Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Peres and Zera by Tamar. Peres became the father of Hesron. Hesron became the father of Ram. Ram became the father of Aminadab. Aminadab became the father of Nashon. Nashon became the father of Salmon. Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rehab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of David, the king. David became the father of Solomon, by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehaboam. Rehaboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzaiah. Uzaiah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jecannia and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon, Jecannia became the father of Shiatiel. Shiatiel became the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel became the father of Abbiud. Abbiud became the father of Eliachem. Eliachem became the father of Azor. Azor became the father of Sadaq. Sadaq became the father of Akhem. Akhem became the father of Iliud. Iliud became the father of Elysiar. Elysiar became the father of Mathan. Mathan became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who was called Christ. So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. From David to the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations. And from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this, for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.  She shall bring forth the Son.  Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord, through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth the Son. They shall call his name Emanuel, which is, being interpreted, God with us. Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself, and didn't know her sexually, until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus. CHAPTER II Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet, You Bethlehem, land of Judah, for in no way least among the princes of Judah, for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, when you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him. They, having heard the king, went their way, and, behold, the star which they saw in the east went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures they offered to him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned in a dream that they shouldn't return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and he parted into Egypt and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying, Out of Egypt I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. And that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, A voice was heard in Rama, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, she wouldn't be comforted because they are no more. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child's life are dead. He arose and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Arceleus was reigning over Judah in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream he withdrew into the region of Galilee and came and lived in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets. He will be called a Nazarene. In those days John the baptiser came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, for this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. When people from Jerusalem, all of Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, they were baptised by him in the Jordan confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. Don't think to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. I indeed baptise you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you in the Holy Spirit. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptised by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, I need to be baptised by you, and you come to me. But Jesus answering said to him, Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he allowed him. Jesus, when he was baptised, went up directly from the water, and behold, the heavens were open to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold a voice out of the heavens said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. CHAPTER 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. The tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Then the devil took him into the holy city.  Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not test the Lord your God. Again the devil took him to an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said to him, I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.  Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. Leaving Nazareth he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zubalyn and Naftali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zubalyn and the land of Naftali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Walking by the sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. He said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men. They immediately left their nets and followed him. Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets. He called them, they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan, followed him. CHAPTER V Seeing the multitudes he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? Then it is good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. You are the light of the world, a city located on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand, and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven, for I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, you shall not murder, and whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment, but I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever shall say to his brother, Raka shall be in danger of the council, and whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are still with him in the way, lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.  You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery, but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.  Again, you have heard that it was said to them of old time, you shall not make false vows, but shall preform to the Lord your vows. But I tell you, don't swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet. Nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.  Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil, but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If any one soothes you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him too. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you.   For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?  CHAPTER VI Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get gory from men. Most certainly I tell you they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret. Then your father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly. When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly I tell you they have received their reward.  In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.  Pray like this. Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come.  Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you they have received their reward.  Don't lay up treasures for yourself on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.  Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds in the sky, that they don't sow? Neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of more value than they? Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his life-span? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon and all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?  What will we drink? Or with what will we be clothed? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient. Chapter 7 Don't judge so that you won't be judged. For whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged. And with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother? Let me remove the speck from your eye. And behold, the beam is in your own eye.  Don't give that which is holy to the dogs. Neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be open for you, for everyone who asks receives. See who seeks, finds. To him who knocks, it will be opened. Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him?  For this is the law and the prophets. Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life. Few are those who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. But every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father, who is in heaven, many will tell me in that day, Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works? Then I will tell them, I never knew you, depart from me, you who work iniquity. Therefore every one who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rains came, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell, and great was its fall. It happened, when Jesus had finished saying these things, that the multitudes were astonished at his teachings, for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes. End of Matthew, chapters 1 through 7. CHAPTERS 8 THROUGH 12 OF THE BOOK OF MATHEW FROM THE WORLD INGLISH BIBLE. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. THE BOOK OF MATHEW FROM THE WORLD INGLISH BIBLE. CHAPTERS 8 THROUGH 12. When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean. Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, I want to be made clean. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Jesus said to him, See that you tell nobody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them. When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him and saying, Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented. Moses said to him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered, Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed, for I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, go, and he goes, and tell another, come, and he comes, and tell my servant, do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, Most certainly, I tell you, I haven't found so greater faith, not even in Israel. I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to the centurion, Go your way, let it be done for you as you have believed. His servant was healed in that hour.  He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who was sick, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, He took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. A scribe came and said to him, Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus said to him, The foxes has holes, and the birds of the sky have nests. But the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. Another of his disciples said to him, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead. When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. They came to him and woke him up, saying, Save us, Lord, we're dying. He said to them, Why are you fearful? Oh, you of little faith. Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying, What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? When he came to the other side, into the country of the garrisons, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce so that nobody could pass that way.   Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. The demons begged him, saying, If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs. He said to them, Go! They came out and went into the herd of pigs. And behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea and died in the water. Those who fed them fled and went away into the city and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. He entered into a boat and crossed over and came into his own city.  Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Son, cheer up. Your sins are forgiven you. Behold, some of the scribes said to themself, This man, blasphemes.  For which is easier to say your sins are forgiven, or to say get up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. Then he said to the paralytic, Get up and take up your mat and go up to your house. He arose and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God who had given such authority to men. As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, Follow me. He got up and followed him. It happened as he sat in the house. Behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are healthy have no need for a physician.  But you go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Then John's disciples came to him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast? Jesus said to them, Can the friends of the Brighroom mourn as long as the Brighroom is with them, but the days will come when the Brighroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.  Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilt, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved. While he told these things to them, the holder ruler came, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hands on her, and she will live. Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said within herself, If I just touch his garment, I will be made well. But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, My daughter, cheer up, your faith has made you well. But the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler's house, he saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder. He said to them, Make room, because the girl isn't dead, but sleeping. They were ridiculing him. But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. The report of this went out into all the land, as Jesus passed by from there two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, Have mercy on a son of David. When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They told him, Yes, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done to you. Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, See that no one knows about this, but they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. As they went out, behold a mute man who was demer-possessed was brought to him. When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of demons he cast out demons. Jesus went about the cities and the villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest. He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter. Andrew, his brother. James the son of Zebedee. John, his brother. Philip Bartholomew. Thomas. Matthew the tax collector. James the son of Alphaeus. Libius, whose name was Thaddeus. Simon the Canaanite. And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, Don't go among the Gentiles, and don't enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your moneybelts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff, for the labourer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it. But if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you.  Most certainly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Solomon Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the spirit of your father who speaks in you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Men will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee unto the next, for most certainly, I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his Lord. If they have called the master of the house, beelzebub, how much more those of his household. Therefore don't be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.  Aren't two sparrows sold for an Assyrian coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your father's will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows. One therefore who confesses me before men, him will I will also confess before my father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my father who is in heaven. Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me isn't worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, both certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward. It happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?  The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me. As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind. But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses. Why did you go out to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you and much more than a prophet, for this is he of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater than John the baptiser. Yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the baptiser until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places who call to their companions and say, We played the flute for you when you didn't dance. We mourned for you when you didn't lament. For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, He has a demon. The son of man came eating and drinking and they say, Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is justified by her children. Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works have been done because they didn't repent.  For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You Capernaum who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you. At that time, Jesus answered, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, neither does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain to eat, but the Pharisees when they saw it said to him, Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath. But he said to them, Haven't you read what David did when he was hungry and those who were with him, how he entered into the house of God and ate the show-bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. You would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. He departed there and went into the synagogue. And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day that they might accuse him? He said to them, What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won't he grab onto it and lift it out? Of how much more value, then, is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Then he told the man, Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out, and it was restored whole, just like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. Jesus perceiving that withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all, and commanded them that they should not make him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased, I will put my spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not strive nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a smoking flax, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will hope. Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. All the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebub the prince of demons. Hearing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? If I, by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I, by the spirit of God, cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter into the house of a strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn't gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in that which is to come. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you being evil speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words will you be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, Teacher, we want to see a sign from you. But he answered them, an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up in judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of a man, passes through waterless places seeking rest and doesn't find it. Then he says, I will return into my house from which I came, and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation. While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.   Who are my brothers? He stretched out his hand towards his disciples and said, behold, my mother and my brothers, for whoever does the will of my father, who is in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother. End of chapters eight through 12. Chapters 13 through 16 of the book of Matthew from the World English Bible. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Matthew from the World English Bible, chapters 13 through 16. Chapter 13. On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside. Great multitudes scattered to him so that he entered into a boat and sat. And all the multitude stood on the beach. He spoke to them many things and parables, saying, behold, a farmer went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside and the birds came and devoured them. Others fell on rocky ground where they didn't have much soil and immediately they sprung up because they had no debt of heads. When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no roots, they weeded away. Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. And others fell on good soil and yielded fruit. Some 100 times as much, some 60 and some 30. He who has ears to hear, lets him hear. The disciples came and said to him, why do you speak to them in parables? He answered them, to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. But it is not given to them. For whoever has, to him will be given and he will have upon us. But whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because seeing they don't see and hearing they don't hear. Neither do they understand. In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled which says, by hearing you will hear and will in no way understand. Seeing you will see and will in no way perceive. For these people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes. Or else, perhaps, they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and should turn again and I will hear them. But blessed are your eyes for the sea and your ears for the hear. For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see and didn't see them. And to hear the things which you hear and didn't hear them. Here then, the parable of the Thamma. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. What was sown on the rocky places? This is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it. Yet he has no roots in himself but endears for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. What was sown among the tons? This is he who hears the word. But the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choked the word. And he becomes unfruitful. What was sown on the good ground? This is he who hears the word and understands it. Who most certainly bears fruit and brings forth. Some 100 times as much, some 60 and some 30. He set another parable before them saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while people slept, his enemy came and sowed Daniel wheat also among the wheat and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the banel wheat appeared also. The servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did this Daniel come from? He said to them, an enemy has done this. The servants asked him, do you want us to go and gather them up? But he said, no. Lest perhaps while you gather up the Daniel seeds, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. And in the harvest time, I will tell the reapers, first gather up the Daniel wheat and bind them in bundles to bond them, but gather the wheat into my barn. He set another parable before them saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. He spoke another parable to them. The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, which a woman took and heed in three measures of male, until it was all leavened. Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes, and without a parable, he didn't speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet saying, I will open my mouth in parables. I will offer things heeding from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent the multitudes away and went into the house. His disciples came to him saying, explain to us the parable of the Daniel wheat of the field. He answered them, he who sowed the good seed is the son of man. The field is the world. And the good seed, these are the children of the kingdom and the Daniel wheat are the children of the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are angels. As therefore the Daniel wheat are gathered up and born with fire. So will it be at the end of this age. The son of man will send out his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that cost stumbling and those who do iniquity and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth like the son in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear lets in hear. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field which a man found and hid. In his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine peels. Who having found one peal of great price? He went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again the kingdom of God is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind which when it was filled they drew upon the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers but the bad they threw away. So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them, Have you understood all these things? They answered him, Yes Lord. He said to them, Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder who brings out of his treasure new and old things. It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables he departed from there coming into his own country. He taught them in their synagogue so that they were astonished and said Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Isn't this the Capinta's son?  Aren't all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things? They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house. He didn't do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Chapter 14, At that time, Herod the tetrach heard the report concerning Jesus and said to his servants, This is John the baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him. For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. But John said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her when he would have put him to death he feared the multitude because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask she being prompted by her mother said give me here on a platter the head of John the baptizer. The king was grieved but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him he commanded it to be given and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady. And she brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it and they went and told Jesus Now when Jesus heard this he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it they followed him on foot from the cities. Jesus went out and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. When evening had come his disciples came to him saying this place is deserted and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them they don't need to go away you give them something to eat. They told him we only have here five loaves and two fish. He said bring them here to me. He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass and he took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven he blessed broke and gave the loaves to the disciples and the disciples gave to the multitudes. They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. Those who ate were about five thousand men besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and to go ahead of him to the other side while he sent the multitudes away. After he had sent the multitudes away he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come he was there alone but the boat was now in the middle of the sea. Dispressed by the waves for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled saying it's a ghost and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying cheer up it is I afraid. Peter answered him and said Lord if it is you command me to come to you on the waters. He said come Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out saying give me. Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand took hold of him and said to him you of little faith why did you doubt. When they got up into the boat the wind seized those who were in the boat came and worshipped him saying you are truly the son of God.  As many as touched it were made whole. Chapter 15 Then far seas and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem saying why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders for they don't wash their hands when they eat bread. He answered them why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition.  But you say whoever may tell his father or his mother whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God. He shall not honor his father or mother you have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. You hypocrites well did either prophesy or view saying these people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me and in vain do they worship me teaching as doctrines rules made by men. He summoned the multitude and said to them hear and understand that which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man but that which proceeds out of the mouth this defiles the man then the disciples came and said to him do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard the saying but he answered every plant with my heavenly father didn't plant will be uprooted let them alone they are blind guides of the blind if the blind guides the blind both will fall into a pit Peter answered to him explain the parable to us so Jesus said do you also still not understand don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body but the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart and they defile the man for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts murders adulteries sexual sins thefts false testimony and blasphemies these are the things which defile the man but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man Jesus went out from there and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon behold a Kenanite woman came out from these borders and cried say have mercy on me Lord, you son of David my daughter is severely demonized but he answered her not a word his disciples came and begged him saying send her away for she cries after us but he answered I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel but she came and worshipped him saying Lord help me but he answered it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and treat to the dogs but she said yes Lord but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table then Jesus answered her woman great is your faith be it done to you even as you desire and her daughter was healed from that hour Jesus departed there and came near to the sea of Galilee and he went up into the mountain and sat there great multitudes came to him having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed and many others and they put them down at his feet he healed them so that the multitude wondered whether they saw the mute speaking injured whole lame walking and blind seeing and they glorified the God of Israel Jesus summoned his disciples and said I have compassion on the multitude because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat I don't want to send them away fasting or they might faint on the way the disciples said to him where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude Jesus said to them how many loaves do you have they said seven and a few small fish he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground and he took the seven loaves and the fish he gave thanks and broke them and gave to the disciples and the disciples to the multitudes they all ate and were filled they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over those who ate were four thousand people those who ate were four thousand men besides women and children then he sent away the multitudes got into the boats and came into the borders of Magdala chapter 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees came and testing him asked him to show them a sign from heaven but he answered them when it is evening you say it will be fair weather for the sky is red in the morning it will be fair weather today for the sky is red and threatening hypocrites you know how to discern the appearance of the sky but you can't discern the signs of the times an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign and there will be no sign given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah he left them and departed the disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread Jesus said to them take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees the reasoned among themselves saying we brought no bread Jesus, passive in it said why do you reason amongst yourselves you of little faith because you have brought no bread don't you yet perceive neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you took up nor the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up how is it that you don't perceive that I didn't speak to you concerning bread but beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees then they understood that he didn't tell them to beware of the yeast of bread but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi he accessed the disciples saying who do men say that I the son of man am they said some say John the baptizer some Elijah and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets he said to them but who do you say that I am Simon Peter answered you are the Christ the son of the living God Jesus answered him blessed are you Simon Badruna for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my father who is in heaven I also tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my assembly and the gates of hate will not prevail against it I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ from that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders chief priests and scribes and be killed and the third day be raised up Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying far be it from you Lord this will never be done to you but he turned and said to Peter get deep behind me Satan you are a stumbling block to me for you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of men then Jesus said to his disciples if anyone desires to come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me for whoever desires to save his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life or what will a man give in exchange for his life for the son of man will come in the glory of his father with his angels and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds most certainly I tell you there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the son of man coming in his kingdom end of chapters 13 through 16 chapters 17 through 21 of the book of Matthew from the world English Bible this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Matthew from the world English Bible chapters 17 through 21 chapter 17 after six days Jesus took with him Peter James and John his brother and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves he was transfigured before them his face shone like the sun and his garments became as white as the light behold Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him Peter answered and said to Jesus Lord it is good for us to be here if you want let's make three tenths here one for you one for Moses and one for Elijah while he was still speaking behold a bright cloud overshadowed them behold a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased listen to him when the disciples heard it they fell on their faces and were very afraid Jesus came and touched them and said get up and don't be afraid lifting up their eyes they saw no one except Jesus alone as they were coming down from the mountain Jesus commanded them saying don't tell anyone what you saw until the son of man has risen from the dead his disciples asked him saying then why do the scribes say that Elijah must confess Jesus answered them Elijah indeed comes first and will restore all things but I tell you that Elijah has come already and they didn't recognizing but did to him whatever they wanted to even so the son of man will also suffer by them then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of the Lord that he spoke to them of John the baptizer when they came to the multitude a man came to him kneeling down to him saying Lord have mercy on my son for he is epileptic and suffers grievously for he often falls into the fire and often to the water so I brought him to your disciples and they could not cure him Jesus answered faithless and perverse generation how long will I be with you how long will I bear with you bring him here to me Jesus rebuked him the demon went out of him and the boy was cured from that hour then the disciples came to Jesus privately and say why weren't we able to cast it out he said to them because of your unbelief for most certainly I tell you if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you will tell this mountain move from here to there and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you but this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting while they were staying in Galilee Jesus said to them the son of man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men and they will kill him and the third day he will be raised up they were accidentally sorry when they had come to Capernaum those who collected the the drachma coins came to Peter and said doesn't your teacher pay the drachma he said yes when he came into the house Jesus anticipated him saying what do you think Simon from whom do the kings of the earth receive tool or tribute from their children or from strangers Peter said to him from strangers Jesus said to him therefore the children are exempt but lest we cause them to stumble go to the sea cast a hook and take up the first fish that comes up when you have opened its mouth you will find a starter coin take that and give it to them for me and for you chapter 18 in that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven Jesus called a little child to himself and set him in the midst of them and said most certainly I tell you unless you turn and become as little children you will in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea ward to the world because of occasions of stumbling for it must be that the occasions come but ward to that person through whom the occasion comes if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble cut it off and cast it from you it is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled rather than having two hands or two feet cast into the eternal fire if your eye causes you to stumble pluck it out and cast it from you it is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into the gardener of fire see that you don't despise one of these little ones for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my father who is in heaven for the son of man came to save that which was lost what do you think? if a man has one hundred sheep and one of them goes astray doesn't he live the 99 go to the mountains and seek that which has gone astray if he finds it most certainly I tell you he rejoices over it more than over the 99 which have not gone astray even so it is not the will of your father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish if your brother sins against you go show him his fault between you and him alone if he listens to you you have gained back your brother but if he doesn't listen take one or two more with you that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established if he refuses to listen to them tell it to the assembly if he refuses to hear the assembly also let him be to you as a gentile or a tax collector most certainly I tell you whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven again assuredly I tell you that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask it will be done for them by my father who is in heaven for where two or three are gathered together in my name there I am in the midst of them then Peter came and said to him Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him until seven times Jesus said to him I don't tell you until seven times but until seventy times seven therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants when he had begun to reconcile one was brought to him who owed in ten thousand talents but because he couldn't pay his Lord commanded him to be sold with his wife, his children and all that he had and payments to be made the servants therefore fell down and nailed before him saying Lord have patience with me and I will repay you all the Lord of that servant being moved with compassion released him and forgave him his debts but that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denari and he grabbed him and took him by the throat saying pay me what you owe so his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him say have patience with me and I will repay you he would not but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due so when his fellow servants saw what was done they were exceedingly sorry and came and told to their Lord all that was done then his Lord called him in and said to him you wicked servant I forgive you all that debt because you begged me shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant even as I had mercy on you his Lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him so my heavenly Father will also do to you if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeed Chapter 19 it happened when Jesus had finished these words he departed from Galilee and came into the border of Judea beyond the Jordan great multitudes followed him and he healed them there Pharisees came to him testing him and saying is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he answered haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female and said for this cost a man shall leave his father and mother and shall join to his wife and the two shall become one flesh so that they are no more two but one flesh what therefore God has joined together don't let man tear apart they asked him why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce and divorce her he said to them Moses because of the hardness of your hearts allowed you to divorce your wives but from the beginning it has not been so I tell you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery his disciples said to him if this is the case of the man with his wife it is not expedient to marry but he said to them not all men can receive the same but those to whom it is given for there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake he who is able to receive it let him receive it then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them but Jesus said allow the little children and don't forbid them to come to me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to ones like this he laid his hands on them and departed from there behold one came to him and said good teacher what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life he said to him why do you call me good no one is good but one that is God but if you want to enter into eternal life keep the commandments he said to him which ones Jesus said you shall not murder you shall not commit adultery you shall not steal you shall not offer false testimony honor your father and mother and you shall love your neighbor as yourself the young man said to him all these things I have observed from my youth what do I still lack Jesus said to him if you want to be perfect go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow me but when the young man heard the saying he went away sad for he was one who had great possessions Jesus said to his disciples most certainly I say to you a rich man will enter into the kingdom of heaven with difficulty again I tell you it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God when the disciples heard it they were exceedingly astonished saying who then can be saved looking at them Jesus said with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible then Peter answered behold we have left everything and followed you what then will we have Jesus said to them most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me in the rich generation when the son of man will sit on the throne of his glory you also will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake will receive one hundred times and will inherit internal life but many will be last who are first and first who are last Chapter 20 for the kingdom of heaven is like a man who was the master of his household who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius in day he sent them into his vineyard he went out about the third hour and saw other standing idol in the marketplace to them he said you also go into the vineyard and whatever is right I will give you so they went their way again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise about the eleventh hour he went out and found other standing idol he said to them why do you stand here all day idol they said to him because no one has hired us he said to them you also go into the vineyard and you will receive whatever is right when the evening had come the lord of the vineyard said to his manager call the laborers and pay them their wages beginning from the last to the first when those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came they each received a denarius when the first came they supposed that they would receive more and likewise each received a denarius when they received it they murmured against the master of the household saying these lads have spent one hour and you have made them equal to us who have burned the burden of the day and the scorching heat but he answered one of them friend I am doing you no wrong didn't you agree with me for a denarius take that which is yours and go your way it is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own or is your eye evil because I am good so the last will be first and the first last for many are called but few are chosen as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem he took the twelve disciples aside and on the way he said to them behold we are going up to Jerusalem and the son of man will be delivered to the chief priest and scribes and they will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the gentiles to mock to scourge and to crucify and the third day he will be raised up then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons kneeling and asking a certain thing of him he said to her what do you want she said to him commander these my two sons may sit one on your right hand and one on your left hand in your kingdom but Jesus answered you don't know what you are asking are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with they said to him we are able he said to them you will indeed drink my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give but it is for whom it has been prepared by my father when the ten heard it they were indignant with the two brothers but Jesus summoned them and said you know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them it shall not be so among you but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant whoever desires to be first among you shall be your born servant even as the son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as he ran some for many as they went out from Jericho a great multitude followed him behold two blind men sitting by the road when they heard that Jesus was passing by cried out Lord have mercy on us you son of David the multitude rebuked them telling them that they should be quiet but they cried out even more Lord have mercy on us you son of David Jesus stood still and called them and asked what do you want me to do for you they told him Lord that our eyes may be opened Jesus being moved with compassion touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received their sight and they followed him Chapter 21 when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage to the Mount of Olives then Jesus sent two disciples saying to them go into the village that is opposite you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and they called with her untie them and bring them to me if anyone says anything to you you shall say the Lord needs them and immediately he will send them all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken to the prophet saying tell the daughter of Zion behold your king comes to you humble and riding on a donkey on a cult the fall of a donkey the disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them and brought the donkey and the cult and laid their clothes on them and he sat on them a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road the multitudes who went before him and who followed kept shouting hosanna to the son of David blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord hosanna in the highest when he had come into Jerusalem all the city was stirred up saying who is this the multitude said this is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the money changers tables and the seats of those who sold the doves he said to them it is written my house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of robbers the blind and the lame came to him in the temple and he healed them but when the chief priest and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did and the children who were crying in the temple and saying hosanna to the son of David they were indignant and said to him do you hear what these are saying Jesus said to them yes did you never read out of the mouth of babes and nothing babies you have perfected grace he left them and went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there now in the morning as he returned to the city he was hungry seeing a fig tree by the road he came to eat and found nothing on it but leaves he said to it let there be no fruit from you forever immediately the fig tree withered away when the disciples saw it they marveled saying how did the fig tree immediately withered away Jesus answered them most certainly I tell you if you have faith and don't doubt you will not only do what was done to the fig tree but even if you told us mountain be taken up and cast into the sea it will be done all things whatever you ask in prayer believing you will receive when he had come into the temple the chief priest and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said by what authority do you do these things? who gave you this authority? Jesus answered them I will ask you one question which if you tell me likewise I will tell you by what authority I do these things the baptism of John where was it from? from heaven or from men they reasoned amongst themselves saying if we say from heaven he will ask us why then did you not believe him but if we say from men we fear the multitude for all hold John as a prophet they answered Jesus and said we don't know he also said to them neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things but what do you think? a man had two sons and he came to the first and said son go work today in my vineyard he answered I will not but afterward he changed his mind and went he came to the second and said the same thing he answered I go sir but he didn't go which of the two did the will of his father? they said to him the first Jesus said to them most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the kingdom of God before you for John came to you in the way of righteousness and you didn't believe him but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him when you saw it you didn't even repent afterward that you might believe him here another parable there was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard set a hedge about it dug a wine press in it built a tower he leased it out to farmers and went into another country when the season for the fruit drew near he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit the farmers took his servants beat one killed another and stoned another again he sent other servants more than the first and they treated them the same way the word he sent to them his son saying they will respect my son but the farmers when they saw the son said amongst themselves this is the air come let's kill him and seize his inheritance so they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him when therefore the Lord of the vineyard comes what will he do to those farmers they told him he will miserably destroy those miserable men and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will give him the fruit in the season Jesus said to them did you never read in the scriptures the stone which the builders rejected the same was made the head of the corner this was from the Lord it is marvelous in our eyes therefore I tell you the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces but on whoever it will fall it will scatter him as dust when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard these parables they perceived that he spoke about them when they sought to seize him they feared the mortitudes because they considered him to be a prophet end of chapters 17 through 21


The S&P ETF, SPY, dropped 0.55% today. Before today, SPY closed above the upper bowl in Japan for two days in a row. SPY is due for a pullback. This past Sunday, OPEC Plus announced that they would reduce oil production by 1.16 million barrels per day. The price of WTI crude oil jumped up more than 7% between last Friday and today. When the price of oil goes up, it is likely to drive up inflation, which is a bearish catalyst. Jolt's job openings number was posted today. It came in at 9.931 million versus 10.563 million for the previous month. When job openings decrease, it is another bearish catalyst. With the bowl in Japan showing an overboard condition and with two bearish catalysts on the economic front, it is not surprising that SPY went down today. I sold a few stocks from my portfolio today to lock in my profits. If SPY continues to go down, it will be supported at 407, 404, or 400. I'll be buying long positions again when SPY starts rebounding.