vent to my complaint
and speak in the bitterness of my soul.
I will say to God,
“Do not declare me guilty!
Let me know why you prosecute me.
Is it good for you to oppress,
to reject the work of your hands,(B)
and favor[a] the plans of the wicked?(C)
Do you have eyes of flesh,
or do you see as a human sees?
Are your days like those of a human,
or your years like those of a man,(D)
that you look for my iniquity(E)
and search for my sin,
even though you know that I am not wicked
and that there is no one who can rescue from your power?(F)

“Your hands shaped me and formed me.(G)
Will you now turn and destroy me?
Please remember that you formed me like clay.
Will you now return me to dust?(H)
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
and curdle me like cheese?
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and wove me together with bones and tendons.(I)
12 You gave me life and faithful love,
and your care has guarded my life.

13 “Yet you concealed these thoughts in your heart;
I know that this was your hidden plan:[b]
14 if I sin, you would notice,[c]
and would not acquit me of my iniquity.(J)
15 If I am wicked, woe to me!
And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head.
I am filled with shame(K)
and have drunk deeply of[d] my affliction.(L)
16 If I am proud,[e] you hunt me like a lion
and again display your miraculous power against me.(M)
17 You produce new witnesses[f] against me
and multiply your anger toward me.
Hardships assault me, wave after wave.[g]

18 “Why did you bring me out of the womb?(N)
I should have died and never been seen.
19 I wish[h] I had never existed
but had been carried from the womb to the grave.(O)
20 Are my days not few? Stop it![i]
Leave me alone, so that I can smile a little
21 before I go to a land of darkness and gloom,(P)
never to return.
22 It is a land of blackness like the deepest darkness,
gloomy and chaotic,
where even the light is like[j] the darkness.”

Footnotes

  1. 10:3 Lit shine on
  2. 10:13 Lit was with you
  3. 10:14 Lit notice me
  4. 10:15 Or and look at
  5. 10:16 Lit If he lifts up
  6. 10:17 Or You bring fresh troops
  7. 10:17 Lit Changes and a host are with me
  8. 10:19 Lit As if
  9. 10:20 Alt Hb tradition reads Will he not leave my few days alone?
  10. 10:22 Lit chaotic, and shines as

The Law of Liberty

14 Welcome(A) anyone who is weak in faith,(B) but don’t argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything,(C) while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat,(D) and one who does not eat must not judge one who does,(E) because God has accepted him.(F) Who are you to judge(G) another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able[a] to make him stand.

One person judges one day to be more important than another day.(H) Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.(I) Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord.[b] Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God;(J) and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself.(K) If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.(L) Christ died and returned to life(M) for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.(N) 10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[c](O) 11 For it is written,

As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to me,(P)
and every tongue will give praise to God.[d](Q)

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.(R)

The Law of Love

13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another.(S) Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.(T) 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.(U) Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean.(V) 15 For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love.(W) Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.(X) 16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered,(Y) 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,(Z) but righteousness, peace, and joy(AA) in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ(AB) in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.(AC)

19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace(AD) and what builds up one another.(AE) 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats.(AF) 21 It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.[e] 22 Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.(AG) 23 But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats,(AH) because his eating is not from faith,[f] and everything that is not from faith is sin.

Footnotes

  1. 14:4 Other mss read For God has the power
  2. 14:6 Other mss add but whoever does not observe the day, it is to the Lord that he does not observe it
  3. 14:10 Other mss read of Christ
  4. 14:11 Is 45:23; 49:18
  5. 14:21 Other mss add or offended or weakened
  6. 14:23 Or conviction

Bible Gateway Recommends

CSB Gift & Award Bible--imitation leather, blue
CSB Gift & Award Bible--imitation leather, blue
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $6.29
Save: $1.70 (21%)
CSB Outreach Bible for Kids
CSB Outreach Bible for Kids
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $3.29
Save: $1.70 (34%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.19
Save: $2.80 (35%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, Burgundy Bonded Leather, In
CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, Burgundy Bonded Leather, In
Retail: $89.99
Our Price: $29.99
Save: $60.00 (67%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Law Enforcement Officer's Bible, Black LeatherTouch
CSB Law Enforcement Officer's Bible, Black LeatherTouch
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $14.49
Save: $10.50 (42%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars