NIV Radiant Virtues Bible Sampler Gospel of Matthew

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The document discusses Jesus' teachings on marriage, divorce, forgiveness and mercy.

Jesus teaches that divorce is acceptable only in cases of sexual immorality and that remarriage after divorce constitutes adultery.

Jesus teaches that marriage should be between one man and one woman and that divorce goes against God's original plan.

NIV Radiant Virtues Bible

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Table of Contents
Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
52-Week Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

The Old Testament


Genesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . .416 Daniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 852
Exodus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Ezra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .451 Hosea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
Leviticus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Nehemiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462 Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Esther . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479 Amos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 886
Deuteronomy . . . . . . . . . . 169 Job. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487 Obadiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894
Joshua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Psalms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520 Jonah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897
Judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Proverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619 Micah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902
Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Ecclesiastes . . . . . . . . . . . . 654 Nahum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
1 Samuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261 Song of Songs . . . . . . . . . . 663 Habakkuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .913
2 Samuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Isaiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669 Zephaniah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917
1 Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322 Jeremiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .734 Haggai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 923
2 Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356 Lamentations . . . . . . . . . . .793 Zechariah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 926
1 Chronicles . . . . . . . . . . . . .385 Ezekiel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802 Malachi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935

The New Testament


Matthew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .941 Ephesians . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1133 Hebrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1171
Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .972 Philippians . . . . . . . . . . . . 1138 James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1182
Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992 Colossians . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1144 1 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1188
John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1030 1 Thessalonians . . . . . . . . 1148 2 Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1193
Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1056 2 Thessalonians . . . . . . . . 1152 1 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1199
Romans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1087 1 Timothy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1155 2 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1204
1 Corinthians. . . . . . . . . . . 1103 2 Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . .1160 3 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1206
2 Corinthians . . . . . . . . . . 1118 Titus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1164 Jude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1208
Galatians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127 Philemon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1169 Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . .1210

Table of Weights and Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1228


Go-Further Reading Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1229
Index of Artists and Their Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1236
Welcome wo whe
Radianw Virwues Bible!
One of the most beloved chapters of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, is all about love. The chapter
includes a wonderful description of this virtue, beginning with “Love is patient, love is
kind . . .” (verse 4), and the chapter ends with, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and
love. But the greatest of these is love” (verse 13).

This Bible offers you an opportunity to spend a year in God’s Word focusing on the virtues
of faith, hope, and love. Each week you will be blessed by reading the suggested Scripture
passage, reflecting with a devotional and prayer, responding with journaling, and coloring
a page of verse art. Or you can enjoy all of these activities on the same day!

The focus for each week (or day) rotates through the themes of faith, hope, and love. We begin
and end with the topic of love, because “the greatest of these is love.” We need a foundation
of love to build a virtuous life.

In addition to the suggested activities, you will also find the following features in this Bible
to help you grow a virtuous life:

• Hundreds of highlighted verses throughout the Bible are color coded:


Blue = Faith
Yellow = Hope
Pink = Love
• Beautifully illustrated verse-art pieces begin each book of the Bible.
• Side-column art graces many of the pages throughout.
• Journaling space provides generous room for note taking or reflection.
• In the front are calendar pages to help you in scheduling and organizing. You may want
to schedule action items for incorporating faith, hope, and love into your daily life. Ideas
include praying for someone, sending a card or text, serving on a committee, bringing
or sending a meal, or making a phone call.
• At the back of this Bible are verse art pieces on thicker, perforated paper for you to gift
to a friend or anyone you encounter who could use a word of encouragement. Or you
could post them on your mirror, door, refrigerator, computer monitor, or wherever else
you would see them often to encourage yourself.
Maöhew
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
1 This is the genealogy a of Jesus the
Messiah b the son of David, the son of
Abraham:
¹⁵ Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
² Abraham was the father of Isaac, ¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph, the
Isaac the father of Jacob, husband of Mary, and Mary was
Jacob the father of Judah and his the mother of Jesus who is called
brothers, the Messiah.
³ Judah the father of Perez and Ze-
rah, whose mother was Tamar, ¹⁷ Thus there were fourteen generations
Perez the father of Hezron, in all from Abraham to David, fourteen
Hezron the father of Ram, from David to the exile to Babylon, and
⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab, fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Amminadab the father of Nah-
shon, Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
Nahshon the father of Salmon, ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Mes-
⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose siah came about d: His mother Mary was
mother was Rahab, pledged to be married to Joseph, but be-
Boaz the father of Obed, whose fore they came together, she was found
mother was Ruth, to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Obed the father of Jesse, ¹⁹Because Joseph her husband was faithful
⁶ and Jesse the father of King David. to the law, and yet e did not want to expose
her to public disgrace, he had in mind to
David was the father of Solomon, divorce her quietly.
whose mother had been Uriah’s ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an
wife, angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
⁷ Solomon the father of Rehoboam, dream and said, “Joseph son of David,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah, do not be afraid to take Mary home as
Abijah the father of Asa, your wife, because what is conceived in
⁸ Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give
Jehoshaphat the father of Jeho- birth to a son, and you are to give him
ram, the name Jesus, f because he will save his
Jehoram the father of Uzziah, people from their sins.”
⁹ Uzziah the father of Jotham, ²² All this took place to fulfill what the
Jotham the father of Ahaz, Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, virgin will conceive and give birth to a
¹⁰ Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, son, and they will call him Immanuel” g
Manasseh the father of Amon, (which means “God with us”).
Amon the father of Josiah, ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the
¹¹ and Josiah the father of Jeconiah c angel of the Lord had commanded him
and his brothers at the time of and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he
the exile to Babylon. did not consummate their marriage until
¹² After the exile to Babylon: she gave birth to a son. And he gave him
Jeconiah was the father of Sheal- the name Jesus.
tiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, The Magi Visit the Messiah
¹³ Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in
Judea, during the time of King Herod,
Magi h from the east came to Jerusalem
¹⁴ Azor the father of Zadok, ² and asked, “Where is the one who has
a b
1 Or is an account of the origin 1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both
c d
mean Anointed One; also in verse 18. 11 That is, Jehoiachin; also in verse 12 18 Or The
e f
origin of Jesus the Messiah was like this 19 Or was a righteous man and 21 Jesus is the Greek
g h
form of Joshua, which means the LORD saves. 23 Isaiah 7:14 1 Traditionally wise men
MATTHEW 2:3 943 943 MATTHEW 3:11

been born king of the Jews? We saw his ¹⁷ Then what was said through the prophet
star when it rose and have come to wor- Jeremiah was fulfilled:
ship him.”
¹⁸ “A voice is heard in Ramah,
³ When King Herod heard this he was
weeping and great mourning,
disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Rachel weeping for her children
⁴ When he had called together all the peo- and refusing to be comforted,
ple’s chief priests and teachers of the law, because they are no more.” c
he asked them where the Messiah was to
be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they The Return to Nazareth
replied, “for this is what the prophet has
¹⁹ After Herod died, an angel of the Lord
written:
appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
⁶ “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of ²⁰ and said, “Get up, take the child and his
Judah, mother and go to the land of Israel, for
are by no means least among the those who were trying to take the child’s
rulers of Judah; life are dead.”
for out of you will come a ruler ²¹ So he got up, took the child and his
who will shepherd my people mother and went to the land of Israel.
Israel.’ a ” ²² But when he heard that Archelaus was
reigning in Judea in place of his father
⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having
and found out from them the exact time been warned in a dream, he withdrew to
the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them the district of Galilee, ²³ and he went and
to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search lived in a town called Nazareth. So was
carefully for the child. As soon as you find fulfilled what was said through the proph-
him, report to me, so that I too may go ets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
and worship him.”
⁹ After they had heard the king, they John the Baptist Prepares the Way
went on their way, and the star they had
seen when it rose went ahead of them
until it stopped over the place where the
3 In those days John the Baptist came,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea
² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of
child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who
were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him. “A voice of one calling in the
Then they opened their treasures and pre- wilderness,
sented him with gifts of gold, frankincense ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in make straight paths for him.’ ” d
a dream not to go back to Herod, they re- ⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s
turned to their country by another route. hair, and he had a leather belt around his
waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
The Escape to Egypt ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem
¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the and all Judea and the whole region of
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they
up,” he said, “take the child and his mother were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell ⁷ But when he saw many of the Phar-
you, for Herod is going to search for the isees and Sadducees coming to where
child to kill him.” he was baptizing, he said to them: “You
¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee
mother during the night and left for Egypt, from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit
¹⁵where he stayed until the death of Herod. in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not
And so was fulfilled what the Lord had think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have
said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out
I called my son.” b of these stones God can raise up children
¹⁶ When Herod realized that he had been for Abraham. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the
outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, root of the trees, and every tree that does
and he gave orders to kill all the boys in not produce good fruit will be cut down
Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two and thrown into the fire.
years old and under, in accordance with ¹¹ “I baptize you with e water for repen-
the time he had learned from the Magi. tance. But after me comes one who is more
a b c d e
6 Micah 5:2,4 15 Hosea 11:1 18 Jer. 31:15 3 Isaiah 40:3 11 Or in
MATTHEW 3:12 944 944 MATTHEW 5:2

powerful than I, whose sandals I am not Jesus Begins to Preach


worthy to carry. He will baptize you with a ¹² When Jesus heard that John had been
the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
fork is in his hand, and he will clear his ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in
threshing floor, gathering his wheat into Capernaum, which was by the lake in the
the barn and burning up the chaff with area of Zebulun and Naphtali — ¹⁴ to fulfill
unquenchable fire.” what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
The Baptism of Jesus ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of
Naphtali,
¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the
the Way of the Sea, beyond the
Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John
Jordan,
tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be
Galilee of the Gentiles —
baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
¹⁶ the people living in darkness
¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is
have seen a great light;
proper for us to do this to fulfill all righ-
on those living in the land of the
teousness.” Then John consented.
shadow of death
¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went
a light has dawned.” g
up out of the water. At that moment heav-
en was opened, and he saw the Spirit of ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to
God descending like a dove and alighting preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heav-
on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, en has come near.”
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I
am well pleased.” Jesus Calls His First Disciples
¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into


the wilderness to be tempted b by the
devil. ² After fasting forty days and for-
called Peter and his brother Andrew. They
were casting a net into the lake, for they
were fishermen. ¹⁹“Come, follow me,” Jesus
ty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter said, “and I will send you out to fish for
came to him and said, “If you are the people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and
Son of God, tell these stones to become followed him.
bread.” ²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other
⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man brothers, James son of Zebedee and his
shall not live on bread alone, but on every brother John. They were in a boat with
word that comes from the mouth of God.’ c” their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.
⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy Jesus called them, ²² and immediately
city and had him stand on the highest they left the boat and their father and
point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son followed him.
of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.
For it is written: Jesus Heals the Sick
²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teach-
“ ‘He will command his angels ing in their synagogues, proclaiming the
concerning you, good news of the kingdom, and healing
and they will lift you up in their every disease and sickness among the peo-
hands, ple. ²⁴News about him spread all over Syria,
so that you will not strike your foot and people brought to him all who were
against a stone.’ d ” ill with various diseases, those suffering
⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: severe pain, the demon-possessed, those
‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’e ” having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he
⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very healed them. ²⁵Large crowds from Galilee,
high mountain and showed him all the the Decapolis, h Jerusalem, Judea and the
kingdoms of the world and their splendor. region across the Jordan followed him.
⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you
will bow down and worship me.” Introduction to the Sermon on the
¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Mount
Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord
your God, and serve him only.’ f ”
¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he
went up on a mountainside and sat
down. His disciples came to him, ² and he
came and attended him. began to teach them.
a b c d
11 Or in 1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested. 4 Deut. 8:3 6 Psalm 91:11,12
e f g h
7 Deut. 6:16 10 Deut. 6:13 16 Isaiah 9:1,2 25 That is, the Ten Cities
MATTHEW 5:3 945 945 MATTHEW 5:32

The Beatitudes practices and teaches these commands


He said: will be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your
³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, righteousness surpasses that of the
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Pharisees and the teachers of the law,
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, you will certainly not enter the kingdom
for they will be comforted. of heaven.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. Murder
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the
thirst for righteousness, people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, a
for they will be filled. and anyone who murders will be subject
⁷ Blessed are the merciful, to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone
for they will be shown mercy. who is angry with a brother or sister b , c will
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, be subject to judgment. Again, anyone
for they will see God. who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ d
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, is answerable to the court. And anyone
for they will be called children who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of
of God. the fire of hell.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted ²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift
because of righteousness, at the altar and there remember that your
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. brother or sister has something against
¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the
you, persecute you and falsely say all altar. First go and be reconciled to them;
kinds of evil against you because of me. then come and offer your gift.
¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is ²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your ad-
your reward in heaven, for in the same versary who is taking you to court. Do it
way they persecuted the prophets who while you are still together on the way,
were before you. or your adversary may hand you over
to the judge, and the judge may hand
Salt and Light you over to the officer, and you may be
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you
the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be will not get out until you have paid the last
made salty again? It is no longer good for penny.
anything, except to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot. Adultery
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You
built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither shall not commit adultery.’ e ²⁸ But I tell
do people light a lamp and put it under a you that anyone who looks at a woman
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and lustfully has already committed adultery
it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye
the same way, let your light shine before causes you to stumble, gouge it out and
others, that they may see your good deeds throw it away. It is better for you to lose
and glorify your Father in heaven. one part of your body than for your whole
body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your
The Fulfillment of the Law right hand causes you to stumble, cut it
¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to off and throw it away. It is better for you
abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have to lose one part of your body than for your
not come to abolish them but to fulfill whole body to go into hell.
them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven
and earth disappear, not the smallest Divorce
letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will ³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorc-
by any means disappear from the Law es his wife must give her a certificate of
until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ There- divorce.’ f ³² But I tell you that anyone who
fore anyone who sets aside one of the divorces his wife, except for sexual immo-
least of these commands and teaches rality, makes her the victim of adultery,
others accordingly will be called least and anyone who marries a divorced wom-
in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever an commits adultery.
a b
21 Exodus 20:13 22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow
c
disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23. 22 Some manuscripts brother or sister
d e f
without cause 22 An Aramaic term of contempt 27 Exodus 20:14 31 Deut. 24:1
MATTHEW 5:33 946 946 MATTHEW 6:22

Oaths Prayer
³³“Again, you have heard that it was said ⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the
to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your hypocrites, for they love to pray stand-
oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you ing in the synagogues and on the street
have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell
an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is you, they have received their reward in
God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your
footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city room, close the door and pray to your
of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by Father, who is unseen. Then your Father,
your head, for you cannot make even one who sees what is done in secret, will re-
hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say ward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not
is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond keep on babbling like pagans, for they
this comes from the evil one. a think they will be heard because of their
many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for
Eye for Eye your Father knows what you need before
³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye you ask him.
for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ b ³⁹ But I tell ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:
you, do not resist an evil person. If any- “ ‘Our Father in heaven,
one slaps you on the right cheek, turn to hallowed be your name,
them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if any- ¹⁰ your kingdom come,
one wants to sue you and take your shirt, your will be done,
hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone on earth as it is in heaven.
forces you to go one mile, go with them ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, ¹² And forgive us our debts,
and do not turn away from the one who as we also have forgiven our
wants to borrow from you. debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation, d
Love for Enemies but deliver us from the evil one. e ’
⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love
your neighborc and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But ¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they
I tell you, love your enemies and pray for sin against you, your heavenly Father
those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not
be children of your Father in heaven. He forgive others their sins, your Father will
causes his sun to rise on the evil and the not forgive your sins.
good, and sends rain on the righteous and
the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who Fasting
love you, what reward will you get? Are not ¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber
even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure
you greet only your own people, what are their faces to show others they are fast-
you doing more than others? Do not even ing. Truly I tell you, they have received
pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast,
your heavenly Father is perfect. put oil on your head and wash your face,
¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others
Giving to the Needy that you are fasting, but only to your
Father, who is unseen; and your Father,
6 “Be careful not to practice your righ-
teousness in front of others to be seen
by them. If you do, you will have no reward
who sees what is done in secret, will re-
ward you.
from your Father in heaven.
² “So when you give to the needy, do not Treasures in Heaven
announce it with trumpets, as the hypo- ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves trea-
crites do in the synagogues and on the sures on earth, where moths and vermin
streets, to be honored by others. Truly I destroy, and where thieves break in and
tell you, they have received their reward steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves trea-
in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, sures in heaven, where moths and vermin
do not let your left hand know what your do not destroy, and where thieves do not
right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving break in and steal. ²¹ For where your trea-
may be in secret. Then your Father, who sure is, there your heart will be also.
sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If
a b c d
37 Or from evil 38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21 43 Lev. 19:18 13 The Greek
e
for temptation can also mean testing. 13 Or from evil ; some late manuscripts one, / for yours
is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
MATTHEW 6:23 947 947 MATTHEW 7:25

your eyes are healthy, a your whole body Ask, Seek, Knock
will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek
unhealthy, b your whole body will be full and you will find; knock and the door
of darkness. If then the light within you will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who
is darkness, how great is that darkness! asks receives; the one who seeks finds;
²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either and to the one who knocks, the door will
you will hate the one and love the oth- be opened.
er, or you will be devoted to the one and ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for
despise the other. You cannot serve both bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he
God and money. asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If
you, then, though you are evil, know how
Do Not Worry to give good gifts to your children, how
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry much more will your Father in heaven give
about your life, what you will eat or drink; good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in
or about your body, what you will wear. everything, do to others what you would
Is not life more than food, and the body have them do to you, for this sums up the
more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of Law and the Prophets.
the air; they do not sow or reap or store
away in barns, and yet your heavenly Fa- The Narrow and Wide Gates
ther feeds them. Are you not much more ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For
valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you wide is the gate and broad is the road
by worrying add a single hour to your lifec? that leads to destruction, and many en-
²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? ter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and
See how the flowers of the field grow. They narrow the road that leads to life, and
do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that only a few find it.
not even Solomon in all his splendor was
dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God True and False Prophets
clothes the grass of the field, which is here
¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They
today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
will he not much more clothe you — you of come to you in sheep’s clothing, but in-
little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What wardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶By their
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or fruit you will recognize them. Do people
‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from
after all these things, and your heavenly Fa- thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears
ther knows that you need them. ³³But seek good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
first his kingdom and his righteousness, ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a
and all these things will be given to you as bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every
well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomor- tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
row, for tomorrow will worry about itself. down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by
Each day has enough trouble of its own. their fruit you will recognize them.

Judging Others True and False Disciples


²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
² For in the same way you judge others,
you will be judged, and with the measure
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my
you use, it will be measured to you. Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say
³ “Why do you look at the speck of saw- to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
dust in your brother’s eye and pay no at- prophesy in your name and in your name
tention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How drive out demons and in your name per-
can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take form many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell
the speck out of your eye,’ when all the them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away
time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You from me, you evildoers!’
hypocrite, first take the plank out of your
own eye, and then you will see clearly to The Wise and Foolish Builders
remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these
⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do words of mine and puts them into prac-
not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, tice is like a wise man who built his house
they may trample them under their feet, on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the
and turn and tear you to pieces. streams rose, and the winds blew and
a b
22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous. 23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies
c
stingy. 27 Or single cubit to your height
MATTHEW 7:26 948 948 MATTHEW 8:31

beat against that house; yet it did not fall, Jesus Heals Many
because it had its foundation on the rock. ¹⁴ When Jesus came into Peter’s house,
²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed
mine and does not put them into practice with a fever. ¹⁵ He touched her hand and
is like a foolish man who built his house on the fever left her, and she got up and be-
sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams gan to wait on him.
rose, and the winds blew and beat against ¹⁶ When evening came, many who were
that house, and it fell with a great crash.” demon-possessed were brought to him,
²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these and he drove out the spirits with a word
things, the crowds were amazed at his and healed all the sick. ¹⁷ This was to ful-
teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who fill what was spoken through the prophet
had authority, and not as their teachers Isaiah:
of the law. “He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.” b
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
The Cost of Following Jesus
8 When Jesus came down from the
mountainside, large crowds followed
him. ² A man with leprosya came and knelt
¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around
him, he gave orders to cross to the other
before him and said, “Lord, if you are will- side of the lake. ¹⁹ Then a teacher of the
ing, you can make me clean.” law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will
³ Jesus reached out his hand and follow you wherever you go.”
touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. ²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and
“Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed birds have nests, but the Son of Man has
of his leprosy. ⁴Then Jesus said to him, “See no place to lay his head.”
that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show ²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord,
yourself to the priest and offer the gift Mo- first let me go and bury my father.”
ses commanded, as a testimony to them.” ²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and
let the dead bury their own dead.”
The Faith of the Centurion
⁵ When Jesus had entered Capernaum, Jesus Calms the Storm
a centurion came to him, asking for help. ²³Then he got into the boat and his dis-
⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home ciples followed him. ²⁴Suddenly a furious
paralyzed, suffering terribly.” storm came up on the lake, so that the waves
⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
heal him?” ²⁵The disciples went and woke him, saying,
⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
deserve to have you come under my roof. ²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why
But just say the word, and my servant will are you so afraid?” Then he got up and
be healed. ⁹ For I myself am a man under rebuked the winds and the waves, and it
authority, with soldiers under me. I tell was completely calm.
this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked,
‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds
‘Do this,’ and he does it.” and the waves obey him!”
¹⁰When Jesus heard this, he was amazed
and said to those following him, “Truly I Jesus Restores Two Demon-
tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel Possessed Men
with such great faith. ¹¹ I say to you that ²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in
many will come from the east and the the region of the Gadarenes, c two demon-
west, and will take their places at the feast possessed men coming from the tombs
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the met him. They were so violent that no
kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the subjects of one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you
the kingdom will be thrown outside, into want with us, Son of God?” they shouted.
the darkness, where there will be weeping “Have you come here to torture us before
and gnashing of teeth.” the appointed time?”
¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd
“Go! Let it be done just as you believed of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged
it would.” And his servant was healed at Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the
that moment. herd of pigs.”
a
2 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the
b c
skin. 17 Isaiah 53:4 (see Septuagint) 28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; other
manuscripts Gerasenes
MATTHEW 8:32 949 949 MATTHEW 9:34

³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came ¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk
out and went into the pigs, and the whole cloth on an old garment, for the patch
herd rushed down the steep bank into will pull away from the garment, making
the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour
tending the pigs ran off, went into the new wine into old wineskins. If they do,
town and reported all this, including what the skins will burst; the wine will run out
had happened to the demon-possessed and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they
men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to pour new wine into new wineskins, and
meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they both are preserved.”
pleaded with him to leave their region.
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed a Sick Woman
Man ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over


and came to his own town. ² Some men
brought to him a paralyzed man, lying
leader came and knelt before him and
said, “My daughter has just died. But come
and put your hand on her, and she will
on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him,
said to the man, “Take heart, son; your and so did his disciples.
sins are forgiven.” ²⁰ Just then a woman who had been
³ At this, some of the teachers of the subject to bleeding for twelve years came
law said to themselves, “This fellow is up behind him and touched the edge of
blaspheming!” his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only
⁴ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
“Why do you entertain evil thoughts in ²²Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,
your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed
sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and you.” And the woman was healed at that
walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the moment.
Son of Man has authority on earth to for- ²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue
give sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd
“Get up, take your mat and go home.” and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go
⁷ Then the man got up and went home. away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But
⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had
with awe; and they praised God, who had been put outside, he went in and took the
given such authority to man. girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News
of this spread through all that region.
The Calling of Matthew
⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute
a man named Matthew sitting at the tax ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind
collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, men followed him, calling out, “Have mer-
and Matthew got up and followed him. cy on us, Son of David!”
¹⁰While Jesus was having dinner at Mat- ²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind
thew’s house, many tax collectors and men came to him, and he asked them,
sinners came and ate with him and his dis- “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
ciples. ¹¹When the Pharisees saw this, they “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said,
eat with tax collectors and sinners?” “According to your faith let it be done to
¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus
the healthy who need a doctor, but the warned them sternly, “See that no one
sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out
desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ a For I have not and spread the news about him all over
come to call the righteous, but sinners.” that region.
³² While they were going out, a man who
Jesus Questioned About Fasting was demon-possessed and could not talk
¹⁴ Then John’s disciples came and asked was brought to Jesus. ³³ And when the de-
him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees mon was driven out, the man who had
fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed
¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests and said, “Nothing like this has ever been
of the bridegroom mourn while he is with seen in Israel.”
them? The time will come when the bride- ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the
groom will be taken from them; then they prince of demons that he drives out de-
will fast. mons.”
a
13 Hosea 6:6
MATTHEW 9:35 950 950 MATTHEW 10:37

The Workers Are Few witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.


³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry
villages, teaching in their synagogues, about what to say or how to say it. At that
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it
and healing every disease and sickness. will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of
³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compas- your Father speaking through you.
sion on them, because they were harassed ²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death,
and helpless, like sheep without a shep- and a father his child; children will rebel
herd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The against their parents and have them put
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone
³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to because of me, but the one who stands
send out workers into his harvest field.” firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you
are persecuted in one place, flee to an-
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve other. Truly I tell you, you will not finish
going through the towns of Israel before
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to
him and gave them authority to
drive out impure spirits and to heal every
the Son of Man comes.
²⁴ “The student is not above the teach-
disease and sickness. er, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is
² These are the names of the twelve enough for students to be like their teach-
apostles: first, Simon (who is called Pe- ers, and servants like their masters. If
ter) and his brother Andrew; James son the head of the house has been called
of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip Beelzebul, how much more the members
and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew of his household!
the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, ²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there
and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and is nothing concealed that will not be dis-
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. closed, or hidden that will not be made
⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak
following instructions: “Do not go among in the daylight; what is whispered in your
the Gentiles or enter any town of the Sa- ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be
maritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of afraid of those who kill the body but can-
Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: not kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the
‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ One who can destroy both soul and body
⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a
those who have leprosy, a drive out de- penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the
mons. Freely you have received; freely ground outside your Father’s care. b ³⁰ And
give. even the very hairs of your head are all
⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or cop- numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are
per to take with you in your belts — ¹⁰ no worth more than many sparrows.
bag for the journey or extra shirt or san- ³² “Whoever acknowledges me before
dals or a staff, for the worker is worth his others, I will also acknowledge before my
keep. ¹¹Whatever town or village you enter, Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns
search there for some worthy person and me before others, I will disown before my
stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As Father in heaven.
you enter the home, give it your greeting. ³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to
¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace bring peace to the earth. I did not come
rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have
to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you come to turn
or listen to your words, leave that home “ ‘a man against his father,
or town and shake the dust off your feet.
a daughter against her mother,
¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable
a daughter-in-law against her
for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of
mother-in-law —
judgment than for that town.
³⁶ a man’s enemies will be the
¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep
members of his own
among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd
household.’ c
as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be
on your guard; you will be handed over ³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or
to the local councils and be flogged in the mother more than me is not worthy of
synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be me; anyone who loves their son or daugh-
brought before governors and kings as ter more than me is not worthy of me.
a
8 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the
b c
skin. 29 Or will; or knowledge 36 Micah 7:6
MATTHEW 10:38 951 951 MATTHEW 11:30

³⁸Whoever does not take up their cross and Prophets and the Law prophesied until
follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it,
finds their life will lose it, and whoever he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Who-
loses their life for my sake will find it. ever has ears, let them hear.
⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes ¹⁶ “To what can I compare this genera-
me, and anyone who welcomes me wel- tion? They are like children sitting in the
comes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever marketplaces and calling out to others:
welcomes a prophet as a prophet will
¹⁷ “ ‘We played the pipe for you,
receive a prophet’s reward, and who-
and you did not dance;
ever welcomes a righteous person as a
we sang a dirge,
righteous person will receive a righteous
and you did not mourn.’
person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives
even a cup of cold water to one of these ¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drink-
little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell ing, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The
you, that person will certainly not lose Son of Man came eating and drinking, and
their reward.” they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunk-
ard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
Jesus and John the Baptist But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

11 After Jesus had finished instructing


his twelve disciples, he went on from
there to teach and preach in the towns
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the
of Galilee. a towns in which most of his miracles had
² When John, who was in prison, heard been performed, because they did not re-
about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent pent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were
who is to come, or should we expect some- performed in you had been performed in
one else?” Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I
John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre
receive sight, the lame walk, those who and Sidon on the day of judgment than
have leprosy b are cleansed, the deaf hear, for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be
the dead are raised, and the good news is lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down
proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is any- to Hades. e For if the miracles that were
one who does not stumble on account performed in you had been performed
of me.” in Sodom, it would have remained to this
⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more
began to speak to the crowd about John: bearable for Sodom on the day of judg-
“What did you go out into the wilderness ment than for you.”
to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not,
what did you go out to see? A man dressed The Father Revealed in the Son
in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you,
clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you have hidden these things from the
you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is the wise and learned, and revealed them to
one about whom it is written: little children. ²⁶Yes, Father, for this is what
you were pleased to do.
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of
²⁷ “All things have been committed to
you,
me by my Father. No one knows the Son
who will prepare your way before
except the Father, and no one knows the
you.’ c
Father except the Son and those to whom
¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of the Son chooses to reveal him.
women there has not risen anyone greater ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary
than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least and burdened, and I will give you rest.
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from
he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
until now, the kingdom of heaven has and you will find rest for your souls.
been subjected to violence, d and violent ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is
people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the light.”
a b
1 Greek in their towns 5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for
c d
various diseases affecting the skin. 10 Mal. 3:1 12 Or been forcefully advancing
e
23 That is, the realm of the dead
MATTHEW 12:1 952 952 MATTHEW 12:37

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath ²⁰ A bruised reed he will not break,


and a smoldering wick he will not
12 At that time Jesus went through
the grainfields on the Sabbath. His
disciples were hungry and began to pick
snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to
some heads of grain and eat them. ² When victory.
the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ²¹ In his name the nations will put
“Look! Your disciples are doing what is their hope.” b
unlawful on the Sabbath.”
³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what Jesus and Beelzebul
David did when he and his companions ²² Then they brought him a demon-
were hungry? ⁴ He entered the house of possessed man who was blind and mute,
God, and he and his companions ate the and Jesus healed him, so that he could
consecrated bread — which was not law- both talk and see. ²³ All the people were
ful for them to do, but only for the priests. astonished and said, “Could this be the
⁵ Or haven’t you read in the Law that the Son of David?”
priests on Sabbath duty in the temple des- ²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard this,
ecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the
prince of demons, that this fellow drives
⁶ I tell you that something greater than the
out demons.”
temple is here. ⁷ If you had known what
²⁵ Jesus knew their thoughts and said to
these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not
them, “Every kingdom divided against it-
sacrifice,’a you would not have condemned
self will be ruined, and every city or house-
the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord
hold divided against itself will not stand.
of the Sabbath.”
²⁶ If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided
⁹ Going on from that place, he went against himself. How then can his king-
into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with dom stand? ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by
a shriveled hand was there. Looking for Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive
a reason to bring charges against Jesus, them out? So then, they will be your judg-
they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on es. ²⁸ But if it is by the Spirit of God that I
the Sabbath?” drive out demons, then the kingdom of
¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a God has come upon you.
sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, ²⁹ “Or again, how can anyone enter a
will you not take hold of it and lift it out? strong man’s house and carry off his pos-
¹² How much more valuable is a person sessions unless he first ties up the strong
than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do man? Then he can plunder his house.
good on the Sabbath.” ³⁰ “Whoever is not with me is against
¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out me, and whoever does not gather with
your hand.” So he stretched it out and it me scatters. ³¹ And so I tell you, every kind
was completely restored, just as sound as of sin and slander can be forgiven, but
the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and blasphemy against the Spirit will not be
plotted how they might kill Jesus. forgiven. ³² Anyone who speaks a word
against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
God’s Chosen Servant but anyone who speaks against the Holy
¹⁵ Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this
that place. A large crowd followed him, age or in the age to come.
and he healed all who were ill. ¹⁶He warned ³³ “Make a tree good and its fruit will be
them not to tell others about him. ¹⁷ This good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will
was to fulfill what was spoken through be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
the prophet Isaiah: ³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who
are evil say anything good? For the mouth
¹⁸ “Here is my servant whom I have speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good
chosen, man brings good things out of the good
the one I love, in whom I delight; stored up in him, and an evil man brings
I will put my Spirit on him, evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
and he will proclaim justice to the ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to
nations. give account on the day of judgment for
¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry out; every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For
no one will hear his voice in the by your words you will be acquitted, and
streets. by your words you will be condemned.”
a b
7 Hosea 6:6 21 Isaiah 42:1-4
MATTHEW 12:38 | 953 953 MATTHEW 13:23

The Sign of Jonah er seed fell among thorns, which grew up


³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teach- and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell
ers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we on good soil, where it produced a crop — a
want to see a sign from you.” hundred, sixty or thirty times what was
³⁹He answered, “A wicked and adulterous sown. ⁹Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
generation asks for a sign! But none will ¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked,
be given it except the sign of the prophet “Why do you speak to the people in par-
Jonah. ⁴⁰For as Jonah was three days and ables?”
three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so ¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge
the Son of Man will be three days and three of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven
nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹The men of has been given to you, but not to them.
Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and
this generation and condemn it; for they re- they will have an abundance. Whoever
pented at the preaching of Jonah, and now does not have, even what they have will
something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴²The be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak
Queen of the South will rise at the judgment to them in parables:
with this generation and condemn it; for she “Though seeing, they do not see;
came from the ends of the earth to listen though hearing, they do not hear
to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something or understand.
greater than Solomon is here.
⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out ¹⁴In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
of a person, it goes through arid places “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never
seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it understanding;
says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When you will be ever seeing but never
it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, perceiving.
swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it ¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become
goes and takes with it seven other spirits calloused;
more wicked than itself, and they go in they hardly hear with their ears,
and live there. And the final condition of and they have closed their eyes.
that person is worse than the first. That is Otherwise they might see with their
how it will be with this wicked generation.” eyes,
hear with their ears,
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers understand with their hearts
⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the and turn, and I would heal them.’ a
crowd, his mother and brothers stood out- ¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they
side, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For
told him, “Your mother and brothers are truly I tell you, many prophets and righ-
standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” teous people longed to see what you see
⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, but did not see it, and to hear what you
and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to hear but did not hear it.
his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother ¹⁸“Listen then to what the parable of
and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the the sower means: ¹⁹When anyone hears
will of my Father in heaven is my brother the message about the kingdom and does
and sister and mother.” not understand it, the evil one comes and
snatches away what was sown in their heart.
The Parable of the Sower This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰The

13 That same day Jesus went out of the


house and sat by the lake. ²Such large
crowds gathered around him that he got
seed falling on rocky ground refers to some-
one who hears the word and at once receives
it with joy. ²¹But since they have no root,
into a boat and sat in it, while all the peo- they last only a short time. When trouble
ple stood on the shore. ³Then he told them or persecution comes because of the word,
many things in parables, saying: “A farmer they quickly fall away. ²²The seed falling
went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scat- among the thorns refers to someone who
tering the seed, some fell along the path, hears the word, but the worries of this life
and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the
fell on rocky places, where it did not have word, making it unfruitful. ²³But the seed
much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the falling on good soil refers to someone who
soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came hears the word and understands it. This is
up, the plants were scorched, and they the one who produces a crop, yielding a hun-
withered because they had no root. ⁷Oth- dred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
a
15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
MATTHEW 13:24 954 954 MATTHEW 13:58

The Parable of the Weeds ⁴⁰“As the weeds are pulled up and burned
²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
kingdom of heaven is like a man who ⁴¹The Son of Man will send out his angels,
sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while and they will weed out of his kingdom
everyone was sleeping, his enemy came everything that causes sin and all who do
and sowed weeds among the wheat, and evil. ⁴²They will throw them into the blazing
went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted furnace, where there will be weeping and
and formed heads, then the weeds also gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will
appeared. shine like the sun in the kingdom of their
²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed
in your field? Where then did the weeds The Parables of the Hidden Treasure
come from?’ and the Pearl
²⁸ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. ⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like trea-
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want sure hidden in a field. When a man found
us to go and pull them up?’ it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went
²⁹ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you and sold all he had and bought that field.
are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
wheat with them. ³⁰Let both grow together a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶When
until the harvest. At that time I will tell the he found one of great value, he went away
harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie and sold everything he had and bought it.
them in bundles to be burned; then gather
the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” The Parable of the Net
⁴⁷“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is
The Parables of the Mustard Seed like a net that was let down into the lake
and the Yeast and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it
³¹ He told them another parable: “The was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the
kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, shore. Then they sat down and collected
which a man took and planted in his field. the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad
³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of
when it grows, it is the largest of garden the age. The angels will come and separate
plants and becomes a tree, so that the the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw
birds come and perch in its branches.” them into the blazing furnace, where there
³³ He told them still another parable: will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast ⁵¹ “Have you un derstood all these
that a woman took and mixed into about things?” Jesus asked.
sixty pounds a of flour until it worked all “Yes,” they replied.
through the dough.” ⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every
³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the teacher of the law who has become a dis-
crowd in parables; he did not say any- ciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the
thing to them without using a parable. owner of a house who brings out of his
³⁵So was fulfilled what was spoken through storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
the prophet:
A Prophet Without Honor
“I will open my mouth in parables, ⁵³ When Jesus had finished these para-
I will utter things hidden since the bles, he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming
creation of the world.” b to his hometown, he began teaching the
people in their synagogue, and they were
The Parable of the Weeds Explained amazed. “Where did this man get this
³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into wisdom and these miraculous powers?”
the house. His disciples came to him and they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s
said, “Explain to us the parable of the son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and
weeds in the field.” aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon
³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with
good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is us? Where then did this man get all these
the world, and the good seed stands for things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him.
the people of the kingdom. The weeds are But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not
the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy without honor except in his own town and
who sows them is the devil. The harvest in his own home.”
is the end of the age, and the harvesters ⁵⁸And he did not do many miracles there
are angels. because of their lack of faith.
a b
33 Or about 27 kilograms 35 Psalm 78:2
MATTHEW 14:1 | 955 955 MATTHEW 15:7

John the Baptist Beheaded Jesus Walks on the Water

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch


heard the reports about Jesus, ² and
he said to his attendants, “This is John
²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples
get into the boat and go on ahead of him
to the other side, while he dismissed the
the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he
That is why miraculous powers are at went up on a mountainside by himself to
work in him.” pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
³ Now Herod had arrested John and ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable
bound him and put him in prison because distance from land, buffeted by the waves
of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ for because the wind was against it.
John had been saying to him: “It is not ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out
lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Herod want- to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the
ed to kill John, but he was afraid of the disciples saw him walking on the lake,
people, because they considered John a they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they
prophet. said, and cried out in fear.
⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them:
of Herodias danced for the guests and “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he prom- ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell
ised with an oath to give her whatever me to come to you on the water.”
she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she ²⁹ “Come,” he said.
said, “Give me here on a platter the head Then Peter got down out of the boat,
of John the Baptist.” ⁹ The king was dis- walked on the water and came toward
tressed, but because of his oaths and his Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was
dinner guests, he ordered that her request afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded in “Lord, save me!”
the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his
platter and given to the girl, who carried hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”
it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came he said, “why did you doubt?”
and took his body and buried it. Then they ³² And when they climbed into the boat,
went and told Jesus. the wind died down. ³³ Then those who
were in the boat worshiped him, saying,
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand “Truly you are the Son of God.”
¹³ When Jesus heard what had hap- ³⁴ When they had crossed over, they
pened, he withdrew by boat privately landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the
to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the men of that place recognized Jesus, they
crowds followed him on foot from the sent word to all the surrounding country.
towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and
large crowd, he had compassion on them begged him to let the sick just touch the
and healed their sick. edge of his cloak, and all who touched it
¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples were healed.
came to him and said, “This is a remote
place, and it’s already getting late. Send That Which Defiles
the crowds away, so they can go to the
villages and buy themselves some food.”
¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go
15 Then some Pharisees and teachers
of the law came to Jesus from Jeru-
salem and asked, ² “Why do your disciples
away. You give them something to eat.” break the tradition of the elders? They
¹⁷“We have here only five loaves of bread don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
and two fish,” they answered. ³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break
¹⁸“Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹And the command of God for the sake of your
he directed the people to sit down on the tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your
grass. Taking the five loaves and the two father and mother’ a and ‘Anyone who
fish and looking up to heaven, he gave curses their father or mother is to be put
thanks and broke the loaves. Then he to death.’ b ⁵ But you say that if anyone de-
gave them to the disciples, and the disci- clares that what might have been used to
ples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all help their father or mother is ‘devoted to
ate and were satisfied, and the disciples God,’ ⁶ they are not to ‘honor their father
picked up twelve basketfuls of broken or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the
pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number word of God for the sake of your tradition.
of those who ate was about five thousand ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he
men, besides women and children. prophesied about you:
a b
4 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16 4 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
MATTHEW 15:8 956 956 MATTHEW 16:7

⁸ “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, came to him, bringing the lame, the blind,
but their hearts are far from me. the crippled, the mute and many others,
⁹ They worship me in vain; and laid them at his feet; and he healed
their teachings are merely human them. ³¹ The people were amazed when
rules.’ a” they saw the mute speaking, the crippled
made well, the lame walking and the blind
¹⁰Jesus called the crowd to him and said,
seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
“Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into
³² Jesus called his disciples to him and
someone’s mouth does not defile them,
said, “I have compassion for these people;
but what comes out of their mouth, that
they have already been with me three
is what defiles them.”
days and have nothing to eat. I do not
¹² Then the disciples came to him and
want to send them away hungry, or they
asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees
may collapse on the way.”
were offended when they heard this?”
³³ His disciples answered, “Where could
¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heav-
enly Father has not planted will be pulled we get enough bread in this remote place
up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are to feed such a crowd?”
blind guides. b If the blind lead the blind, ³⁴ “How many loaves do you have?”
both will fall into a pit.” Jesus asked.
¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small
¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked fish.”
them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever en- ³⁵ He told the crowd to sit down on the
ters the mouth goes into the stomach and ground. ³⁶ Then he took the seven loaves
then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that and the fish, and when he had given
come out of a person’s mouth come from thanks, he broke them and gave them
the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out to the disciples, and they in turn to the
of the heart come evil thoughts — murder, people. ³⁷ They all ate and were satisfied.
adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false Afterward the disciples picked up seven
testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what de- basketfuls of broken pieces that were left
file a person; but eating with unwashed over. ³⁸ The number of those who ate was
hands does not defile them.” four thousand men, besides women and
children. ³⁹ After Jesus had sent the crowd
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman away, he got into the boat and went to the
vicinity of Magadan.
²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew
to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Ca-
naanite woman from that vicinity came
The Demand for a Sign
to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,
have mercy on me! My daughter is demon- 16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came
to Jesus and tested him by asking
him to show them a sign from heaven.
possessed and suffering terribly.”
²³Jesus did not answer a word. So his dis- ² He replied, “When evening comes, you
ciples came to him and urged him, “Send say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is
her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” red,’ ³ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be
²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You
lost sheep of Israel.” know how to interpret the appearance of
²⁵ The woman came and knelt before the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs
him. “Lord, help me!” she said. of the times. c ⁴ A wicked and adulterous
²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the generation looks for a sign, but none will
children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus
²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the then left them and went away.
dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their
master’s table.” The Yeast of the Pharisees and
²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you Sadducees
have great faith! Your request is grant- ⁵ When they went across the lake, the
ed.” And her daughter was healed at that disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be care-
moment. ful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard
against the yeast of the Pharisees and
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand Sadducees.”
²⁹Jesus left there and went along the Sea ⁷ They discussed this among themselves
of Galilee. Then he went up on a moun- and said, “It is because we didn’t bring
tainside and sat down. ³⁰ Great crowds any bread.”
a b c
9 Isaiah 29:13 14 Some manuscripts blind guides of the blind 2,3 Some early
manuscripts do not have When evening comes . . . of the times.
MATTHEW 16:8 | 957 957 MATTHEW 17:15

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, themselves and take up their cross and
“You of little faith, why are you talking follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save
among yourselves about having no bread? their life d will lose it, but whoever loses
⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good
remember the five loaves for the five thou- will it be for someone to gain the whole
sand, and how many basketfuls you gath- world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can
ered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four anyone give in exchange for their soul?
thousand, and how many basketfuls you ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in
gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand his Father’s glory with his angels, and then
that I was not talking to you about bread? he will reward each person according to
But be on your guard against the yeast of what they have done.
the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they ²⁸“Truly I tell you, some who are stand-
understood that he was not telling them ing here will not taste death before they see
to guard against the yeast used in bread, the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
but against the teaching of the Pharisees
and Sadducees. The Transfiguration
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the
Messiah
17 After six days Jesus took with him
Peter, James and John the brother of
James, and led them up a high mountain
¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caes- by themselves. ² There he was transfigured
area Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who before them. His face shone like the sun,
do people say the Son of Man is?” and his clothes became as white as the
¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Bap- light. ³ Just then there appeared before
tist; others say Elijah; and still others, them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for
¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three
do you say I am?” shelters — one for you, one for Moses and
¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the one for Elijah.”
Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright
¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon cloud covered them, and a voice from the
son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love;
you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you that you are Peter,a ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they
and on this rock I will build my church, and fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
the gates of Hades b will not overcome it. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get
¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they
heaven; whatever you bind on earth will looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
be c bound in heaven, and whatever you ⁹ As they were coming down the moun-
loose on earth will be c loosed in heaven.” tain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell
²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son
anyone that he was the Messiah. of Man has been raised from the dead.”
¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then
Jesus Predicts His Death do the teachers of the law say that Elijah
²¹ From that time on Jesus began to must come first?”
explain to his disciples that he must go ¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes
to Jerusalem and suffer many things at and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you,
the hands of the elders, the chief priests Elijah has already come, and they did
and the teachers of the law, and that he not recognize him, but have done to him
must be killed and on the third day be everything they wished. In the same way
raised to life. the Son of Man is going to suffer at their
²² Peter took him aside and began to hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood
rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This that he was talking to them about John
shall never happen to you!” the Baptist.
²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get be-
hind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
to me; you do not have in mind the con- ¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man
cerns of God, but merely human concerns.” approached Jesus and knelt before him.
²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Who- ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.
ever wants to be my disciple must deny “He has seizures and is suffering greatly.
a b c
18 The Greek word for Peter means rock. 18 That is, the realm of the dead 19 Or will
d
have been 25 The Greek word means either life or soul ; also in verse 26.
MATTHEW 17:16 958 958 MATTHEW 18:18

He often falls into the fire or into the wa- never enter the kingdom of heaven.
ter. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly posi-
they could not heal him.” tion of this child is the greatest in the king-
¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse gen- dom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes
eration,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I one such child in my name welcomes me.
stay with you? How long shall I put up with
you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus re- Causing to Stumble
buked the demon, and it came out of the ⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little
boy, and he was healed at that moment. ones — those who believe in me — to
¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in stumble, it would be better for them to
private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive have a large millstone hung around their
it out?” neck and to be drowned in the depths of
²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of the
faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as things that cause people to stumble! Such
small as a mustard seed, you can say to things must come, but woe to the person
this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand
and it will move. Nothing will be impos- or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it
sible for you.” [²¹] a off and throw it away. It is better for you
to enter life maimed or crippled than to
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second have two hands or two feet and be thrown
Time into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes
²² When they came together in Galilee, you to stumble, gouge it out and throw
he said to them, “The Son of Man is going it away. It is better for you to enter life
with one eye than to have two eyes and
to be delivered into the hands of men.
be thrown into the fire of hell.
²³ They will kill him, and on the third day
he will be raised to life.” And the disciples
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
were filled with grief.
¹⁰ “See that you do not despise one of
The Temple Tax these little ones. For I tell you that their
angels in heaven always see the face of
²⁴AfterJesus and his disciples arrived in Ca-
my Father in heaven. [¹¹] b
pernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma ¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a
temple tax came to Peter and asked, hundred sheep, and one of them wanders
“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on
²⁵ “Yes, he does,” he replied. the hills and go to look for the one that
When Peter came into the house, Jesus wandered off ? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I
was the first to speak. “What do you think, tell you, he is happier about that one sheep
Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the than about the ninety-nine that did not
kings of the earth collect duty and taxes — wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father
from their own children or from others?” in heaven is not willing that any of these
²⁶ “From others,” Peter answered. little ones should perish.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus
said to him. ²⁷ “But so that we may not Dealing With Sin in the Church
cause offense, go to the lake and throw ¹⁵ “If your brother or sister c sins, d go
out your line. Take the first fish you catch; and point out their fault, just between
open its mouth and you will find a four- the two of you. If they listen to you, you
drachma coin. Take it and give it to them have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not
for my tax and yours.” listen, take one or two others along, so
that ‘every matter may be established by
The Greatest in the Kingdom the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ e
of Heaven ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the

18 At that time the disciples came to


Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
church; and if they refuse to listen even
to the church, treat them as you would a
pagan or a tax collector.
² He called a little child to him, and ¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind
placed the child among them. ³ And he on earth will be f bound in heaven, and
said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change whatever you loose on earth will bef loosed
and become like little children, you will in heaven.
a b
21 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Mark 9:29. 11 Some manuscripts
c
include here the words of Luke 19:10. 15 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers
d
here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verses 21 and 35. 15 Some
e f
manuscripts sins against you 16 Deut. 19:15 18 Or will have been
MATTHEW 18:19 | 959 959 MATTHEW 19:19

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of ³ Some Pharisees came to him to test
you on earth agree about anything they him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to
ask for, it will be done for them by my Fa- divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
ther in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three ⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that
gather in my name, there am I with them.” at the beginning the Creator ‘made them
male and female,’d ⁵and said, ‘For this rea-
The Parable of the Unmerciful son a man will leave his father and mother
Servant and be united to his wife, and the two will
²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, become one flesh’e? ⁶So they are no longer
“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my two, but one flesh. Therefore what God
brother or sister who sins against me? Up has joined together, let no one separate.”
to seven times?” ⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses
²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven command that a man give his wife a cer-
times, but seventy-seven times. a tificate of divorce and send her away?”
²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is ⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to
like a king who wanted to settle accounts divorce your wives because your hearts
with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settle- were hard. But it was not this way from
ment, a man who owed him ten thousand the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone
bags of gold b was brought to him. ²⁵ Since who divorces his wife, except for sexual
he was not able to pay, the master ordered immorality, and marries another woman
that he and his wife and his children and commits adultery.”
all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If this is the
²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees situation between a husband and wife, it
before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he is better not to marry.”
begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can ac-
²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, cept this word, but only those to whom it
canceled the debt and let him go. has been given. ¹² For there are eunuchs
²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he who were born that way, and there are
found one of his fellow servants who owed eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by
him a hundred silver coins. c He grabbed others — and there are those who choose
him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back to live like eunuchs for the sake of the
what you owe me!’ he demanded. kingdom of heaven. The one who can
²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees accept this should accept it.”
and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and
I will pay it back.’ The Little Children and Jesus
³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off ¹³ Then people brought little children to
and had the man thrown into prison until Jesus for him to place his hands on them
he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other and pray for them. But the disciples re-
servants saw what had happened, they buked them.
were outraged and went and told their ¹⁴Jesus said, “Let the little children come
master everything that had happened. to me, and do not hinder them, for the
³²“Then the master called the servant in. kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands
all that debt of yours because you begged on them, he went on from there.
me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on
your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ The Rich and the Kingdom of God
³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to ¹⁶ Just then a man came up to Jesus and
the jailers to be tortured, until he should asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I
pay back all he owed. do to get eternal life?”
³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will ¹⁷ “Why do you ask me about what is
treat each of you unless you forgive your good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One
brother or sister from your heart.” who is good. If you want to enter life, keep
the commandments.”
Divorce ¹⁸ “Which ones?” he inquired.

19 When Jesus had finished saying


these things, he left Galilee and went
into the region of Judea to the other side
Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder,
you shall not commit adultery, you shall
not steal, you shall not give false testimo-
of the Jordan. ²Large crowds followed him, ny, ¹⁹ honor your father and mother,’ f and
and he healed them there. ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ g ”
a b
22 Or seventy times seven 24 Greek ten thousand talents; a talent was worth about 20 years of a
c
day laborer’s wages. 28 Greek a hundred denarii; a denarius was the usual daily wage of a day
d e f g
laborer (see 20:2). 4 Gen. 1:27 5 Gen. 2:24 19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20 19 Lev. 19:18

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