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Luke New Living Translation (NLT)

chapter 1

Introduction

1Most honorable Theophilus:

Many people have written accounts about the events that took place among us. 2They used as their source

material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other eyewitnesses of what God has

done in fulfillment of his promises. 3Having carefully investigated all of these accounts from the beginning, I

have decided to write a careful summary for you, 4to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5It all begins with a Jewish priest, Zechariah, who lived when Herod was king of Judea. Zechariah was a

member of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6Zechariah

and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.

7They had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and now they were both very old.

8One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9As was the custom

of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense in the Lord's presence. 10While

the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

11Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense

altar. 12Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. 13But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has

heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. 14You will

have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, 15for he will be great in the eyes of

the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his

birth. 16And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. 17He will be a man with the spirit

and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his

arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept

godly wisdom."

18Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well

along in years."

19Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you

this good news! 20And now, since you didn't believe what I said, you won't be able to speak until the child is

born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time."

21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out, wondering why he was taking so long.

22When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures that he must

have seen a vision in the Temple sanctuary.

23He stayed at the Temple until his term of service was over, and then he returned home. 24Soon afterward

his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25"How kind the Lord is!" she

exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!"

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,

27to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King

David. 28Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"

29Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30"Don't be frightened, Mary," the

angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! 31You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to

name him Jesus. 32He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will

give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

34Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin."

35The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow

you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36What's more, your relative

Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her

sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."

38Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything

you have said come true." And then the angel left.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40where Zechariah lived. She

entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within

her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "You are blessed by God above all other women, and your

child is blessed. 43What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! 44When you came in

and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! 45You are blessed, because you

believed that the Lord would do what he said."

The Magnificat: Marys Song of Praise

46Mary responded,

"Oh, how I praise the Lord.

How I rejoice in God my Savior!

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

and now generation after generation

will call me blessed.

For he, the Mighty One, is holy,

and he has done great things for me.

His mercy goes on from generation to generation,

to all who fear him.

His mighty arm does tremendous things!

How he scatters the proud and haughty ones!

He has taken princes from their thrones

and exalted the lowly.

He has satisfied the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

And how he has helped his servant Israel!

He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful.

For he promised our ancestors--Abraham and his children--

to be merciful to them forever."

56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57Now it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, and it was a boy. 58The word spread quickly to her

neighbors and relatives that the Lord had been very kind to her, and everyone rejoiced with her.

59When the baby was eight days old, all the relatives and friends came for the circumcision ceremony. They

wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!"

61"What?" they exclaimed. "There is no one in all your family by that name." 62So they asked the baby's

father, communicating to him by making gestures. 63He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's

surprise he wrote, "His name is John!" 64Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

65Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the

Judean hills. 66Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, "I wonder what this child

will turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in a special way."

Zechariahs Prophecy

67Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has visited his people and redeemed them.

He has sent us a mighty Savior

from the royal line of his servant David,

just as he promised

through his holy prophets long ago.

Now we will be saved from our enemies

and from all who hate us.

He has been merciful to our ancestors

by remembering his sacred covenant with them,

the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham.

We have been rescued from our enemies,

so we can serve God without fear,

in holiness and righteousness forever.

"And you, my little son,

will be called the prophet of the Most High,

because you will prepare the way for the Lord.

You will tell his people how to find salvation

through forgiveness of their sins.

Because of God's tender mercy,

the light from heaven is about to break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

and to guide us to the path of peace."

80John grew up and became strong in spirit. Then he lived out in the wilderness until he began his public

ministry to Israel.

chapter 2

The Birth of Jesus

1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman

Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own

towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to

Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5He took

with him Mary, his fianc‚e, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her first child, a son.

She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in

the village inn.

The Shepherds and Angels

8That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly,

an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were

terribly frightened, 10but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great

joy for everyone! 11The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of

David! 12And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in

strips of cloth!"

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to

Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17Then

the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18All

who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and

thought about them often. 20The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God

for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

21Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel

even before he was conceived.

22Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so

his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first

child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." 24So they offered a sacrifice according to what was

required in the law of the Lord--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

The Prophecy of Simeon

25Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He

was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 26The Holy

Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27That day the Spirit

led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law

required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Lord, now I can die in peace!

As you promised me,

I have seen the Savior

you have given to all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

33Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and

he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the

greatest joy to many others. 35Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will

pierce your very soul."

The Prophecy of Anna

36Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and

was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years.

37She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping

God with fasting and prayer. 38She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she

began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come

and deliver Jerusalem.

39When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to

Nazareth in Galilee. 40There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his

years, and God placed his special favor upon him.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42When Jesus was twelve years old,

they attended the festival as usual. 43After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but

Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first, 44because they assumed he was with

friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him

among their relatives and friends. 45When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for

him there. 46Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious

teachers, discussing deep questions with them. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding

and his answers.

48His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your

father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."

49"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "You should have known that I would be in my Father's

house." 50But they didn't understand what he meant.

51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things

in her heart. 52So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew

him.

chapter 3

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pilate was governor over Judea;

Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler

over Abilene. 2Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son

of Zechariah, who was living out in the wilderness. 3Then John went from place to place on both sides of the

Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and

turned to God to be forgiven. 4Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

"He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:

`Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!

Make a straight road for him!

Fill in the valleys,

and level the mountains and hills!

Straighten the curves,

and smooth out the rough places!

And then all people will see

the salvation sent from God.' "

7Here is a sample of John's preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: "You brood of snakes! Who

warned you to flee God's coming judgment? 8Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your

sins and turned to God. Don't just say, `We're safe--we're the descendants of Abraham.' That proves

nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 9Even now the ax of God's judgment is

poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and

thrown into the fire."

10The crowd asked, "What should we do?"

11John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are

hungry."

12Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?"

13"Show your honesty," he replied. "Make sure you collect no more taxes than the Roman government

requires you to."

14"What should we do?" asked some soldiers.

John replied, "Don't extort money, and don't accuse people of things you know they didn't do. And be content

with your pay."

15Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be

the Messiah. 16John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon

who is greater than I am--so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you

with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork.

Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending

fire." 18John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

19John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, and for

many other wrongs he had done. 20So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

The Baptism of Jesus

21One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the

heavens opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven

said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you."

The Record of Jesus Ancestors

23Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.

Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.

Joseph was the son of Heli.

Heli was the son of Matthat.

Matthat was the son of Levi.

Levi was the son of Melki.

Melki was the son of Jannai.

Jannai was the son of Joseph.

Joseph was the son of Mattathias.

Mattathias was the son of Amos.

Amos was the son of Nahum.

Nahum was the son of Esli.

Esli was the son of Naggai.

Naggai was the son of Maath.

Maath was the son of Mattathias.

Mattathias was the son of Semein.

Semein was the son of Josech.

Josech was the son of Joda.

Joda was the son of Joanan.

Joanan was the son of Rhesa.

Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.

Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.

Shealtiel was the son of Neri.

Neri was the son of Melki.

Melki was the son of Addi.

Addi was the son of Cosam.

Cosam was the son of Elmadam.

Elmadam was the son of Er.

Er was the son of Joshua.

Joshua was the son of Eliezer.

Eliezer was the son of Jorim.

Jorim was the son of Matthat.

Matthat was the son of Levi.

Levi was the son of Simeon.

Simeon was the son of Judah.

Judah was the son of Joseph.

Joseph was the son of Jonam.

Jonam was the son of Eliakim.

Eliakim was the son of Melea.

Melea was the son of Menna.

Menna was the son of Mattatha.

Mattatha was the son of Nathan.

Nathan was the son of David.

David was the son of Jesse.

Jesse was the son of Obed.

Obed was the son of Boaz.

Boaz was the son of Salmon.

Salmon was the son of Nahshon.

Nahshon was the son of Amminadab.

Amminadab was the son of Admin.

Admin was the son of Arni.

Arni was the son of Hezron.

Hezron was the son of Perez.

Perez was the son of Judah.

Judah was the son of Jacob.

Jacob was the son of Isaac.

Isaac was the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the son of Terah.

Terah was the son of Nahor.

Nahor was the son of Serug.

Serug was the son of Reu.

Reu was the son of Peleg.

Peleg was the son of Eber.

Eber was the son of Shelah.

Shelah was the son of Cainan.

Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.

Arphaxad was the son of Shem.

Shem was the son of Noah.

Noah was the son of Lamech.

Lamech was the son of Methuselah.

Methuselah was the son of Enoch.

Enoch was the son of Jared.

Jared was the son of Mahalalel.

Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.

Kenan was the son of Enosh.

Enosh was the son of Seth.

Seth was the son of Adam.

Adam was the son of God.

chapter 4

The Temptation of Jesus

1Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the

wilderness, 2where the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry.

3Then the Devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread."

4But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life.' "

5Then the Devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6The Devil

told him, "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them--because they are mine to give

to anyone I please. 7I will give it all to you if you will bow down and worship me."

8Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say,

`You must worship the Lord your God;

serve only him.' "

9Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of

God, jump off! 10For the Scriptures say,

`He orders his angels to protect and guard you.

And they will hold you with their hands

to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.' "

12Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, `Do not test the Lord your God.' "

13When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

14Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power. Soon he became well known throughout

the surrounding country. 15He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the

Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet was

handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim

that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,

and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."

20He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue

stared at him intently. 21Then he said, "This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!"

22All who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips. "How

can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"

23Then he said, "Probably you will quote me that proverb, `Physician, heal yourself'--meaning, `Why don't

you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?' 24But the truth is, no prophet is

accepted in his own hometown.

25"Certainly there were many widows in Israel who needed help in Elijah's time, when there was no rain for

three and a half years and hunger stalked the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent

instead to a widow of Zarephath--a foreigner in the land of Sidon. 27Or think of the prophet Elisha, who

healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many lepers in Israel who needed help."

28When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29Jumping up, they mobbed him and took

him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30but he

slipped away through the crowd and left them.

Jesus Casts Out a Demon

31Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.

32There, too, the people were amazed at the things he said, because he spoke with authority.

33Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon began shouting at Jesus, 34"Go away!

Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy

One sent from God."

35Jesus cut him short. "Be silent!" he told the demon. "Come out of the man!" The demon threw the man to

the floor as the crowd watched; then it left him without hurting him further.

36Amazed, the people exclaimed, "What authority and power this man's words possess! Even evil spirits obey

him and flee at his command!" 37The story of what he had done spread like wildfire throughout the whole

region.

Jesus Heals Many People

38After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home, where he found Simon's mother-in-law

very sick with a high fever. "Please heal her," everyone begged. 39Standing at her bedside, he spoke to the

fever, rebuking it, and immediately her temperature returned to normal. She got up at once and prepared a

meal for them.

40As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus.

No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41Some were possessed by

demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But because they

knew he was the Messiah, he stopped them and told them to be silent.

Jesus Continues to Preach

42Early the next morning Jesus went out into the wilderness. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and

when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43But he replied, "I must preach the Good

News of the Kingdom of God in other places, too, because that is why I was sent." 44So he continued to

travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

chapter 5

The First Disciples

1One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen

to the word of God. 2He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and

were washing their nets. 3Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into

the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets,

and you will catch many fish."

5"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try

again." 6And this time their nets were so full they began to tear! 7A shout for help brought their partners in

the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please

leave me--I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." 9For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as

were the others with him. 10His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" 11And as soon as they

landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

12In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell

to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. "Lord," he said, "if you want to, you can make

me well again."

13Jesus reached out and touched the man. "I want to," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy

disappeared. 14Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, "Go right to the

priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been

healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing." 15Yet despite Jesus' instructions, the report

of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their

diseases. 16But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

17One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It

seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And

the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus. 18Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping

mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, 19but they couldn't reach him. So they went up to the

roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of

Jesus. 20Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

21"Who does this man think he is?" the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to each other. "This is

blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?"

22Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy? 23Is it easier

to say, `Your sins are forgiven' or `Get up and walk'? 24I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the

authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your

mat, and go on home, because you are healed!"

25And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped to his feet, picked up his mat, and went home

praising God. 26Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe. And they praised God, saying over and

over again, "We have seen amazing things today."

Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew)

27Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax-collection booth. "Come,

be my disciple!" Jesus said to him. 28So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

29Soon Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors

and other guests were there. 30But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to

Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?"

31Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. 32I have come to call sinners

to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough."

A Discussion about Fasting

33The religious leaders complained that Jesus' disciples were feasting instead of fasting. "John the Baptist's

disciples always fast and pray," they declared, "and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are yours

always feasting?"

34Jesus asked, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? 35Someday he will be taken away

from them, and then they will fast."

36Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to

patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn't even match the old

garment. 37And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the

wine and ruining the skins. 38New wine must be put into new wineskins. 39But no one who drinks the old wine

seems to want the fresh and the new. `The old is better,' they say."

chapter 6

A Discussion about the Sabbath

1One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of wheat,

rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grains. 2But some Pharisees said, "You shouldn't be doing

that! It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."

3Jesus replied, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions

were hungry? 4He went into the house of God, ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then

gave some to his friends. That was breaking the law, too." 5And Jesus added, "I, the Son of Man, am master

even of the Sabbath."

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

6On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching.

7The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched closely to see whether Jesus would heal the man

on the Sabbath, because they were eager to find some legal charge to bring against him. 8But Jesus knew

their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand here where everyone can see."

So the man came forward. 9Then Jesus said to his critics, "I have a question for you. Is it legal to do good

deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" 10He looked

around at them one by one and then said to the man, "Reach out your hand." The man reached out his hand,

and it became normal again! 11At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what

to do with him.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

12One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13At daybreak

he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

Simon (he also called him Peter),

Andrew (Peter's brother),

James,

John,

Philip,

Bartholomew,

Matthew,

Thomas,

James (son of Alphaeus),

Simon (the Zealot),

Judas (son of James),

Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Crowds Follow Jesus

17When they came down the slopes of the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area,

surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from

Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had come to hear him and to be

healed, and Jesus cast out many evil spirits. 19Everyone was trying to touch him, because healing power

went out from him, and they were all cured.

The Beatitudes

20Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

"God blesses you who are poor,

for the Kingdom of God is given to you.

God blesses you who are hungry now,

for you will be satisfied.

God blesses you who weep now,

for the time will come when you will laugh with joy.

God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed

because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.

23"When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember,

the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors.

Sorrows Foretold

"What sorrows await you who are rich,

for you have your only happiness now.

What sorrows await you who are satisfied and prosperous now,

for a time of awful hunger is before you.

What sorrows await you who laugh carelessly,

for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.

What sorrows await you who are praised by the crowds,

for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27"But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Pray for the

happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn

the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30Give what you have to anyone who

asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. 31Do for others as you

would like them to do for you.

32"Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you? Even the sinners do that! 33And if

you do good only to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much! 34And if

you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even sinners will lend to their own kind

for a full return.

35"Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned that they might not repay.

Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for

he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. 36You must be compassionate, just as your Father

is compassionate.

Dont Condemn Others

37"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If

you forgive others, you will be forgiven. 38If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full

measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you

use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

39Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first

one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. 40A student is not greater than the teacher. But the

student who works hard will become like the teacher.

41"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 42How can you think

of saying, `Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your

own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal

with the speck in your friend's eye.

The Tree and Its Fruit

43"A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 44A tree is identified by the

kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thornbushes or grapes on bramble bushes. 45A good person

produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever

is in your heart determines what you say.

Building on a Solid Foundation

46"So why do you call me `Lord,' when you won't obey me? 47I will show you what it's like when someone

comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. 48It is like a person who builds a house on a strong

foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands

firm because it is well built. 49But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house

without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."

chapter 7

Faith of the Roman Officer

1When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went back to Capernaum. 2Now the highly valued slave of a

Roman officer was sick and near death. 3When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish

leaders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4So they earnestly begged Jesus to come with them and help

the man. "If anyone deserves your help, it is he," they said, 5"for he loves the Jews and even built a

synagogue for us."

6So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say,

"Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7I am not even

worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8I know

because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need

to say, `Go,' and they go, or `Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, `Do this or that,' they do it."

9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like

this in all the land of Israel!" 10And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave

completely healed.

Jesus Raises a Widows Son

11Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, with a great crowd following him. 12A

funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The boy who had died was the only son

of a widow, and many mourners from the village were with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart

overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. 14Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and

the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "get up." 15Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those

around him! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and "We

have seen the hand of God at work today." 17The report of what Jesus had done that day spread all over

Judea and even out across its borders.

Jesus and John the Baptist

18The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his

disciples, 19and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should

we keep looking for someone else?"

20John's two disciples found Jesus and said to him, "John the Baptist sent us to ask, `Are you the Messiah

we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?' "

21At that very time, he cured many people of their various diseases, and he cast out evil spirits and restored

sight to the blind. 22Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and

heard--the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the

Good News is being preached to the poor. 23And tell him, `God blesses those who are not offended by me.' "

24After they left, Jesus talked to the crowd about John. "Who is this man in the wilderness that you went out

to see? Did you find him weak as a reed, moved by every breath of wind? 25Or were you expecting to see a

man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in

palaces, not in the wilderness. 26Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27John

is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

`Look, I am sending my messenger before you,

and he will prepare your way before you.'

28I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the most insignificant person in

the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!"

29When they heard this, all the people, including the unjust tax collectors, agreed that God's plan was right,

for they had been baptized by John. 30But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God's plan

for them, for they had refused John's baptism.

31"How shall I describe this generation?" Jesus asked. "With what will I compare them? 32They are like a

group of children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, `We played wedding

songs, and you weren't happy, so we played funeral songs, but you weren't sad.' 33For John the Baptist

didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, `He's demon possessed.' 34And I, the Son of Man, feast

and drink, and you say, `He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!' 35But

wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it."

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for a meal, so Jesus accepted the invitation and sat

down to eat. 37A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive

perfume. 38Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off

with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to

himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman

is touching him. She's a sinner!"

40Then Jesus spoke up and answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to

say to you."

"All right, Teacher," Simon replied, "go ahead."

41Then Jesus told him this story: "A man loaned money to two people--five hundred pieces of silver to one

and fifty pieces to the other. 42But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both,

canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?"

43Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt."

"That's right," Jesus said. 44Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling

here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has

washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You didn't give me a kiss of greeting, but she

has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. 46You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to

anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47I tell you, her sins--and they are

many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only

little love." 48Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."

49The men at the table said among themselves, "Who does this man think he is, going around forgiving sins?"

50And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

chapter 8

Women Who Followed Jesus

1Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News

concerning the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2along with some women he had healed

and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out

seven demons; 3Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were

contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed

4One day Jesus told this story to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5"A farmer

went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was

stepped on, and the birds came and ate it. 6Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. This seed

began to grow, but soon it withered and died for lack of moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns that shot up

and choked out the tender blades. 8Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop

one hundred times as much as had been planted." When he had said this, he called out, "Anyone who is willing

to hear should listen and understand!"

9His disciples asked him what the story meant. 10He replied, "You have been permitted to understand the

secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders, so

that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

`They see what I do,

but they don't really see;

they hear what I say,

but they don't understand.'

11"This is the meaning of the story: The seed is God's message. 12The seed that fell on the hard path

represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from

believing and being saved. 13The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young

plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds

of testing blow. 14The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly

the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into

maturity. 15But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it,

and steadily produce a huge harvest.

Illustration of the Lamp

16"No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open,

where they can be seen by those entering the house. 17For everything that is hidden or secret will eventually

be brought to light and made plain to all. 18So be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are

open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they

think they have will be taken away from them."

The True Family of Jesus

19Once when Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, they couldn't get to him because of the crowds.

20Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you."

21Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear the message of God and obey it."

Jesus Calms the Storm

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat

and started out. 23On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began

to rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

24The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

So Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! 25Then he asked

them, "Where is your faith?"

And they were filled with awe and amazement. They said to one another, "Who is this man, that even the

winds and waves obey him?"

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man

26So they arrived in the land of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27As Jesus was climbing out of

the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. Homeless and naked, he had lived in a

cemetery for a long time. 28As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell to the ground before him,

screaming, "Why are you bothering me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don't torture

me!" 29For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control

of the man. Even when he was shackled with chains, he simply broke them and rushed out into the

wilderness, completely under the demon's power.

30"What is your name?" Jesus asked.

"Legion," he replied--for the man was filled with many demons. 31The demons kept begging Jesus not to send

them into the Bottomless Pit. 32A large herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons

pleaded with him to let them enter into the pigs. Jesus gave them permission. 33So the demons came out of

the man and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake, where they

drowned.

34When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby city and the surrounding countryside, spreading the

news as they ran. 35A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, for they wanted to see for themselves what had

happened. And they saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, clothed

and sane. And the whole crowd was afraid. 36Then those who had seen what happened told the others how

the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37And all the people in that region begged Jesus to go away and

leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.

So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38The man who had been

demon possessed begged to go, too, but Jesus said, 39"No, go back to your family and tell them all the

wonderful things God has done for you." So he went all through the city telling about the great thing Jesus

had done for him.

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

40On the other side of the lake the crowds received Jesus with open arms because they had been waiting for

him. 41And now a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell down at Jesus' feet,

begging him to come home with him. 42His only child was dying, a little girl twelve years old.

As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43And there was a woman in the crowd who had

had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had spent everything she had on doctors and still could find no cure.

44She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

45"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you."

46But Jesus told him, "No, someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me." 47When

the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him. The whole crowd

heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48"Daughter," he said

to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

49While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from Jairus's home with the message, "Your little girl

is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."

50But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me, and she will be

all right."

51When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, James, John, and

the little girl's father and mother. 52The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, "Stop

the weeping! She isn't dead; she is only asleep."

53But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54Then Jesus took her by the hand and

said in a loud voice, "Get up, my child!" 55And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood

up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted

that they not tell anyone what had happened.

chapter 9

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

1One day Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them power and authority to cast out demons

and to heal all diseases. 2Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God

and to heal the sick. 3"Don't even take along a walking stick," he instructed them, "nor a traveler's bag, nor

food, nor money. Not even an extra coat. 4When you enter each village, be a guest in only one home. 5If the

people of the village won't receive your message when you enter it, shake off its dust from your feet as you

leave. It is a sign that you have abandoned that village to its fate."

6So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

Herods Confusion

7When reports of Jesus' miracles reached Herod Antipas, he was worried and puzzled because some were

saying, "This is John the Baptist come back to life again." 8Others were saying, "It is Elijah or some other

ancient prophet risen from the dead."

9"I beheaded John," Herod said, "so who is this man about whom I hear such strange stories?" And he tried to

see him.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

10When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with

them toward the town of Bethsaida. 11But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him.

And he welcomed them, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and curing those who were ill. 12Late in the

afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, "Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and

farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this deserted place."

13But Jesus said, "You feed them."

"Impossible!" they protested. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Or are you expecting us to go

and buy enough food for this whole crowd?" 14For there were about five thousand men there.

"Just tell them to sit down on the ground in groups of about fifty each," Jesus replied. 15So the people all sat

down. 16Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the

food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people.

17They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!

Peters Declaration about Jesus

18One day as Jesus was alone, praying, he came over to his disciples and asked them, "Who do people say I

am?"

19"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other

ancient prophets risen from the dead."

20Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?"

Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God!"

Jesus Predicts His Death

21Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about this. 22"For I, the Son of Man, must suffer many terrible

things," he said. "I will be rejected by the leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. I will

be killed, but three days later I will be raised from the dead."

23Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish

ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. 24If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.

But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. 25And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world

but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process? 26If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son

of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy

angels. 27And I assure you that some of you standing here right now will not die before you see the Kingdom

of God."

The Transfiguration

28About eight days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying,

the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30Then two men, Moses and

Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31They were glorious to see. And they were speaking of how

he was about to fulfill God's plan by dying in Jerusalem.

32Peter and the others were very drowsy and had fallen asleep. Now they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and

the two men standing with him. 33As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what

he was saying, blurted out, "Master, this is wonderful! We will make three shrines--one for you, one for

Moses, and one for Elijah." 34But even as he was saying this, a cloud came over them; and terror gripped

them as it covered them.

35Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." 36When the voice died

away, Jesus was there alone. They didn't tell anyone what they had seen until long after this happened.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

37The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a huge crowd met Jesus. 38A man in the crowd

called out to him, "Teacher, look at my boy, who is my only son. 39An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him

scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It is always hitting and injuring him. It

hardly ever leaves him alone. 40I begged your disciples to cast the spirit out, but they couldn't do it."

41"You stubborn, faithless people," Jesus said, "how long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring him

here." 42As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent

convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. 43Awe

gripped the people as they saw this display of God's power.

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

While everyone was marveling over all the wonderful things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44"Listen

to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed." 45But they didn't know what he

meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they could not understand it, and they were afraid to ask

him about it.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

46Then there was an argument among them as to which of them would be the greatest. 47But Jesus knew

their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little

child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me.

Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."

Using the Name of Jesus

49John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons. We tried to stop him

because he isn't in our group."

50But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you."

Opposition from Samaritans

51As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52He sent

messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53But they were turned away. The people

of the village refused to have anything to do with Jesus because he had resolved to go to Jerusalem. 54When

James and John heard about it, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we order down fire from heaven to burn

them up?" 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56So they went on to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

57As they were walking along someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you no matter where you go."

58But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home

of my own, not even a place to lay my head."

59He said to another person, "Come, be my disciple."

The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."

60Jesus replied, "Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach

the coming of the Kingdom of God."

61Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."

62But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of

God."

chapter 10

Jesus Sends Out His Disciples

1The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and

villages he planned to visit. 2These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers

are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his

fields. 3Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4Don't take along any

money, or a traveler's bag, or even an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road.

5"Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing. 6If those who live there are worthy, the blessing will

stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7When you enter a town, don't move around from home

to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide you. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality,

because those who work deserve their pay.

8"If a town welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you 9and heal the sick. As you heal them, say, `The

Kingdom of God is near you now.' 10But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

11`We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. And don't forget

the Kingdom of God is near!' 12The truth is, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on the

judgment day.

13"What horrors await you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked

Tyre and Sidon, their people would have sat in deep repentance long ago, clothed in sackcloth and throwing

ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 14Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on the judgment day

than you. 15And you people of Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to

the place of the dead."

16Then he said to the disciples, "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who

rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God who sent me."

17When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us

when we use your name!"

18"Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning! 19And I have given you

authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them.

Nothing will injure you. 20But don't rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are

registered as citizens of heaven."

Jesus Prayer of Thanksgiving

21Then Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank

you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the

childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

22"My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no

one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

23Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, "How privileged you are to see what you

have seen. 24I tell you, many prophets and kings have longed to see and hear what you have seen and

heard, but they could not."

The Most Important Commandment

25One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what must

I do to receive eternal life?"

26Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?"

27The man answered, " `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength,

and all your mind.' And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

28"Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"

29The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Story of the Good Samaritan

30Jesus replied with an illustration: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he

was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead

beside the road.

31"By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side

of the road and passed him by. 32A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also

passed by on the other side.

33"Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. 34Kneeling beside

him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own

donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next day he handed the innkeeper two

pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. `If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, `I'll pay the

difference the next time I am here.'

36"Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus

asked.

37The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman

named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he

taught. 40But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord,

doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help

me."

41But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! 42There is really only

one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her."

chapter 11

Teaching about Prayer

1Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord,

teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

2He said, "This is how you should pray:

"Father, may your name be honored.

May your Kingdom come soon.

Give us our food day by day.

And forgive us our sins--

just as we forgive those who have sinned against us.

And don't let us yield to temptation."

5Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: "Suppose you went to a friend's house

at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, 6`A friend of mine has just

arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' 7He would call out from his bedroom, `Don't bother me.

The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can't help you this time.' 8But I tell you this--though

he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want so his

reputation won't be damaged.

9"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find.

Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. 10For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks,

finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

11"You fathers--if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12Or if they ask for an egg,

do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your

children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Jesus and the Prince of Demons

14One day Jesus cast a demon out of a man who couldn't speak, and the man's voice returned to him. The

crowd was amazed, 15but some said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the

prince of demons!" 16Trying to test Jesus, others asked for a miraculous sign from heaven to see if he was

from God.

17He knew their thoughts, so he said, "Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A divided home is also

doomed. 18You say I am empowered by the prince of demons. But if Satan is fighting against himself by

empowering me to cast out his demons, how can his kingdom survive? 19And if I am empowered by the prince

of demons, what about your own followers? They cast out demons, too, so they will judge you for what you

have said. 20But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among

you. 21For when Satan, who is completely armed, guards his palace, it is safe-- 22until someone who is

stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

23"Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against

me.

24"When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it

says, `I will return to the person I came from.' 25So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and

clean. 26Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live

there. And so that person is worse off than before."

27As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, "God bless your mother--the womb from which you

came, and the breasts that nursed you!"

28He replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

The Sign of Jonah

29As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, "These are evil times, and this evil generation keeps asking me

to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 30What

happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to me will be a

sign that God has sent me, the Son of Man, to these people.

31"The queen of Sheba will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because she

came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now someone greater than Solomon is

here--and you refuse to listen to him. 32The people of Nineveh, too, will rise up against this generation on

judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater

than Jonah is here--and you refuse to repent.

Receiving the Light

33"No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, it is put on a lampstand to give

light to all who enter the room. 34Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.

But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. 35Make sure that the light you think you

have is not really darkness. 36If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be

radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you."

Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders

37As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place

at the table. 38His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the ceremonial

washing required by Jewish custom. 39Then the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the

outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are still filthy--full of greed and wickedness! 40Fools! Didn't

God make the inside as well as the outside? 41So give to the needy what you greedily possess, and you will

be clean all over.

42"But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your

income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should

not leave undone the more important things.

43"How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For how you love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the

respectful greetings from everyone as you walk through the markets! 44Yes, how terrible it will be for you.

For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are

stepping on."

45"Teacher," said an expert in religious law, "you have insulted us, too, in what you just said."

46"Yes," said Jesus, "how terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you crush people beneath

impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to help ease the burden. 47How terrible it will be for

you! For you build tombs for the very prophets your ancestors killed long ago. 48Murderers! You agree with

your ancestors that what they did was right. You would have done the same yourselves. 49This is what God

in his wisdom said about you: `I will send prophets and apostles to them, and they will kill some and

persecute the others.'

50"And you of this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from the creation of

the world-- 51from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the

sanctuary. Yes, it will surely be charged against you.

52"How terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you hide the key to knowledge from the people.

You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering."

53As Jesus finished speaking, the Pharisees and teachers of religious law were furious. From that time on they

grilled him with many hostile questions, 54trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him.

chapter 12

A Warning against Hypocrisy

1Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first

to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees--beware of their hypocrisy. 2The

time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. 3Whatever you have

said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted

from the housetops for all to hear!

4"Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any

more to you. 5But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them

into hell.

6"What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

7And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a

whole flock of sparrows.

8"And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly

acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels. 9But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny

that person before God's angels. 10Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone

who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.

11"And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about

what to say in your defense, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are

standing there."

Story of the Rich Fool

13Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with

me."

14Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" 15Then he said,

"Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."

16And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17In fact, his barns

were full to overflowing. 18So he said, `I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have

room enough to store everything. 19And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored

away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!'

20"But God said to him, `You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?'

21"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Teaching about Money and Possessions

22Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have

enough food to eat or clothes to wear. 23For life consists of far more than food and clothing. 24Look at the

ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far

more valuable to him than any birds! 25Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!

26And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

27"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory

was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today

and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 29And don't worry about

food--what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. 30These things dominate the

thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. 31He will give you all you need from day

to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

32"So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

33"Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the

purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe--no thief can steal it and no moth can

destroy it. 34Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

Be Ready for the Lords Coming

35"Be dressed for service and well prepared, 36as though you were waiting for your master to return from the

wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.

37There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat

them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38He may come in the middle of the night or just

before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!

39"Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would not permit the house to be

broken into. 40You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."

41Peter asked, "Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?"

42And the Lord replied, "I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the

responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family. 43If the master returns and finds that the

servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44I assure you, the master will put that servant in

charge of all he owns. 45But if the servant thinks, `My master won't be back for a while,' and begins

oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk-- 46well, the master will return unannounced and

unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. 47The servant will be severely

punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it.

48"But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required

from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.

Jesus Causes Division

49"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed! 50There is a

terrible baptism ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51Do you think I have

come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division! 52From now on families will be

split apart, three in favor of me, and two against--or the other way around. 53There will be a division

between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."

54Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say,

`Here comes a shower.' And you are right. 55When the south wind blows, you say, `Today will be a

scorcher.' And it is. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky,

but you can't interpret these present times.

57"Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right? 58If you are on the way to court and you meet your

accuser, try to settle the matter before it reaches the judge, or you may be sentenced and handed over to

an officer and thrown in jail. 59And if that happens, you won't be free again until you have paid the last

penny."

chapter 13

A Call to Repentance

1About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were

sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem. 2"Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than other people

from Galilee?" he asked. "Is that why they suffered? 3Not at all! And you will also perish unless you turn from

your evil ways and turn to God. 4And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell

on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will

also perish."

Illustration of the Barren Fig Tree

6Then Jesus used this illustration: "A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if

there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7Finally, he said to his gardener, `I've waited

three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's taking up space we can use for something

else.'

8"The gardener answered, `Give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention

and plenty of fertilizer. 9If we get figs next year, fine. If not, you can cut it down.' "

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

10One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11he saw a woman who had been crippled by an

evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus

saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are healed of your sickness!" 13Then he touched her, and

instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God!

14But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day.

"There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd. "Come on those days to be healed, not on

the Sabbath."

15But the Lord replied, "You hypocrite! You work on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey

from their stalls on the Sabbath and lead them out for water? 16Wasn't it necessary for me, even on the

Sabbath day, to free this dear woman from the bondage in which Satan has held her for eighteen years?"

17This shamed his enemies. And all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Illustration of the Mustard Seed

18Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 19It is like a tiny mustard seed

planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches."

Illustration of the Yeast

20He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? 21It is like yeast used by a woman making bread.

Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough."

The Narrow Door

22Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.

23Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?"

He replied, 24"The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter, 25but when

the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. Then you will stand outside knocking and

pleading, `Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, `I do not know you.' 26You will say, `But we ate and

drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27And he will reply, `I tell you, I don't know you. Go away, all

you who do evil.'

28"And there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the

prophets within the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 29Then people will come from all over the

world to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30And note this: Some who are despised now will be greatly

honored then; and some who are greatly honored now will be despised then."

Jesus Grieves over Jerusalem

31A few minutes later some Pharisees said to him, "Get out of here if you want to live, because Herod Antipas

wants to kill you!"

32Jesus replied, "Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and doing miracles of healing today

and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. 33Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I

must proceed on my way. For it wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!

34"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have

wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let

me. 35And now look, your house is left to you empty. And you will never see me again until you say, `Bless

the one who comes in the name of the Lord!' "

chapter 14

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

1One Sabbath day Jesus was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees. The people were watching him closely,

2because there was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts

in religious law, "Well, is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" 4When they

refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5Then he turned to them

and asked, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you

proceed at once to get him out?" 6Again they had no answer.

Jesus Teaches about Humility

7When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit near the head of the table, he

gave them this advice: 8"If you are invited to a wedding feast, don't always head for the best seat. What if

someone more respected than you has also been invited? 9The host will say, `Let this person sit here

instead.' Then you will be embarrassed and will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10"Do this instead--sit at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say,

`Friend, we have a better place than this for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.

11For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."

12Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a dinner," he said, "don't invite your friends,

brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. 13Instead, invite the

poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for

inviting those who could not repay you."

Story of the Great Feast

15Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a privilege it would be to have a share

in the Kingdom of God!"

16Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17When all

was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. 18But they all

began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be

excused. 19Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. 20Another had just

been married, so he said he couldn't come.

21"The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, `Go quickly

into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.' 22After the

servant had done this, he reported, `There is still room for more.' 23So his master said, `Go out into the

country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24For

none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.' "

The Cost of Being a Disciple

25Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26"If you want to be my follower

you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, more

than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27And you cannot be my disciple if you do not

carry your own cross and follow me.

28"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first

getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? 29Otherwise, you might

complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you!

30They would say, `There's the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was

finished!'

31"Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and

discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who

are marching against him? 32If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation

to discuss terms of peace. 33So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.

34"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35Flavorless salt is

good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer. It is thrown away. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and

understand!"

chapter 15

Story of the Lost Sheep

1Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2This made the Pharisees

and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people--even eating with

them!

3So Jesus used this illustration: 4"If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost

in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found

it? 5And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. 6When you arrived, you would call together

your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. 7In the same way, heaven

will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and

haven't strayed away!

Story of the Lost Coin

8"Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and look in every

corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she will call

in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. 10In the same way,

there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

Story of the Lost Son

11To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. 12The younger son told his

father, `I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.' So his father agreed to divide

his wealth between his sons.

13"A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he

wasted all his money on wild living. 14About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land,

and he began to starve. 15He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. 16The boy became so

hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17"When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, `At home even the hired men have food enough to

spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! 18I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against

both heaven and you, 19and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired

man." '

20"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming.

Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21His son said to him,

`Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.'

22"But his father said to the servants, `Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring

for his finger, and sandals for his feet. 23And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must

celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he

is found.' So the party began.

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in

the house, 26and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27`Your brother is back,' he was told,

`and your father has killed the calf we were fattening and has prepared a great feast. We are celebrating

because of his safe return.'

28"The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, 29but he replied, `All

these years I've worked hard for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all

that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30Yet when this son of yours

comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the finest calf we have.'

31"His father said to him, `Look, dear son, you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. 32We

had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now

he is found!' "

chapter 16

Story of the Shrewd Manager

1Jesus told this story to his disciples: "A rich man hired a manager to handle his affairs, but soon a rumor

went around that the manager was thoroughly dishonest. 2So his employer called him in and said, `What's

this I hear about your stealing from me? Get your report in order, because you are going to be dismissed.'

3"The manager thought to himself, `Now what? I'm through here, and I don't have the strength to go out and

dig ditches, and I'm too proud to beg. 4I know just the thing! And then I'll have plenty of friends to take care

of me when I leave!'

5"So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked

the first one, `How much do you owe him?' 6The man replied, `I owe him eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' So

the manager told him, `Tear up that bill and write another one for four hundred gallons.'

7" `And how much do you owe my employer?' he asked the next man. `A thousand bushels of wheat,' was

the reply. `Here,' the manager said, `take your bill and replace it with one for only eight hundred bushels.'

8"The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this

world are more shrewd than the godly are. 9I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make

friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.

10"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you

won't be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will

trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should

you be trusted with money of your own?

13"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise

the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

14The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, naturally scoffed at all this. 15Then he said to them, "You like

to look good in public, but God knows your evil hearts. What this world honors is an abomination in the sight

of God.

16"Until John the Baptist began to preach, the laws of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your

guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and eager multitudes are forcing their

way in. 17But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force in even the smallest point. It is stronger and

more permanent than heaven and earth.

18"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and anyone who marries a

divorced woman commits adultery."

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury.

20At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. 21As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich

man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the

angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23and his soul went to the place of the

dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

24"The rich man shouted, `Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his

finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.'

25"But Abraham said to him, `Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and

Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26And besides, there is a

great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no

one there can cross over to us.'

27"Then the rich man said, `Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father's home. 28For I have five

brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when

they die.'

29"But Abraham said, `Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings

anytime they want to.'

30"The rich man replied, `No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will

turn from their sins.'

31"But Abraham said, `If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises

from the dead.' "

chapter 17

Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith

1One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but how terrible it will be for

the person who does the tempting. 2It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied

around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones. 3I am warning you!

If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. 4Even if he wrongs you seven times a

day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him."

5One day the apostles said to the Lord, "We need more faith; tell us how to get it."

6"Even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed," the Lord answered, "you could say to this mulberry tree,

`May God uproot you and throw you into the sea,' and it would obey you!

7"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn't just sit down and eat. 8He must

first prepare his master's meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. 9And the servant is not even

thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. 10In the same way, when you obey me you

should say, `We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.' "

Ten Healed of Leprosy

11As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12As he

entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

14He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, their leprosy

disappeared.

15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!"

16He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a

Samaritan.

17Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18Does only this foreigner return to give

glory to God?" 19And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well."

The Coming of the Kingdom

20One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God come?"

Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God isn't ushered in with visible signs. 21You won't be able to say, `Here it is!'

or `It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is among you."

22Later he talked again about this with his disciples. "The time is coming when you will long to share in the

days of the Son of Man, but you won't be able to," he said. 23"Reports will reach you that the Son of Man

has returned and that he is in this place or that. Don't believe such reports or go out to look for him. 24For

when the Son of Man returns, you will know it beyond all doubt. It will be as evident as the lightning that

flashes across the sky. 25But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation.

26"When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah's day. 27In those days before

the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat

and the flood came to destroy them all.

28"And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and

drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-- 29until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning

sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30Yes, it will be `business as usual' right up to the

hour when the Son of Man returns. 31On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to

pack. A person in the field must not return to town. 32Remember what happened to Lot's wife! 33Whoever

clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. 34That night two people will be asleep in

one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. 35Two women will be grinding flour together at

the mill; one will be taken, the other left."

37"Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that

the end is near."

chapter 18

Story of the Persistent Widow

1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that

they must never give up. 2"There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great

contempt for everyone. 3A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone

who had harmed her. 4The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God

nor man,' he said to himself, 5`but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice,

because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "

6Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. 7Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so

don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he

keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return,

how many will I find who have faith?"

Story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

9Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: 10"Two men

went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. 11The proud

Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone

else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, 12I

fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed.

Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' 14I tell you, this

sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble

will be honored."

Jesus Blesses the Children

15One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the

disciples told them not to bother him. 16Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the

children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I assure you,

anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."

The Rich Man

18Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?"

19"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good. 20But as for your question, you know

the commandments: `Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Honor your

father and mother.' "

21The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a child."

22"There is still one thing you lack," Jesus said. "Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you

will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 23But when the man heard this, he became sad because

he was very rich.

24Jesus watched him go and then said to his disciples, "How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom

of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the

Kingdom of God!"

26Those who heard this said, "Then who in the world can be saved?"

27He replied, "What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God."

28Peter said, "We have left our homes and followed you."

29"Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or

children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving

eternal life in the world to come."

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

31Gathering the twelve disciples around him, Jesus told them, "As you know, we are going to Jerusalem. And

when we get there, all the predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true.

32He will be handed over to the Romans to be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33They will whip

him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again."

34But they didn't understand a thing he said. Its significance was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp

what he was talking about.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

35As they approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36When he heard the noise of a

crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. 38So

he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39The crowds ahead of Jesus tried to hush the

man, but he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. 41Then Jesus asked the

man, "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord," he pleaded, "I want to see!"

42And Jesus said, "All right, you can see! Your faith has healed you." 43Instantly the man could see, and he

followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

chapter 19

Jesus and Zacchaeus

1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He

was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3He

tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a

sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.

5When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick,

come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."

6Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7But the crowds

were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.

8Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I

have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"

9Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of

Abraham. 10And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."

Story of the Ten Servants

11The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story

to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12He said, "A nobleman was called

away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13Before he left, he called together ten

servants and gave them ten pounds of silver to invest for him while he was gone. 14But his people hated him

and sent a delegation after him to say they did not want him to be their king.

15"When he returned, the king called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out

what they had done with the money and what their profits were. 16The first servant reported a tremendous

gain--ten times as much as the original amount! 17`Well done!' the king exclaimed. `You are a trustworthy

servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your

reward.'

18"The next servant also reported a good gain--five times the original amount. 19`Well done!' the king said.

`You can be governor over five cities.'

20"But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, `I hid it and kept it safe.

21I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn't yours and harvesting crops you

didn't plant.'

22" `You wicked servant!' the king roared. `Hard, am I? If you knew so much about me and how tough I am,

23why didn't you deposit the money in the bank so I could at least get some interest on it?' 24Then turning

to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, `Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one

who earned the most.'

25" `But, master,' they said, `that servant has enough already!'

26" `Yes,' the king replied, `but to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from

those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 27And now about these enemies of

mine who didn't want me to be their king--bring them in and execute them right here in my presence.' "

The Triumphal Entry

28After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29As they came to

the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30"Go into that

village over there," he told them, "and as you enter it, you will see a colt tied there that has never been

ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, `The Lord needs it.' "

32So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33And sure enough, as they were untying it, the

owners asked them, "Why are you untying our colt?"

34And the disciples simply replied, "The Lord needs it." 35So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their

garments over it for him to ride on.

36Then the crowds spread out their coats on the road ahead of Jesus. 37As they reached the place where

the road started down from the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked

along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

"Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven

and glory in highest heaven!"

39But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, "Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like

that!"

40He replied, "If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!"

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. 42"I wish that even

today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. 43Before long

your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. 44They will crush

you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because

you have rejected the opportunity God offered you."

Jesus Clears the Temple

45Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants from their stalls. 46He told them,

"The Scriptures declare, `My Temple will be a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

47After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the

other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48But they could think of nothing, because all the

people hung on every word he said.

chapter 20

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

1One day as Jesus was teaching and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests and

teachers of religious law and other leaders came up to him. 2They demanded, "By whose authority did you

drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who gave you such authority?"

3"Let me ask you a question first," he replied. 4"Did John's baptism come from heaven, or was it merely

human?"

5They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe him.

6But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us, because they are convinced he was a prophet."

7Finally they replied, "We don't know."

8And Jesus responded, "Then I won't answer your question either."

Story of the Evil Farmers

9Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it out to

tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. 10At grape-picking time, he sent one

of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent

him back empty-handed. 11So the owner sent another servant, but the same thing happened; he was beaten

up and treated shamefully, and he went away empty-handed. 12A third man was sent and the same thing

happened. He, too, was wounded and chased away.

13" `What will I do?' the owner asked himself. `I know! I'll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect

him.'

14"But when the farmers saw his son, they said to each other, `Here comes the heir to this estate. Let's kill

him and get the estate for ourselves!' 15So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.

"What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to those farmers?" Jesus asked. 16"I'll tell you--he

will come and kill them all and lease the vineyard to others."

"But God forbid that such a thing should ever happen," his listeners protested.

17Jesus looked at them and said, "Then what do the Scriptures mean?

`The stone rejected by the builders

has now become the cornerstone.'

18All who stumble over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."

19When the teachers of religious law and the leading priests heard this story, they wanted to arrest Jesus

immediately because they realized he was pointing at them--that they were the farmers in the story. But

they were afraid there would be a riot if they arrested him.

Taxes for Caesar

20Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent secret agents pretending to be honest men. They tried to

get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21They

said, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think.

You sincerely teach the ways of God. 22Now tell us--is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or

not?"

23He saw through their trickery and said, 24"Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on

it?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

25"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be

given to God." 26So they failed to trap him in the presence of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his

answer, and they were silenced.

Discussion about Resurrection

27Then some Sadducees stepped forward--a group of Jews who say there is no resurrection after death.

28They posed this question: "Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children,

his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will be the brother's heir. 29Well, there were seven

brothers. The oldest married and then died without children. 30His brother married the widow, but he also

died. Still no children. 31And so it went, one after the other, until each of the seven had married her and

died, leaving no children. 32Finally, the woman died, too. 33So tell us, whose wife will she be in the

resurrection? For all seven were married to her!"

34Jesus replied, "Marriage is for people here on earth. 35But that is not the way it will be in the age to come.

For those worthy of being raised from the dead won't be married then. 36And they will never die again. In

these respects they are like angels. They are children of God raised up to new life. 37But now, as to whether

the dead will be raised--even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as `the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of

Jacob.' 38So he is the God of the living, not the dead. They are all alive to him."

39"Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40And that

ended their questions; no one dared to ask any more.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

41Then Jesus presented them with a question. "Why is it," he asked, "that the Messiah is said to be the son

of David? 42For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms:

`The LORD said to my Lord,

Sit in honor at my right hand

until I humble your enemies,

making them a footstool under your feet.'

44Since David called him Lord, how can he be his son at the same time?"

45Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46"Beware of these teachers of

religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the

marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. 47But they

shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are,

they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater."

chapter 21

The Widows Offering

1While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people putting their gifts into the collection box. 2Then

a poor widow came by and dropped in two pennies. 3"I assure you," he said, "this poor widow has given more

than all the rest of them. 4For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given

everything she has."

Jesus Foretells the Future

5Some of his disciples began talking about the beautiful stonework of the Temple and the memorial

decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6"The time is coming when all these things will be so completely

demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another."

7"Teacher," they asked, "when will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time?"

8He replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah and

saying, `The time has come!' But don't believe them. 9And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don't

panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately." 10Then he added, "Nations and

kingdoms will proclaim war against each other. 11There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines

and epidemics in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs in the heavens.

12"But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues

and prisons, and you will be accused before kings and governors of being my followers. 13This will be your

opportunity to tell them about me. 14So don't worry about how to answer the charges against you, 15for I

will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply! 16Even those

closest to you--your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends--will betray you. And some of you will be killed.

17And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish!

19By standing firm, you will win your souls.

20"And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has

arrived. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Let those in Jerusalem escape, and those outside the

city should not enter it for shelter. 22For those will be days of God's vengeance, and the prophetic words of

the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their

babies. For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24They will be brutally killed by

the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be conquered and

trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.

25"And there will be strange events in the skies--signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth

the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26The courage of many people

will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very

heavens will be broken up. 27Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and

great glory. 28So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is

near!"

29Then he gave them this illustration: "Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30When the leaves come out,

you know without being told that summer is near. 31Just so, when you see the events I've described taking

place, you can be sure that the Kingdom of God is near. 32I assure you, this generation will not pass from the

scene until all these events have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain

forever.

34"Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this

life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, 35as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the

earth. 36Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before

the Son of Man."

37Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the

Mount of Olives. 38The crowds gathered early each morning to hear him.

chapter 22

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

1The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the Passover celebration, was drawing near. 2The

leading priests and teachers of religious law were actively plotting Jesus' murder. But they wanted to kill him

without starting a riot, a possibility they greatly feared.

3Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4and he went over to the

leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5They

were delighted that he was ready to help them, and they promised him a reward. 6So he began looking for an

opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him quietly when the crowds weren't around.

The Last Supper

7Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lambs were sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter

and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together."

9"Where do you want us to go?" they asked him.

10He replied, "As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At

the house he enters, 11say to the owner, `The Teacher asks, Where is the guest room where I can eat the

Passover meal with my disciples?' 12He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is

the place. Go ahead and prepare our supper there." 13They went off to the city and found everything just as

Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover supper there.

14Then at the proper time Jesus and the twelve apostles sat down together at the table. 15Jesus said, "I

have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my

suffering begins. 16For I tell you now that I won't eat it again until it comes to fulfillment in the Kingdom of

God."

17Then he took a cup of wine, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, "Take this and share it among

yourselves. 18For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come."

19Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the

disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20After supper he took

another cup of wine and said, "This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement

sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.

21"But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22For I, the Son of

Man, must die since it is part of God's plan. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer!" 23Then the disciples

began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

24And they began to argue among themselves as to who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom.

25Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called

`friends of the people.' 26But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the

leader should be like a servant. 27Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not

here! For I am your servant. 28You have remained true to me in my time of trial. 29And just as my Father has

granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom. And you will

sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peters Denial

31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. 32But I have pleaded in prayer

for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again,

strengthen and build up your brothers."

33Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."

34But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. The rooster will not crow tomorrow morning until you have

denied three times that you even know me."

35Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a

traveler's bag, or extra clothing, did you lack anything?"

"No," they replied.

36"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your clothes

and buy one! 37For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: `He was counted among

those who were rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."

38"Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us."

"That's enough," he said.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.

40There he told them, "Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation."

41He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, please

take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." 43Then an angel from heaven

appeared and strengthened him. 44He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his

sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples,

only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46"Why are you sleeping?" he asked. "Get up and pray.

Otherwise temptation will overpower you."

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47But even as he said this, a mob approached, led by Judas, one of his twelve disciples. Judas walked over to

Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. 48But Jesus said, "Judas, how can you betray me, the Son of Man, with a

kiss?"

49When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, "Lord, should we fight? We

brought the swords!" 50And one of them slashed at the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear.

51But Jesus said, "Don't resist anymore." And he touched the place where the man's ear had been and healed

him. 52Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard and the other leaders who

headed the mob. "Am I some dangerous criminal," he asked, "that you have come armed with swords and

clubs to arrest me? 53Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your

moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns."

Peter Denies Jesus

54So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind. 55The

guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56A servant girl noticed him

in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"

57Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"

58After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!"

"No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.

59About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean,

too."

60But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the

rooster crowed. 61At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord

had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times." 62And Peter left the

courtyard, crying bitterly.

63Now the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64They blindfolded him; then they hit

him and asked, "Who hit you that time, you prophet?" 65And they threw all sorts of terrible insults at him.

Jesus before the Council

66At daybreak all the leaders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of

religious law. Jesus was led before this high council, 67and they said, "Tell us if you are the Messiah."

But he replied, "If I tell you, you won't believe me. 68And if I ask you a question, you won't answer. 69But

the time is soon coming when I, the Son of Man, will be sitting at God's right hand in the place of power."

70They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?"

And he replied, "You are right in saying that I am."

71"What need do we have for other witnesses?" they shouted. "We ourselves heard him say it."

chapter 23

Jesus Trial before Pilate

1Then the entire council took Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2They began at once to state their

case: "This man has been leading our people to ruin by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman

government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king."

3So Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say."

4Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, "I find nothing wrong with this man!"

5Then they became desperate. "But he is causing riots everywhere he goes, all over Judea, from Galilee to

Jerusalem!"

6"Oh, is he a Galilean?" Pilate asked. 7When they answered that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas,

because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

8Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping

for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to

answer. 10Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their

accusations. 11Now Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Then they put a royal robe on

him and sent him back to Pilate. 12Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.

13Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14and he

announced his verdict. "You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him

thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15Herod came to the same conclusion and

sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16So I will have him flogged, but

then I will release him."

18Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, "Kill him, and release Barabbas

to us!" 19(Barabbas was in prison for murder and for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the

government.) 20Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21But they shouted, "Crucify

him! Crucify him!"

22For the third time he demanded, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence

him to death. I will therefore flog him and let him go."

23But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus' death, and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate sentenced

Jesus to die as they demanded. 25As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for

insurrection and murder. But he delivered Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

The Crucifixion

26As they led Jesus away, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country just then, was forced to

follow Jesus and carry his cross. 27Great crowds trailed along behind, including many grief-stricken women.

28But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves

and for your children. 29For the days are coming when they will say, `Fortunate indeed are the women who

are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.' 30People will

beg the mountains to fall on them and the hills to bury them. 31For if these things are done when the tree is

green, what will happen when it is dry?"

32Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33Finally, they came to a place called

The Skull. All three were crucified there--Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.

34Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers

gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

35The crowd watched, and the leaders laughed and scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save

himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah." 36The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink

of sour wine. 37They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38A signboard was

nailed to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews."

39One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving

yourself--and us, too, while you're at it!"

40But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? 41We deserve to die for

our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you

come into your Kingdom."

43And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

The Death of Jesus

44By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. 45The light from the

sun was gone. And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart. 46Then Jesus shouted,

"Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.

47When the captain of the Roman soldiers handling the executions saw what had happened, he praised God

and said, "Surely this man was innocent." 48And when the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw all that

had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed

him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

The Burial of Jesus

50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council,

51but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of

Arimathea in Judea, and he had been waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52He went to Pilate and asked

for Jesus' body. 53Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it

in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of

preparation for the Sabbath.

55As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where they placed his

body. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him. But by the time they were

finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the law.

chapter 24

The Resurrection

1But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They

found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. 3So they went in, but they couldn't find

the body of the Lord Jesus. 4They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly,

two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5The women were terrified and bowed low before them.

Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? 6He isn't here! He has risen

from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be betrayed

into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?"

8Then they remembered that he had said this. 9So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples--and

everyone else--what had happened. 10The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna,

Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, 11but the story

sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it. 12However, Peter ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he

peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

The Walk to Emmaus

13That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem.

14As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15Suddenly, Jesus himself

came along and joined them and began walking beside them. 16But they didn't know who he was, because

God kept them from recognizing him.

17"You seem to be in a deep discussion about something," he said. "What are you so concerned about?"

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be

the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few

days."

19"What things?" Jesus asked.

"The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did wonderful

miracles. He was a mighty teacher, highly regarded by both God and all the people. 20But our leading priests

and other religious leaders arrested him and handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified

him. 21We had thought he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. That all happened three days

ago. 22Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came

back with an amazing report. 23They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them

Jesus is alive! 24Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus' body was gone, just as the women

had said."

25Then Jesus said to them, "You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets

wrote in the Scriptures. 26Wasn't it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer

all these things before entering his time of glory?" 27Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses

and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.

28By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, 29but

they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them. 30As

they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God's blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them.

31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and

explained the Scriptures to us?" 33And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem, where the

eleven disciples and the other followers of Jesus were gathered. When they arrived, they were greeted with

the report, 34"The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter!"

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along

the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling

about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, "Peace be with you." 37But the

whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38"Why are you frightened?" he

asked. "Why do you doubt who I am? 39Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me.

Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!"

40As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet.

41Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything

here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he ate it as they watched.

44Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the

prophets and in the Psalms must all come true." 45Then he opened their minds to understand these many

Scriptures. 46And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again

from the dead on the third day. 47With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations,

beginning in Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' 48You are witnesses of all these

things.

49"And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy

Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

The Ascension

50Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing

them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled

with great joy. 53And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.