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2 Maccabees 13

1 In the one hundred and forty-ninth year, Judas realized that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea.

2 And with him was Lysias, the procurator, who was in charge of the government, having with him one hundred and ten thousand foot solders, five thousand horsemen, and twenty-two elephants, and three hundred swift chariots with curved blades.

3 Menelaus also joined himself to them, and with many lies he pleaded with Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but hoping that he would be appointed as first ruler.

4 But the King of kings awakened the mind of Antiochus against the sinner. And when Lysias was suggesting this to be the cause of all the evils, he ordered (as is the custom with them) that he should be apprehended and killed in the same place.

5 Now there was, in the same place, a tower of fifty cubits, having a pile of ashes on every side. This had a lookout over a precipice.

6 From there, he ordered this sacrilegious one to be thrown down into the ashes, with all propelling him into the afterlife.

7 And by such a law, it turned out that the betrayer of the law, Menelaus, died, not having so much as a burial in the earth.

8 And indeed, this satisfied justice, for just as he had committed many offenses toward the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which are holy, so was he condemned to die in ashes.

9 But the king, with his mind being unbridled, came to reveal himself as more wicked to the Jews than his father was.

10 When Judas understood this, he instructed the people to call upon the Lord day and night, so that, just as always, now also he would help them.

11 Of course, they were afraid to be deprived of their law and their country, and of the holy temple, and also that he might allow the people, who had recently taken a breath for a little while, to be again subdued by blasphemous nations.

12 And so, having together done all these things, and having sought mercy from the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground continually for three days, Judas exhorted them to prepare themselves.

13 In truth, with the elders he decided that, before the king could move his army into Judea and obtain the city, they would go out and commit the outcome of the event to the judgment of the Lord.

14 And so, giving everything to God, the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his own to contend with fortitude and to stand up, even unto death, for the laws, the temple, the city, their country and the citizens: he positioned his army around Modin.

15 And having given his own a sign of the victory of God, he attacked the quarters of the king by night, with the strongest chosen young men, and he slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, along with those who would have been positioned on them.

16 And so, having filled the camp of their enemies with the greatest fear and disturbance, they went away with good success.

17 Now this was done at the first light of day, with the Lord assisting and protecting them.

18 But the king, having received a taste of the audacity of the Jews, attempted to take the difficult places by craftiness.

19 And so, he moved his camp to Bethzur, which was a fortified garrison of the Jews. But as he struck, he was put to flight and reduced in number.

20 Then Judas sent necessities to those who were inside.

21 But Rhodocus, a certain one from the Jewish army, reported the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, apprehended, and imprisoned.

22 Again, the king held talks with those who were in Bethzur. He gave his right hand as a pledge, and accepted theirs, and he went away.

23 He joined battle with Judas; he was overcome. But when he realized that Philip, who had been left out of these events, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and, begging the Jews, and being submissive to them, he swore to all things that seemed just. And, being reconciled, he offered sacrifice, honored the temple, and left gifts.

24 He embraced Maccabeus, and he made him commander and leader from Ptolemais all the way to the Gerrenians.

25 But when he arrived at Ptolemais, the Ptolemaians considered the conditions of the alliance burdensome, being indignant lest perhaps they might break the pact.

26 Then Lysias went up to the tribunal, and explained the reasons, and calmed the people, and so he returned to Antioch. And this is the way things went concerning the journey and return of the king.

2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 14

1 But after a time of three years, Judas and those who were with him realized that Demetrius of Seleucus had gone up to strategic places with a very strong multitude and a navy at the port of Tripoli,

2 and had taken hold of the regions opposite Antiochus, and his commander, Lysias.

3 Now a certain Alcimus, who had been high priest, but who had willfully defiled himself in the time of the co-mingling, considering there to be no means for his safety, nor access to the altar,

4 went to king Demetrius in the one hundred and fiftieth year, offering to him a crown of gold, and a palm, and beyond these, some branches that seemed to belong to the temple. And, indeed, on that day, he was silent.

5 But, having met with an opportune time for his madness, he was called to a counsel by Demetrius and asked what things the Jews relied upon and what were their counsels.

6 He responded: “Those among the Jews who are called Hasideans, of whom Judas Maccabeus is foremost, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not permit the kingdom to be at peace.

7 For I also, being cheated out of the glory of my ancestors (but I speak of the high priesthood), have come here,

8 first, indeed, in faithful service to the king’s interests, but also as an advisor of the citizens. For our entire nation is no less afflicted by their depravity.

9 But I beg you, O king, knowing each of these things, look after both the region and our people, according to your humanity, which is publicly known to all.

10 For, as long as Judas survives, it is impossible for the matter to be at peace.”

11 Then, having spoken such things before them, the rest of the allies, who held themselves to be enemies against Judas, further inflamed Demetrius.

12 And immediately he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, into the first position against Judea,

13 giving him orders to be certain to capture Judas himself, and, truly, to scatter all those who were with him, and to appoint Alcimus as the high priest of the great temple.

14 Then the Gentiles, who had fled from Judas away from Judea, mingled themselves in flocks with Nicanor, thinking that the miseries and calamities of the Jews would become the cause of their prosperity.

15 And so, when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s arrival and that the nations were assembled, they, sprinkling dirt on their heads, petitioned him who established his people to preserve them in eternity, and who likewise protected his portion by clear signs.

16 Then, at the command of their leader, they moved promptly from there, and together assembled at the town of Dessau.

17 In truth, Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor, but he became frightened at the unexpected arrival of the adversaries.

18 Even so, Nicanor, hearing of the virtue of the companions of Judas, and the great courage with which they struggled on behalf of their country, was afraid to accomplish judgment by the sword.

19 For this reason, he sent ahead Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Matthias, so as to give and receive the pledge of right hands.

20 And when a council was held all day about this, and the commander had brought it before the multitude, they were all of one opinion to consent to an alliance.

21 And so, they appointed a day, on which they would act among themselves secretly, and seats were brought out and placed for each of them.

22 But Judas instructed armed men to be in strategic places, lest some kind of malice might unexpectedly spring up from the enemies. And they had an agreeable conference.

23 Then Nicanor stayed in Jerusalem, and he did no iniquity; he sent away the flocks of the crowds, which had been gathered together.

24 And Judas always held him dear to the heart, and was favorably inclined toward the man.

25 And he asked him to consider a wife, and to procreate sons. He got married; he lived quietly, and they all lived in common.

26 But Alcimus seeing the love that they had for one another, and the agreements, went to Demetrius, and he told him that Nicanor had assented to foreign interests, and that he had chosen Judas, a traitor to the kingdom, as his successor.

27 And so the king, being exasperated and provoked by this very wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, saying that he was certainly overburdened by the agreement of alliance, and he ordered him nevertheless to send Maccabeus quickly to Antioch in chains.

28 When this was known, Nicanor was in consternation, and he took it grievously that he would make void the things that were agreed, having received no injury from the man.

29 But, because he was not able to oppose the king, he watched for an opportunity to follow through with the orders.

30 But Maccabeus, seeing that Nicanor acted more formally with him, and that, when they met together as usual, he exhibited insolence, understood this austerity not to be from goodness. So, gathering together a few men, he hid himself from Nicanor.

31 But when he realized that he was effectively prevented by the man, he went to the greatest and holiest temple, and he ordered the priests, offering the usual sacrifices, to deliver the man to him.

32 When these spoke oaths to him that they did not know where he who was being sought was, he extended his hand toward the temple,

33 and he swore, saying: “Unless you deliver Judas to me in chains, I will reduce this shrine of God to the ground, and I will dig up the altar, and I will consecrate this temple to Liber the father.”

34 And having said this, he departed. But the priests, extending their hands toward heaven, called upon him who had always fought for his people, saying this:

35 “O Lord of the universe, who needs nothing, you willed that the temple of your dwelling should be with us.

36 And now, O Lord, Holy of all holies, preserve unpolluted, until eternity, this house, which was recently made clean.”

37 Then Razias, a certain one of the elders from Jerusalem, was brought before Nicanor; the man was of good reputation, and was one who loved the city. For his affection, he was called the father of the Jews.

38 This one, for a long time, held on to his purpose of continuing in Judaism, and he was content to hand over body and life, so that he might persevere in it.

39 Then Nicanor, being willing to manifest the hatred that he held for the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to apprehend him.

40 For he thought, if he mistreated him, it would bring great disaster upon the Jews.

41 Now, as the group sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and wanting even to bring in fire, as he was about to be apprehended, he struck himself with the sword:

42 choosing to prefer to die nobly rather than to become subject to sinners, or to suffer unworthy injustices against his birth.

43 But, since he had, in haste, not obtained the certitude of a decisive wound, and the crowd was breaking in the doors, he, running boldly to the wall, manfully threw himself down upon the crowd.

44 But they quickly provided a place for his fall, so he landed at the middle of the neck.

45 And, since he was still breathing, and being inflamed in soul, he rose up, and as his blood flowed down in a great stream, being very gravely wounded, he ran through the crowd.

46 And standing upon a certain steep rock, and being now almost without blood, grasping his intestines with both hands, he threw himself over the crowd, calling upon the Ruler of life as well as spirit, to restore these to him again. And so he passed away from this life.

2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 15

1 But when Nicanor discovered Judas to be in the places of Samaria, he decided to meet him in warfare with all violence, on the Sabbath day.

2 In truth, the Jews who followed him out of necessity were saying: “Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honor to the day of sanctification and reverence to him who beholds all things.”

3 That unhappy man asked, “Is there a powerful One in heaven, who commanded the day of the Sabbath to be kept.”

4 And they responded to him, “There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the powerful One, who ordered the seventh day to be kept.”

5 And so he said: “I also am powerful upon the earth, so I command arms to be taken up and the king’s plans to be fulfilled.” Nevertheless, he did not succeed in accomplishing his plan.

6 And Nicanor, being certainly lifted up with the greatest arrogance, had decided to establish a public monument of his victory over Judas.

7 But Maccabeus, as always, trusted with all hope that God would be present to help them.

8 And he exhorted his own not to fear the arrival of the nations, but to keep in mind the assistance they had received before from heaven, and now to hope for a future victory from the Almighty.

9 And speaking to them from the law and the prophets, reminding them even of the conflicts they had fought before, he made them more willing.

10 And so, having raised up their courage, at the same time he revealed the deceitful plan of the Gentiles and their betrayal of the oaths.

11 Then he armed every one of them, not with the weapons of shield and spear, but with the best speeches and exhortations; and he explained to them a dream, worthy to be believed, in which he rejoiced with them all.

12 Now the vision was in this manner: Onias, who had been high priest, a good and kind man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, and noble in speech, and who from boyhood was trained in the virtues, extending his hands, prayed on behalf of all the people of the Jews.

13 After this, there appeared also another man, admirable in age and glory, and with a bearing of great dignity about him.

14 In truth, Onias responded by saying: “This one loves his brothers and the people of Israel. This is he who prays greatly for the people and for all the holy city: Jeremiah, the prophet of God.”

15 Then Jeremiah extended his right hand, and he gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:

16 “Receive this holy sword as a gift from God, with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel.”

17 And so, having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas, by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened, they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude, so that virtue would judge the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in peril.

18 For their concern was less for their wives and sons, and likewise less for their brothers and relatives; in truth, their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.

19 But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.

20 And, when all now hoped that judgment would soon occur, and when the enemies were near, and the army was set in order, with the beasts and the horsemen positioned in strategic places,

21 Maccabeus, considering the arrival of the multitude, and the various preparations of weapons, and the fierceness of the beasts, extending his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, who works miracles, who gives victory to those who are worthy, not according to the power of the weapons, but just as it pleases him.

22 Then, calling out in this way, he said: “You, O Lord, who sent your Angel under Hezekiah, king of Judah, and who killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib,

23 now also, O Ruler of the heavens, send your good Angel before us, who are in fear and trembling at the greatness of your arm,

24 so that those who approach against your holy people with blasphemy may be afraid.” And in this way, indeed, he concluded his prayer.

25 But Nicanor, and those who were with him, advanced with trumpets and songs.

26 In truth, Judas, and those who were with him, calling upon God through prayers, came together against them.

27 Indeed, fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they struck down no less than thirty-five thousand, being delighted by the presence of God.

28 And when they had ceased and were returning with gladness, they realized, by his armor, that Nicanor had been slain.

29 And so, making a loud noise and inciting a disturbance, they blessed the Almighty Lord in the language of the fathers.

30 But Judas, who was prepared throughout all his body and soul to die for his citizens, instructed that Nicanor’s head, and his hand with the arm, should be cut off and carried through to Jerusalem.

31 When it arrived, having called together his fellow tribesmen, and the priests to the altar, he summoned those also who were in the stronghold.

32 And he displayed the head of Nicanor, and his nefarious hand, which he had extended against the holy house of Almighty God with magnificent boasting.

33 He even ordered now that the tongue of the impious Nicanor should be cut up and given in pieces to the birds, but that the hand of this demented man should be suspended opposite the temple.

34 Therefore, they all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying, “Blessed is he who has kept his own place uncontaminated.”

35 Then he suspended Nicanor’s head at the top of the stronghold, so that it would be an evident and manifest sign of the assistance of God.

36 And so, they all decreed by common counsel in no way to let this day pass without celebration,

37 but to hold a celebration on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, which was called in the Syrian language: the day before Mardochias’ day.

38 Therefore, these things were accomplished concerning Nicanor, and from that time the city was possessed by the Hebrews. And so, I will bring an end to my narration here.

39 And, indeed, if I have done well, so as to have made an adequate history, this also is what I wanted. But if it is less than worthy, may it be permitted me.

40 For, just as it is adverse to drink always wine, or always water, so also it is pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other. So, if the words were always exact, it would not be pleasing to the readers. Therefore, here it shall be completed. The Holy Bible Catholic Public Domain Version New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 1

1 The book of the lineage of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham conceived Isaac. And Isaac conceived Jacob. And Jacob conceived Judah and his brothers.

3 And Judah conceived Perez and Zerah by Tamar. And Perez conceived Hezron. And Hezron conceived Ram.

4 And Ram conceived Amminadab. And Amminadab conceived Nahshon. And Nahshon conceived Salmon.

5 And Salmon conceived Boaz by Rahab. And Boaz conceived Obed by Ruth. And Obed conceived Jesse.

6 And Jesse conceived king David. And king David conceived Solomon, by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

7 And Solomon conceived Rehoboam. And Rehoboam conceived Abijah. And Abijah conceived Asa.

8 And Asa conceived Jehoshaphat. And Jehoshaphat conceived Joram. And Joram conceived Uzziah.

9 And Uzziah conceived Jotham. And Jotham conceived Ahaz. And Ahaz conceived Hezekiah.

10 And Hezekiah conceived Manasseh. And Manasseh conceived Amos. And Amos conceived Josiah.

11 And Josiah conceived Jechoniah and his brothers in the transmigration of Babylon.

12 And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechoniah conceived Shealtiel. And Shealtiel conceived Zerubbabel.

13 And Zerubbabel conceived Abiud. And Abiud conceived Eliakim. And Eliakim conceived Azor.

14 And Azor conceived Zadok. And Zadok conceived Achim. And Achim conceived Eliud.

15 And Eliud conceived Eleazar. And Eleazar conceived Matthan. And Matthan conceived Jacob.

16 And Jacob conceived Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 And so, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the transmigration of Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the transmigration of Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.

18 Now the procreation of the Christ occurred in this way. After his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they lived together, she was found to have conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph, her husband, since he was just and was not willing to hand her over, preferred to send her away secretly.

20 But while thinking over these things, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to accept Mary as your wife. For what has been formed in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 And she shall give birth to a son. And you shall call his name JESUS. For he shall accomplish the salvation of his people from their sins.”

22 Now all this occurred in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive in her womb, and she shall give birth to a son. And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means: God is with us.”

24 Then Joseph, arising from sleep, did just as the Angel of the Lord had instructed him, and he accepted her as his wife.

25 And he knew her not, yet she bore her son, the firstborn. And he called his name JESUS.

Matthew

Matthew 2

1 And so, when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judah, in the days of king Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

2 saying: “Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to adore him.”

3 Now king Herod, hearing this, was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And gathering together all the leaders of the priests, and the scribes of the people, he consulted with them as to where the Christ would be born.

5 And they said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. For from you shall go forth the ruler who shall guide my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod, quietly calling the Magi, diligently learned from them the time when the star appeared to them.

8 And sending them into Bethlehem, he said: “Go and diligently ask questions about the boy. And when you have found him, report back to me, so that I, too, may come and adore him.”

9 And when they had heard the king, they went away. And behold, the star that they had seen in the east went before them, even until, arriving, it stood still above the place where the child was.

10 Then, seeing the star, they were gladdened by a very great joy.

11 And entering the home, they found the boy with his mother Mary. And so, falling prostrate, they adored him. And opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And having received a response in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back by another way to their own region.

13 And after they had gone away, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: “Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.”

14 And getting up, he took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.

15 And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”

16 Then Herod, seeing that he had been fooled by the Magi, was very angry. And so he sent to kill all the boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had learned by questioning the Magi.

17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying:

18 “A voice has been heard in Ramah, great weeping and wailing: Rachel crying for her sons. And she was not willing to be consoled, because they were no more.”

19 Then, when Herod had passed away, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,

20 saying: “Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For those who were seeking the life of the boy have passed away.”

21 And rising up, he took the boy and his mother, and he went into the land of Israel.

22 Then, hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in sleep, he withdrew into parts of Galilee.

23 And arriving, he lived in a city which is called Nazareth, in order to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “For he shall be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew

Matthew 3

1 Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,

2 and saying: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”

3 For this is the one who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.”

4 Now the same John had a garment made from the hair of camels, and a leather belt around his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan went out to him.

6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging their sins.

7 Then, seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees arriving for his baptism, he said to them: “Progeny of vipers, who warned to you to flee from the approaching wrath?

8 Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance.

9 And do not choose to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God has the power to raise up sons to Abraham from these stones.

10 For even now the axe has been placed at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.

11 Indeed, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who will come after me is more powerful than me. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

12 His winnowing fan is in his hand. And he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him.

14 But John refused him, saying, “I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

15 And responding, Jesus said to him: “Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice.” Then he allowed him.

16 And Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him.

17 And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew

Matthew 4

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, in order to be tempted by the devil.

2 And when he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.

3 And approaching, the tempter said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 And in response he said, “It has been written: ‘Not by bread alone shall man live, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

5 Then the devil took him up, into the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to him: “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down. For it has been written: ‘For he has given charge of you to his angels, and they shall take you into their hands, lest perhaps you may hurt your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it has been written: ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took him up, onto a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory,

9 and said to him, “All these things I will give to you, if you will fall down and adore me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan. For it has been written: ‘You shall adore the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”

11 Then the devil left him. And behold, Angels approached and ministered to him.

12 And when Jesus had heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee.

13 And leaving behind the city of Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, near the sea, at the borders of Zebulun and of Naphtali,

14 in order to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 A people who were sitting in darkness have seen a great light. And unto those sitting in the region of the shadow of death, a light has risen.”

17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”

18 And Jesus, walking near the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen).

19 And he said to them: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20 And at once, leaving behind their nets, they followed him.

21 And continuing on from there, he saw another two brothers, James of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a ship with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them.

22 And immediately, leaving their nets and their father behind, they followed him.

23 And Jesus traveled throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every infirmity among the people.

24 And reports of him went out to all of Syria, and they brought to him all those who had maladies, those who were in the grasp of various sicknesses and torments, and those who were in the hold of demons, and the mentally ill, and paralytics. And he cured them.

25 And a great crowd followed him from Galilee, and from the Ten Cities, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from across the Jordan.

Matthew

Matthew 5

1 Then, seeing the crowds, he ascended the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples drew near to him,

2 and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.

5 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake:

12 be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

15 And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house.

16 So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father, who is in heaven.

17 Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill.

18 Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done.

19 Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say to you, that unless your justice has surpassed that of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not murder; whoever will have murdered shall be liable to judgment.’

22 But I say to you, that anyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. But whoever will have called his brother, ‘Idiot,’ shall be liable to the council. Then, whoever will have called him, ‘Worthless,’ shall be liable to the fires of Hell.

23 Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

24 leave your gift there, before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then you may approach and offer your gift.

25 Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison.

26 Amen I say to you, that you shall not go forth from there, until you have repaid the last quarter.

27 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28 But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell.

31 And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.’

32 But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery.

33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.’

34 But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

35 nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.

36 Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black.

37 But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.

38 You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

39 But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.

40 And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also.

41 And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps.

42 Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him.

43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’

44 But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.

45 In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way?

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way?

48 Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew

Matthew 6

1 “Pay attention, lest you perform your justice before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward with your Father, who is in heaven.

2 Therefore, when you give alms, do not choose to sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the towns, so that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.

5 And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.

7 And when praying, do not choose many words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess of words they might be heeded.

8 Therefore, do not choose to imitate them. For your Father knows what your needs may be, even before you ask him.

9 Therefore, you shall pray in this way: Our Father, who is in heaven: May your name be kept holy.

10 May your kingdom come. May your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.

11 Give us this day our life-sustaining bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation. But free us from evil. Amen.

14 For if you will forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father also will forgive you your offenses.

15 But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your sins.

16 And when you fast, do not choose to become gloomy, like the hypocrites. For they alter their faces, so that their fasting may be apparent to men. Amen I say to you, that they have received their reward.

17 But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

18 so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.

19 Do not choose to store up for yourselves treasures on earth: where rust and moth consume, and where thieves break in and steal.

20 Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither rust nor moth consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there also is your heart.

22 The lamp of your body is your eye. If your eye is wholesome, your entire body will be filled with light.

23 But if your eye has been corrupted, your entire body will be darkened. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great will that darkness be!

24 No one is able to serve two masters. For either he will have hatred for the one, and love the other, or he will persevere with the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

25 And so I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, as to what you will eat, nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Consider the birds of the air, how they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much greater value than they are?

27 And which of you, by thinking, is able to add one cubit to his stature?

28 And as for clothing, why are you anxious? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither work nor weave.

29 But I say to you, that not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like one of these.

30 So if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and cast into the oven tomorrow, how much more will he care for you, O little in faith?

31 Therefore, do not choose to be anxious, saying: ‘What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and with what shall we be clothed?’

32 For the Gentiles seek all these things. Yet your Father knows that you need all these things.

33 Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.

34 Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for the future day will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its evil.”

Matthew

Matthew 7

1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.

2 For with whatever judgment you judge, so shall you be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, so shall it be measured back to you.

3 And how can you see the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not see the board in your own eye?

4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter from your eye,’ while, behold, a board is in your own eye?

5 Hypocrite, first remove the board from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not cast your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they may trample them under their feet, and then, turning, they may tear you apart.

7 Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks, receives; and whoever seeks, finds; and to anyone who knocks, it will be opened.

9 Or what man is there among you, who, if his son were to ask him for bread, would offer him a stone;

10 or if he were to ask him for a fish, would offer him a snake?

11 Therefore, if you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your sons, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him?

12 Therefore, all things whatsoever that you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leads to perdition, and many there are who enter through it.

14 How narrow is the gate, and how straight is the way, which leads to life, and few there are who find it!

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

16 You shall know them by their fruits. Can grapes be gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?

17 So then, every good tree produces good fruit, and the evil tree produces evil fruit.

18 A good tree is not able to produce evil fruit, and an evil tree is not able to produce good fruit.

19 Every tree which does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.

20 Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

21 Not all who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, the same shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and perform many powerful deeds in your name?’

23 And then will I disclose to them: ‘I have never known you. Depart from me, you workers of iniquity.’

24 Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them shall be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.

25 And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them shall be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.

27 And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, and it did fall, and great was its ruin.”

28 And it happened, when Jesus had completed these words, that the crowds were astonished at his doctrine.

29 For he was teaching them as one who has authority, and not like their scribes and Pharisees.