Book of Common Prayer

⁷ And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon. And the dragon fought, and his angels, ⁸ but did not prevail; neither was their place found in heaven any more. ⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil and Satan, who deceives all the world. And he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out also.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying, Now in heaven is made salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. For he is cast down who accused our brethren before God day and night. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. And they loved not their lives to the death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil has come down to you, who has great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.

¹³ And when the dragon saw that he was cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child. ¹⁴ And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. ¹⁵ And the dragon cast out of his mouth water after the woman, like a river, intending that she be caught in the flood. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon cast out of his mouth. ¹⁷ And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went and made war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

And I stood on the sea sand.

⁵³ When he spoke this way to them, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to hound him, and to stop his mouth with many questions, ⁵⁴ laying wait for him, and attempting to catch something out of his mouth that they could use to accuse him.

The leaven of the Pharisees. Christ strengthens his disciples against persecution, and warns them to beware of covetousness by the similitude of a certain rich man. He does not want them to hang upon earthly things, but to watch and to be ready for his coming.

12 As there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people (insomuch that they trod on one another), he began and said to his disciples, First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² For there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, nor hid that will not be known. ³ For whatever you have spoken in darkness, that same shall be heard in the light. And that which you have spoken in the ear, even in secret places, shall be declared even on the top of the houses.

⁴ I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you: him fear!

⁶ Are not five sparrows bought for two copper coins? And yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, even the very hairs of your heads are numbered. Fear not, therefore. You are of more value than many sparrows.

⁸ I say to you, whoever confesses me before men, him also shall the Son of man confess before the angels of God. ⁹ And he who denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it may be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

¹¹ When they bring you before the synagogues, and before the rulers and officers, take no thought how or what thing to answer, or what you will say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you ought to say.