Old/New Testament

²⁸ When Jesus had said this, he went on ahead of them towards Jerusalem.

²⁹ He came near Bethphage and Bethany by the hill called the Mount of Olives. Then he sent two of his disciples ahead.

³⁰ He said, `Go into the village in front of you. As soon as you go in, you will find an animal tied up. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it to me.

³¹ If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?" tell him, "The Lord needs it." '

³² They went and found it just as Jesus had said.

³³ When they were untying the animal, the men who owned it asked them, `Why are you untying the animal?'

³⁴ They said, `The Lord needs it.'

³⁵ They brought it to Jesus and laid their coats on it. Then they put Jesus on it.

³⁶ As he was riding along, people spread their coats on the road.

³⁷ He came near the top of the hill called the Mount of Olives. Then all the people who believed in him began to be happy. They sang out loudly, and praised God in a loud voice for all the big works they had seen.

³⁸ They said, `God bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven where God is praised!'

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees who were among the people said to Jesus, `Teacher, tell your disciples to stop saying that.'

⁴⁰ Jesus answered, `I tell you, if they do not speak like this the stones will call out.'

⁴¹ When Jesus came near, he saw the city. His heart was very sad and he cried.

⁴² He said, `I wish you knew today what things would give you peace! But now you do not see what they are.

⁴³ The time will come when the people who hate you will put a wall all around you. They will shut you up and keep you in on every side.

⁴⁴ They will break you down to the ground. They will kill the people within you. They will not leave one stone of your houses on top of another. That will happen because you did not know the time when God was ready to help you.'

⁴⁵ Jesus went into the temple. He began to drive out the people who were buying and selling in the temple.

⁴⁶ He said to them, `It is written, "My house shall be a place where people talk with God." But you have made it a place for people who steal!'

⁴⁷ He taught in the temple every day. The chief priests, scribes and the leaders of the people wanted to kill him.

⁴⁸ But they did not find any way they could do it. All the people stayed around to hear what Jesus said.