The Genealogy of JESUS

A record of the genealogy of JESUS CHRIST the son of David, the son of Abraham:

       Abraham was the father of Isaac,
          Isaac the father of Jacob,
          Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
          Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
          Perez the father of Hezron,
          Hezron the father of Ram,
          Ram the father of Amminadab,
          Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
          Nahshon the father of Salmon,
          Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
          Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
          Obed the father of Jesse,
          and Jesse the father of King David.

       David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
          Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
          Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
          Abijah the father of Asa,
          Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
          Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
          Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
          Uzziah the father of Jotham,
          Jotham the father of Ahaz,
          Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
          Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
          Manasseh the father of Amon,
          Amon the father of Josiah,
          and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

       After the exile to Babylon:
          Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
          Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
          Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
          Abiud the father of Eliakim,
          Eliakim the father of Azor,
          Azor the father of Zadok,
          Zadok the father of Akim,
          Akim the father of Eliud,
          Eliud the father of Eleazar,
          Eleazar the father of Matthan,
          Matthan the father of Jacob,
          and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of who was born JESUS, who is called CHRIST.

       Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to THE CHRIST.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 1, verses 1 - 17

The Birth of JESUS CHRIST

       This is how the birth of JESUS CHRIST came about: HIS mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through THE HOLY SPIRIT. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
       But after he had considered this, an angel of THE LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from THE HOLY SPIRIT. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give HIM the name JESUS, because HE will save HIS people from their sins."
       All this took place to fulfill what THE LORD had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call HIM Immanuel"--which means, "GOD with us."
       When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of THE LORD had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave HIM the name JESUS.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 1, verses 18 - 25

The Visit of the Magi

After JESUS was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is THE ONE who has been born king of the Jews? We saw HIS star in the east and have come to worship HIM."
       When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where THE CHRIST was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

       " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
          are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
       for out of you will come a ruler
          who will be the shepherd of MY people Israel.' "

       Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find HIM, report to me, so that I too may go and worship HIM."
       After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with HIS mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped HIM. Then they opened their treasures and presented HIM with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 1 - 12

The Escape to Egypt

       When they had gone, an angel of THE LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and HIS mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill HIM."
       So he got up, took the child and HIS mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what THE LORD had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called MY SON."
       When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

       "A voice is heard in Ramah,
          weeping and great mourning,
       Rachel weeping for her children
          and refusing to be comforted,
       because they are no more."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 13 - 18

The Return to Nazareth

       After Herod died, an angel of THE LORD appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and HIS mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."
       So he got up, took the child and HIS mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "HE will be called a Nazarene."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 2, verses 19 - 23

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

       "A voice of one calling in the desert,
       'Prepare the way for THE LORD,
          make straight paths for HIM.' "

       John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
       But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones GOD can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
       "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come ONE who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. HE will baptize you with THE HOLY SPIRIT and with fire. HIS winnowing fork is in HIS hand, and HE will clear HIS threshing floor, gathering HIS wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 3, verses 1 - 12

The Baptism of JESUS

       Then JESUS came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter HIM, saying, "I need to be baptized by YOU, and do YOU come to me?"
       JESUS replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
       As soon as JESUS was baptized, HE went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw THE SPIRIT OF GOD descending like a dove and lighting on HIM. And a voice from heaven said, "This is MY SON, whom I love; with HIM I AM well pleased."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 3, verses 13 - 17

The Temptation of JESUS

Then JESUS was led by THE SPIRIT into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, HE was hungry. The tempter came to HIM and said, "If YOU are THE SON OF GOD, tell these stones to become bread."
       JESUS answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of GOD.' "
       Then the devil took HIM to the holy city and had HIM stand on the highest point of the temple. "If YOU are THE SON OF GOD," he said, "throw YOURSELF down. For it is written:

       " 'HE will command HIS angels concerning YOU,
          and they will lift YOU up in their hands,
       so that YOU will not strike YOUR foot against a stone.' "

       JESUS answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.' "
       Again, the devil took HIM to a very high mountain and showed HIM all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give YOU," he said, "if YOU will bow down and worship me."
       JESUS said to him, "Away from ME, satan! For it is written: 'Worship THE LORD YOUR GOD, and serve HIM only.' "
       Then the devil left HIM, and angels came and attended HIM.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 1 - 11

JESUS Begins to Preach

       When JESUS heard that John had been put in prison, HE returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, HE went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

       "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
          the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
          Galilee of the Gentiles--
       the people living in darkness
          have seen a great light;
       on those living in the land of the shadow of death
          a light has dawned."

       From that time on JESUS began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 12 - 17

The Calling of the First Disciples

       As JESUS was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, HE saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. "Come, follow ME," JESUS said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed HIM.
       Going on from there, HE saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. JESUS called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed HIM.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 18 - 22

JESUS Heals the Sick

       JESUS went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about HIM spread all over Syria, and people brought to HIM all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and HE healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed HIM.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 4, verses 23 - 25

The Beatitudes

Now when HE saw the crowds, HE went up on a mountainside and sat down. HIS disciples came to HIM, and HE began to teach them, saying:

       "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
          for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
       Blessed are those who mourn,
          for they will be comforted.
       Blessed are the meek,
          for they will inherit the earth.
       Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
          for they will be filled.
       Blessed are the merciful,
          for they will be shown mercy.
       Blessed are the pure in heart,
          for they will see GOD.
       Blessed are the peacemakers,
          for they will be called sons of GOD.
       Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
          for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 1 - 12

Salt and Light

       "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
       "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your FATHER IN HEAVEN."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 13 - 16

The Fulfillment of the Law

       "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 17 - 20

Murder

       "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
       "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
       "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 21 - 26

Adultery

       "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 27 - 30

Divorce

       "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 31 & 32

Oaths

       "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to THE LORD.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is GOD'S throne; or by the earth, for it is HIS footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of THE GREAT KING. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 6, verses 33 - 37

An Eye for an Eye

       "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 38 - 42

Love for Enemies

       "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your FATHER in heaven. HE causes HIS sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 5, verses 43 - 48

Giving to the Needy

       "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your FATHER in heaven.
       "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 6, verses 1 - 4

Prayer

       "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your FATHER, who is unseen. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.
       "This, then, is how you should pray:

       " 'Our FATHER IN HEAVEN,
       hallowed be YOUR name,
       YOUR kingdom come,
       YOUR will be done
          on earth as it is in heaven.
       Give us today our daily bread.
       Forgive us our debts,
          as we also have forgiven our debtors.
       And lead us not into temptation,
       but deliver us from the evil one.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your FATHER will not forgive your sins."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 6, verses 5 - 15

Fasting

       "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your FATHER, who is unseen; and your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 6, verses 16 - 18

Treasures in Heaven

       "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
       "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
       "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both GOD and Money."


Gospel of Mathew: chapter 6, verses 19 - 24

Do Not Worry

       "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
       "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how GOD clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will HE not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your HEAVENLY FATHER knows that you need them. But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 6, verses 25 - 34

Judging Others

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
       "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
       "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 7, verses 1 - 6

Ask, Seek, Knock

       "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
       "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your FATHER IN HEAVEN give good gifts to those who ask HIM! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 7, verses 7 - 12

The Narrow and Wide Gates

       "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 7, verses 13 & 14

A Tree and Its Fruit

       "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
       "Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of MY FATHER who is in heaven. Many will say to ME on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in YOUR name, and in YOUR name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from ME, you evildoers!'


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 7, verses 15 - 23

The Wise and Foolish Builders

       "Therefore everyone who hears these words of MINE and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

       When JESUS had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at HIS teaching, because HE taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 7, verses 24 - 29

The Man With Leprosy

When HE came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed HIM. A man with leprosy came and knelt before HIM and said, "LORD, if YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean."
       JESUS reached out HIS hand and touched the man. "I AM willing," HE said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then JESUS said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 1 - 4

The Faith of the Centurion

       When JESUS had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to HIM, asking for help. "LORD," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
       JESUS said to him, "I will go and heal him."
       The centurion replied, "LORD, I do not deserve to have YOU come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
       When JESUS heard this, HE was astonished and said to those following HIM, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
       Then JESUS said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 5 - 13

JESUS Heals Many

       When JESUS came into Peter's house, HE saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. HE touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on HIM.
       When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to HIM, and HE drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

       "HE took up our infirmities
          and carried our diseases."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 14 - 17

The Cost of Following JESUS

       When JESUS saw the crowd around HIM, HE gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to HIM and said, "TEACHER, I will follow YOU wherever YOU go."
       JESUS replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but THE SON OF MAN has no place to lay HIS head."
       Another disciple said to HIM, "LORD, first let me go and bury my father."
       But JESUS told him, "Follow ME, and let the dead bury their own dead."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 18 - 22

JESUS Calms the Storm

       Then HE got into the boat and HIS disciples followed HIM. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But JESUS was sleeping. The disciples went and woke HIM, saying, "LORD, save us! We're going to drown!"
       HE replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then HE got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
       The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey HIM!"


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 23 - 27

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men

       When HE arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met HIM. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do YOU want with us, SON OF GOD?" they shouted. "Have YOU come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
       Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged JESUS, "If YOU drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
       HE said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet JESUS. And when they saw HIM, they pleaded with HIM to leave their region.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 8, verses 28 - 34

JESUS Heals a Paralytic

JESUS stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to HIS own town. Some men brought to HIM a paralytic, lying on a mat. When JESUS saw their faith, HE said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
       At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
       Knowing their thoughts, JESUS said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that THE SON OF MAN has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Then HE said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised GOD, who had given such authority to men.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 1 - 8

The Calling of Matthew

       As JESUS went on from there, HE saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow ME," HE told him, and Matthew got up and followed HIM.
       While JESUS was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with HIM and HIS disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked HIS disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
       On hearing this, JESUS said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 9 - 12

JESUS Questioned About Fasting

       Then John's disciples came and asked HIM, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but YOUR disciples do not fast?"
       JESUS answered, "How can the guests of THE BRIDEGROOM mourn while HE is with them? The time will come when THE BRIDEGROOM will be taken from them; then they will fast.
       "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 14 - 17

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

       While HE was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before HIM and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." JESUS got up and went with him, and so did HIS disciples.
       Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind HIM and touched the edge of HIS cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch HIS cloak, I will be healed."
       JESUS turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," HE said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
       When JESUS entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, HE said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at HIM. After the crowd had been put outside, HE went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 18 - 26

JESUS Heals the Blind and Mute

       As JESUS went on from there, two blind men followed HIM, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
       When HE had gone indoors, the blind men came to HIM, and HE asked them, "Do you believe that I AM able to do this?"
       "Yes, LORD," they replied.
       Then HE touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. JESUS warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread the news about HIM all over that region.
       While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to JESUS. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
       But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that HE drives out demons."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 27 - 34

The Workers Are Few

       JESUS went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When HE saw the crowds, HE had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then HE said to HIS disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask THE LORD of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into HIS harvest field."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 9, verses 35 - 38

JESUS Sends Out the Twelve

HE called HIS twelve disciples to HIM and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
       These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed HIM.
       These twelve JESUS sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
       "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I AM sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
       "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On MY account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER speaking through you.
       "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of ME, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before THE SON OF MAN comes.
       "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
       "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of THE ONE who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your FATHER. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
       "Whoever acknowledges ME before men, I will also acknowledge him before MY FATHER in heaven. But whoever disowns ME before men, I will disown him before MY FATHER in heaven.
       "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

       " 'a man against his father,
          a daughter against her mother,
       a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--
          a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

       "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than ME is not worthy of ME; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of ME; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow ME is not worthy of ME. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.
       "He who receives you receives ME, and he who receives ME receives THE ONE who sent ME. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is MY disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."


Gospel of Matthew: chapter 10

JESUS and John the Baptist

After JESUS had finished instructing HIS twelve disciples, HE went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
       When John heard in prison what CHRIST was doing, he sent his disciples to ask HIM, "Are YOU THE ONE who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
       JESUS replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of ME."
       As John's disciples were leaving, JESUS began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

       " 'I will send MY messenger ahead of YOU,
          who will prepare YOUR way before YOU.'

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.
       "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

       " 'We played the flute for you,
          and you did not dance;
       we sang a dirge,
          and you did not mourn.'

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, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."


Gospel of Mathew: chapter 11, verses 1 - 19