The Enhanced Collated Synoptic Record

1:1 A book of life beginning the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of Abraham, Son of David, Son of God.

2 Considering that many have attempted to compose a narration arranging historical facts concerning those certain things that have been fully established for us in our presence, as those constituted eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word have conveyed/committed/entrusted to us through injunction and instruction, 3 it seemed right, good and proper for me also — having followed and closely traced all things diligently and accurately from the beginning — to write to you these preliminaries in consecutive order, most excellent lover of God, 4 so that you can know the truth, and the certainty of all those things which you have been taught.

5 The genealogy of Jesus Messiah: Adam, created by God, fathered Seth who replaced his former son, Abel, who was slain by his own brother, Cain; 6 And Seth fathered Enos, and Enos fathered Cainan, and Cainan fathered Mahalalel, and Mahalalel fathered Jared, and Jared fathered Enoch whom God took, because he walked in step with Him. 7 And Enoch fathered Methuselah, and Methuselah fathered Lamech, and Lamech fathered Noah, who found favor in the eyes of God, and who weathered the flood with his family. 8 And Noah fathered Shem, and Shem fathered Arphaxad, and Arphaxad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber, and Eber fathered Peleg, in whose days the land masses were divided. 9 And Peleg fathered Reu, and Reu fathered Serug, and Serug fathered Nahor, and Nahor fathered Terah, and Terah fathered the patriarch Abraham, 10 who fathered the Jewish peoples through Isaac, and the Arabic peoples through Ishmael — people who disagree to this day over the right to the land promised to Abraham and his seed. 11 To Abraham was given the sign of circumcision due to his faith in God with its resultant compliant obedience; 12 for God tested the faith of Abraham, and told him after he obediently offered up to him his only legitimately begotten son, Isaac, in faith, 13 “By myself I have sworn, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son from me — your only legitimate son, Isaac: 14 that in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore. 15 And your Seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in your Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. 16 Grieve not because of Ishmael and his mother, for in Isaac shall your seed be called; and also of Ishmael, the son of Hagar, the slave woman, will I make a great nation because he is also of your loins.” 17 Therefore Abraham is called the spiritual father of all those who are people of like faith and obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord — the Messiah — the Seed of the woman, and the only-begotten Son of our Lord God, YHWH.

18 Isaac thereafter fathered Jacob, who inherited the land which is designated Israel after his divinely given new name; for he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord and prevailed with him. 19 And Jacob fathered Judah and his brethren, of whom it was said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from his loins, until Messiah come; and to Him shall be the gathering of the people.” 20 And Judah fathered Perez and Zarah through Tamar, the daughter in law who played the harlot because Judah was to give to her his son, Shelah, but did not. 21 And Perez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Aram, and Aram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon, 22 and Salmon fathered Boaz of Rahab, the Gentile harlot of Jericho — and Boaz took the Moabite widow Ruth to wife, and fathered Obed. And Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David, the King of Israel who wrote most of the Psalms.

2:1 And King David fathered Nathan, and Nathan fathered Mattathah, and Mattathah fathered Menan, and Menan fathered Melea, 2 and Melea fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Jonan, and Jonan fathered Joseph, and Joseph fathered Judah, and Judah fathered Simeon, 3 and Simeon fathered Levi, and Levi fathered Matthat, and Matthat fathered Jorim, and Jorim fathered Eliezer, and Eliezer fathered Jose, and Jose fathered Er, and Er fathered Elmodam, 4 and Elmodam fathered Cosam, and Cosam fathered Addi, and Addi fathered Melchi, and Melchi fathered Neri, and Neri fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel fathered Rhesa, 5 and Rhesa fathered Joanan, and Joanan fathered Judah, and Judah fathered Joseph, and Joseph fathered Semei, and Semei fathered Mattathiah, 6 and Mattathiah fathered Maath, and Maath fathered Naggai, and Naggai fathered Esli, and Esli fathered Nahum, and Nahum fathered Amos, and Amos fathered Mattathiah, and Mattathiah fathered Joseph, 7 and Joseph fathered Janna, and Janna fathered Melchi, and Melchi fathered Levi, and Levi fathered Matthat, and Matthat fathered Heli who had only daughters. 8 And Heli adopted as a son his espoused daughter’s husband, Joseph, according to the law which says that if a man has no sons, if his daughter marries within the tribe, her husband inherits what would have been hers. Espoused to Mary, Joseph was his son as reckoned by law. And Joseph was ostensibly yet mistakenly presumed by some to be the father of Jesus Christ — the Messiah — the Seed of the woman.

10 Now Jacob was also from the lineage of King David. 11 Beside Nathan, King David also fathered King Solomon by the Gentile wife Bathsheba. 12 King Solomon then fathered Rehoboam, and Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa, and Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah, 13 and Uzziah fathered Jotham, and Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah, and Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, and Manasseh fathered Amon, 14 and Amon fathered Josiah, and Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. 15 And after the Babylonian exile Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, and Abiud fathered Abner, and Abner fathered Eliakim, 16 and Eliakim fathered Azor, and Azor fathered Zadok, and Zadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud, 17 and Eliud fathered Eleazar, and Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob, 18 and Jacob fathered Joseph — the husband to be of the virgin Mary, of whom was born the Messiah by means of the Holy Spirit.

19 So, by genealogy, Jesus Christ — the Messiah — is legal heir to the throne of David through these parallel lineages of his mother, Mary, and Joseph, his surrogate father. And his flesh also came from the tribe of Judah by means of the virgin Mary who was espoused to Joseph. 20 So there are ten generations from Adam to Noah, and ten generations from Noah to Abraham, 21 and fourteen generations from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian captivity, and fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to the Messiah.

3:1 There was in the days of Herod the Great, king of Judaea, circa B.C. 5, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia, which was a weekly allotted rotational service for the Jewish temple. 2 And his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 3 They were both just and righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 4 They were childless, because Elizabeth was barren; and also they were both well advanced with respect to age.

5 And it happened that during the course of his officiating as priest in the presence of God, entering into the temple of the Lord according to priestly custom, it was his turn to burn incense. 6 And the whole multitude of people were praying outside during the time of the incense. 7 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 8 And seeing this, Zachariah was shaken, and fear fell upon him. 9 But the angel said to him, “Be not frightened, Zachariah, but relax, in as much as God has heard and received your prayer. 10 And your wife, Elizabeth, will bear to you a son; and you shall call his name ‘John.’ 11 He shall be your exultation and gladness, and many will be full of joy over his birth, because he will be great, important, and of moment in the presence and estimation of the Lord. 12 And he may not at all drink wine nor strong drink, but he will be filled with, and under the full influence of, the Holy Spirit — even from his mother’s womb. 13 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel toward the Lord their God. 14 And he will immediately precede Him as a forerunner and precursor in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, 15 to turn around and bring back father’s hearts toward their children, and to turn disobedient, noncompliant and resistant persons into righteous, correct, proper persons with common sense, a thoughtful frame and right mindedness — 16 to make ready a multitude of people prepared for the Lord.”

17 And Zachariah said to the angel, “By what shall I be assured concerning this thing? 18 For I am a person advanced in years, and my wife is advanced in her days also.” 19 And responding the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel — the one who has stood before God in attendance; and I was enlisted and sent forth to speak to you, and to proclaim to you these glad tidings. 20 But lo and behold: you shall remain silent and unable to speak until the day these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words which will be realized in their own time.”

21 Now the people were expecting Zachariah to emerge, and they marveled at his delay in the temple; 22 but eventually coming out he was unable to speak to them, and they knew that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he was gesturing to them and remained dumb. 23 And it happened that when his term of service was completed, he left and went to his house. 24 And after those days, Elizabeth, his wife conceived, and concealed herself for five months saying, 25 “The Lord has thus put into execution and brought to pass for me my present estate wherein at this time he favorably looked upon me for to take away my reproach and disgrace among men,” — for it was a shame in her day not to be able to bear children.

4:1 Now in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was also sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin who had been betrothed, even affianced for wife, to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house/family of David. 2 The name of the virgin was Mary, being about fourteen years old. 3 And entering her presence the angel said, “Be rejoicing! 3 You have been freely favored with gracious visitation; for the Lord is with you! 4 And you have become the object of favor and blessing among women!” 5 And seeing the angel, she became greatly troubled at his words, and was pondering what kind of greeting this might be.

6 And the angel said to her, “Be not frightened, Mary, but relax; for you have won favor and acceptance with God. Now pay attention! 7 You will conceive in your womb and become pregnant; and you shall bring forth and bear a son, and you shall call his name ‘Jesus.’ 8 This One will be great, weighty, important, extraordinary, distinguished, and of moment; and he will be regarded, even named ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will assign to him, and commit to his charge, the throne of David — his remote progenitor; 9 and he shall possess regal authority, and reign over the house of Jacob forever; and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

10 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not intimately nor carnally known a male?”

11 And responding, the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will immediately come upon you with respect and purpose, and the miraculous power of the Most High will shed influence upon you, on which account that holy, pure, consecrated child being born of you will even be called ‘the Son of God.’ 12 And lo! Elizabeth, your kinswoman: she has also conceived and become pregnant with a son in her old age; 13 and for the one being regarded/designated as barren — unable to bear children — this is her sixth month; 14 for regarding each declaration of God, not one will be rendered powerless, nor impossible.”

15 And Mary said, “Behold the Lord’s slave: may it be to me according to your promise.” And the angel departed from her.

5:1 And in these days, rising up, Mary quickly journeyed into the hill country to a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. 2 And it occurred that as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was controlled and under the full influence of the Holy Spirit; and she exclaimed with a loud voice, 3 “Favored are you among women; and blessed is the Fruit of your womb! 4 From where originates this circumstance: that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 5 For, behold, as the sound of your salutation came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped in extreme joy. 6 And the one believing, is fortunate; for there shall be a fulfillment to the declarations of the Lord to her.”

7 And Mary said, “My soul is extolling the Lord; and my spirit has celebrated in the presence of God, my Savior; for he has compassionately regarded with favor and kindness his lowly handmaiden. 8 For behold, from this time on, all generations will pronounce me happy, and deem me fortunate! 9 For God Almighty has done great and wonderful things for me; and holy is his Name. 10 And his mercy, pity and compassion has extended to generations of progeny — even on to those reverencing and reverentially fearing him. 11 He displayed might with his arm. 12 He confused the presumptuous, haughty and arrogant in the thought function of their minds. 13 He degraded the power of princes, and deposed sovereigns and potentates from dominion, and exalted the lowly and humble. 14 He filled and satisfied the hungering and desirous with good, beneficent things; and he sent away empty-handed those that are rich and satiated. 15 He assisted Israel his servant to be mindful of the benefit resulting from mercy and kindness — even as he declared to our fathers — to Abraham and to his progeny forever.” 16 And Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her house.

6:1 Now, in this way began the nativity of Jesus Christ: for Mary, his mother, being betrothed/affianced to Joseph, was found out/discovered to be pregnant with child through the efficient, causative means of the Holy Spirit prior to their physical union. 2 And Joseph — her man — being just, yet unwilling to make a public spectacle of her, nor to expose her to ignominy and shame, intended to mercifully dismiss her in secret because of the potential for scandal which could dog the family for generations. 3 But while he meditated — pondering these things in his mind — lo, an angel of the Lord appeared at the same time, like as in a dream, saying, 4 “Joseph Ben David, you should not be reluctant to take Mary to your side and receive her as your wife; 5 for that begotten in her — what she has conceived of the Holy Spirit — is consecrated, holy — set apart from that which is common or profane. 6 And she will surely bring forth a son, and you shall call his name ‘Jesus;’ 7 for he will certainly set his people free from the slavery/bondage of their ineptitudes, errors, offenses, and sins.”

8 Now all this happened so that that spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, saying: “Behold! The Lord himself will give you a sign: 9 the virgin will with certainty conceive and bring forth a Son — one foreign to her environment — and they will call his name ‘Immanuel,’” which is translated: ‘God is with us.’ 10 And Joseph, being thoroughly awakened from his sleep, obediently did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, though it would mean years of enduring the penalty and discomfort of a scandalous reputation, and accepted her as his wife, 11 and did not know her carnally until after the time when she brought forth her firstborn son; and he then called his name ‘Jesus,’ which means, ‘YHWH SAVES.’ 12 The prophet Isaiah has indeed confirmed this in saying, “To us a child is born; to us a son is given; and the governing of our lives shall be upon his shoulder: 13 and his name shall be called, ‘Wonderful,’ ‘Counselor,’ ‘The Mighty God,’ ‘The Eternal Originator,’ ‘The Prince of Peace.’ 14 Of the increase of his government and peace is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on — even forever. 15 The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.”

7:1 Now it was early spring of B.C. 4, and Elizabeth’s time to bear was brought to a close, and she gave birth to a son. 2 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and they rejoiced with her. 3 And it was on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child, and they kept calling him by the name of his father, ‘Zachariah.’ 4 But his mother insisted, “No way! He shall be called ‘John.’” 5 And they said to her, “Not one of your kindred/relatives is called by this name.” 6 And they gestured to his father what he might want him to be called. 7 And asking for a tablet he wrote saying: “His name is John.” 8 And all marveled. And instantly his mouth was opened, and his tongue released, and he spoke, eulogizing God. 9 And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and all these facts were rumored in all the hill country of Judea. 10 All those hearing, retained it in mind, saying, “What then will this child be?” 11 And the Lord’s hand was with him.

12 And his father, Zachariah, was controlled and under the full influence of the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 13 “Worthy of praise and blessing be the Lord — the God of Israel: 14 for he graciously intervened, causing deliverance and liberation to take place for his people. 15 And he caused a Horn of salvation to arise for us in the house of his servant, David, even as he spoke by his holy prophets of old — 16 a deliverance from our adversaries, and from the hand of those regarding us with ill will: 17 to fulfill his kindness, blessing and mercy in our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant — the solemn oath which he swore to our father Abraham: 18 to fearlessly supply to us out of the hand of our enemies, while at the same time receiving rescue from them for to render to him homage, service and worship in piety, holiness and virtue — in his presence, all of the days of our life. 19 And you, child, will be called ‘a prophet of the Most High;’ 20 for you will precede the personal appearance of the Lord: in order to prepare and make ready his way: 21 in order to bring out and teach salvation for his people through the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender feelings of mercy, pity and compassion in the heart of our God. 22 Wherefore the Dawn from the height above has visited us with gracious interposition: to illuminate those dwelling in the realm of thickest darkness and in the imminent deathly shadow: 23 to direct and guide our feet aright into a course pursuing felicity and every type of good and blessing.” 24 And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and remained in the rural areas until the day of his revelation to the people of Israel in the summer of A.D. 26.

8:1 Now it was in those days, while Herod the Great was still King, that there went out a timely decree from Caesar Augustus that all of the inhabited earth was to be registered. 2 This was the first registration, made when Quirinius was governing Syria, and all went to be registered, each one into their own town. 3 And in the fall of B.C. 4, near the time of the feast of tabernacles which signifies the clothing of God with flesh, 4 Joseph also went up out of the town of Nazareth of Galilee into Judea, to the town of David which is called Bethlehem — he being of the house/family of David — 5 in order to be registered together with Mary, who, being pregnant, was betrothed/affianced to him for wife. 6 And it occurred while they were there that her days for delivering were completed, and she brought forth her firstborn son; 7 and she wrapped him in swaddling-cloths; and she then laid him in the feed trough of a livestock cave they stayed in, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And there were shepherds in the same countryside — remaining out in the open — keeping guard over their flock that night. And behold, 9 an angel of the Lord suddenly came upon them; and the dazzling luster and radiance of the Lord shone all around them; and they became terrified with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; but relax! For behold, I am proclaiming good news which will be a great joy to all the people; 11 for a Savior is presently born to you all in the town of David, who is Christ, the Lord! 12 And this is your sign: you will find a babe that has been wrapped in swaddling-cloths, lying in a feed trough.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God above; and on earth peace towards approved/sanctioned individuals.”

15 And as the angels departed from them into heaven, it occurred that those men — even the shepherds — said to one another, 16 “Let us in earnest proceed to Bethlehem so that we might now see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has declared, even revealed to us.” 17 And hurrying they came, and by diligently searching they found both Mary and Joseph — and the babe lying in the manger. 18 And upon witnessing this, though the testimony of shepherds as a class of people was not highly regarded, they told abroad all about the declaration spoken to them concerning this child; 19 and all those hearing them marveled about the things that were told to them by these shepherds; 20 but Mary retained all these sayings, turning them over in her mind; 21 and the shepherds went back to their flock, worshipping and praising God over all the things they had seen and heard — even as was spoken for their benefit.

9:1 Now behold, during the days of King Herod the Great, Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, sages from the east, of the Magian religion, arrived and came into Jerusalem, maintaining, 2 “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to fall down and reverence him in worship.” 3 And hearing this, King Herod became consternated, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all of the chief priests and scribes of the people, Herod persistently inquired from them where the Christ — even the Messiah — was being born. 5 And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it has been written and currently says through the prophet Micah, 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem of the land of Judah, you are by no means least in the estimation of the leaders of Judah; 7 for out of you shall proceed to govern he who will rule my people Israel — whose goings forth are from of old, from eternity.’” 8 Then Herod, secretly calling the Magians, carefully and assiduously inquired from them the time of the star’s appearing. 9 And sending them to Bethlehem, he said, “In your going, diligently search out and accurately inquire concerning the babe; and when you find him, report back your findings to me so that I can go; and I will fall down and reverence him in worship also.” 10 And having heard the king, they passed on their way.

11 And behold, the star which they saw in the east went ahead of them until it came and settled above where the infant was. 12 And beholding the star they vehemently rejoiced with intense gladness; 13 and entering into the house they saw the infant with his mother, Mary, and falling down in homage they reverenced him by prostration. 14 Then opening their treasure chests they presented to him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 15 Then they departed, having been divinely instructed by a warning from God in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back a different way into their province.

10:1 Now when the end of eight days had arrived for to circumcise the babe, his name was called ‘Jesus,’ as designated by the angel prior to his conception. 2 And after the days of Mary’s ceremonial purification were completed according to the Law of Moses, 3 they brought him up to Jerusalem to present and consecrate him to the Lord, as it has been written in the Law of the Lord: 4 “Sanctify to me all the firstborn — whatsoever opens the womb among the offspring of Israel — of man and of beast: it is mine;” 5 and to present a sacrifice according to that directed in the Law of the Lord, “If she not be able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.”

6 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, who was an absolutely just and reverentially devout man, anticipating the Consolation of Israel; 7 and the Holy Spirit was upon him; and it occurred to him, having been divinely educated — receiving revelation by means of the Holy Spirit — 8 that he was not to experience death sooner than he can see Messiah — the Christ of the Lord. 9 And he came by the Spirit into the temple, 10 and he intercepted and accepted him into his arms as the parents came to bring in the infant, Jesus, to do according to their customary law concerning him. 11 He praised God and said: “Sovereign Lord, now be permitting your slave to die in peace according to your promise; 12 for my eyes have beheld your Salvation which you have prepared and made ready in the face of all peoples: 13 a Light for the spiritual enlightenment of the heathen peoples, and a crowning Glory of your people Israel.” 14 And Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things being said concerning him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, 15 “Behold, this child has been solemnly appointed and specially placed for the rise and fall of many in Israel — 16 even destined as a signal Character to be decried and denigrated. 17 Yea regarding you, woman: a pang of anguish will impale your human soul, in order that the thoughts and intentions of many hearts might be disclosed.”

18 And there was Anna, a prophetess and daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher: she was very old, being a widow of eighty-four years, having lived seven years with a husband from the time of her virginity. 19 She departed not from the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. 20And coming upon them at that same time, she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke about him to all those eagerly expecting Redemption in Jerusalem.

11:1 Now having accomplished all things that were according to the Law of the Lord, they departed to their home. 2 Then behold, an angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph through a dream said, “Rise up! Take with you the child and his mother and flee into Egypt; and stay there until I can tell you more; 3 for Herod is about to seek the babe, intending to destroy him.” 4 So rising up, he took the babe and his mother, and departed into Egypt by night, and stayed there until Herod’s demise, 5 in order that the thing spoken by the Lord through the prophet Hosea might be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 6 Then Herod, seeing that he was trifled with by the Magians, became greatly angered and passionately enraged, 7 and through the means of sending forth soldiers, he truly up and murdered all the male children from two years old and under in Bethlehem and all of its districts, according to the ascertained time which he assiduously inquired of the Magians. 8 Then that spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying, “A cry was heard in Ramah: shrieking, weeping, bitter lamentation and wailing; Rachel, weeping for her children, refused to be comforted, because they were not.”

9 And behold, Herod having after died, an angel of the Lord, appearing to Joseph in Egypt through a dream, said, “Rise up! Take along the child and his mother and go back into the land of Israel; for those seeking the life of the child have died.” 10 So, rising up, he took along the child and his mother and came into the land of Israel. 11 But hearing that Archelaus was reigning as ethnarch over Judea in place of his father Herod, he became apprehensive, anxious and reluctant to go there; 12 so receiving concessive revelation from God through a dream, he withdrew into the area of Galilee, 13 and arriving, he stayed and settled in the town called Nazareth, that it might receive fulfillment which was spoken by the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” 14 And the babe grew, and acquired spiritual strength, becoming consummate in wisdom; and the influence and graciously bestowed endowment of God was upon him.

15 Now Jesus’ parents journeyed into Jerusalem annually for the feast of Passover. And one time, when he was twelve years old, they went up themselves to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And having reaching the end of its days, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. 16 Now Joseph and Mary did not know, but supposing him to be in their company, they went a day’s journey, and then later looked for him among their relatives and friends. 17 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him. 18 And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. 19 And all those hearing him were beside themselves with interest — amazed and astonished at his comprehension, discernment, intelligence, understanding, sagaciousness — even his responses. 20 But seeing him, his parents were struck; and his mother said to him, “Child, why did you do this to us? See, your father and I have been searching for you in agony.” 21 And he said to them, “Why have you been searching for me? Should you not have known that I must be in the place of my Father?” 22 But they did not thoroughly comprehend nor understand the saying which he spoke to them; so he went with them and returned to Nazareth where he remained subject to them. 23 And his mother carefully treasured all his sayings in her mind; and Jesus advanced in his knowledge and wisdom, and his stature, and his favor and acceptance with God and men.

12:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate presiding as prefect over Judaea, and Herod Antipas ruling as tetrarch over Galilee, and his brother Philip ruling as tetrarch over the regions of Ituraea and Trachonitis, 2 and Lysanias ruling as tetrarch over Abilene, at the time of high-priests Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came upon John in the desert, who was the son of Zacharias. 3 And in those days — the summer of A.D. 26 — John came to the inhabitants publicly preaching and baptizing in the wilderness of Judaea, in all the region round about the Jordan, 4 proclaiming a baptism of repentance because of the forgiveness of sins, saying, “Repent — turn and make a change in principle and practice — for heaven’s kingdom has drawn near!” 5 For wherever the king was, there was the kingdom; and this one baptizing was he that was spoken of, even as it has been written of him in the book of the words of the prophets, saying, 6 “Behold, I send my messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You — 7 a voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord — make His paths straight. 8 Every valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; 9 and the crooked ways shall be turned into straight, and the rough ways into smooth; and all flesh shall see the Salvation of God.”

10 And John himself was clothed with a garment made from camel’s hair, and his loins were girt about with a leather belt; and he did eat, and his food was locusts, cakes and wild honey. 11 And then there went out to him all those of the Judean country-side, and all they of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants in all the region round about the Jordan River, 12 and they were all being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins, and participating in the results thereof.

13 Now it came to pass in those days when all the people were being baptized, that Jesus came forth from Nazareth of Galilee down to the Jordan on to John to be baptized by him also. 14 But John wanted to hinder him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?!” 15 But answering Jesus said to him, “Allow me now: for thus it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” 16 Then he allowed him also. And Jesus, as he was being baptized, immediately came up out of the water praying, 17 and John saw the heavens torn open for him, and the Spirit of God descending, alighting upon him in a bodily form like a dove: 18 and a voice occurred out of the heavens, saying, “You are my Son — the Beloved; in you I am delighted.”

13:1 And Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was driven forth by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness with the wild beasts, to be tempted by Satan. 2 And he ate nothing in those days; for he had fasted forty days and forty nights. And when the days were completed he afterward hungered. 3 And the Tempter came, and this devil said to him, “Since you are the Son of God, command this stone that it become a loaf.” 4 But Jesus answered him and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the Devil took and led him into the holy city, Jerusalem, and he set him upon the wing of the temple, and said to him, 6 “Since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here: for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge concerning you, to guard you; and, on their hands shall they bear you up, lest perchance you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 And Jesus answering him said, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the Devil took and led him up onto an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all of the kingdoms of the world and their glory in a moment of time. 9 And the Devil said to him, “I will give you authority over all of these things and their glory: for it has been delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will to give it. 10 Therefore, if you will fall down and worship before me, it shall all be yours.” 11 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get out of here, Satan; for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” 12 And when the Devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until a more opportune time. 13 And Jesus himself, when he began ministering, was about thirty years of age. And it was of him that Moses did write, 14 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet from out of the midst of you — of your brothers — like me; to him shall you attentively hear and obey.”

15 Now meanwhile, when John the Baptist saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming out with the multitudes that went down to be baptized by him, 16 he therefore said to them, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 17 Produce fruits worthy of repentance, therefore, and do not even think to begin to say within/among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ 18 For I say to you, that God is able to raise up offspring to Abraham out of these very stones. 19 And even now the axe is already laid at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree not producing good fruit will be cut down, and cast into the fire.” 20 And the multitudes asked him, saying, “What then shall we do?” 21 And he answered and said to them, “He having two garments, let him impart to the one having none; and the one having foods, let him do likewise.” 22 And there came also tax collectors to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 23 And he said to them, “Be exacting no more than that which has been appointed you.” 24 And soldiers in service also asked him, saying, “And we, what shall we do?” 25 And he said to them, “You should extort nothing by harassment, intimidation, oppression or violence, neither should you falsely, wrongfully or insidiously accuse nor inform against anyone; and be satisfied with your provisions.” 26 And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their minds concerning John, whether perchance he were Christ — the Messiah — John answered, saying to them all, 27 “I indeed baptize you in water for repentance; but after me is coming he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy nor fit to stoop down and unloose — let alone bear. 28 He whose fan is in his hand shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit — even with fire; 29 and he will thoroughly purge his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into his storehouse; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 30 With many other exhortations therefore proclaimed John the good news to the people.

14:1 Now in December of A.D. 27, Herod Antipas, the tetrarch over Galilee and Perea, being reproved by John for having Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all of the other evil things which he had done, yet added this on top of all: that he shut up John in prison. 2 And when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he came in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom, saying, 3 “The time has been fulfilled, and God’s kingdom has come. Repent — make a turning change in principle and practice — and be giving credence to the good news!” 4 And fame concerning him went out through all the region round about, and he taught in their synagogues, being recognized by all. 5 But Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

6 And Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been brought up as a child: and he entered into the synagogue as was his custom on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 7 And there was given to him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the scroll and found the place where it was written — and he read aloud, 8 “The Lord’s Spirit is upon me. For this reason he anointed me: to announce the good news to persons of low estate. 9 He has sent me to spiritually heal the broken and contrite in heart: to publicly announce release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind: 10 to liberate with deliverance those who have been cruelly crushed and oppressively shattered: to publicly announce an era of propitious acceptance by the Lord…” 11 And he closed the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 12 And then he began to speak to them, saying, “Today, for your advantage, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 13 And all bore witness to him by saying, “Amen;” and they marveled at the words of grace proceeding from his mouth: and they said, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” 14 And then he said to them, “Surely you will all quote this parable to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself. Do also here in your native territory those things that we heard were happening in Capernaum.’” 15 And then he said, “Truly, I say to you, that no prophet is approved and accepted in his native country. 16 Yet truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when a great famine came on all the land — when the heavens were shut up over three years and six months — yet Elijah was sent to not even one of them, but to a widow woman in Zerephath of Sidon. 17 And there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; and not one of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 18 Hearing that God had blessed Gentiles who accepted the prophets, when those of Israel did not, all those in the synagogue became passionately enraged, and were under the full influence of wrath upon hearing these things; 19 and rising up they forcibly ejected him out of the city, and drove him up even to the edge of the precipice upon which their town was built in order to cast him down headlong, 20 but passing through their midst, he departed, going on his way.

15:1 And leaving Nazareth, Jesus came and stayed in Capernaum, which is by the Sea of Galilee, within the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, 2 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, who said, “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way by the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 3 The people which sat in darkness saw a great Light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, to them did Light spring up.” 4 And Jesus continued to preach saying, “Repent! For heaven’s kingdom has come.” 5 And walking, passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he encountered Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, casting nets into the sea. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I will make you to become fishers of men.” 7 And immediately they left their nets and went with him. 8 And it came to pass that as he was teaching, a multitude of people pressed in upon him, hearing the word of God, and Jesus saw some boats by the shore that the fishermen had come out of while tending to their nets. 9 And he entered into one of them which happened to be Simon Peter’s, and he asked him to put out a little from the shore. 10 And Jesus sat down and taught the multitudes from out of the boat. 11 And when he had left off speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a haul.” 12 And Simon answered and said, “Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing — yet because you said to, we will let down the nets.” 13 And when in obedience they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes such that their nets were breaking; 14 and they beckoned to their partners, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who had also been in their father’s boat mending nets, that they should come and help them. 15 And they came and filled both boats so much so that they began to sink. 16 And Simon Peter, having seen this, fell at the knees of Jesus in the boat saying, “Depart from me, Lord; for I am a sinful man!” 16 For he and all those with him were seized with astonishment at the haul of fish they all caught; and so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Fear not. From this moment on you will be catching men alive.” 18 And when they had brought their boats in, they abandoned everything and went with Jesus.

16:1 Now being in Capernaum of Galilee, immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered into the synagogue and was teaching the people there, saying,

2 “Blessed are the religiously impoverished, who have nothing to offer God, and who humbly and contritely realize their spiritual need; for the kingdom of God can indeed be yours. 3 But woe to all of you that are religiously enriched, who think that their own religiosity can buy their way into the kingdom; for you have your comfort and enjoyment in full already.

4 “Blessed are those having now a profoundly deep and consuming hunger that longingly desires true spirituality in earnest; for you all shall be filled full and completely satisfied. 5 But woe to those of you that have been filled to the brim with self righteousness, self-satisfied with your own spirituality already; for you all shall be consumed with a gnawing hunger, being desirous of true spirituality.

6 “Blessed are those presently weeping, overwhelmed with sadness and mourning over their sinful condition, and being oppressed by their inherent sinfulness; for you all shall be happy and rejoice with exuberant joy because of forgiveness. 7 But woe to those of you now laughing, and happily rejoicing without care, thinking that you have got it all together spiritually; for you all shall eventually mourn, wail and weep without hope or remedy.

8 “Blessed are you when you are spurned as unpopular, and when men may dislike and hate you, and when they may ostracize and segregate you, and may insult you with opprobrious language, and when they begin to reject your name with vitriolic contempt as malevolent on account of the Son of man. 9 Be glad in that day and jump for joy, for look: great is your reward in heaven! For according to these things did the Jew’s fathers to the prophets. 10 But woe to you all when you are popular for being all things to all men, and when all men without exception speak well of you because of compromise; for according to this did the Jew’s fathers to the false prophets.

11 “And I say to all you who may be listening: lovingly care for your enemies. 12 Practice what is good and right to those disliking you. 13 Speak well towards those imprecating evil upon you. And try praying for those who harass and insult you. 14 To those slapping you on the cheek, offer the other also. 15 And from those taking away your shirt, try not to withhold the under-garment also. 16 And be giving to everyone asking of you. 17 And from those taking away your things, do not demand them back. 18 And as you are willing that men might be doing to you, do also to them likewise.

19 “And if you all perchance lovingly care for those who are lovingly caring for you, what thanks is there due to you? For even the sinners are lovingly caring for those who are lovingly caring for them. 20 And if you perchance do good to those doing good to you, what thanks is there due to you? For even the sinners do the same. 21 And if you perchance lend money to him from whom you confidently expect to recover it, what thanks is there due to you? For even the sinners are lending money to other sinners in order that they might receive back the same. 22 But be continually seeking the highest good of, and selflessly caring for, your enemies — valuing, esteeming and manifesting genuine concern for them. 23 And be doing good. 24 And be lending money, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great; and you will be mature sons of the Most High, 25 because he is kind and gracious to the ungrateful and the wicked. 26 Become merciful then, even as your Father also is merciful.

27 “Do not be continually judging, needlessly assuming censorial power over people, or calling others to account, and you all will in no way be so judged or censored. 28 Do not be continually condemning, unduly giving judgment against people or unfairly sentencing others, and you shall in no way be condemned. 29 Keep on forgiving, and you will most certainly be forgiven. For without exception you all are damaged goods.

30 “Keep on giving, and there will most certainly be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over; thus shall men give into the bosom of your apron; 31 but the same measure which you are giving will be measured to you in return.”

32 And he spoke a parable to them: “A blind person is not able to be guiding a blind person. Will they not both fall down into a pit? 33 A disciple does not supersede the teacher; but being thoroughly adjusted, all disciples will certainly be like the teacher.

34 “And why are you observing the sliver in the eye of your brother, while you are failing to discern the board in your own eye? 35 Or how are you able to be saying to your brother, “Brother, may I be allowed to take out the sliver that is in your eye?” while you yourself are not noticing the board in your own eye? 36 You hypocrite! First extract the board that is in your own eye, and then you will certainly be able to see clearly enough to remove the sliver that is in the eye of your brother.

37 “Now, there are no good trees producing rotten fruit, nor bad trees producing good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit: 38 for men are not gathering figs out of thorn-bushes, nor harvesting grapes out of a bramble. 39 The upright man out of the virtuous, precious deposit in the core of his inner being brings forth good; 40 And the wicked man out of the malignant, worthless deposit in the core of his inner being brings forth evil; 41 And out of the abundance of the core of a man’s inner being his mouth consistently speaks.

42 “Now why are you calling me ‘Lord, Lord,’ while you are not doing that which I say? 43 Anyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will suggest to you whom he is like: 44 he is like a man building a house, who excavated down deep, and set its foundation upon the bedrock. 45 And it happened that the torrent of a flood came up against that house, but could not disturb it, for it had been established upon the bedrock. 46 But the one hearing but not doing, is like to a man having built a house on the ground without a foundation: upon which burst the torrent — and it fell at once — and great was the ruin of that house.” 47 And when he finished all of his brief words in the ears of the people, they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them with authority, and not as the scribes.

17:1 Now in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit — an unclean demon — and he cried out with a loud voice saying, “Ah! What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? 2 Are you here to destroy us? I know you — who you are — the Holy One of God!” 3 And Jesus rebuked it saying, “Shut up and come out of him!” 4 And when the unclean demon had thrown him down in their midst, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, it came out of him having done the man no real harm. 5 And amazement came upon them all, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? New teaching! 6 And with authority and power he commands even the unclean spirits! They obey him and come out!” 7 And his fame and rumors at once spread out everywhere throughout the whole area of Galilee. 8 And then when Jesus had come out of the synagogue with his disciples, they came and entered into the house of Andrew and Simon Peter, with James and John. 9 And Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick, and was in the grip of a great fever; and immediately they told him of her and asked him to help her. 10 And he came and stood over her and took her by the hand and raised her up. 11 He rebuked the fever and the fever left her, and she immediately ministered to their needs. 12 And when evening had come, when the sun was setting, all they that had any that were sick with various diseases, and any that were demon possessed, they brought them to him. 13 And the whole town was gathered together at the door. 14 And he healed the many that were sick with various diseases, and he cast the demons out of those that were possessed, which cried out saying, “You are the Son of God!” 15 And rebuking them he did not allow them to speak further, because they knew him, that he was Christ, the Messiah. 16 Thus it was fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet saying, “He took our infirmities upon himself, and he bore our diseases.”

18:1 Now in the morning — long before it was day — Jesus rose up, went out, and departed into a deserted place, and there he was praying. 2 And Simon and they that were with him later followed after him. 3 And when they found him they said to him, “All are seeking you.” 4 And just then the multitudes that sought after him, caught up and came to him also, and desired to detain him in order that he should not leave them. 5 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom to the other towns as well; for it is for this reason that I was sent.” 6 He then said to his disciples, “Let us move on to the next place that I may preach there also. This is my objective.” 7 And Jesus went into the synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

8 And it came to pass while he was in one of those towns that there came to him a man full of leprosy; 9 and when he saw Jesus, he knelt down, fell on his face and besought him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 10 And being moved with compassion, Jesus stretched forth his hand and touched him, saying, “I will it. Be made clean.” 11 And immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean. 12 And Jesus began sternly charging him, and immediately sent him out, saying, “See to it that you say nothing to anyone: but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things commanded by Moses as a testimony to them.” 13 But the man went out and began to greatly publish it, spreading the matter abroad insomuch that great multitudes came together to him from every quarter to hear him and be healed of their infirmities. 14 Therefore, Jesus could not any more enter openly into any town, so he withdrew into deserted places and prayed.

19:1 After some days, Jesus entered again into Capernaum, and it came to pass as he was teaching, that it was noised abroad that he was in a certain house. 2 And many were gathered together who had come out of every place, from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem, so that there was no longer any room, no, not even about the door. 3 And there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law which also did sit; and Jesus spoke the word of God to them, and the power of the Lord was with him so that he could heal. 4 And behold, four men came and brought to him a man that was paralyzed and laid out upon a cot; and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. 5 And when they found that they could not bring him in near to him because of the press of the crowd, they went up to the housetop and uncovered the roof, removing the tiles over where Jesus was. 6 And when they had finished breaking it up, they let down through the tiles the cot upon which the paralytic lay into the midst of the crowd before Jesus. 7 And Jesus, seeing their faith, happily said to the paralytic, “Son, rejoice. Your sins are forgiven.” 8 But notice, there were certain of the scribes and Pharisees sitting there who began to reason within their minds, saying, “Why does this man speak this way? He blasphemes! Only God can forgive sins!” 9 And Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, responded and said to them, “Why do you reason these things and thus think evil in your minds? 10 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you?’ Or to say, ‘Arise. Take up your cot and walk?’ 11 But so that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he then said to the paralytic — “I say to you, Arise! Take up your cot, and go to your house.” 12 And the man immediately rose up, took up that upon which he lay, went forth in the presence of all, and departed to his house glorifying God. 13 And when the multitudes saw this, fear and amazement gripped them all; and they glorified God, saying, “We have never seen this before! We have seen a miracle today!”

14 And after these things Jesus went forth again by the side of the sea; and all the multitudes came to him and he taught them. 15 Then as he passed by from there, he noticed and looked searchingly at a man who was called Matthew — a tax collector sir-named Levi, the son of Alphaeus — sitting at the tolling place. 16 And he said to him, “Follow me.” And immediately he arose, forsook all, and followed him. 17 And Levi made Jesus a great feast in his house. 18 And it came to pass that as Jesus reclined to eat in the house, behold, there was a great multitude of tax collectors, sinners and others that also came and reclined to eat with Jesus and his disciples — for there were many, and they all followed him. 19 And when the Pharisees and scribes among them saw that he was eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they murmured amongst themselves and against him and his disciples and said, 20 “He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners! Why do you and your Master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 21 And when Jesus heard it, looking, he said to them, “Those that are strong and healthy have no need of a physician, only those that are weak with illness. 22 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but sinners, to repentance.”

20:1 And at that time the disciples of both John the Baptist and the Pharisees happened to be fasting: 2 so some came and said to him, “The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also those of the Pharisees; but your disciples fast not. They eat and drink!” 3 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make the sons of the bride-chamber fast and mourn while the Bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the Bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 4 But the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in those days.” 5 And he also spoke some parables to them: “No one sews an un-shrunk patch of cloth on an old garment, lest the patch shrink and pull away, and a worse tear occurs. 6 No man tears a piece from a new garment and sews it upon an old garment; otherwise, he ruins the new one, and the piece from the new one will not match with the old one. 7 And no man puts new wine into old wine-skins; because the new wine will ferment and burst the skins and spill out — both the wine and the skins will be wasted. 8 New wine must be put into new wine-skins. But no man, having drunk aged wine desires new wine: for he says, ‘The aged is better.’”

9 Now it came to pass that Jesus was going through the grainfields on the Sabbath day, and his disciples were hungry and began to make their way through a field, plucking the ears of maize, rubbing them in their hands as they went, and they did eat. 10 But certain of the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Look! Why do your disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?” 11 And answering, Jesus said to them, “Have you not read even this: what David did when he had need and was hungry, he and they that were with him: 12 how that he entered into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did take and eat the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests alone? 13 Or have you not read in the Law, how that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 14 But I say to you that One greater than the temple is here. 15 If you had known what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” 16 And then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” And he departed from there.

17 And it came to pass on another Sabbath, that Jesus entered again into the synagogue and taught. 18 And behold, there was a man there who had his right hand withered. 19 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath. 20 And they baited him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” hoping they might find a way to accuse him. 21 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this sheep fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? 22 How much greater then in value is a man than a sheep?” 23 And he said to the man that had his hand withered, “Rise up and stand forth in the midst of us.” And he arose and stood forth. 24 Then Jesus said to them all, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?” But they held their peace. 25 Then he deliberately stated, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day!” 26 And when he had looked round about, glowering on them all with anger — while at the same time being grieved at the hardening of their hearts — he said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand!” 27 And he stretched it forth, and his hand was restored, whole, as the other one. 28 And the Pharisees were filled with madness, and immediately went out and took counsel with the Herodians, communing with one another against him, how they might destroy him; but knowing this, Jesus withdrew from there.

21:1 It was early summer, A.D. 28, and Jesus went all about in Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing all manner of diseases, and all manner of sicknesses, among the people. 2 And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought to him all that were sick and gripped with various torments and diseases, the epileptic, the palsied, and demoniacs possessed with demons. 3 He healed them all, and charged them that they should not make him known. 4 And then Jesus, with his disciples, withdrew to the sea; and there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Idumea, and Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan, and all around Tyre and Sidon, 5 so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet who said: “Behold my Child whom I have chosen, my Beloved in whom my soul has delighted: 6 I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall declare judgment to the Gentile nations. He will not quarrel, wrangle, strive, nor holler; nor will anyone hear his cry in the streets. 7 He will certainly not break a reed that has been bent down, crushed or bruised, and he shall not extinguish a smoldering flaxen wick, until he can spread abroad justice and equity resulting in victory. 8 And in his Name will the Gentile nations repose trust and confidence.” And the great multitude, hearing what marvelous things he did, approached him. 9 And he spoke to his disciples that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd lest they should throng him: 10 for he had healed many insomuch that as many as had scourges fell upon him in order that they might touch him. 11 And the unclean spirits, when so ever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God!” 12 And he charged them much that they should not reveal his identity.

13 Now it came to pass in those days that Jesus went up into a mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. 14 And when it was day, he called to himself those whom he desired of his disciples, and they went to him. 15 And he chose and appointed twelve of them, whom also he named apostles, that they might be with him as apprentices, 16 and that he might send them forth to preach in the future, and to have authority to cast out demons. 17 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: the first and oldest, Simon, whom he also surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee; and John the brother of James: and them he surnamed Boanerges, which means ‘Sons of Thunder;’ 18 and Philip and Bartholomew; and Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; and James the son of Alphaeus; and Judas Thaddaeus the son of James; and Simon who is called ‘the Zealot,’ and who became a Cananaean; 19 and Judas Iscariot who eventually became the betrayer who handed Jesus over. 20 And Jesus came down with them, and stood on a level place; and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judaea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 21 and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were delivered; and all the multitudes sought to touch him: for power came forth from him and healed them all.

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