The Parable of Leaven

³³ Another parable spoke he unto them; ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. ³⁴ All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke he not unto them: ³⁵ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.’

Jesus Explains the Parable to His Disciples

³⁶ Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, ‘Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.’ ³⁷ He answered and said unto them, ‘He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; ³⁸ The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; ³⁹ the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰ As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

⁴¹ The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; ⁴² and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The Parable of the Treasure Hid in a Field

⁴⁴ Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and bought that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

⁴⁵ Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: ⁴⁶ who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: ⁴⁸ Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. ⁴⁹ So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, ⁵⁰ and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’

⁵¹ Jesus said unto them, ‘Have you understood all these things?’ They say unto him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ ⁵² Then said he unto them, ‘Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.’ ⁵³ And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.

Jesus Calms a Storm

Mark 4:35-5:43 - And the same day, when the even was come, he said unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’ ³⁶ And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him as he was into the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

³⁷ And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. ³⁸ And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, ‘Master, don’t you care if we perish?’

³⁹ And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ And he said unto them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit

Mark 5:2 – And when he had come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: ⁴ Because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. ⁶ But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, ⁷ And cried with a loud voice, and said, ‘What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the most high God? I adjure you by God, that you torment me not.’

⁸ For he said unto him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.’ ⁹ And he asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion: for we are many.’ ¹⁰ And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. ¹¹ Now there was there near unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. ¹² And all the devils besought him, saying, ‘Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.’

¹³ And with that, Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. ¹⁴ And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

¹⁵ And they came to Jesus, and saw him who was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. ¹⁶ And they that saw it told them how it happened to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. ¹⁷ And they asked him to depart out of their coasts.

¹⁸ And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. ¹⁹ However Jesus suffered him not, but said unto him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you.’

²⁰ And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. ²¹ And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was near unto the sea.

Jesus Heals a Rulers Daughter & Woman’s Issue of Blood

²² And there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, ²³ And besought him greatly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death: I pray you, come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.’

²⁴ And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. ²⁵ And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, ²⁶ And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, ²⁷ When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

 ²⁸ For she said, ‘If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.’ ²⁹ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. ³⁰ And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’

³¹ And his disciples said unto him, ‘You see the multitude thronging you, and say you, Who touched me?’ ³² And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. ³³ But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

 ³⁴ And he said unto her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.’ ³⁵ While he yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, ‘Your daughter is dead: why trouble the Master any further?’ ³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’

³⁷ And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸ And he comes to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. ³⁹ And when he had come in, he said unto them, ‘Why make you this commotion, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleeps.’ ⁴⁰ And they laughed him to scorn.

But when he had put them all out, he takes the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying. ⁴¹ And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, ‘Talitha cumi’; which is, being interpreted, ‘Damsel, I say unto you, arise.’ ⁴² And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. ⁴³ And he charged them strictly that no man should know it; and commanded that they should give her something to eat.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

Matthew 9:24-34 - And when Jesus departed there, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, ‘You Son of David, have mercy on us.’ ²⁸ And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said unto him, ‘Yes, Lord.’

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’ ³⁰ And their eyes were opened; and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, ‘See that no man know it.’ ³¹ But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. ³² As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. ³³ And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes marveled, saying, ‘It was never so seen in Israel.’ ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out devils through the prince of the devils.’

A Prophet is Not without Honor

Mark 6:1-6 – And he went out from there, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. ² And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?’ And they were offended at him. ⁴ But Jesus said unto them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.’

⁵ And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. ⁶ And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Matthew 9:35-11:1 –  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

³⁷ Then said he unto his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.’

¹⁴ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁵ But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ¹⁶ Moreover when you fast, don’t be as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Truly I say unto you: They have their reward.

 ¹⁷ But you, when you fastest, anoint your head, and wash your face, ¹⁸ that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

²² The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light. ²³ But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!  

²⁴ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. ²⁵ Therefore I say unto you: take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what shall you put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? ²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take you thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁹ And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?’ ³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. ³³ But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Judge Not

Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. ³ And why notice you the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?

 ⁵ You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye. ⁶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

⁷ Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸ For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? ¹² Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

¹³ Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ¹⁶ You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ¹⁷ Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

²¹ Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

²⁴ Therefore whoever hears these sayings of my, and does them, I will compare him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: ²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. ²⁶ And every one that hears these sayings of my, and does them not, shall be compared unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ²⁷ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.’ ²⁸ And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, ²⁹ for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Servant

Luke 7:1-10 - Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. ² And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. ³ And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and heal his servant.

⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, ‘He’s worthy for whom he should do this: ⁵ For he loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue.’

⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, ‘Lord, trouble not yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof: ⁷ Neither thought I myself worthy to come unto you: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

⁸ For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.’ ⁹ When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, ‘I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’ ¹⁰ And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

John the Baptist has Doubts About Jesus

Matthew 11:2-30 - Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³ And said unto him, ‘Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?’

⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me.’

⁷ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see; reed shaken with the wind? ⁸ But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ But what did you go out to see; prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.

Jesus Commends John the Baptist

¹¹ Truly I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

¹⁴ And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. ¹⁵ He that has ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁶ But whereunto shall I compare this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, ¹⁷ and saying, ‘We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil. ¹⁹ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.’

Jesus Upbraids Unbelief

²⁰ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: ²¹ ‘Woe unto you, Chorazin! Woe unto you, Bethsaida! For, if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

²² But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the Day of Judgment, than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, which is exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to the grave: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for you.’

²⁵ At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes. ²⁶ Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight. ²⁷ All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither does any man know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

²⁸ Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your lives. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

³⁶ But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. ³⁷ And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.’

Jesus’ Words Testify

³⁸ ‘And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not. ³⁹ Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. ⁴⁰ And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

 ⁴¹ I receive not honor from men. ⁴² But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. ⁴³ I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. ⁴⁴ How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

⁴⁵ Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. ⁴⁶ For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me: for he wrote of me. ⁴⁷ But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?’

Jesus Teaches About the Sabbath

Matthew 12:1-21 - At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. ² But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, ‘Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.’

³ But he said unto them, ‘Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him; ⁴ How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

⁵ Or have you not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? ⁶ But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. ⁷ But if you had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.’

⁹ And when he was departed from there, he went into their synagogue: ¹⁰ And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?’ that they might accuse him.

¹¹ And he said unto them, ‘What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? ¹² How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.’ ¹³ Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch forth your hand.’ And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

¹⁴ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. ¹⁵ But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; ¹⁶ And he charged them that they should not make him known: ¹⁷ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ¹⁸ ‘Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my life is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. ²⁰ A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. ²¹ And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.’

Jesus Commissions His Disciples

Mark 3:13-19 – And he went up into a mountain, and called unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. ¹⁴ And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, ¹⁵ And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

¹⁶ And Simon he surnamed Peter; ¹⁷ And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: ¹⁸ And Andrew, and Philip, and Bareholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, ¹⁹ And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1 - And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: ² And he taught them, saying, ³ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. ¹³ You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted; it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

¹⁷ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say unto you: Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all is fulfilled. ¹⁹ Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.

²⁰ For I say unto you: Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven. ²¹ You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: ²² But I say unto you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of Gehenna fire.

 ²³ Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you; ²⁴ Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ Agree with your adversary quickly, whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. ²⁶ Truly I say unto you: You shall by no means come out of there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.

²⁷ You have heard that it was said by them of old time: You shall not commit adultery: ²⁸ But I say unto you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. ²⁹ And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into Gehenna .

³⁰ And if your right hand offend you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into Gehenna.

³¹ It has been said, whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: ³² But I say unto you, That whoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.

³³ Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform unto the Lord your oaths: ³⁴ But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: ³⁵ Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.

³⁷ But let your communication be: ‘Yes, yes; Nay, nay’: for whatever is more than these comes of evil. ³⁸ You have heard that it has been said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’: ³⁹ But I say unto you, that you resist not evil: but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

⁴⁰ And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴² Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away.

⁴³ You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say unto you: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵ That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

⁴⁶ For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same? ⁴⁷ And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans so? ⁴⁸ Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Beware of Hypocrisy

Matthew 6:1 – Take heed that you do not your good deeds before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. ² Therefore when you do your good deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.

Truly I say unto you: They have their reward. ³ But when you do good deeds, let not your left hand know what your right hand does, ⁴ so your good deeds may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.

 ⁵ And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say unto you: They have their reward.

 ⁶ But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. ⁷ But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁸ Be not you therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him.’

Luke 5:1-11 -And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, ² And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

³ And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. ⁴ Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.’

⁵  And Simon answering said unto him, ‘Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.’ ⁶ And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. ⁷ And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them.

    And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ ⁹ For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: ¹⁰ And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.

 And Jesus said unto Simon, ‘Fear not; from now on you shall catch men.’ ¹¹ And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue in Capernaum

Mark 1:21-2:12 -And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. ²² And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

²³ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, ²⁴ Saying, ‘Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God.’

²⁵ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Hold your peace, and come out of him.’ ²⁶ And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. ²⁷ And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commanded even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.’

²⁸ And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. ²⁹ And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

³¹ And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. ³² And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. ³³ And all the city was gathered together at the door.

³⁴ And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. ³⁵ And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

³⁶ And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. ³⁷ And when they had found him, they said unto him, ‘All men seek for you.’ ³⁸ And he said unto them, ‘Let us go into the next towns so I may preach there also: for that is why I have come.’ ³⁹ And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

⁴⁰ And there came a leper to him, asking him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ ⁴¹ And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, ‘I will; be clean.’

    ⁴² And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. ⁴³ And he straightly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; ⁴⁴ And said unto him, ‘See that you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.’

⁴⁵ But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals in Capernaum

¹ And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was told that he was in the house. ² And straightway many were gathered together so that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

³ And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. ⁴ And when they could not come near unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ⁶ But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷ ‘Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?’

⁸ And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, ‘Why do you reason these things in your hearts? ⁹ Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, ‘Your sins be forgiven you’; or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (and he said to the sick of the palsy,) ¹¹ ‘I say unto you, arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.’

¹² And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this!’

Jesus Calls Matthew

Matthew 9:9-13 - And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, ‘Follow me.’ And he arose, and followed him.

 ¹⁰ And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, ‘Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?’

¹² But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, ‘They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. ¹³ But go and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’

‘New Wine Must Go into New Wine Skins’

Mark 2:18-22 – And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, ‘Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?’

¹⁹ And Jesus said unto them, ‘Can the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ²⁰ But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

²¹ No man also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. ²² And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine does burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.’ 

Jesus Heals the Man at the Pool on the Sabbath

John 5:1-47 – After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

⁴ For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatever disease he had. ⁵ And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he said unto him, ‘Will you be made whole?’

 ⁷ The impotent man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, someone else steps down before me.’ ⁸ Jesus said unto him, ‘Rise, take up your bed, and walk.’

⁹ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. ¹⁰ The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’

¹¹ He answered them, ‘He that made me whole, the same said unto me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ¹² Then asked they him, ‘What man is that which said unto you, Take up your bed, and walk?’ ¹³ And he that was healed did not know who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, ‘Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you.’ ¹⁵ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. ¹⁶ And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father works on it, and I work.’ ¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself

¹⁹ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things so ever he does, these also does the Son likewise. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

²¹ For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom he will. ²² For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son: ²³ That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.

²⁴ Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ²⁵ Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself; ²⁷ And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

²⁸ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, ²⁹ And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ³⁰ I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.’

²⁵ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. ²⁶ And they came unto John, and said unto him, ‘Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.’

²⁷ John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. ²⁹ He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: in this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease. ³¹ He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all. ³² And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.

³³ He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. ³⁴ For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. ³⁶ He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.’

John 4:1-4 - When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, ² (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) ³ He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. ⁴ And he needed to go through Samaria.

Luke 3:19-20 – But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, ²⁰ added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Matthew 4:12 – Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; John 4:5-45 – Then he came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

⁶ Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. ⁷ There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ ⁸ (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

⁹ Then said the woman of Samaria unto him, ‘How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.’ ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.’

¹¹ The woman said unto him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from what then have you that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?’

¹³ Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: ¹⁴ But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’

¹⁵ The woman said unto him, ‘Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come here to draw.’ ¹⁶ Jesus said unto her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come here.’ ¹⁷ The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’

Jesus said unto her, ‘You have well said, I have no husband: ¹⁸ For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that you spoke truthfully.’

¹⁹ The woman said unto him, ‘Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.’

²¹ Jesus said unto her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. ²² You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

²³ But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seek such to worship him. ²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.’

²⁵ The woman said unto him, ‘I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.’ ²⁶ Jesus said unto her, ‘I that speak unto you am he.

²⁷ And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, ‘What do you seek?’ or, ‘Why do you talk with her?’ ²⁸ The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men,

²⁹ ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?’ ³⁰ Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. ³¹ In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, ‘Master, eat.’

³² But he said unto them, ‘I have meat to eat that you know not of. ³³ Therefore said the disciples one to another, ‘Has any man brought him anything to eat?’ ³⁴ Jesus said unto them, ‘My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

³⁵ ‘Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes harvest?’ Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. ³⁶ And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together. ³⁷ And herein is that saying true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ ³⁸ I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors.’

³⁹ And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would stay with them: and he abode there two days.

⁴¹ And many more believed because of his own word; ⁴² And said unto the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’ ⁴³ Now after two days he departed there, and went into Galilee. ⁴⁴ For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

Jesus Returns to Cana

⁴⁵ Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Luke 4:14-15 – And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. ¹⁵ And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

            John 4:46-54 - So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and asked him to come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Jesus Heals the Nobleman’s Son

⁴⁸ Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.’ ⁴⁹ The nobleman said unto him, ‘Sir, come down or my child will die.’ ⁵⁰ Jesus said unto him, ‘Go your way; your son lives.’ And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

⁵¹ And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, ‘Your son lives.’ ⁵² Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.’ ⁵³ So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in which Jesus said unto him, ‘Your son lives’ and he believed, and his whole house. ⁵⁴ This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Jesus Gets Thrown Out of his Home Town

Luke 4:16-30 - And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. ¹⁷ And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah.

And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, ¹⁸ ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised; ¹⁹ To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.’

²⁰ And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ And he began to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’ ²² And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

And they said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ ²³ And he said unto them, ‘You will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal yourself: whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.’ ²⁴ And he said, ‘Truly I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

²⁵ But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; ²⁶ But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. ²⁷ And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.’

²⁸ And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ²⁹ And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. ³⁰ But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

Jesus Leaves Nazareth

Matthew 4:13-16 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulon and Nephthalim: ¹⁴ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ¹⁵ ‘The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; ¹⁶ The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.’

⁴ And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. ⁵ And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

⁶ And the devil said unto him, ‘All this power will I give you, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. ⁷ If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours.’ ⁸ And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Get behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’

⁹ And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, ‘If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from hence: ¹⁰ For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you: ¹¹ And in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’

¹² And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘It is said, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ¹³ And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

John the Baptist is Challenged

John 1:15-51 - John bare witness of him, and spoke up, saying, ‘This was he of whom I spoke, ‘He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. ¹⁶ And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.’

¹⁹ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ ²⁰ And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ²¹ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elias?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you that prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’

²² Then said they unto him, ‘Who are you? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What do you say for yourself?’ ²³ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.’ ²⁴ And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

²⁵ And they asked him, and said unto him, ‘Why do you baptize then, if you are not the Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?’ ²⁶ John answered them, saying, ‘I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not; ²⁷ He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.’ ²⁸ These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

²⁹ The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.’ ³¹ And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.’

³² And John bore record, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. ³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, ‘Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.’

‘We Have Found the Messiah!’

³⁵ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; ³⁶ And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ ³⁷ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

³⁸ Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said unto them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said unto him, ‘Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where do you stay?’ ³⁹ He said unto them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

⁴⁰ One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first finds his own brother Simon, and said unto him, ‘We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.’ ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.’

⁴³ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and said unto him, ‘Follow me.’ ⁴⁴ Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, ‘We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

⁴⁶ And Nathanael said unto him, ‘Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said unto him, ‘Come and see.’ ⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

⁴⁸ Nathanael said unto him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ ⁴⁹ Nathanael answered and said unto him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.’

⁵⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Because I said unto you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.’ ⁵¹ And he said unto him, ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.’

Jesus’ First Miracle: Water into Wine

John 2:1-25 - And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: ² And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. ³ And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said unto him, ‘They have no wine.’

⁴ Jesus said unto her, ‘Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come.’ ⁵ His mother said unto the servants, ‘Whatsoever he said unto you, do it.’ ⁶ And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

⁷ Jesus said unto them, ‘Fill the water pots with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he said unto them, ‘Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.’ And they bare it. ⁹ When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not where it came from: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, ¹⁰ And said unto him, ‘Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.’

¹¹ This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. ¹² After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

Jesus Drives Out the Merchants for the First Time

¹³ And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, ¹⁴ And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: ¹⁵ And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

 ¹⁶ And he said unto them that sold doves, ‘Take these things out of here; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise!’ ¹⁷ And his disciples remembered that it was written, ‘The zeal of your house has eaten me up.’

¹⁸ Then answered the Jews and said unto him, ‘What sign do you show unto us, seeing that you do these things?’ ¹⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’

²⁰ Then said the Jews, ‘Forty-six years was this temple in building, and will you rear it up in three days?’ ²¹ But he spoke of the temple of his body. ²² When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

²³ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. ²⁴ But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, ²⁵ And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Nicodemus Comes to Jesus by Night

John 3:1-36 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.’

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ⁴ Nicodemus said unto him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

⁵ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants to go, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell what it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’

⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, ‘How can these things be?’ ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Are you a master of Israel, and you don’t know these things? ¹¹ Truly, truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify about things we have seen; and you receive not our witness. ¹² If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

¹³ And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵ That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

²⁰ For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. ²¹ But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.’ ¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Jesus is Circumcised

Luke 2:21 - And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. ²² And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; ²³ (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) ²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, ²⁸ Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹ ‘Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word: ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ Which you have prepared before the face of all people;

Jesus’ Method of Death Foretold

Luke 2:32 – ‘A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. ³³ And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; ³⁵ (Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own life also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’

³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Troubled Over Jesus’ Birth

Matthew 2:1-18 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ² Saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’

³ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ⁵ And they said unto him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ⁶ and you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.’

⁷ Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.’

Wise Magi Outsmart Herod

⁹ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Jesus and Parents Flee to Egypt; Babies Killed

¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.’

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: ¹⁵ and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt have I called my son.’ ¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding angry, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

¹⁷ Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, ¹⁸ ‘In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.’

Jesus at Age Twelve

Luke 2:40-3:18 - And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. ⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

⁴³ And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. ⁴⁴ But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

⁴⁵ And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. ⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

⁴⁸ And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? ‘Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.’ ⁴⁹ And he said unto them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?’

⁵⁰ And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

The Ministry of John the Baptist

¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, ² Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

³ And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; ⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

⁷ Then he said to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, ‘O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves; ‘We have Abraham to our father’: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.’ ¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, ‘What shall we do then?’

¹¹ He answered and said unto them, ‘He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise.’ ¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, ‘Master, what shall we do?’ ¹³ And he said unto them, ‘Exact no more than that which is appointed you.’ ¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, ‘And what shall we do?’ And he said unto them, ‘Do violence to no man; neither accuse anyone falsely and be content with your wages.’

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; ¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: ¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.’ ¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

Jesus is Baptized

Matthew 3:13-17 - Then Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. ¹⁴ But John forbad him, saying, ‘I needed to be baptized of you, and do you come to me?’ ¹⁵ And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘Allow it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he baptized him.

¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’

⁶² And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. ⁶³ And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, ‘His name is John.’ And they all marveled. ⁶⁴ And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke and praised God. ⁶⁵ And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were told abroad throughout the hill country of Judaea.

⁶⁶ And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What manner of child shall this be?’ And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, ⁶⁸ ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, ⁶⁹ And has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

⁷⁰ As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: ⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; ⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; ⁷³ The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, ⁷⁴ That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

⁷⁶ And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; ⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, ⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high has visited us, ⁷⁹ To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ ⁸⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

The Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened like this: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.

²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’ ²⁴ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: ²⁵ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:1-38 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the world should be taxed.² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵ to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Colossians 1:14 – (This is he) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Luke 1: 5 – There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.  

⁷ And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. ⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people was praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹ Then there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ ¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, ‘Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years.’

¹⁹ And the angel answering, said unto him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. ²⁰ And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.’

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. ²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. ²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. ²⁴ And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ ‘Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.’

A Virgin Shall Be With Child

Luke 1:26 - And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.’

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. ³⁰ And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³ and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his Kingdom there shall be no end.’ ³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that Holy One which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And, behold, your cousin Elizabeth, has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren; ³⁷ for with God nothing shall be impossible.’

³⁸ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her. ³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; ⁴⁰ and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit:

⁴² And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³ And what is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.’

⁴⁶ And Mary said, ‘My life magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. ⁴⁸ For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For he that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name. ⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has showed strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away. ⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; ⁵⁵ As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.’ ⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.