Byzantine New Testament ebook

BYZANTINE NEW TESTAMENT

Byzantine New Testament

World English Bible, Version 2014

An update of the American Standard Version (ASV) of the New Testament.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the World English Bible, please visit WorldEnglishBible.org

Ebook conversion: Zbigniew Szalbot

EPUB: ISBN 978-83-63837-63-1 MOBI: ISBN 978-83-63837-64-8

Notes about the translation

The World English Bible is an update of the American Standard Version (ASV), published in 1901. A custom computer program updated the archaic words and word forms to contemporary equivalents, and then a team of volunteers proofread and updated the grammar.

The New Testament was updated to conform to the Majority Text reconstruction of the original Greek manuscripts, thus taking advantage of the superior access to manuscripts that we have now compared to when the original ASV was translated.

The style of the World English Bible, while fairly literally translated, is in informal, spoken English. The WEB is designed to sound good and be accurate when read aloud. It is not formal in its language, just as the original Greek of the New Testament was not formal. The WEB uses contractions rather freely.

The World English Bible doesn’t capitalize pronouns pertaining to God. The original manuscripts made no such distinction. The Greek manuscripts were written in all upper case letters. Attempting to add in such a distinction raises some difficulties in translating dual-meaning Scriptures.

Because World English Bible uses the Majority Text as the basis for the New Testament, you may notice the following differences in comparing the WEB to other translations:

The order of Matthew 23:13 and 14 is reversed in some translations.

Luke 17:36 and Acts 15:34, which are not found in the majority of the Greek Manuscripts (and are relegated to footnotes in the WEB) may be included in some other translations.

Romans 14:24-26 in the WEB may appear as Romans 16:25-27 in other translations.

1 John 5:7-8 contains an addition in some translations, including the KJV. Erasmus admitted adding this text to his published Greek New Testament, even though he could at first find no Greek manuscript support for it, because he was being pressured by men to do so, and because he didn’t see any doctrinal harm in it. Lots of things not written by John in this letter are true, but we decline to add them to what the Holy Spirit inspired through John.

With all of the above and some other places where lack of clarity in the original manuscripts has led to multiple possible readings, significant variants are listed in footnotes. The reading that in our prayerful judgment is best is in the main text.

In translation notes, "NU" refers to Nestle/Aland UBS critical New Testament textual variants, and "TR" refers to Textus Receptus textual variants.

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew

CHAPTERS: 1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28

Translation Notes: [in brackets]

Matthew 1

1.1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, [Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean “Anointed One”] the son of David, the son of Abraham. 1.2 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. 1.3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. 1.4 Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. 1.5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. 1.6 Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife. 1.7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. 1.8 Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. 1.9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. 1.10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. 1.11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. 1.12 After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. 1.13 Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. 1.14 Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. 1.15 Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. 1.16 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, [“Jesus” means “Salvation”.] who is called Christ. 1.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.

1.18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 1.19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. 1.20 But when he thought about these things, behold, [“Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.] an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 1.21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”

1.22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

1.23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child,

and shall give birth to a son.

They shall call his name Immanuel”;

which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”

1.24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 1.25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.

Matthew 2

2.1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men [The word for “wise men” (magoi) can also mean teachers, scientists, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, or sorcerers.] from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2.2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” 2.3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2.4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 2.5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

2.6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are in no way least among the princes of Judah:

for out of you shall come a governor,

who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”

2.7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 2.8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”

2.9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 2.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 2.11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2.12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

2.13 Now when they had departed, behold, an 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 stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

2.14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 2.15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

2.16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 2.17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

2.18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

lamentation, weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she wouldn’t be comforted,

because they are no more.”

2.19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 2.20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”

2.21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 2.22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 2.23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 3

3.1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 3.2 “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” 3.3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

make ready the way of the Lord.

Make his paths straight.”

3.4 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 3.5 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 3.6 They were baptized [or, immersed] by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 3.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, [or, immersion] he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 3.8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! 3.9 Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

3.10 “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. 3.11 I indeed baptize [or, immerse] you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. [TR and NU add “and with fire”]3.12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

3.13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan [i.e., the Jordan River] to John, to be baptized by him. 3.14 But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

3.15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. 3.16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 3.17 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4

4.1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 4.2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 4.3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4.4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

4.5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 4.6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”

4.7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”

4.8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 4.9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

4.10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,[TR and NU read “Go away” instead of “Get behind me”]Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

4.11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. 4.12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 4.13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 4.14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

4.15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles,

4.16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light,

to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,

to them light has dawned.”

4.17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

4.18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he [TR reads “Jesus” instead of “he”] saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 4.19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

4.20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 4.21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 4.22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

4.23 Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 4.24 The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 4.25 Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 5

5.1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 5.2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

5.3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

5.4Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

5.5Blessed are the gentle,

for they shall inherit the earth.[or, land.]

5.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

5.7Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

5.8Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

5.9Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

5.10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

5.11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.5.12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

5.13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.5.14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.5.15Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.5.16Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

5.17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.5.18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter[literally, iota]or one tiny pen stroke[or, serif]shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.5.19Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.5.20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

5.21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’5.22But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause[NU omits “without a cause”.]will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’[“Raca” is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for “empty” and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.]will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.[or, Hell]

5.23“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,5.24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.5.25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.5.26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.[literally, kodrantes. A kodrantes was a small copper coin worth about 2 lepta (widow’s mites)—not enough to buy very much of anything.]

5.27“You have heard that it was said,[TR adds “to the ancients”.]‘You shall not commit adultery;’5.28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.5.29If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.[or, Hell]5.30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.[or, Hell]

5.31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’5.32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

5.33“Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’5.34but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;5.35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.5.36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.5.37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

5.38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’5.39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.5.40If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.5.41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.5.42Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

5.43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[Leviticus 19:18]and hate your enemy.’[not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26]5.44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,5.45that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.5.46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?5.47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors[NU reads “Gentiles” instead of “tax collectors”.]do the same?5.48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 6

6.1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.6.2Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.6.3But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,6.4so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

6.5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.6.6But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.6.7In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.6.8Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.6.9Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.6.10Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.6.11Give us today our daily bread.6.12Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.6.13Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’[NU omits “For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”]

6.14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.6.15But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

6.16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.6.17But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;6.18so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

6.19“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;6.20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;6.21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

6.22“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.6.23But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

6.24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.6.25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?6.26See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

6.27“Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment[literally, cubit]to his lifespan?6.28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,6.29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.6.30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

6.31“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’6.32For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.6.33But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.6.34Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Matthew 7

7.1“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.7.2For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.7.3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?7.4Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?7.5You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

7.6“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

7.7“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.7.8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.7.9Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?7.10Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?7.11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!7.12Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

7.13“Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.7.14How[TR reads “Because” instead of “How”]narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

7.15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.7.16By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?7.17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.7.18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.7.19Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.7.20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.7.21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.7.22Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’7.23Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

7.24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.7.25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.7.26Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.7.27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

7.28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, 7.29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

Matthew 8

8.1 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 8.2 Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

8.3 Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 8.4 Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

8.5 When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, 8.6 and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”

8.7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8.8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8.9 For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

8.10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.8.11I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,8.12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”8.13 Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour.

8.14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 8.15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. [TR reads “them” instead of “him”]8.16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 8.17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.” 8.18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

8.19 A scribe came, and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

8.20 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

8.21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

8.22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

8.23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 8.24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 8.25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”

8.26 He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.

8.27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

8.28 When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, [NU reads “Gadarenes”] two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. 8.29 Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 8.30 Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. 8.31 The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”

8.32 He said to them, “Go!”

They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water. 8.33 Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. 8.34 Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.

Matthew 9

9.1 He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. 9.2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

9.3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

9.4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?9.5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’9.6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”

9.7 He arose and departed to his house. 9.8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

9.9 As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. 9.10 As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 9.11 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

9.12 When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.9.13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”[NU omits “to repentance”.]

9.14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

9.15 Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.9.16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.9.17Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”

9.18 While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

9.19 Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. 9.20 Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe [or, tassel] of his garment; 9.21 for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”

9.22 But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

9.23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder, 9.24 he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.”

They were ridiculing him. 9.25 But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 9.26 The report of this went out into all that land. 9.27 As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”

9.28 When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They told him, “Yes, Lord.”

9.29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”9.30 Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.”9.31 But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

9.32 As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. 9.33 When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

9.34 But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”

9.35 Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 9.36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed [TR reads “weary” instead of “harassed”] and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 9.37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.9.38Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 10

10.1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 10.2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 10.3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called [NU omits “Lebbaeus, who was also called”] Thaddaeus; 10.4 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

10.5 Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans.10.6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.10.7As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’10.8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,[TR adds “raise the dead,”]and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.10.9Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.10.10Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.10.11Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.10.12As you enter into the household, greet it.10.13If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.10.14Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet.10.15Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

10.16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.10.17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.10.18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.10.19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.10.20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

10.21“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.10.22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.10.23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.

10.24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.10.25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,[Literally, Lord of the Flies, or the devil]how much more those of his household!10.26Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known.10.27What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.10.28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.[or, Hell.]

10.29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin?[An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius. An assarion is approximately the wages of one half hour of agricultural labor.]Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will,10.30but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.10.31Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.10.32Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.10.33But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

10.34“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.10.35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.10.36A man’s foes will be those of his own household.10.37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.10.38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me.10.39He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.10.40He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.10.41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.10.42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”

Matthew 11

11.1 When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 11.2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 11.3 and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”

11.4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:11.5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.11.6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

11.7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?11.8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.11.9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.11.10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’11.11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.11.12From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.[or, plunder it.]11.13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.11.14If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.11.15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

11.16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions11.17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’11.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’11.19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”[NU reads “actions” instead of “children”]

11.20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. 11.21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.11.22But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.11.23You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades.[or, Hell]For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.11.24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.”

11.25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.11.26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.11.27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

11.28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.11.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.11.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 12

12.1 At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 12.2 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

12.3 But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;12.4how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?12.5Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?12.6But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.12.7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the guiltless.12.8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

12.9 He departed there, and went into their synagogue. 12.10 And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.

12.11 He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out?12.12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”12.13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 12.14 But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. 12.15 Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, 12.16 and commanded them that they should not make him known: 12.17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

12.18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen;

my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased:

I will put my Spirit on him.

He will proclaim justice to the nations.

12.19 He will not strive, nor shout;

neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

12.20 He won’t break a bruised reed.

He won’t quench a smoking flax,

until he leads justice to victory.

12.21 In his name, the nations will hope.”

12.22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 12.23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 12.24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”

12.25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.12.26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?12.27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.12.28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.12.29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

12.30“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.12.31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.12.32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

12.33“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.12.34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.12.35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure[TR adds “of the heart”]brings out evil things.12.36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.12.37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

12.38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

12.39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.12.40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.12.41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.12.42The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.

12.43When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.12.44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came out,’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.12.45Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”

12.46 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 12.47 One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”

12.48 But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”12.49 He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!12.50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Matthew 13

13.1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 13.2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 13.3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.13.4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.13.5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.13.6When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.13.7Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.13.8Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.13.9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

13.10 The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

13.11 He answered them,