John the Baptist Makes the Way Ready for Jesus ^(A)

3 Tiberius Caesar had been ruler for fifteen years. Pontius Pilate was ruler of the country of Judea. Herod was the ruler of the country of Galilee. His brother Philip was the ruler of the countries of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was the ruler of the country of Abilene. ² Annas and Caiaphas were the head religious leaders.

The Word of God came to John the Baptist, the son of Zacharias. John was in the desert. ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan River. He preached that people should be baptized because they were sorry for their sins and had turned from them, and they would be forgiven. ⁴ The early preacher Isaiah wrote these words: “His voice calls out in the desert. ‘Make the way ready for the Lord. Make the road straight for Him! ⁵ Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill will be brought down. The turns in the road will be made straight and the rough places will be made smooth. ⁶ And all men will see God saving people from the punishment of their sins.’” ^(B)

⁷ John said to the people who came to be baptized by him, “You family of snakes! Who told you how to keep from the anger of God that is coming? ⁸ Do something to let me see that you have turned from your sins. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you, God can make children for Abraham out of these stones. ⁹ Even now the ax is on the root of the trees. Every tree that does not give good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰ The people asked him, “Then what should we do?” ¹¹ He answered them, “If you have two coats, give one to him who has none. If you have food, you must share some.” ¹² Tax-gatherers came to be baptized also. They asked him, “Teacher, what are we to do?” ¹³ He said to them, “Do not take more money from people than you should.” ¹⁴ Also soldiers asked him, “What are we to do?” He answered them, “Take no money from anyone by using your own strength. Do not lie about anyone. Be happy with the pay you get.”

¹⁵ The people were looking for something to happen. They were thinking in their hearts about John the Baptist. They wondered if he might be the Christ. ¹⁶ But John said to all of them, “I baptize you with water. There is One coming Who is greater than I. I am not good enough to get down and help Him take off His shoes. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹⁷ He comes ready to clean the grain. He will gather the grain and clean it all. He will put the clean grain into a building. But He will burn that which is no good with a fire that cannot be put out.”

John the Baptist Is Put in Prison ^(C)

¹⁸ John spoke much more as he preached the Good News to the people. ¹⁹ He had also spoken sharp words to Herod the ruler because of Herodias. She was his brother Philip’s wife. And John spoke to Herod about all the wrongs he had done. ²⁰ To all these, Herod added another sin by putting John in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus ^(D)

²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized also. As He prayed, the heaven opened. ²² The Holy Spirit came down on Him in a body like a dove. A voice came from heaven and said, “You are My much-loved Son. I am very happy with You.”

The Family of Jesus through Mary ^(E)

²³ Jesus was about thirty years old when He began His work. People thought Jesus was the son of Joseph, the son of Heli. ²⁴ Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph. ²⁵ Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai. ²⁶ Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Semein. Semein was the son of Josech. Josech was the son of Juda. ²⁷ Juda was the son of Johanan. Johanan was the son of Rhesa. Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the son of Salathiel. Salathiel was the son of Neri. ²⁸ Neri was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Addi. Addi was the son of Cosam. Cosam was the son of Elmadam. Elmadam was the son of Er. ²⁹ Er was the son of Joshua. Joshua was the son of Eliezer. Eliezer was the son of Jorim. Jorim was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. ³⁰ Levi was the son of Simeon. Simeon was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Janam. Janam was the son of Eliakim. ³¹ Eliakim was the son of Melea. Melea was the son of Menna. Menna was the son of Mattatha. Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Nathan was the son of David. ³² David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon was the son of Nahshon. ³³ Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Amminadab was the son of Admin. Admin was the son of Ram. Ram was the son of Hezron. Hezron was the son of Perez. Perez was the son of Judah. ³⁴ Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor. ³⁵ Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Ragau. Ragau was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah. ³⁶ Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech. ³⁷ Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalaleel. Mahaleel was the son of Cainan. ³⁸ Cainan was the son of Enos. Enos was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.

Jesus Was Tempted ^(F)

4 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit when He returned from the Jordan River. Then He was led by the Holy Spirit to a desert. ² He was tempted by the devil for forty days and He ate nothing during that time. After that He was hungry. ³ The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to be made into bread.” ⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is written, ‘Man is not to live by bread alone.’” ^{(G) 5} The devil took Jesus up on a high mountain. He had Jesus look at all the nations of the world at one time. ⁶ The devil said to Jesus, “I will give You all this power and greatness. It has been given to me. I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If You will worship me, all this will be Yours.” ⁸ Jesus said to the devil, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. You must obey Him only.’” ^{(H) 9} Then the devil took Jesus up to Jerusalem. He had Jesus stand on the highest part of the house of God. The devil said to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written, ‘He has told His angels to care for You and to keep You. ¹¹ In their hands they will hold You up. Then Your foot will not hit against a stone.’” ^{(I) 12} Jesus said to the devil, “It is written, ‘You must not tempt the Lord your God.’” ^{(J) 13} When the devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he went away from Jesus for awhile.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee ^(K)

¹⁴ Jesus went back to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. People talked about Him so much that He was well-known through all the country. ¹⁵ Jesus taught in their places of worship and was honored by all people.

In Nazareth They Do Not Believe in Jesus

¹⁶ Jesus came to Nazareth where He had grown up. As He had done before, He went into the Jewish place of worship on the Day of Rest. Then He stood up to read. ¹⁷ Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, ¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. ¹⁹ He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” ^(L)

²⁰ Jesus closed the book. Then He gave it back to the leader and sat down. All those in the Jewish place of worship kept their eyes on Him. ²¹ Then He began to say to them, “The Holy Writings you have just heard have been completed today.”

²² They all spoke well of Jesus and agreed with the words He spoke. They said, “Is not this the son of Joseph?” ²³ He said to them, “I wonder if you will tell this old saying to Me, ‘Doctor, heal Yourself. What You did in the city of Capernaum, do in Your own country!’” ²⁴ He said, “A man who speaks for God is not respected in his own country. ²⁵ It is true that there were many women whose husbands had died in the Jewish land when Elijah lived. For three and a half years there was no rain and there was very little food in the land. ²⁶ Elijah was sent to none of them, but he was sent to a woman in the city of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. This woman’s husband had died. ²⁷ There were many people in the Jewish land who had a bad skin disease when the early preacher Elisha lived. None of them was healed. But Naaman from the country of Syria was healed.”

²⁸ All those in the Jewish place of worship were angry when they heard His words. ²⁹ They got up and took Jesus out of town to the top of a high hill. They wanted to throw Him over the side. ³⁰ But Jesus got away from among them and went on His way.

Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon ^(M)

³¹ Jesus went down to Capernaum in Galilee. He taught them on the Days of Rest. ³² The people were surprised and wondered about His teaching. His words had power. ³³ A man in the Jewish place of worship had a demon. He cried with a loud voice, ³⁴ “What do You want of us, Jesus of Nazareth? I know Who You are. You are the Holy One of God.” ³⁵ Jesus spoke sharp words to the demon and said, “Do not talk! Come out of him!” When the demon had thrown the man down, he came out without hurting the man.

³⁶ The people were all surprised. They asked each other, “What kind of word is this? He speaks to the demons with power and they come out!” ³⁷ The news about Jesus went through all the country.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed ^(N)

³⁸ Jesus went away from the Jewish place of worship and went into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, very sick. They asked Jesus to help her. ³⁹ He stood by her and told the disease to leave. It went from her. At once she got up and cared for them.

Jesus Heals in Galilee ^(O)

⁴⁰ As the sun went down, the people took all that were sick with many kinds of diseases to Jesus. He put His hands on all of them and they were healed. ⁴¹ Also demons came out of many people. The demons cried out and said, “You are Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus spoke strong words to them and would not let them speak. They knew He was the Christ.

Jesus Keeps On Preaching in Galilee ^(P)

⁴² In the morning He went out to a desert. The people looked for Him. When they found Him, they were trying to keep Him from going away from them. ⁴³ He said to them, “I must preach about the holy nation of God in other cities also. This is why I was sent.” ⁴⁴ And He kept on preaching in the Jewish places of worship in Galilee.

Jesus Calls Simon and James and John ^(Q)

5 While Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, many people pushed to get near Him. They wanted to hear the Word of God. ² Jesus saw two boats on the shore. The fishermen were not there because they were washing their nets. ³ Jesus got into a boat which belonged to Simon. Jesus asked him to push it out a little way from land. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Push out into the deep water. Let down your nets for some fish.” ⁵ Simon said to Him, “Teacher, we have worked all night and we have caught nothing. But because You told me to, I will let the net down.” ⁶ When they had done this, they caught so many fish, their net started to break. ⁷ They called to their friends working in the other boat to come and help them. They came and both boats were so full of fish they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he got down at the feet of Jesus. He said, “Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” ⁹ He and all those with him were surprised and wondered about the many fish. ¹⁰ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised also. They were working together with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.” ¹¹ When they came to land with their boats, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Man with a Bad Skin Disease ^(R)

¹² While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to Him with a bad skin disease over all his body. When he saw Jesus, he got down on his face before Him. He begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me.” ¹³ Jesus put His hand on him and said, “I will, be healed.” At once the disease went away from him. ¹⁴ Then Jesus told him to tell no one. He said, “Go and let the religious leader of the Jews see you. Give the gift on the altar in worship that Moses told you to give when a man is healed of a disease. This will show the leaders you have been healed.” ¹⁵ The news about Jesus went out all the more. Many people came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. ¹⁶ Then He went away by Himself to pray in a desert.

Jesus Heals a Man Let Down through the Roof of a House ^(S)

¹⁷ On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, some proud religious law-keepers and teachers of the Law were sitting by Him. They had come from every town in the countries of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was there to heal them. ¹⁸ Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. ¹⁹ But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus. ²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

²¹ The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers thought to themselves, “Who is this Man Who speaks as if He is God? Who can forgive sins but God only?” ²² Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to them, “Why do you think this way in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’?

²⁴ “So that you may know the Son of Man has the right and the power on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the man who could not move his body, “I say to you, get up. Take your bed and go to your home.” ²⁵ At once the sick man got up in front of them. He took his bed and went to his home thanking God. ²⁶ All those who were there were surprised and gave thanks to God, saying, “We have seen very special things today.”

Jesus Calls Matthew ^(T)

²⁷ After this Jesus went out and saw a man who gathered taxes. His name was Levi (Matthew). Levi was sitting at his work. Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” ²⁸ Levi got up, left everything and followed Jesus. ²⁹ Levi made a big supper for Jesus in his house. Many men who gathered taxes and other people sat down with them. ³⁰ The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers talked against the followers of Jesus. They said, “Why do You eat and drink with men who gather taxes and with sinners?” ³¹ Jesus said to them, “People who are well do not need a doctor. Only those who are sick need a doctor. ³² I have not come to call good people. I have come to call sinners to be sorry for their sins and to turn from them.”

Jesus Teaches about Going without Food So You Can Pray Better ^(U)

³³ They asked Jesus, “Why do the followers of John and of the proud religious law-keepers go without food so they can pray better, but Your followers keep on eating and drinking?” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Can the friends at a wedding be sorry when the man just married is with them? ³⁵ The days will come when the man just married will be taken from them. Then they will not eat food so they can pray better in those days.”

The Picture-Story of the Cloth and the Bags

³⁶ Then Jesus told them a picture-story. He said, “No one sews a piece of cloth from a new coat on an old coat. If he does, the new coat will have a hole. The new piece and the old coat will not be the same. ³⁷ No man puts new wine into old skin bags. If they did, the skins would break and the wine would run out. The bags would be no good. ³⁸ New wine must be put into new bags and both are kept safe. ³⁹ No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. He says, ‘The old wine is better.’”

Jesus Teaches about the Day of Rest ^(V)

6 On the next Day of Rest Jesus was walking through the grain-fields. His followers picked grain. They rubbed it in their hands and ate it. ² Some of the proud religious law-keepers said to them, “Why are you doing what the Law says should not be done on the Day of Rest?” ³ Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his men were hungry? ⁴ He went into the house of God and ate the special bread used in the religious worship. He gave some to those who were with him also. The Law says only the religious leaders may eat that bread. ⁵ The Son of Man is Lord of the Day of Rest also.”

Jesus Heals on the Day of Rest ^(W)

⁶ On another Day of Rest Jesus went into the Jewish place of worship and taught. A man with a dried-up hand was there. ⁷ The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers watched to see if He would heal on the Day of Rest. They wanted to have something to say against Him. ⁸ Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to the man with the dried-up hand, “Stand up and come here.” The man stood up and went to Jesus. ⁹ Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing. Does the Law say to do good on the Day of Rest or to do bad? To save life or to kill?” ¹⁰ Jesus looked around at them all and said to the man, “Put out your hand.” He put it out and his hand was healed. It was as good as his other hand. ¹¹ The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers were filled with anger. They talked with each other about what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus Calls His Twelve Followers ^(X)

¹² One day Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. He prayed all night to God. ¹³ In the morning He called His followers to Him. He chose twelve of them and called them. ¹⁴ There were Simon, whom He also named Peter, and his brother Andrew. There were James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁵ Matthew and Thomas. There were James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Canaanite. ¹⁶ There were Judas, who was the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot who would hand Jesus over to be killed.

Jesus Heals Many People ^(Y)

¹⁷ Then Jesus came down and stood on a plain with many of His followers. Many people came from the country of Judea and from Jerusalem and from the cities of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. ¹⁸ Those who were troubled with demons came and were healed. ¹⁹ All the people tried to put their hands on Jesus. Power came from Him and He healed them all.

Jesus Teaches on the Mountain ^(Z)

²⁰ He looked at His followers and said, “Those of you who are poor are happy, because the holy nation of God is yours. ²¹ Those of you who are hungry now are happy, because you will be filled. Those of you who have sorrow now are happy, because you will laugh. ²² You are happy when men hate you and do not want you around and put shame on you because you trust in Me. ²³ Be glad in that day. Be full of joy for your reward is much in heaven. Their fathers did these things to the early preachers.

²⁴ “It is bad for you who are rich. You are receiving all that you will get. ²⁵ It is bad for you who are full. You will be hungry. It is bad for you who laugh now. You will have sorrow and you will cry. ²⁶ It is bad for you when everyone speaks well of you. In the same way, their fathers spoke well of the false teachers.

Jesus Teaches What the Law Says about Love

²⁷ “I say to you who hear Me, love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Respect and give thanks for those who try to bring bad to you. Pray for those who make it very hard for you. ²⁹ Whoever hits you on one side of the face, turn so he can hit the other side also. Whoever takes your coat, give him your shirt also. ³⁰ Give to any person who asks you for something. If a person takes something from you, do not ask for it back. ³¹ Do for other people what you would like to have them do for you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also do good to those who do good to them. ³⁴ If you let people use your things and expect to get something back, what pay can you expect from that? Even sinners let sinners use things and they expect to get something back. ³⁵ But love those who hate you. Do good to them. Let them use your things and do not expect something back. Your reward will be much. You will be the children of the Most High. He is kind to those who are not thankful and to those who are full of sin.

Jesus Teaches about Finding Bad in Others

³⁶ “You must have loving-kindness just as your Father has loving-kindness. ³⁷ Do not say what is wrong in other people’s lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life. Do not say someone is guilty. Then other people will not say you are guilty. Forgive other people and other people will forgive you.

³⁸ “Give, and it will be given to you. You will have more than enough. It can be pushed down and shaken together and it will still run over as it is given to you. The way you give to others is the way you will receive in return.”

³⁹ Jesus used a picture-story as He spoke to them. He said, “Can one blind man lead another blind man? Will they not fall into the ditch together? ⁴⁰ The follower is not more important than his teacher. But everyone who learns well will be like his teacher.

Jesus Teaches about Saying What Is Wrong in Others

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the small piece of wood in your brother’s eye and do not see the big piece of wood in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that small piece of wood out of your eye,’ when you do not see the big piece of wood in your own eye? You pretend to be someone you are not. First, take the big piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you can see better to take the small piece of wood out of your brother’s eye.

Jesus Teaches about False Teachers

⁴³ “A good tree cannot have bad fruit. A bad tree cannot have good fruit. ⁴⁴ For every tree is known by its own fruit. Men do not gather figs from thorns. They do not gather grapes from thistles. ⁴⁵ Good comes from a good man because of the riches he has in his heart. Sin comes from a sinful man because of the sin he has in his heart. The mouth speaks of what the heart is full of.

Jesus Teaches about Houses Built on Rock and Sand

⁴⁶ “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me and hears and does what I say, I will show you who he is like. ⁴⁸ He is like a man who built a house. He dug deep to put the building on rock. When the water came up and the river beat against the house, the building could not be shaken because it was built on rock. ⁴⁹ But he who hears and does not do what I say, is like a man who built a house on nothing but earth. The water beat against the house. At once it fell and was destroyed.”

The Healing of the Captain’s Helper ^(AA)

7 When Jesus had finished teaching the people, He went back to Capernaum. ² A captain of the army had a servant whom he thought much of. This servant was very sick and was about to die. ³ When the captain heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish leaders to Him. They were to ask if He would come and heal this servant. ⁴ They came to Jesus and begged Him, saying, “The man is respected and should have this done for him. ⁵ He loves our nation and has built our Jewish place of worship.”

⁶ Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the captain told some friends to tell this to Jesus, “Lord, do not take the time to come to my house, because I am not good enough. ⁷ And I am not good enough to come to You. But just say the word and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I am a man who works for someone else also, and I have soldiers who work for me. I say to this man, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I say to my workman, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

⁹ Jesus was surprised when He heard this. He turned to the people following Him and said, “I tell you, I have not found so much faith even in the Jewish nation.” ¹⁰ Those who had been sent went back to the captain’s house and found the servant well again.

The Son of a Woman Whose Husband Had Died Was Raised from the Dead

¹¹ The next day Jesus went to a city called Nain. His followers and many other people went with Him. ¹² When they came near the city gate, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of a woman whose husband had died. Many people of the city were with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had loving-pity for her and said, “Do not cry.” ¹⁴ He went and put His hand on the box in which the dead man was carried. The men who were carrying it, stopped. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” ¹⁵ The man who was dead sat up and began to talk. Then Jesus gave him to his mother. ¹⁶ Everyone was afraid and they gave thanks to God. They said, “A great Man Who speaks for God has come among us! God has cared for His people!” ¹⁷ The news about Jesus went through all the country of Judea and over all the land.

John the Baptist Asks about Jesus ^(AB)

¹⁸ The followers of John the Baptist told him about all these things. ¹⁹ John called two of his followers and sent them to Jesus to ask, “Are You the One Who is to come? Or are we to look for another?” ²⁰ The men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One Who is to come? Or are we to look for another?’”

²¹ At that time Jesus was healing many people of all kinds of sickness and disease and was putting out demons. Many that were blind were able to see. ²² Jesus said to John’s followers, “Go back to John the Baptist and tell him what you have seen and heard. Tell him the blind are made to see. Those who could not walk, are walking. Those with a bad skin disease are healed. Those who could not hear, are hearing. The dead are raised to life and poor people have the Good News preached to them. ²³ The person who is not ashamed of Me and does not turn away from Me is happy.”

Jesus Tells about John the Baptist ^(AC)

²⁴ As John’s followers were going away, Jesus began to tell the people about John the Baptist. He said, “Why did you go out to the desert? Did you go out to see a small tree moving in the wind? ²⁵ What did you go out to see? A man dressed in good clothes? Those who are dressed in good clothes are in the houses of kings. ²⁶ But what did you go to see? One who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, he is more than one who speaks for God. ²⁷ This is the man the Holy Writings spoke of when they said, ‘See! I will send My helper to carry news ahead of You. He will make Your way ready for You!’ ^(AD)

²⁸ “I tell you, of those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. The least in the holy nation of God is greater than he.”

²⁹ All the people who heard Jesus and those who gathered taxes showed they knew God was right and were baptized by John. ³⁰ But the proud religious law-keepers and the men who knew the Law would not listen. They would not be baptized by John and they did not receive what God had for them.

Jesus Speaks Against the People of This Day

³¹ Then the Lord said, “What are the people of this day like? ³² They are like children playing in front of stores. They call to their friends, ‘We have played music for you, but you did not dance. We have had sorrow for you, but you did not have sorrow.’ ³³ John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you say, ‘See! He likes food and wine. He is a friend of men who gather taxes and of sinners!’ ³⁵ Wisdom is shown to be right by those who are wise.”

A Woman Puts Special Perfume on the Feet of Jesus

³⁶ One of the proud religious law-keepers wanted Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went to his house and sat down to eat. ³⁷ There was a woman in the city who was a sinner. She knew Jesus was eating in the house of the proud religious law-keeper. She brought a jar of special perfume. ³⁸ Then she stood behind Him by His feet and cried. Her tears wet His feet and she dried them with her hair. She kissed His feet and put the special perfume on them.

³⁹ The proud religious law-keeper who had asked Jesus to eat with him saw this. He said to himself, “If this Man were One Who speaks for God, He would know who and what kind of a woman put her hands on Him. She is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ Jesus said to him, “I have something to say to you, Simon.” And Simon said, “Teacher, say it.”

⁴¹ “There were two men who owed a certain man some money. The one man owed 500 pieces of silver money. The other man owed 50 pieces of silver money. ⁴² Neither one of them had any money, so he told them they did not have to pay him back. Tell Me, which one would love him the most?” ⁴³ Simon said, “I think it would be the one who owed the most.” And Jesus said to him, “You have said the right thing.”

⁴⁴ He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house and you gave Me no water to wash My feet. She washed My feet with her tears and dried them with the hairs of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but this woman has kissed my feet from the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not put even oil on My head but this woman has put special perfume on My feet. ⁴⁷ I tell you, her many sins are forgiven because she loves much. But the one who has been forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Those who were eating with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this Man Who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you from the punishment of sin. Go in peace.”

Jesus Teaches in Galilee

8 After this Jesus went to all the cities and towns preaching and telling the Good News about the holy nation of God. The twelve followers were with Him. ² Some women who had been healed of demons and diseases were with Him. Mary Magdalene, who had had seven demons put out of her, was one of them. ³ Joanna, the wife of Chuza who was one of Herod’s helpers, was another one. Susanna and many others also cared for Jesus by using what they had.

The Picture-Story of the Man Who Planted Seed ^(AE)

⁴ Many people came together from every town to Jesus. He told them a picture-story.

⁵ “A man went out to plant seed. As he planted the seed, some fell by the side of the road. It was walked on and birds came and ate it. ⁶ Some seed fell between rocks. As soon as it started to grow, it dried up because it had no water. ⁷ Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew and did not give the seed room to grow. ⁸ Some seed fell on good ground. It grew and gave one hundred times as much grain.” When Jesus had finished saying this, He cried out, “You have ears, then listen!”

⁹ His followers asked Him what this picture-story meant. ¹⁰ Jesus said, “You were given the secrets about the holy nation of God. Others are told picture-stories. As they look, they do not see. As they hear, they do not understand.

Jesus Tells about the Man Who Planted Seed

¹¹ “This is what the picture-story means. The seed is the Word of God. ¹² Those by the side of the road hear the Word. Then the devil comes and takes the Word from their hearts. He does not want them to believe and be saved from the punishment of sin. ¹³ Those which fell among rocks are those who when they hear the Word receive it with joy. These have no root. For awhile they believe, but when they are tempted they give up. ¹⁴ Those which fell among thorns hear the Word but go their own way. The cares of this life let the thorns grow. A love for money lets the thorns grow also. And the fun of this life lets the thorns grow. Their grain never becomes full-grown. ¹⁵ But those which fell on good ground have heard the Word. They keep it in a good and true heart and they keep on giving good grain.

The Picture-Story of the Lamp

¹⁶ “No man lights a lamp and puts it under a pail or under a bed. He puts it on a lamp-stand so all who come into the room may see it. ¹⁷ Nothing is secret but what will be known. Anything that is hidden will be brought into the light. ¹⁸ Be careful how you listen! Whoever has, to him will be given. Whoever does not have, even the little he has will be taken from him.”

The New Kind of Family ^(AF)

¹⁹ The mother of Jesus and His brothers came to Him. They could not get near Him because of so many people. ²⁰ Someone said to Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to see You.” ²¹ Jesus said to them, “My mother and brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it.”

The Wind and Waves Obey Jesus ^(AG)

²² On one of those days Jesus and His followers got into a boat. Jesus said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” Then they pushed out into the water. ²³ As they were going, Jesus fell asleep. A wind storm came over the lake. The boat was filling with water and they were in danger. ²⁴ The followers came to awake Jesus. They said, “Teacher! Teacher! We are going to die!” Then Jesus got up and spoke sharp words to the wind and the high waves. The wind stopped blowing and there were no more waves. ²⁵ He said to them, “Where is your faith?” The followers were surprised and afraid. They said to each other, “What kind of a man is He? He speaks to the wind and the waves and they obey Him.”

Demons Ask Jesus to Let Them Live in Pigs ^(AH)

²⁶ They came to the land of the Gadarenes, which is on the other side of the country of Galilee. ²⁷ As Jesus stepped out on land, a man met Him who had come from the city. This man had demons in him. For a long time he had worn no clothes. He did not live in a house, but lived among the graves. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he got down before Him and cried with a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High? I beg of You not to hurt me!” ²⁹ For Jesus had spoken to the demon to come out of the man. Many times the demon had taken hold of him. The man had to be tied with chains. But he would break the chains and be taken by the demon into the desert.

³⁰ Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And the demon answered, “Many,” because many demons had gone into him. ³¹ The demons asked Jesus not to send them to the hole without a bottom in the earth. ³² There were many pigs feeding on the side of the mountain. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs. Jesus said they could. ³³ The demons came out of the man and went into the pigs. Then the many pigs ran down the side of the mountain into the water and died.

³⁴ The men who cared for the pigs ran fast and told what had happened in the town and in the country. ³⁵ People came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man from whom the demons had been sent. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus with clothes on and had the right use of his mind. The people were afraid. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told how the man who had had the demons was healed. ³⁷ Then all the people of the country of the Gadarenes begged Jesus to go away from them. They were very much afraid. Jesus got into the boat and went back to the other side.

³⁸ The man out of whom the demons had gone begged to go with Jesus. But Jesus sent him away and said, ³⁹ “Go back to your house and tell everything God has done for you.” He went back and told all the people of the city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Two Were Healed through Faith ^(AI)

⁴⁰ Many people were glad to see Jesus when He got back. They were waiting for Him. ⁴¹ A man named Jairus was a leader of the Jewish place of worship. As he came to Jesus, he got down at His feet. He asked Jesus if He would come to his house. ⁴² He had only one daughter and she was dying. This girl was about twelve years old. As Jesus went, the people pushed Him from every side.

⁴³ A woman had been sick for twelve years with a flow of blood. (*She had spent all the money she had on doctors.) But she could not be healed by anyone. ⁴⁴ She came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of His coat. At once the flow of blood stopped. ⁴⁵ Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” Everyone said that they had not touched Him. Peter said, “Teacher, so many people are pushing You from every side and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” ⁴⁶ Then Jesus said, “Someone touched Me because I know power has gone from Me.” ⁴⁷ When the woman saw she could not hide it, she came shaking. She got down before Jesus. Then she told Jesus in front of all the people why she had touched Him. She told how she was healed at once. ⁴⁸ Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While Jesus was yet talking, a man came from the house of the leader of the place of worship. This man said to Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. Do not make the Teacher use anymore of His time.” ⁵⁰ Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe. She will be made well.”

⁵¹ Jesus went into the house. He let only Peter and James and John and the father and mother of the girl go in with Him. ⁵² Everyone was crying and full of sorrow because of her. Jesus said, “Do not cry. She is not dead, but is sleeping.” ⁵³ Then they laughed at Jesus because they knew she was dead. ⁵⁴ Jesus sent them all out. He took the girl by the hand and said, “Child, get up!” ⁵⁵ Her spirit came back and she got up at once. Jesus told them to bring her food. ⁵⁶ Her parents were surprised and wondered about it. Then Jesus told them they should tell no one what had happened.

Jesus Sends His Twelve Followers Out ^(AJ)

9 Jesus called His twelve followers to Him. He gave them the right and the power over all demons and to heal diseases. ² He sent them to preach about the holy nation of God and to heal the sick. ³ Then He said to them, “Take nothing along for the trip. Do not take a walking stick or a bag or bread or money. Do not take two coats. ⁴ Whatever house you go into, stay there until you are ready to go on. ⁵ If anyone will not take you in, as you leave that city, shake its dust off your feet. That will speak against them.”

⁶ They went out, going from town to town. They preached the Good News and healed the sick everywhere.

John the Baptist Is Killed ^(AK)

⁷ Now Herod the leader heard of all that had been done by Jesus. He was troubled because some people said that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. ⁸ Some people said that Elijah had come back. Others thought one of the early preachers had been raised from the dead. ⁹ Then Herod said, “I had John’s head cut off. But who is this Man that I hear these things about?” He wanted to see Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand ^(AL)

¹⁰ The twelve followers came back. They told Jesus what they had done. Jesus took them to a desert near the town of Bethsaida. There they could be alone. ¹¹ When the people knew where Jesus was, they followed Him. Jesus was happy to see them and talked to them about the holy nation of God. He healed all who were sick.

¹² When the day was about over, the twelve followers came to Jesus. They said, “Send these many people away so they can go to the towns and country near here. There they can find a place to sleep and get food. We are here in a desert.” ¹³ But Jesus said to them, “Give them something to eat.” They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Are we to go and buy food for all these people?” ¹⁴ There were about five thousand men. Jesus said to His followers, “Have them sit down in groups of fifty people.” ¹⁵ They did as He told them. They made all of the people sit down. ¹⁶ As Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke them in pieces and gave them to His followers to give to the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people finished eating.

Peter Says Jesus Is the Christ ^(AM)

¹⁸ While Jesus was praying alone, His followers were with Him. Jesus asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” ¹⁹ They said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah. Others say that one of the early preachers has been raised from the dead.” ²⁰ Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ of God.”

Jesus Tells of His Death for the First Time ^(AN)

²¹ Then Jesus spoke to them and told them to tell no one. ²² He said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. The leaders and the religious leaders and the teachers of the Law will have nothing to do with Him. He must be killed and be raised from the dead three days later.”

Giving Up Self and One’s Own Desires

²³ Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must give up himself and his own desires. He must take up his cross everyday and follow Me. ²⁴ If anyone wants to keep his own life safe, he must lose it. If anyone gives up his life because of Me, he will save it. ²⁵ For what does a man have if he gets all the world and loses or gives up his life? ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His own shining-greatness and of the Father’s and of the holy angels. ²⁷ I tell you the truth, some standing here will not die until they see the holy nation of God.”

A Look at What Jesus Will Be Like ^(AO)

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took Peter and James and John with Him. They went up on a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As Jesus prayed, He was changed in looks before them. His clothes became white and shining bright. ³⁰ Two men talked with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah. ³¹ They looked like the shining-greatness of heaven as they talked about His death in Jerusalem which was soon to happen.

³² But Peter and those with him had gone to sleep. When they woke up, they saw His shining-greatness and the two men who stood with Him. ³³ As the two men went from Jesus, Peter said to Him, “Teacher, it is good for us to be here. Let us build three tents to worship in. One will be for You. One will be for Moses. One will be for Elijah.” He did not know what he was saying. ³⁴ While he was talking, a cloud came over them. They were afraid as the cloud came in around them.

³⁵ A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, the One I have chosen. Listen to Him!” ³⁶ When the voice was gone, Jesus was standing there alone. From that time on, they kept these things to themselves. They told no one what they had seen.

A Boy with a Demon Is Healed ^(AP)

³⁷ The next day they came down from the mountain and many people met Jesus. ³⁸ A man from among the people cried out, “Teacher, I beg of You to look at my son. He is my only child. ³⁹ See, a demon takes him and makes him cry out. It takes hold of him and makes him shake. Spit runs from his mouth. He has marks on his body from being hurt. The demon does not want to go from him. ⁴⁰ I begged Your followers to put the demon out, but they could not.”

⁴¹ Then Jesus said, “You people of this day do not have faith. You turn from what is right! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring your son to Me.” ⁴² While the boy was coming, the demon threw him down and made him lose the use of his mind for awhile. Jesus spoke sharp words to the demon. He healed the child and gave him back to his father.

Jesus Tells of His Death the Second Time ^(AQ)

⁴³ They were all surprised at the great power of God. They all were thinking about the special things Jesus had done. And Jesus said to His followers, ⁴⁴ “Remember these words. For the Son of Man will be given over into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ They did not understand these words because it was hidden from them. They did not know what Jesus meant and were afraid to ask Him.

Jesus Teaches about the Faith of a Child ^(AR)

⁴⁶ The followers argued among themselves about which of them would be the greatest. ⁴⁷ Jesus knew what they were thinking. He put a child beside Him. ⁴⁸ He said to the followers, “Whoever receives this child in My name, receives Me. Whoever receives Me, receives Him Who sent Me. The one who is least among you is the one who is great.”

The Sharp Words Against the Followers

⁴⁹ John said, “Teacher, we saw someone putting out demons in Your name. We told him to stop because he was not following us.” ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him. He who is not against us is for us.”

Jesus and His Followers Leave Galilee

⁵¹ It was about time for Jesus to be taken up into heaven. He turned toward Jerusalem and was sure that nothing would stop Him from going. ⁵² He sent men on ahead of Him. They came to a town in Samaria. There they got things ready for Jesus. ⁵³ The people did not want Him there because they knew He was on His way to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ James and John, His followers, saw this. They said, “Lord, do You want us to speak so fire will come down from heaven and burn them up as Elijah did?” ⁵⁵ Jesus turned and spoke sharp words to them. (*He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you have. ⁵⁶ The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives. He came to save them from the punishment of sin.” They went on their way to another town.)

The Testing of Some Followers ^(AS)

⁵⁷ As they were going on their way, a man said to Jesus, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” ⁵⁸ Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes. Birds of the sky have nests. The Son of Man has no place to put His head.” ⁵⁹ He said to another, “Follow Me.” But the man said, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You go and preach about the holy nation of God.” ⁶¹ And another one said, “Lord, I will follow You, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at home.” ⁶² Jesus said to him, “Anyone who puts his hand on a plow and looks back at the things behind is of no use in the holy nation of God.”

Seventy Are Sent Out

10 After this the Lord chose seventy others. He sent them out two together to every city and place where He would be going later. ² Jesus said to them, “There is much grain ready to gather. But the workmen are few. Pray then to the Lord Who is the Owner of the grain-fields that He will send workmen to gather His grain. ³ Go on your way. Listen! I send you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Take no money. Do not take a bag or shoes. Speak to no one along the way. ⁵ When you go into a house, say that you hope peace will come to them. ⁶ If a man who loves peace lives there, your good wishes will come to him. If your good wishes are not received, they will come back to you. ⁷ Stay in the same house. Eat and drink what they give you. The workman should have his thanks. Do not move from house to house.

⁸ “Whenever a city receives you, eat the things that are put before you there. ⁹ Heal the sick. Say to them, ‘The holy nation of God is near.’ ¹⁰ Whatever city does not receive you, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your city that is on our feet we are cleaning off against you. But understand this, the holy nation of God has come near you!’ ¹² I tell you, on the day men stand before God, it will be easier for the city of Sodom than for that city.

¹³ “It is bad for you, city of Chorazin! It is bad for you, town of Bethsaida! For if the powerful works which were done in you had been done in the cities of Tyre and Sidon they would have turned from their sins long ago. They would have shown their sorrow by putting on clothes made from hair and would have sat in ashes. ¹⁴ It will be better for Tyre and Sidon on the day men stand before God and be told they are guilty than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, are you to be lifted up into heaven? You will be taken down to hell. ¹⁶ Whoever listens to you, listens to Me. Whoever has nothing to do with you, has nothing to do with Me. Whoever has nothing to do with Me, has nothing to do with the One Who sent Me.”

The Seventy Came Back

¹⁷ The seventy came back full of joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we used Your name.” ¹⁸ Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. ¹⁹ Listen! I have given you power to walk on snakes. I have given you power over small animals with a sting of poison. I have given you power over all the power of the one who works against you. Nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ Even so, you should not be happy because the demons obey you but be happy because your names are written in heaven.”

The Joy of the Holy Spirit

²¹ At this time Jesus was full of the joy of the Holy Spirit. He said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have kept these things hidden from the wise and from those who have much learning. You have shown them to little children. Yes, Father, it was what you wanted done.

²² “Everything has been given to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son but the Father. No one knows the Father but the Son and the Son makes the Father known to those He chooses.”

²³ Then He turned to His followers and said without anyone else hearing, “Happy are those who see what you see! ²⁴ I tell you, many early preachers and kings have wanted to see the things you are seeing, but they did not see them. They have wanted to hear the things you are hearing, but they did not hear them.”

Jesus Talks to the Man Who Knew the Law

²⁵ A man stood up who knew the Law and tried to trap Jesus. He said, “Teacher, what must I do to have life that lasts forever?” ²⁶ Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? What does the Law say?” ²⁷ The man said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart. You must love Him with all your soul. You must love Him with all your strength. You must love Him with all your mind. You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ²⁸ Jesus said to him, “You have said the right thing. Do this and you will have life.” ²⁹ The man tried to make himself look good. He asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

The Picture-Story of the Good Samaritan

³⁰ Jesus said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to the city of Jericho. Robbers came out after him. They took his clothes off and beat him. Then they went away, leaving him almost dead. ³¹ A religious leader was walking down that road and saw the man. But he went by on the other side. ³² In the same way, a man from the family group of Levi was walking down that road. When he saw the man who was hurt, he came near to him but kept on going on the other side of the road. ³³ Then a man from the country of Samaria came by. He went up to the man. As he saw him, he had loving-pity on him. ³⁴ He got down and put oil and wine on the places where he was hurt and put cloth around them. Then the man from Samaria put this man on his own donkey. He took him to a place where people stay for the night and cared for him. ³⁵ The next day the man from Samaria was ready to leave. He gave the owner of that place two pieces of money to care for him. He said to him, ‘Take care of this man. If you use more than this, I will give it to you when I come again.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who was beaten by the robbers?” ³⁷ The man who knew the Law said, “The one who showed loving-pity on him.” Then Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

Mary and Martha Care for Jesus

³⁸ As they went on their way, they came to a town where a woman named Martha lived. She cared for Jesus in her home. ³⁹ Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. ⁴⁰ Martha was working hard getting the supper ready. She came to Jesus and said, “Do You see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus Teaches His Followers to Pray

11 Jesus had been praying. One of His followers said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray as John the Baptist taught his followers.” ² Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. May Your holy nation come. *What You want done, may it be done on earth as it is in heaven. ³ Give us the bread we need everyday. ⁴ Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not let us be tempted.’”

A Picture-Story about How to Ask

⁵ Jesus said to them, “If one of you has a friend and goes to him in the night and says, ‘Friend, give me three loaves of bread, ⁶ for a friend of mine is on a trip and has stopped at my house. I have no food to give him.’ ⁷ The man inside the house will say, ‘Do not trouble me. The door is shut. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you bread.’ ⁸ I say to you, he may not get up and give him bread because he is a friend. Yet, if he keeps on asking, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. ⁹ I say to you, ask, and what you ask for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks, will receive what he asks for. Everyone who looks, will find what he is looking for. Everyone who knocks, will have the door opened to him.

¹¹ “Would any of you fathers give your son a stone if he asked for bread? Or would you give a snake if he asked for a fish? ¹² Or if he asked for an egg, would you give him a small animal with a sting of poison? ¹³ You are sinful and you know how to give good things to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

A Nation That Cannot Stand ^(AT)

¹⁴ Jesus was putting a demon out of a man who could not speak. When the demon was gone, the man could speak. All the people were surprised and wondered about it. ¹⁵ Some of them said, “He puts out demons through Satan, the king of demons.” ¹⁶ Others tried to trap Jesus. They asked for something special to see from heaven. ¹⁷ But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every nation divided into groups that fight each other will be destroyed. Every family divided into groups that fight each other will not stand. ¹⁸ If Satan is divided against himself, how will his nation stand? And yet you say I put out demons through Satan! ¹⁹ If I put out demons through Satan, by whose help do your sons put them out? Your own sons will say if you are guilty or not. ²⁰ But if I put out demons by the power of God, then the holy nation of God has come to you.

²¹ “When a strong man watches his house and is ready to fight, his things are safe. ²² When a stronger man comes along, he wins the fight. He takes away all the things to fight with that the man of the house had put his trust in. Then the stronger man takes anything he wants from the house. ²³ Whoever is not with Me is against Me. Whoever does not gather with Me is sending them everywhere.

A Person Filled with Bad or Good ^(AU)

²⁴ “When a demon is gone out of a man, it goes through dry places to find rest. If it finds none, it says, ‘I will go back to my house I came from.’ ²⁵ When the demon comes back, it finds the house cleaned and looking good. ²⁶ Then the demon goes out and comes back bringing seven demons worse than itself. They go in and live there. In the end that man is worse than at the first.” ²⁷ As Jesus was talking, a woman of the group said with a loud voice, “The woman is happy who gave You birth and who fed You.” ²⁸ But He said, “Yes, but those who hear the Word of God and obey it are happy.”

Jesus Tells about Jonah ^(AV)

²⁹ When the people were gathered near Jesus, He said, “The people of this day are sinful. They are looking for something special to see. They will get nothing special to see, except what Jonah the early preacher did. ³⁰ As Jonah was something special to the people of the city of Nineveh, the Son of Man will be to the people of this day also. ³¹ The queen of the south will stand up on the day men stand before God. She will say the people of this day are guilty because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wise sayings of Solomon. And look, Someone greater than Solomon is here! ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up on the day men stand before God. They will say the people of this day are guilty because the men of Nineveh were sorry for their sins and turned from them when Jonah preached. And look, Someone greater than Jonah is here!

Jesus Teaches about Light

³³ “No man lights a lamp and then hides it under a pail. He puts the light on a lamp-stand so those who come in can see it. ³⁴ The eye is the light of the body. When your eye is good, your whole body is full of light. When your eye is sinful, your whole body is full of darkness. ³⁵ Be careful that the light in you is not dark. ³⁶ If your whole body is full of light, with no dark part, then it will shine. It will be as a lamp that gives light.”

Jesus Speaks Sharp Words to the Proud Religious Law-Keeper

³⁷ As Jesus was talking, a proud religious law-keeper asked Him to eat with him. Jesus went to the man’s house and took His place at the table. ³⁸ The proud religious law-keeper was surprised and wondered why Jesus had not washed before He ate. ³⁹ But the Lord said to him, “You proud religious law-keepers make the outside of the cup and plate clean, but inside you are full of stealing and sinning. ⁴⁰ You are foolish. Did not He that made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ Give yourself as a gift and then you will be clean.

⁴² “It is bad for you, proud religious law-keepers! You give one-tenth part of your spices. But you give no thought to what is right and to the love of God. You should do both of these.

⁴³ “It is bad for you, proud religious law-keepers! For you like to have the important seats in the places of worship. You like to have people speak good-sounding words to you as you are in the center of town where people gather. ⁴⁴ It is bad for you, teachers of the Law and proud religious law-keepers and you who pretend to be someone you are not! For you are like graves that are hidden. Men walk on graves without knowing they are there.”

Jesus Speaks Sharp Words to the Men Who Knew the Law

⁴⁵ One of the men who knew the Law said to Jesus, “Teacher, You are making us look bad when You speak like this.” ⁴⁶ Jesus said, “It is bad for you also, you men who know the Law! For you put heavy loads on the shoulders of men. But you will not even put your finger on one of these loads to help them. ⁴⁷ It is bad for you! For you make beautiful buildings for the graves of the early preachers your fathers killed. ⁴⁸ You are saying what your fathers did was good, because they killed the early preachers and you are making their graves.

⁴⁹ “For this reason the wisdom of God has said, ‘I will send them early preachers and missionaries. Some they will kill and some they will make it very hard for.’ ⁵⁰ The blood of all the early preachers from the beginning of the world is on the people of this day. ⁵¹ It will be from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias, the one who died between the altar and the house of God. For sure, I tell you, the people of this day will be guilty for this.

⁵² “It is bad for you men who know the Law! For you have locked the door to the house of learning. You are not going in yourselves and you do not allow those to go in who are about to go in.”

⁵³ As Jesus went away from there, the teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers were very angry and tried to make Him say many things. ⁵⁴ They planned against Jesus and tried to trap Him with something He might say.

Jesus Teaches His Followers and Thousands of Other People

12 At that time thousands of people gathered together. There were so many that they walked on each other. Jesus spoke to His twelve followers first, saying, “Look out! Have nothing to do with the yeast of the proud religious law-keepers which is pretending to be something it is not. ² For there is nothing covered up that will not be seen. There is nothing hidden that will not be known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light. What you have said in a low voice in a closed room will be spoken with a loud voice from the top of houses.

⁴ “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and then can do no more. ⁵ I will tell you the one to be afraid of. Be afraid of Him Who has power to put you into hell after He has killed you. Yes, I say to you, be afraid of Him!

⁶ “Are not five small birds sold for two small pieces of money? God does not forget even one of the birds. ⁷ God knows how many hairs you have on your head. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many small birds.

⁸ “Also, I tell you, everyone who makes Me known to men, the Son of Man will make him known to the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever acts as if he does not know Me and does not make Me known to men, he will not be spoken of to the angels of God.

The Sin That Cannot Be Forgiven

¹⁰ “Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ¹¹ When they take you to the places of worship and to the courts and to the leaders of the country, do not be worried about what you should say or how to say it. ¹² The Holy Spirit will tell you what you should say at that time.”

¹³ One of the people said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the riches that our father left us.” ¹⁴ Jesus said to him, “Friend, who has told Me to say who should get what?” ¹⁵ Then Jesus said to them all, “Watch yourselves! Keep from wanting all kinds of things you should not have. A man’s life is not made up of things, even if he has many riches.”

The Picture-Story of the Rich Fool

¹⁶ Then He told them a picture-story, saying, “The fields of a rich man gave much grain. ¹⁷ The rich man thought to himself, ‘What will I do? I have no place to put the grain.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know what I will do. I will take down my grain building and I will build a bigger one. I will put all my grain and other things I own into it. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things put away in your building. It will be all you need for many years to come. Now rest and eat and drink and have lots of fun.”’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight your soul will be taken from you. Then who will have all the things you have put away?’ ²¹ It is the same with a man who puts away riches for himself and does not have the riches of God.”

Jesus Teaches about the Cares of This Life

²² Jesus said to His followers, “Because of this, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you are going to eat. Do not worry about your body, what you are going to wear. ²³ Life is worth more than food. The body is worth more than clothes. ²⁴ Look at the birds. They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They have no grain buildings for keeping grain. Yet God feeds them. Are you not worth more than the birds?

²⁵ “Which of you can make yourself a little taller by worrying? ²⁶ If you cannot do that which is so little, why do you worry about other things? ²⁷ Think how the flowers grow. They do not work or make cloth. Yet, I tell you, that King Solomon in all his greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. ²⁸ God puts these clothes on the grass of the field. The grass is in the field today and put into the fire tomorrow. How much more would He want to give you clothing? You have so little faith! ²⁹ Do not give so much thought to what you will eat or drink. Do not be worried about it. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world go after these things. Your Father knows you need these things. ³¹ Instead, go after the holy nation of God. Then all these other things will be given to you. ³² Do not be afraid, little flock. Your Father wants to give you the holy nation of God. ³³ Sell what you have and give the money to poor people. Have money-bags for yourselves that will never wear out. These money-bags are riches in heaven that will always be there. No robber can take them and no bugs can eat them there. ³⁴ Your heart will be wherever your riches are.

Jesus Says to Watch and Be Ready for His Second Coming Be Ready for His Second Coming

³⁵ “Be ready and dressed. Have your lights burning. ³⁶ Be like men who are waiting for their owner to come home from a wedding supper. When he comes and knocks on the door, they will open it for him at once. ³⁷ Those servants are happy when their owner finds them watching when he comes. For sure, I tell you, he will be dressed and ready to care for them. He will have them seated at the table. ³⁸ The owner might come late at night or early in the morning. Those servants are happy if their owner finds them watching whenever he comes. ³⁹ But understand this, that if the owner of a house had known when the robber was coming, he would have been watching. He would not have allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ You must be ready also. The Son of Man is coming at a time when you do not think He will come.”

Faithful Servants and Servants Who Are Not Faithful

⁴¹ Peter said, “Lord, are You telling this picture-story to us or to all the people?” ⁴² The Lord said, “Who is the faithful and wise servant his owner made boss over the others? He is the one who is to have food ready at the right time. ⁴³ That servant is happy who is doing his work when the owner comes. ⁴⁴ For sure, I tell you, he will make him boss over all he has.

⁴⁵ “But what if that servant says to himself, ‘The owner will not be coming soon,’ and then beats the other servants and eats and drinks and gets drunk? ⁴⁶ The owner of that servant will come on a day and at an hour when he is not looking for him. He will cut him in pieces and will put him with those who do not believe.

⁴⁷ “The servant who knew what the owner wanted done, but did not get ready for him, or did not do what he wanted done, will be beaten many times. ⁴⁸ But the servant who did not know what his owner wanted done, but did things that would be reason to be beaten, will be beaten only a few times. The man who receives much will have to give much. If much is given to a man to take care of, men will expect to get more from him.

Men Are Divided When They Follow Christ

⁴⁹ “I have come to bring fire down to the earth. I wish it were already started! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to go through. How troubled I am until it is over! ⁵¹ Do you think I came to bring peace on the earth? I tell you, no! I came to divide. ⁵² From now on there will be five in one house divided. Three will be against two and two will be against three. ⁵³ The father will be against the son. The son will be against the father. The mother will be against the daughter. The daughter will be against the mother. The mother-in-law will be against the daughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law will be against the mother-in-law.”

⁵⁴ Then Jesus also said to the people, “When you see a cloud coming in the west, you say at once, ‘It is going to rain.’ And it does. ⁵⁵ When you see the wind blow from the south, you say, ‘It will be a hot day.’ And it is. ⁵⁶ You who pretend to be someone you are not, you know all about the sky and the earth. But why do you not know what is happening these days? ⁵⁷ Why do you not know for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸ When a person says you are wrong and takes you to court, try to make it right with him as you go, or he will take you to the head of the court. Then he will take you to the police and you will be put in prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you will not be let out of prison until you have paid the last piece of money of the fine.”

Everyone Should Be Sorry for Their Sins and Turn from Them

13 At this time some people came to Jesus. They told Him that Pilate had killed some people from the country of Galilee. It was while they were giving gifts of animals on the altar in worship to God. ² Pilate put their blood together with the blood of the animals. Jesus said to them, “What about these people from Galilee? Were they worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee because they suffered these things? ³ No, I tell you. But unless you are sorry for your sins and turn from them, you too will all die. ⁴ What about those eighteen men who were killed when the high building in Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were the worst sinners living in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you. But unless you are sorry for your sins and turn from them, you too will all die.”

The Picture-Story of the Fig Tree Which Had No Fruit

⁶ Then He told them this picture-story: “A man had a fig tree in his grape-field. He looked for fruit on it but found none. ⁷ He said to his servant, ‘See! For three years I have been coming here looking for fruit on this fig tree. I never find any. Cut it down. Why does it even waste the ground?’