A Translation of the New Testament from the original Greek Part 7

(38)Then John addressed him, saying, Master, we saw a person in thy name casting out devils, who followeth us not: and we forbad him, because he did not follow us. (39)Then said Jesus, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall perform a miracle in my name, who will be able presently after to speak evil of me. (40)For he that is not against us, is for us. (41)For whosoever shall give you even a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to the Messiah, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (42)And whosoever shall give occasion of offence to one of these little ones who believe in me, it were desirable for him rather that a milestone were hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the sea. (43)And if thy hand cause thee to offend, cut it off: it were better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having both hands to go into h.e.l.l, into the fire that never will be quenched: (44)where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (45)And if thy foot cause thee to offend, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life halting, than having both feet to be cast into h.e.l.l, into the fire which never can be quenched: (46)where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (47)And if thine eye cause thee to offend, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of G.o.d with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the fire of h.e.l.l: (48)where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (49)For every one shall be salted with fire, and every victim shall be sprinkled with salt. (50)Salt is good: but if the salt become insipid, with what will you season it? have salt in yourselves, and live in peace with each other.

CHAP. X.

AND arising, he went from thence into the coasts of Judea, through the country on the other side of the Jordan; and again the mult.i.tudes came together unto him; and as his custom was, he again taught them. (2)And the Pharisees coming to him, put a question to him, Is it lawful for a husband to put away his wife? tempting him. (3)He answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? (4)They said, Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. (5)Then Jesus answering said unto them, For the hardness of your hearts he wrote you that ordinance. (6)But from the beginning of the creation, G.o.d made them male and female; (7)and said, For this cause shall a man forsake father and mother, and shall adhere to his wife; (8)and they two shall be one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh. (9)What therefore G.o.d hath yoked together, let no man separate. (10)And in the house the disciples again asked him of this matter. (11)And he said unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: (12)and if a wife put away her husband, and marrieth another, she committeth adultery.

(13)And they brought unto him little children, that he should touch them: but his disciples rebuked those who brought them. (14)But when Jesus saw it, he felt indignation, and said to them, Permit little children to come to me, and hinder them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (15)Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of G.o.d as a little child, he shall in nowise enter into it.

(16)And he took them in his arms, and laying his hand upon them, gave them his benediction.

(17)And as he went out to the road, a person ran to him, and kneeling down, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (18)Then said Jesus unto him, Why callest thou me good?

there is none good but one, even G.o.d. (19)Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery; Do not murder; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Honour thy father and mother. (20)Then he replying, said, Master, all these things have I observed from my youth.

(21)Then Jesus looking upon him, loved him, and said to him, In one thing thou art defective: go, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up thy cross, and follow me. (22)And groaning over this speech, he went away sorrowful: for he had many estates. (23)And Jesus looking round, said to his disciples, How difficultly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of G.o.d! (24)Then his disciples were astonished at these words. But Jesus again addressing them, said unto them, Children, how difficult is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of G.o.d! (25)It is easier for a camel to pa.s.s through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of G.o.d. (26)And they were exceedingly amazed, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (27)And Jesus looking upon them, said, With men it is impossible, but not with G.o.d: for with G.o.d all things are possible.

(28)And Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (29)Then Jesus in reply said, Verily I say unto you, there is no man who hath left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the Gospel's, (30)who shall not receive an hundred-fold more now, at this very time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecution, and in the world to come life everlasting. (31)But many first, will be last; and the last, first.

(32)And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was advancing before them: and they were astonished; and followed him full of fear. And again taking the twelve aside, he began to tell them what things were about to befall him: (33)For, lo! said he, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles: (34)and they will insult him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

(35)And James and John the sons of Zebedee came to him, saying, Master, we desire that thou shouldst do for us whatsoever we request. (36)He said unto them, What will ye that I should do for you? (37)They say unto him, Grant us to sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy glory. (38)Then Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup which I drink? and be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised? (39)And they said unto him, We are able. Then said Jesus unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup of which I drink; and be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised: (40)but to sit on my right-hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; but to those for whom it is prepared. (41)And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant against James and John. (42)But Jesus called them, and said to them, Ye know that they who appear to rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them; and their great men exercise dominion over them. (43)But it shall not be so with you: but whosoever will be great among you let him be your servant: (44)and whosoever will be first, let him be the servant of all. (45)For the Son of man came not to be waited upon, but to be a servant, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(46)And they came to Jericho. And as he was going out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great mult.i.tude, Bartimeus, the blind, the son of Timeus, sat by the road-side begging: (47)and hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was pa.s.sing by, he began to cry out, and say, O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me! (48)And many chid him, that he should be silent: but he cried out so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! (49)And Jesus stood still, and ordered him to be called: and they call the blind man, saying to him, Cheer up, arise; he calleth thee.

(50)Then casting off his cloak, he arose, and came to Jesus. (51)And Jesus addressing him, said, What dost thou wish that I should do for thee? And the blind man said to him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight! (52)Then said Jesus unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received sight, and followed Jesus in the road.

CHAP. XI.

AND when he drew nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, to the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (2)and saith unto them, Go into the village opposite to you: and immediately as you enter it, you will find a foal tied, on which no man yet hath rode; loose him, and bring him hither. (3)And if any man say to you, Why do ye this?

say, That the Lord hath need of it; and immediately he will send it hither. (4)And they went, and found the foal tied to a gate without, where two ways met; and they untie him. (5)Then some of those who stood by, said unto them, What are ye about, untying the colt? (6)Then they said unto them, as Jesus commanded them: and they permitted them to do it. (7)And they brought the colt to Jesus, and put on him their garments; and he rode upon it. (8)And mult.i.tudes spread their garments on the road: and others cut off boughs from the trees, and strewed them on the road. (9)And they who went before, and who followed after, cried, saying, Hosanna: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (10)Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that is coming in the name of the Lord: hosanna in the highest. (11)And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and looking round about upon all things, it being now even-tide, he departed to Bethany with the twelve.

(12)And on the morrow, as they were coming out of Bethany, he was hungry: (13)and seeing a fig-tree at a distance, full of leaves, he went to it, expecting probably that he might find some fruit upon it: and when he came to it, he found none, only leaves: for it was not a _good_ season for figs. (14)And Jesus spake and said to it, Let no man eat fruit from thee henceforth for ever. And his disciples heard him.

(15)And they came to Jerusalem and Jesus entered into the temple, and began to cast out those who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves; (16)and would not suffer that any person should carry a vessel through the temple. (17)And he taught them, saying, Is it not written, that "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?" but ye have made it a den of thieves. (18)And the scribes and chief priests heard him, and sought how they might destroy him: for they were afraid of him, because all the people were exceedingly struck with his teaching, (19)And when the evening came, he went away out of the city.

(20)And in the morning, as they were pa.s.sing by, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. (21)And Peter reminding him said, Rabbi, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered away. (22)And Jesus answering said to them, Have faith in G.o.d. (23)For verily I say to you, That whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou lifted up, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall harbour no doubt in his heart, but believe that what he saith shall come to pa.s.s; whatsoever he may speak shall be done for him. (24)Therefore I say unto you, That all things whatever ye ask in prayer, believe that ye shall receive them, and they shall be given you. (25)And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have a matter against any man: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespa.s.ses. (26)But if ye forgive not, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespa.s.ses.

(27)And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, come to him, (28)and say to him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority, that thou shouldest do these things?

(29)Then Jesus answering said unto them, I also will ask you one question; and answer me; and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. (30)The baptism of John, was it of heaven, or of men?

answer me. (31)And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we reply, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? (32)but if we say of men--they feared the people: for all men held John to be in truth a prophet. (33)And they answering said to Jesus, We do not know.

And Jesus in reply said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

CHAP. XII.

AND he began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and digged a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad. (2)And in the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. (3)But they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. (4)And again he sent unto them another servant; and they cut the account short with him, by stoning him, and sent him away shamefully treated. (5)And again he sent another; and him, they slew; and many others, some of whom they beat, and others they killed. (6)Now he had yet one son, his beloved, and he sent him unto them last, saying, They will reverence my son. (7)But these husbandmen said to each other, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be our own. (8)And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. (9)What then will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and give his vineyard to others. (10)Have ye never read this scripture? "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: (11)this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." (12)And they sought to seize him, and were afraid of the people: for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them: and leaving him, they departed.

(13)And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might entrap him in discourse. (14)And they come and say to him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of G.o.d in truth: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not?

(15)shall we pay, or shall we not pay it? but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. (16)And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose figure and inscription is this? they say unto him, Caesar's. (17)And Jesus addressing them, said, Render the things which are Caesar's, to Caesar; and what belongs to G.o.d, to G.o.d. And they marvelled at him.

(18)And the Sadducees come to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they put a question to him, saying, (19)Master, Moses left it in writing for us, that if a man's brother die, and leave a wife, and leave no children; that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed for his brother. (20)Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and dying left no issue: (21)and the second took her, and died, and neither did he leave issue; and the third in like manner. (22)And the seven had her, and left no issue. Last of all died also the wife. (23)In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife of them shall she be? for the seven had the very same wife.

(24)And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, from not knowing the scriptures, and the power of G.o.d? (25)For when they rise from the dead, they will neither marry, nor be given in marriage; but they are as the angels which are in heaven. (26)But concerning the dead, that they do rise; have ye not read in the book of Moses, how G.o.d spake to him at the bush, saying, I am the G.o.d of Abraham, and the G.o.d of Isaac, and the G.o.d of Jacob? (27)He is not the G.o.d of the dead, but the G.o.d of the living. Ye are therefore vastly erroneous.

(28)And one of the scribes coming, and hearing them questioning him, perceiving that he had answered them admirably, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? (29)Then Jesus replied to him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; the Lord thy G.o.d is one Lord: (30)and thou shalt love the Lord thy G.o.d, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. (31)And the second, like it, is this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: there is no greater commandment than these. (32)And the scribe said unto him, Admirably, Master! thou hast spoken the very truth: for there is one G.o.d; and there is no other besides him: (33)and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength; and to love his neighbour as himself, is better than all burnt offerings, and sacrifices. (34)And Jesus perceiving that he had answered as a man of intelligence, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of G.o.d.

And no man thenceforth presumed to question him.

(35)And Jesus addressing them said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Messiah is the Son of David? (36)for David himself saith by the Spirit, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies the foot-stool for thy feet. (37)David himself therefore calleth him Lord; and whence then is he his son? And a vast mult.i.tude heard him with delight.

(38)And he spake to them in the course of his teaching, Beware of the scribes, who love to go about in trailing robes, and like salutations in the places of concourse, (39)and the princ.i.p.al seats in the synagogues, and the first couch at suppers: (40)who devour widows'

houses, and in pretence make long prayers: such shall receive greater d.a.m.nation.

(41)And as Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, he saw a mult.i.tude casting money into the treasury: and many who were rich cast in many _pieces_. (42)And one poor widow coming, cast in two mites, which is a farthing. (43)And having called his disciples, he said unto them, I tell you truly, that this poor widow hath cast in more than all who have cast into the treasury: (44)for all they have cast in of their superfluities; but she from her indigence hath cast in all that she had, even her whole substance.

CHAP. XIII.

AND as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, behold what vast stones, and what structures! (2)And Jesus answering said to him, Beholdest thou these magnificent structures?

there shall not be left one stone upon another which shall not be thrown down. (3)And as he was sitting on the mount of Olives, opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, (4)Tell us, when shall these things be? and what is the sign when all these things shall come to pa.s.s? (5)Then Jesus answering them, began to say, Beware that no man deceive you: (6)for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah; and shall deceive many. (7)But when ye hear of wars, and rumours of wars, be not troubled: for these things must be; but the end is not yet. (8)And nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and commotions: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (9)But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to their sanhedrims, and to the synagogues; ye shall be beaten with rods, and be set before kings and governors for my name's sake, for a testimony unto them. (10)And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations. (11)But when delivering you up, they shall bring you to the bar, be not previously anxious what ye shall say, neither premeditate: for it shall be given to you at that very hour, what ye shall speak: for it is not you, who are speaking, but the Holy Ghost. (12)And brother shall deliver up brother unto death, and the father the son: and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. (13)And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (14)But when ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing where it ought not (let him that readeth observe), then let those who are in Judea fly to the mountains: (15)and let not him who is on the roof go down into the house, nor enter into it, to carry away any thing out of the house: (16)and he that is in the field, let him not return back to take his garment. (17)But wo to those who are big with child, and who have infants at their b.r.e.a.s.t.s in those days! (18)And pray that your flight be not in winter. (19)For these days shall bring tribulation, such as the like hath never been from the beginning of the creation which G.o.d created unto this time, and never shall be more. (20)And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been preserved: but for the sake of those elect, whom he hath elected, he hath shortened the days. (21)And then, if any man say to you, Lo, here is the Messiah! or, lo there! believe it not. (22)For many false Messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and shall propose signs and wonders to deceive, if it were possible, even the elect.

(23)But be ye on your guard: lo! I have told you all things: (24)but in those days, after that distressing season, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not emit her light; (25)and the stars of the heaven will be falling, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.

(26)And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with vast power and glory. (27)And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather to him his elect from the four winds, from the extremity of the earth to the utmost bound of heaven. (28)Now learn from the fig-tree, a parable; When her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; (29)so also you, when ye see these things come to pa.s.s, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. (30)Verily I say unto you, That this generation shall not pa.s.s away, until all these things are fulfilled. (31)Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away; but my words shall never pa.s.s away.

(32)But of that day and hour knoweth no man, nor the angels which are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. (33)Take ye heed, watch, and pray; for ye know not when the time is. (34)As a man going abroad, when he left his abode, and gave his servants authority, and to each his work, commanded also the porter to watch. (35)Watch ye therefore; for ye know not at what time the master of the house cometh, at evening, or midnight, or c.o.c.k-crowing, or in the morning: (36)lest coming suddenly he find you asleep. (37)Now what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.

CHAP. XIV.

NOW the pa.s.sover and the feast of unleavened bread were but two days distant; and the chief priests, and the scribes, sought how they might seize him by craft, and kill him. (2)But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be a commotion among the people. (3)And when he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came, having an alabaster vase of ointment, of genuine spikenard, of vast value: and breaking the vase, she let it flow down upon his head.

(4)And there were some who felt indignation within themselves, saying, Wherefore is this waste of the ointment made? (5)For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor. And they bitterly murmured against her. (6)Then said Jesus, Let her alone; why give ye her uneasiness? she hath performed a laudable act towards me. (7)For the poor ye have always with you, and when ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. (8)What was in her power she hath done; she has seized the opportunity to anoint my body beforehand for burial. (9)Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached through the whole world, there shall, what she hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

(10)Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, that he might betray him unto them. (11)When they heard it, they rejoiced, and promised to give him a sum in silver. And he watched how opportunely he might deliver him up.

(12)And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the pa.s.sover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare for thee to eat the pa.s.sover? (13)And he sent two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water, follow him. (14)And where he enters, say to the master of the family. That the teacher saith, Where is the dining-room, where I may eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? (15)And he will shew you a large upper room ready furnished: there make preparation for us. (16)And his disciples went out, and came into the city, and found as he had spoken to them; and they made ready the pa.s.sover.

(17)And when it was evening he came with the twelve. (18)And as they sat at table, and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I tell you, That one of you, who is eating with me, shall betray me. (19)And they began to be very sorry, and to say to him, one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? (20)But he answering said to them, It is one of the twelve, who is dipping his hand with me into the dish. (21)The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him; but wo to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been desirable for that man if he had never been born.

(22)And as they were eating, Jesus taking a loaf, when he had blessed, brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

(23)And taking the cup, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them; and they all drank out of it. (24)And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. (25)Verily I say unto you, That I will henceforth no more drink of the produce of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of G.o.d.

(26)And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives. (27)And Jesus saith to them, All ye will be offended at me this night; for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed:" (28)but after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (29)Then said Peter unto him, Though all should be offended, yet will not I. (30)And Jesus saith to him, Verily I tell thee, That to-day, in the course of this very night, before the c.o.c.k crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me. (31)But he said with more vehement a.s.sertion, Though I should die with thee, yet would I in no wise deny thee. And they all spake also in the same manner.

(32)And they come to a place called Gethsemane, and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here whilst I shall pray. (33)And he taketh Peter, and James, and John, with him; and he began to be filled with horrible dread, and to be sunk under dejection of spirit: (34)and he saith to them, My soul is deeply afflicted even to death: abide here, and watch.

(35)And he went a little farther forward, and fell on the earth, and prayed, that if it were possible the hour might pa.s.s from him. (36)And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. (37)And he came and found them asleep: and saith unto Peter, Sleepest thou? hast thou not strength to watch with me a single hour? (38)Watch ye and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (39)And again he went away, and prayed, speaking the same sentence. (40)And when he returned, he found them again sleeping; for their eyes were weighed down: and they knew not what to answer him.

(41)Then the third time he cometh, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and repose: it is enough, the hour is come; lo! the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners; (42)arise, let us go; behold, the traitor approaches me. (43)And immediately, while he was yet speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, and a great mult.i.tude with him, with swords and staves, from the chief priests, and scribes, and elders.

(44)Now he that betrayed him, had given them a countersign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, seize him, and lead him off safely. (45)And coming, he immediately drew up to him and said, Rabbi, Rabbi, and kissed him. (46)Then they laid their hands on him, and seized him. (47)And one particular person of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. (48)And Jesus addressing them said, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves, to apprehend me? (49)Daily was I with you in the temple teaching, and ye laid no hold upon me: but _this is done_ that the scriptures might be fulfilled.

(50)Then they all deserting him, fled. (51)And a certain youth followed him, having a linen cloth wrapped round his naked body; and the young men laid hold of him; (52)and leaving the linen cloth behind, he fled naked from them.

(53)And they led Jesus unto the high-priest; and with him were a.s.sembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes.

(54)And Peter followed him at a distance, until he came into the palace of the high-priest: and was seated with the servants, and warming himself at the fire.

(55)Then the chief priests, and the whole sanhedrim, sought for witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; yet found none.

(56)For many bore false witness against him, and their attestations did not correspond. (57)And certain persons rising up, bore false witness against him, saying, (58)We have heard him affirm, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and after three days I will build another not made with hands. (59)But even then their testimony was not correspondent. (60)So the high-priest rising up in the midst interrogated Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? (61)But he kept silence, and made them not a word of reply. Again the high-priest questioned him, and said to him, Art thou the Messiah, the Son of the blessed? (62)Then said Jesus, I am.

And ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. (63)Then the high-priest rent his clothes, and said, What farther need have we of witnesses? (64)Ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? And they all adjudged him to be deserving of death. (65)And some began to spit upon him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy: and the servants slapped him on the face with their hands.

(66)And as Peter was in the hall, at the lower end, there came to him one of the high-priest's maid-servants: (67)and seeing Peter warming himself, stedfastly looking at him, she said, Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. (68)Then he denied it, saying, I do not so much as know him, nor understand what thou art saying. And he went out into the vestibule; and the c.o.c.k crew. (69)And a maid-servant observing him again; began to say to those who stood by, This man is one of them.

(70)Then he denied it again. And after a little while, they who stood by said to Peter, Of a certainty thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech is correspondent. (71)Then began he to make the most dreadful imprecations, and to swear, I know not the man of whom ye speak. (72)And the second time the c.o.c.k crew. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus spake unto him, That before the c.o.c.k crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And casting his mantle over his face, he wept.

CHAP. XV.