# verses

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»You cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. You will be loyal to one master and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money <i>wealth material possessions</i> .


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»I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink. And do not worry about your body, what you will wear. Is life worth more than food? And is the body worth more than clothes?


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»Look at the birds of the sky, they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you worth more than they?


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»Why are you worried about clothing? Look at how the lilies of the field grow. They do not toil. They do not spin.


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»If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, wont he care for you even more? You of little faith!


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»Do not worry! Do not say: What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, What shall we wear?


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»All people go in search of these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.


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»Seek <i>desire require serve</i> first the kingdom of God and his righteousness <i>continuously</i> and all these things will be added to you.


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»Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have its own worries. Sufficient for each day is its own badness.


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»Will you tell your brother, I will remove the speck from your eye when there is a beam in your own eye?


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»You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye. Then you can see to remove the speck out of your brothers eye.


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»Do not give holy things to the dogs <i>impure persons false prophets</i> (Matthew 7:15). Do not throw your pearls before swine <i>the most unclean</i> . They will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.


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»Even though you are a sinner, you know how to give good gifts to your children. Think how much more your Father in heaven gives good things to those who ask him!


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»Do for others the same as you would have them to do for you. That is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.


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»Enter through the narrow gate, since the gate to destruction is wide and the road that leads to destruction is wide and many enter through it.


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»Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way to life. Only a few put forth the effort. Yes, only a few people enter the narrow gate.


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»Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.


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»Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. He who does the will of my Father in heaven will enter.


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»Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?


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»The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it did not fall. It was built on a solid rock foundation.


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»Every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.


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»The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and battered the house and it fell with a great crash.«


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A leper came to him and bowed down before him, saying: »Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.«


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He reached out his hand and touched him, saying: »I want to. Be made clean.« Right away his leprosy was cleansed.


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Jesus told him not to tell anyone. »Show yourself to the priests and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.«


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The centurion replied to Jesus: »Lord, I am not worthy that you come under my roof. Say the word and my servant will be healed.


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»I also am a man having authority and commanding soldiers. I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.«


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When Jesus heard it, he was amazed, and said to the crowd: »I tell you, I have not found such great faith in Israel.


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»I tell you, many will come from the east and the west, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:


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»but the sons of the kingdom will be cast forth into the outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.«


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Jesus said to the centurion: »Go. Just as you believe, so it will be done to you.« The servant was healed in that hour.


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That evening, they brought many people possessed with demons to him. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick.


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In so doing, that which was spoken through Isaiah was fulfilled. Isaiah wrote: »He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.«


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Now when Jesus saw how large the crowd was growing, he gave orders to depart to the other side of the lake.


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Jesus replied: »Foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.«


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He said to them: »Why are you afraid, you of little faith?« Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Suddenly there was a great calm.


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The disciples were in awe. They asked: »What kind of man is this, for even the winds and the sea obey him?«


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When he arrived at the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarenes two men possessed by demons came to him from out of the tombs. They were extremely violent, so no man could pass by that way.


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They screamed at him, saying: »What have we to do with you, Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time?«


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He told them to go. And they came out, and went into the swine. The entire herd rushed down the hill into the sea, where they perished in the waters.


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The herdsmen fled to the city to tell everything that happened to the swine that were possessed with demons.


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Jesus entered a boat and crossed over to his own city <i>Capernaum</i> , on the other side of the lake.


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A man on a bed, a paralytic, was brought to Jesus. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the sick man: »Have courage; your sins are forgiven.«


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So that you know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins <i>he turned and spoke to the paralytic or paralyzed man</i> : »Get up, take your bed and go to your house.«


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Jesus moved on. He then saw Matthew seated at his work collecting taxes. He said to him: »Follow me.« He rose and followed him.


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Jesus was a dinner guest at Matthews house. Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.


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When the Pharisees saw it, they asked his disciples: »Why does your Teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?«


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»You should learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; for I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.«


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The disciples of John asked: »Why do your disciples not fast?« They frequently fasted, and so did the Pharisees.


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Jesus replied: »Should the wedding guests mourn and also celebrate with the groom? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.


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»Why patch an old garment with cloth that has not been shrunk? The patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth leaving a big hole.


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»Neither do men put new wine in old wineskins. The skins burst and the wine is lost. They put new wine in fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.«


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While he was speaking, an official came and paid him respect. He said: »By now my daughter must be dead. Come and lay your hand on her and she will live.«


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A woman who had a hemorrhage <i>chronic flow of blood</i> for twelve years came behind him. She touched the border of his garment.


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Jesus turned to see her and said: »Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.« The woman was healed at that time.


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Jesus left that place and walked along the road. Two blind men followed him. They shouted: »Have mercy on us, Son of David!«


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He went into a nearby house. The blind men followed him. Jesus asked them: »Do you believe that I can heal you?« They said: »Yes Lord.«


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When the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke. The crowd marveled, saying: »We have never seen anything like this in Israel!«


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Jesus went to all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom. He healed every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.


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When he saw the large crowds of people, he was moved with compassion for them. He knew they were distressed and scattered like sheep not having a shepherd.


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He called his twelve disciples. He gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all kinds of disease and sickness.


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The following are the names of the twelve apostles <i>ambassadors of the good news messengers</i> : first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;


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Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;


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Jesus sent the twelve. He gave them orders not to go to the people of the nations and not to go to the Samaritans.


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»Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. You received without paying, now give without being paid.


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»Take no extra clothes, not even two coats, no extra shoes or walking stick for the laborer is worthy of his food.


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»Go into a city or village and search for the worthy ones. Stay with them until you are ready to leave.


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»If the people are worthy, let your blessing stand. If they are not worthy, let your peace return to you.


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»If someone will not welcome you and listen to the message, leave that house or town, shake the dust off your feet and move on.


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»I tell you, it will be better for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that town.


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»You will be taken before governors and kings for my sake. This will serve as a testimony to them and to the people of the nations.


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»When they hand you over, do not worry about what to say and how to say it. You will be given the words to speak at that time.


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»People will hand over their brothers to be put to death. Parents will oppose children and children will oppose parents, causing them to be put to death.


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»When they persecute you in this city, flee to the next. I tell you; before you have gone through all the cities of Israel the Son of man will come.


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»It is enough for the disciple <i>student</i> that he is like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub <i>Satan</i> , others of the household could also be called the same!


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»The things I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. Proclaim everything you hear from on top of the house.


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»Do not fear those who kill the body. They are not able to take away your <i>everlasting</i> life. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both life and body in the ever-burning fires. <i>Greek: Gehenna: continuously burning trash fires in the valley of Hinnom.</i>


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»Do two sparrows sell for a penny? Not one of them will fall on the ground without your Father knowing.


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»I will tell my heavenly Father about everyone who confesses me <i>witnesses to others about me</i> before men.


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»My coming will cause a separation. A man will be against his father and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.


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»He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.


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»Anyone who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophets reward. Anyone who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous mans reward.


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»And whoever gives a drink of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will not lose his reward.«


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»The blind receive their sight. The lame walk! The lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.


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When these men left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. »What did you go into the wilderness to find? Did you look for a reed shaken by the wind?


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»What did you expect to see, a man clothed in fancy clothes? Those who wear fancy clothes are in kings houses.


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»This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.


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»I tell you, there is none, born of women, greater then John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.


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»From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been mans goal, and men of violence have attempted to take it by force.


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»Of what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their playmates.


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»The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, A gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Wisdom is justified by its actions.«


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»Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon that were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.


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»Will you, Capernaum, be exalted into heaven? You will go down into the grave. If the mighty works had been done in Sodom, which were done in you, it would have remained until this day.


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»But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for you.«


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Then Jesus prayed: »I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to children. (Acts 2:36)


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»All things have been delivered to me from my Father. Only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father. The Son tells others about the Father so that they can know him too.


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»Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. I am meek <i>mild</i> and humble in heart. You will have a restful life,


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Jesus disciples were hungry. It was Sabbath day and yet Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields plucking ears and eating them.


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The Pharisees saw it and said to him: »Your disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.«


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»He entered into the house of God, and he and his companions ate the showbread <i>holy bread</i> , which it was not lawful for them to eat. It was only lawful for the priests.


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»Have you read the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?


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»If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.


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There he saw a man who had a withered hand. They asked him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? They wanted to accuse him.


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He said to them: »Which of you having one sheep, if this sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not get it and lift it out.


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Then he said to the man: »Stretch out your hand.« He stretched it out and it was restored whole like the other.


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»Look! My servant whom I have chosen. I am well pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him and he will declare judgment to the nations.


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»He will break a bruised reed. He will quench smoking flax. This he will do until he sends forth judgment to victory.


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Someone possessed with a demon, blind and dumb was brought to him. He healed him and the dumb man spoke and could see.


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When the Pharisees heard it, they said: »This man casts out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons.«


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Knowing their thoughts, he said to them: »Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed. Every city or house divided against itself will not stand.


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»How can one enter into the house of a strong man and steal his things, except he first tie up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.


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»Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men. But the blasphemy against Gods Spirit will not be forgiven.


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»Whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.


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»Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt. The fruit a tree produces provides its reputation.


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»You offspring of vipers. How can you who are evil speak good things? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.


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»The good man performs good things out of his good treasure. The evil man performs evil things out of his evil treasure.


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Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying: »Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.«


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He answered them: »An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. No sign will be given but the sign of Jonah the prophet.


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»Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so the Son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth <i>the grave</i> .


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»The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it. After all, they repented at the preaching of Jonah. Yet someone greater than Jonah is here.


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»The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and condemn it. She came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. Someone greater than Solomon is here!


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»When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it passes through the desert seeking rest. It does not find it.


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»Then it takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. It will also be like this with this evil generation.«


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While Jesus was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers stood nearby. They wanted to speak to him.


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»For everyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.«


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He responded: »You are allowed to know the divine secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not for others to know. <i>The Greek word for »you« is plural and is applied to the disciples as a group.</i>


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»He who has shall receive more to the point of abundance. He who does not have, it shall be taken away including that which he has.


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»I speak to them in illustrations <i>stories parables allegories</i> , because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear. They just do not understand.


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»The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled. By hearing, you shall hear, and shall in no way understand. By seeing you shall see, and shall in no way perceive.


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»The heart of this people is callous and dull. Their ears are plugged. They cannot hear. They closed their eyes and cannot see. They cannot see nor hear nor understand with their heart. They should turn around and I would heal them.


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»Truly, I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that you see, and could not see them. They also desired to hear the things that you hear, and could not hear them.


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»When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one takes away that which was sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.


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»There is no root in him. He endures for a while. When he has tribulation or persecution because of the word, he falls away.


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»He that was sown among thorns hears the word. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.


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»He that was sown upon the good ground hears the word, and understands it. He bears fruit, producing sometimes a hundredfold, sometimes sixty, and sometimes thirty.«


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He told another illustration, saying: »The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field.


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»The servants of the householder said to him: Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat?


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»Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: »Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn.« «


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In another illustration Jesus said: »The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field.


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»Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.«


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He offered another illustration: »The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened.«


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Jesus spoke with illustrations to the crowds. He did not speak anything without using illustrations.


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That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: »I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.«


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Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: »Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field.«


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»The field is the world <i>the society of mankind</i> . The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one.


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»The weeds are gathered up and burned <i>destroyed</i> with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age.


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»The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness.


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»The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


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»The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field.


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»They drew it up on the beach when it was full. They gathered the good into containers and threw away the bad.


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»It will be that way at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous.


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»The wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


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And he said to them: »Every scribe <i>journalist writer</i> who has been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.«


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He went to his own country and taught in the synagogue. They were astonished and asked where this man got this wisdom and these mighty works.


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»Is this man the carpenters son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas?


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They resented him. But Jesus responded to them: »A prophet is without honor in his own country, and in his own house.«


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He told his servants: »This is John the Baptist, raised from the dead. That explains the power working in him.«


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When Jesus heard it, he left in a boat to a secluded place. The crowds heard this and followed him on foot from the cities.


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Evening came and the disciples approached Jesus and said: »This place is desolate. Send the people away so they may go to the villages and buy themselves food.«


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He commanded the crowd to sit down on the grass. Then he prayed. He gave the five loaves and two fishes to the disciples to distribute to the crowd.


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Jesus sent the disciples in a boat to the other side of the sea. He stayed there until he sent the crowd away.


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After sending the crowd away, he went to the mountain to pray by himself. He was there alone that night.


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When they saw him walking on the water they were troubled. »It is a spirit <i>apparition illusion</i> !« they screamed! They cried out with fear.


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When he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid. He began to sink, and cried: »Help me Lord!«


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Suddenly, Jesus put out his hand and took hold of him, and said: »You of little faith, why were you in doubt?«


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When the men of that place heard the news about Jesus they told everyone in the country. The sick were taken to him.


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They questioned him: »Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands.«


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His answer to them was in the form of a question: »Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition?


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»God said, Honor your father and mother. He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.


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»You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God.


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»You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition!


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»But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules <i>commands</i> of men.«


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In answer he replied: »Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots.


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»Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together.«


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»Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart!


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A woman of Canaan came crying and saying: »Have pity on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is greatly troubled with an unclean spirit.«


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»O woman,« Jesus replied, »your faith is great! Let your desire be done.« And her daughter was made well from that hour.


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Many people came to him. They brought those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many other people. They laid them down at his feet and he healed them.


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The people marveled as they saw the mute speak, the crippled and lame walk, and the blind see. They glorified the God of Israel.


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Jesus called his disciples and said: »I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.«


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The disciples replied: »Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?«


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He took the seven loaves and the fish and offered a prayer of thanksgiving. Then he broke them and gave them to the disciples. The disciples gave them to the people.


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They all ate and were satisfied. When they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, there were seven large baskets full.


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»And in the morning, the weather will be bad today for the sky is red and angry. You are able to see the face of heaven, but not the signs of the time.


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»An evil and false generation is searching after a sign. However, no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.« Then he left them.


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Hearing this, Jesus said: »You of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread?


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»Do you still not see or remember the five cakes of bread of the five thousand, and the number of baskets you took up?


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»Why do you not understand I was not talking about bread? Instead, about keeping away from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?«


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Then they realized it was not the leaven of bread he had in mind. It was the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.


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Jesus traveled to parts of Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples: »Who do men say that the Son of man is?«


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Jesus answered him: »Bless you, Simon son of John. This knowledge came from my Father in heaven and not from man.


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»You are Peter <i>Greek: petros: piece of rock</i> , and on this rock-mass <i>Greek: petra: mass of rock referring to Jesus</i> I will build my congregation. The entrance to the grave <i>Greek: Hades</i> will not have power to stop it.


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»I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is improper and unlawful in heaven, and whatever you declare lawful on earth must be lawful in heaven.«


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From that time forward Jesus made it clear to his disciples how he would have to go to Jerusalem. He told them he would undergo much at the hands of the authorities, including the chief priests and scribes. He let them know he would be put to death. The third day he would come back from the dead.


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Peter protested and rebuked Jesus. He said: »Do not think of that, Lord; it will never happen to you.«


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He turned to Peter and said: »Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me. You think the things of men, not of God.«


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Then Jesus told his disciples: »If any man wants to follow me <i>be mine</i> , let him deny <i>disown</i> himself, and take up his stake and follow me <i>Greek: akoloutheo moi, let him be following me accompany me be in the same way with me</i> .


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»He who wants to save his life will lose it. He who is willing to lose his life for my sake will find it.


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»What will a man profit, if he gains the whole world, and gives up his life? What will a man give in exchange for his life?


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»The Son of man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels. He will then reward each man according to his deeds.


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»I tell you truly, there are some that stand here who will not experience death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.«


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While they watched, Jesus appearance changed <i>transformed transfigured</i> in their presence. His face was as bright as the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.


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Peter told Jesus: »Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let us make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.«


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While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud, saying: »This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.«


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When they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they saw, until the Son of man has risen from the dead.


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»I tell you that Elijah has come. They did not know him and treated him badly as they pleased. They will do the same with the Son of man.«


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»Lord, have mercy on my son. He has mental problems and is in great pain. He frequently falls into the fire and into the water.


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Jesus answered: »You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.«


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Jesus ordered the unclean spirit to leave the boy. It left him and the boy was made well immediately.


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He told them: »It was because of your lack of faith: Truly I say to you, if you have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you.«


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While they were traveling in Galilee, Jesus said to them: »The Son of man will be given up into the hands of men.


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They arrived at Capernaum. The collectors of the two-drachma tax asked Peter: »Does your master make payment of the Temple tax?


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He said: »Yes.« When he entered the house, Jesus said to him: »What is your opinion, Simon? Who pays the tax assessed by the kings of the earth? Is it from their sons or from other people?«


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»We will not cause them trouble. Go to the sea, and let down a hook, and take the first fish you catch. You will see money <i>a stater coin</i> in its mouth. Give it to them for me and for you.«


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He said: »Truly I tell you, if you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.


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»He who causes one of my faithful little ones to stumble is in trouble. It would be better for him to end up in the deep sea with a great stone tied to his neck.


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»A curse is on the earth because of stumbling! It is necessary for stumbling to come. Unhappy is that man through whom the stumbling comes.


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»If your hand or your foot is a cause of stumbling cut it off. Get rid of it. It is better for you to go into life with the loss of a hand or a foot than, having two hands or two feet, to be destroyed by eternal fire.


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»If your eye causes you stumbling, take it out and throw it away. It is better for you to go into life with one eye than, having two eyes, to be destroyed in ever-burning fires in the Valley of Hinnom <i>Greek: Gehenna</i> .


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»Do not treat these little ones badly. I tell you that angels represent them in the presence of my Father in heaven.


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»What do you think? A man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away. Will he leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the wandering one?


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»When he finds it, I tell you he will be filled with more joy than he would have if he had stayed with the ninety-nine.


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»If your brother does wrong to you, go to him in private. Clearly explain his error between you and him. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother back.


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»If he does not listen to you, take one or two more people with you. Two or three witnesses may prove every case.


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»If he will not listen to them, let it come to the attention of the congregation. If he will not listen to the congregation, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector.


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»I tell you; whatever things are fixed by you on earth will be declared improper and unlawful in heaven. Whatever you make free on earth will be declared lawful in heaven.


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»Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.


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Peter came to him and said: »Lord, How many times may my brother do wrong against me, and I forgive him? Seven times?«


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»He was not able to make payment. So his lord gave orders for him to be sold. His wife, sons, and daughters were all to be sold along with every possession. The money would be used for payment of what he owed.


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»So the servant fell on his face out of respect. He said: Lord, give me time to make payment and I will pay everything.


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»Then that servant met another servant who was in debt to him for one hundred denarii. He took him by the throat, saying, Pay your debt now.


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»When the other servants saw what happened, they were very sad. They told their lord what had been done.


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»His lord sent for him, and said: Evil servant; I made you free of all that debt, because of your request to me.


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When Jesus finished speaking, he departed from Galilee. He went to the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.


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Pharisees came to him. They tested him, asking: »Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?«


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He answered: »Have you not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female?


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»For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two shall become one flesh.


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»So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no man pull apart <i>separate</i> !«


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He answered: »Moses allowed you to send your wives away because of your hardness of heart. It was not allowed from the beginning.


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»I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. And he who marries her when she is divorced, commits adultery.«


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The disciples said to him: »This being the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.«


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»For there are men who, from birth, were without sex. There are some who were made that way by men. There are others who have made themselves so for the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this let him accept it.«


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Then some people brought little children to him. They wanted him to lay his hands on them and bless them. But the disciples tried to stop them.


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Jesus said: »Let the little ones <i>children</i> come to me. Do not keep them away: for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.«


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Jesus answered him: »Why are you questioning me about what is good? There is one who is good. If you desire life, obey the Law.«


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The man replied: »Which law?« And Jesus said: »Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false witness,


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Jesus then replied: »If you wish to be complete, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. You will have wealth in heaven. Then follow me!«


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Jesus said to his disciples: »Truly I tell you, it is hard for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of heaven.


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»Again I say, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of God.«


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The disciples were greatly surprised when they heard this. »Who, then, may have salvation?« they asked.


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Jesus replied: »Truly I say to you, when all things are made new, and the Son of man is seated in his glory, you who have come after me will be seated on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


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»Everyone who has given up houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or child, or land, for my name, will receive many times as much, and have everlasting life.


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»The kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.


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»He said to them: Go to the vineyard with the others. I will pay you whatever is right. So they went to work.


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»The eleventh hour, he saw others doing nothing. He asked: Why are you here all the day doing nothing?


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»When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager: Let the workers come and pay them from the last to the first.


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»They said: The last ones have done only one hours work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.


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»Is it lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? Or is your eye jealous because I am generous?


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»When we get to Jerusalem,« he said, »The Son of man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will give orders for him to be put to death.


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»They will turn him over to the heathen to be made sport of and to be whipped. He will be put to death on the stake. The third day he will come back from the dead.«


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The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons. She bowed down and requested a favor of him.


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»What is your desire?« he asked. She said to him: »Let my two sons be seated, the one at your right hand, and the other at your left, in your kingdom.«


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Jesus told her: »You have no idea what you are requesting. Are you able to take of the cup I am about to take? »


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They said: »We are able.« »Truly, you will take of my cup,« he said. »But to be seated at my right hand and at my left is not for me to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.«


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Jesus called them to himself and said: »You know that the rulers of the nations exercise absolute dominion over them. They lord it over them and behave like tyrants.


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»The Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom in payment for many.«


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Two blind men sitting by the side of the road heard Jesus pass by and cried out: »Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!«


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The crowd told them to be quiet. But they cried even more, saying: »Have mercy on us, O Lord, you Son of David!«


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He told them, »Go to the nearby town and look for a donkey with a cord around her neck. There will be a young one with her. Turn them loose and bring them to me.


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»Say to the daughter of Zion, See, your King comes to you, humble, and seated on a donkey, a colt, the offspring of a beast of burden.«


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Most of the people spread their garments on the road. Others took branches from the trees and put them on the road.


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Those going ahead of him and following him shouted praise: »Glory to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah! Glory in the highest!« (Psalms 118:26)


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Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all who were trading there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those trading in doves.


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He told them: »It is written, My house is to be named a house of prayer, but you are making it a hiding place of thieves.«


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The chief priests and the scribes saw the powerful works he did. They heard the children crying out in the Temple: »Glory to the son of David.« This made them very angry.


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»Have you any idea what these people are saying?« Jesus answered: »Yes. It is written, From the lips of children and babies at the breast you have made your praise complete.«


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He saw a fig tree along the side of the road. He went to it and saw nothing on it but leaves. He told it: »You will not bare fruit from this time forward, forever.« Immediately the fig tree became dry and dead.


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Jesus answered: »If you have faith and do not doubt, I make this promise to you: You will be able to do what was done to this fig tree. When you say to this mountain, be moved into the sea, it will be done.


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When he went into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching. They asked: »By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?«


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Jesus answered: »I will ask you one question. If you give me the answer, I will say by what authority I do these things.


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»Where did the baptism of John come from? Was it from heaven or from men?« They talked among themselves. »If we say, From heaven, he will say, Why did you not have faith in him?


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»But if we say, From men, we must fear the people, because they all recognize John to be a prophet.«


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Therefore they answered: »We have no idea.« He replied to them: »Then I will not tell you by what authority I do these things.«


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»He said the same to the second son. That son answered, Yes, I will go, but he did not go to work.


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»Which of the two pleased his father?« They replied: »The first.« Jesus said to them: »I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes will go into the kingdom of God before you.«


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»John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him. Even the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. When you saw this, you did not regret your sins and did not have faith in him.


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»Listen to another illustration. A master of a house made a vineyard, and put a wall around it. He made a wine press and built a tower. Then he rented it to workers and traveled to another country.


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»When the workmen saw the son, they said, Let us put him to death and take his heritage, for someday he will own this property.


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They all said: »He will put those cruel men to death. Then he will find other workmen who are worthy and who will give him fruit when it is ready.«


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Jesus said to them: »Have you read the Scriptures, The stone the builders rejected has been made the chief cornerstone of the building. This was Jehovahs doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes. (Isaiah 28:16)


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»For this reason I tell you, The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. It will be given to a nation producing fruit.


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»Any man falling on this stone will be broken. Any man having this stone fall on him will be crushed to dust.«


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When the chief priests and Pharisees heard his illustrations they realized he was talking about them.


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»Again he sent out other servants with orders to say to the guests, I have prepared my feast. Oxen and fat livestock are butchered and everything is ready, so come to the feast.


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»But they paid no attention and went about their business. One went to his farm and another went to his trade.


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»The king was angry, and sent his armies to put the evil servants to death and to destroy their town with fire.


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»They went to the roads and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests.


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»When the king met the guests he found that one of them was not wearing the right kind of clothes for the wedding.


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»The king gave orders for that person to be tied hand and foot and thrown outside into the dark. That is where people will cry and grind their teeth in pain.


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They sent their disciples with the Herodians to Jesus. They said: »Teacher we know you are truthful. You teach the way of God in truth. And you are not partial to the influence of men.


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»Caesars,« they said. Then he said: »Pay Caesar the things that are Caesars. Pay God the things that are Gods.«


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That same day, Sadducees came to him. They believe there is no resurrection. They asked him a question.


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»Teacher, Moses said if a man dies having no children, his brother should marry his wife, and bring up seed for his brother.


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»There were seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no children, left his wife to his brother.


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»In the resurrection they will not marry nor be given in marriage. They will be like the angels in heaven.


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»God said: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living!«


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Jesus told him: »You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart <i>Greek: kardia: feelings, emotions</i> , and with all your being, and with your entire mind <i>Greek: dianoia: understanding</i> . (Deuteronomy 6:5)


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»Jehovah said to my Lord, »Sit on my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet.«  (Psalm 110:1)


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»Obey everything they teach you, but do not follow their example. They say one thing and do something else.


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»They chain heavy burdens on your shoulders. Yet they are unwilling to lift even a finger to carry these same burdens.


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»They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments.


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»Do not be called Rabbi <i>master teacher leader</i> , for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom <i>Greek: Gehenna</i> .


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»Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, When you swear by the temple, it is nothing. Then you say, When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.


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»When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead mens bones and uncleanness on the inside.


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»Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous.


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»You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets.


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»You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? <i>Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem</i>


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»Look! I am sending you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will torture and kill. Others you will torment and persecute from city to city.


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»You are responsible for all the righteous blood shed on earth. That includes the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.


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»Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone the messengers who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. But you were not willing!


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»I tell you, you will not see me until you say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of Jehovah.« (Psalm 118:26)


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He said to them: »Do you see these things? I tell you, not one stone will be left upon another. They will all be thrown down.«


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He sat on the Mount of Olives. The disciples came to him privately, saying: »Tell us when these things will be? What will be the sign of your presence and of the end of the age?«


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»You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be troubled, for this must happen, but the end is not yet.


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»Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many places.


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»These things are the beginning of birth pains <i>Greek: odin': in the throws of pain, such as childbirth</i> .


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»People will cause you tribulation, and kill you. You will be hated by all the nations for my names sake.


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»The good news of the kingdom will be preached in the entire world for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.


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»When you see the disgusting abomination of desolation <i>unclean thing</i> spoken about through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place <i>let him that reads understand</i> ,


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»There will be great tribulation. It will be greater than any has ever been from the beginning of the world until now.


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»Unless those days are shortened, no flesh will be saved. For the sake of the chosen ones <i>selected individuals</i> , those days will be shortened.


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»There will be false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders so that many will be misled. This includes some of the chosen ones.


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»If they say, Look, he is in the wilderness, or, He is in the inner chambers, do not believe it.


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»Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened. The moon will not give light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.


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»The sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of earth will mourn. They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.


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»He will send his angels with a great trumpet sound. They will gather together the anointed from the four winds, from one end of the sky <i>horizon</i> to the other.


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»Learn from the illustration of the fig tree. When the branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.


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»Truly I tell you, this generation <i>those living at that time</i> will not pass away till all these things take place.


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»No one knows the day and the hour <i>the period of time</i> . The angels of heaven do not know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows!


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»It will be like those days before the Flood. They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.


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»They were not aware until the Flood came and took them all away. The coming <i>presence</i> of the Son of man will be like this.


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»Know this, if the master of the house had known what time the thief was coming, he would have watched and his house would not have been vandalized.


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»Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his lord put in charge of his other servants, to give them their food at the proper time?


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»the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect it, an hour when he is unaware.


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»He will punish him severely, and send him to be with the hypocrites. There they will cry and grind their teeth.


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»The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.


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»But the wise answered: There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself.


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»While they were away, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut.


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»It is like a man going to another country. He called his servants and put them in charge of his property.


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»To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. He assigned according to the servants ability. Then he went on his journey.


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»Right away the servant who received the five talents traded with them and made another five talents.


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»The servant who received five talents brought another five talents. He said: Lord, here are your five talents, plus the five I gained.


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»His lord said: Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, so I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.


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»The one who received two talents said: Lord you gave me two talents and I gained another two talents.


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»His lord said: Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.


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»The servant who received one talent said: Lord, I knew you to be a hard man. You reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter.


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»But his lord answered: You wicked and lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter.


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»More will be given to every one who has and he will have abundance. He who does not have will have every thing taken away.


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»When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.


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»All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.


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»The King will say to those on his right hand: Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.


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»I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.


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»I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.


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»The righteous will answer him: Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?


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»The King will answer: To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.


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»Then he will tell those on his left: Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his <i>fallen</i> angels.


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»I was a stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and you did not dress me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.


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»They will also ask: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison and not minister to you?


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»The King will answer: To the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me.


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»These will go away into ever-burning fire <i>everlasting cutting off death total destruction doom punishment everlasting penalty</i> , but the righteous to everlasting life.«


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»As you know, the Passover will be here in two days. At that time the Son of man will be captured and impaled.«


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A woman came to him having an alabaster vase containing very precious ointment. She poured it upon his head while he was eating.


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»I tell you, Everywhere this good news is preached in the entire world, this good deed done by this woman will be spoken of in memory of her.«


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He asked them: »What are you willing to give me to deliver him to you?« They paid him thirty pieces of silver.


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The first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus. They asked: »Where do you wish to eat the Passover?«


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Jesus told them to go into the city and tell a certain man: »The Teachers time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.«


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»It is written that the Son of man will depart. The man who betrays him will experience much grief. It would have been better if that man had not been born.«


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As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed, and broke it; and he gave to the disciples. Then he said: »Take, eat; this is <i>represents means exemplifies</i> my body.«


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»This is <i>represents means exemplifies</i> my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.


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»I tell you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.«


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Jesus said to them: »All of you will fall away because of me tonight. It is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.


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Peter protested: »Even if I must die for you, I would not deny you!« His disciples said the same thing.


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Jesus went with them to Gethsemane. He said to his disciples: »Sit here while I go over there and pray.«


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Then he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed: »My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.«


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When he came to the disciples, they were sleeping. He said to Peter: »Could you not watch with me one hour?


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A second time he went away and prayed, saying: »Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, your will be done.«


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After returning to the disciples, he said: »Do you sleep now and take your rest? The hour is here and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.


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As he spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, followed by a crowd carrying swords and spears, approached him. The chief priest and elders of the people had sent them.


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Look, one of them with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest.


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That very hour Jesus said to the people, »Have you come out to take me with swords and sticks as if I were a thief? You did not take me when I taught in the Temple daily.


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»This has taken place so that the writings of the prophets will come true.« Then all his disciples left him.


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Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there.


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But Peter kept his distance. He followed him to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the servants, to see the outcome.


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The chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death.


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Later two witnesses came. They said: »This man said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.«


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Jesus said nothing. The high priest said to him: »I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.«


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Jesus said to him: »You said it yourself. And I say to you, after this you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.«


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Then the high priest ripped his robes apart and said: »He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy!«


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Peter was seated in the square outside the house, and a servant-girl came to him. She said: »You were with Jesus the Galilean.«


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A few moments later, those who were near approached and said to Peter: »Indeed, you are one of them, because the way you speak gives you away.«


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Peter remembered what Jesus told him: »Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.« He went out and wept bitterly.


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Judas, his betrayer, heard he was to be put to death. Out of regret, he took the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and those in authority.


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The chief priests took the silver. They said: »It is not right to put it in the Temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.«


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Then Jeremiahs prophecy was fulfilled: »They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price he was valued by the children of Israel.


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Jesus stood before the governor. He asked him: »Are you the King of the Jews?« Jesus said to him: »It is as you say.«


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It was a custom for the governor to set one prisoner free at the time of the feast. The people were to help choose that prisoner.


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When they assembled, Pilate asked: »What is your choice? Barabbas or Jesus, the one called the Christ?«


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While he was seated in judgment his wife sent a message to him. She said, »Do not judge that righteous man. I have had much trouble this day in a dream because of him.«


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The governor responded to them. He asked: »Which of the two do you want me to set free?« They shouted: »Barabbas!«


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Pilate said to them: »What am I to do with Jesus, the one called Christ?« They all said: »Put him to death. Impale him!«


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Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were ready to cause much trouble. He took water and washed his hands in front of the people. He said: »The blood of this man is not on my hands. You are responsible.«


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They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They placed a rod in his right hand. Then they bowed down on their knees before him. They mocked him, saying: »Long life to the King of the Jews.«


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After they mocked him, they took off the robe. He was dressed in his garments and he was led away to be impaled.


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They gave him vinegar <i>bitter wine</i> to drink mixed with poison <i>a drug gall</i> . When he tasted it he would not drink. (Psalm 69:21)


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and said, »You who would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God come down from the stake.«


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They said: »He saved others, but cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the stake and we will believe in him.«


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About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, »Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?« Which <i>translated</i> means: »My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?«


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Suddenly, one of them ran, took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.


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The veil <i>curtain</i> of the temple was ripped in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks split.


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<i>They came out of the tombs after his resurrection. Manuscript text unclear.</i> Many people saw them.


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The centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake. Filled with much fear of the things that were done, they proclaimed: »Truly, this was the Son of God!«


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Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.


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He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone in front of the door of the tomb, and departed.


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It was morning, the day after Preparation. The chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate.


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They said: »Sir, we remember while he was yet alive, the deceiver said, After three days I will rise again.«


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»Command the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise his disciples could come and steal him away. They could say to the people. He is risen from the dead. The last deception will be worse than the first.«


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Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.


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Suddenly there was a great earthquake, as an angel of God descended from heaven and rolled away the stone and sat on it.


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»Go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead. See, he goes before you to Galilee. You will see him there, as I have told you.«


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They departed quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy. They ran to bring his disciples the news.


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Jesus met them and greeted them. They approached and took hold of his feet and kissed them in adoration.


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Then Jesus told them: »Do not fear. Go tell my brothers to travel to Galilee. I will see them there.«


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While they were going, some of the guard came into the city. They told the chief priests all the things that happened.


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So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.


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When they saw him, they bowed down in adoration for him. But some doubted <i>were lacking faith</i> .


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Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying: »All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.


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»Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.


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»Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.«


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»The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of Jehovah, make his paths straight.« (Isaiah 40:3)


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John the Baptist was in the desert <i>wilderness</i> telling people to repent <i>turn away from sin</i> and be baptized for forgiveness of sins.


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People from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins and he baptized them in the Jordan River.


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John was clothed in camels hair with a leather belt about his loins. He ate locusts and wild honey.


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He told the people: »The man who comes after me is greater than I am. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his shoes.


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»I baptized <i>immersed</i> you with water, but he will baptize <i>Greek: baptizo: immerse, submerge</i> you with Holy Spirit.«


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When Jesus came out of the water he saw the heavens open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove.


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After John was locked in prison Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News of God to the people.


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Walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two fishermen Simon and Andrew, Simons brother. They were casting a net into the sea.


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Jesus then saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat preparing their nets to go fishing.


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Jesus called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.


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Jesus and his followers traveled to Capernaum. On the day of worship Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.


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»What do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!«


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The people were all amazed and questioned. »What is this? What new doctrine is this? He has authority over the unclean spirits, and they obey him.«


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Jesus and his disciples, including James and John, left the synagogue and went directly to the home of Simon and Andrew.


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He took her by the hand and helped her sit up. The fever suddenly left. So she got up and prepared a meal for them.


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Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases. He cast out many demons. Knowing them he would not permit the demons to speak.


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A man with leprosy knelt in front of Jesus and begged to be healed. »If you want to, you can make me well,« he said.


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»Do not talk to anyone along the way. Take the offering the Law of Moses requires for those healed of leprosy. That way everyone will have proof of your healing.«


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But the man gave a public account of his healing everywhere he went. Soon crowds surrounded Jesus and he could not enter a town publicly. He had to stay in secluded places and people continued to come to him.


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So many people gathered that there was no room left even by the door. Jesus was speaking Gods word to them.


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They could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd. So they removed the roof over the place where Jesus was. Then they lowered the cot on which the paralyzed man was lying.


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Jesus immediately discerned in his spirit that they reasoned within themselves. He asked them: »Why reason these things in your hearts?


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He got up, took the bed and went out before them all. They were all filled with wonder. They gave glory to God and said we have never seen anything like this.


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He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, seated at the place where taxes were collected. He said to him: »Come with me.« And he got up and went with him.


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He was reclining at the meal in his house. Several tax collectors and sinners were at the table with Jesus and his disciples. There were a great number of them, and they came after him.


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When the scribes of the Pharisees saw he was eating with the tax collectors and sinners they asked his disciples: »Why does he take food and drink with such men?«


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Jesus heard this. He said to them: »Those who are well have no need of a medical man but those who are ill do. I have come to care for sinners not the upright.«


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Johns disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. They came to him and asked: »Why do Johns disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast but your disciples do not?«


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Jesus replied: »Will the friends of a newly married man practice fasting while he is with them? As long as they have him with them they will not go without food.


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»No man puts a patch of new cloth on an old coat. The new, by pulling away from the old, makes a worse hole.


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»No man puts new wine into old wineskins. The skins will burst and the wine and the skins will be wasted. New wine has to be put into new wine skins.«


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Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day. While they walked his disciples took the heads of grain.


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»He went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest. David took the holy bread for food and gave to his companions. Only the priests may take the holy bread.


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They watched to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath day. Then they might have something against him.


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Then he asked the Pharisees, »Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? Is it right to give life or to put to death?« But they said nothing.


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He looked at them and was angry. He was also sad on account of their hard hearts. He said to the man: »Stretch out your hand.« He stretched it out and his hand was healed.


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The Pharisees went away and immediately conspired with the Herodians. They tried to decide how they might destroy him.


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Jesus went with his disciples to the sea. A great crowed from Galilee followed. They were also from Judaea,


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Jerusalem, Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and from Tyre and Sidon. These people heard the great things he did and came to him.


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Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean.


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Scribes that came down from Jerusalem said: »He has Beelzebub. He casts out demons by the prince of the demons.«


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Jesus called them to him and spoke to them in illustrations. He asked: »How could Satan cast out Satan?


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»No one can enter into the house of the strong man and steal his property unless he first captures the strong man. Then he will steal his property.


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»But whoever speaks evil and defames Holy Spirit will not be forgiven but is guilty of an eternal sin.«


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A crowd was sitting around him. They said to him: »Look your mother and you brother are outside looking for you.«


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Again he taught a very great crowd by the seaside. He sat in a boat while the crowd was on the land.


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»Other seed fell on the rocky ground and did not have good soil. Immediately it sprang up, because it had no good soil


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»Others fell on good ground and yielded fruit. It grew up, increased and produced thirty fold, and sixty fold, and a hundred fold.«


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He told them: »The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you. Illustrations are spoken to outsiders.


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»So that seeing they may see and not perceive. And hearing they may hear and not understand. Otherwise they might repent and be forgiven.«


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Then he asked: »Do you not understand this illustration? How will you understand any of the illustrations?


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»These are they by the wayside where the word is sown. When they have heard; Satan comes and takes away the word that has been sown in them.


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»The same is so of the word sown upon the rocky places. When they have heard the word and receive it with joy,


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they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while. They stumble when tribulation or persecution arise.


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but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts for other things enter in and choke the word. So it becomes unfruitful.


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»Those who represent that sown upon the good soil hear the word and accept it. They bear fruit, thirty fold, and sixty fold, and a hundred fold.«


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»There is nothing hidden unless it should be made known. Nothing is made secret that should come to light.


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Then he said: »Be careful what you listen to. That which is portioned out by you might be portioned to you and more.


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»He who has, to him it will be given. He who has not, from him will be taken even that which he has.«


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»When the grain is ready he immediately sends men to cut it, because the time for cutting has come.«


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He said: »What illustration should we use to picture the kingdom of God? What story will make it clear?


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»It is like a grain of mustard seed. When it is planted in the earth it is smaller than all the seeds on the earth.


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»But when it is planted it grows and becomes taller than all the plants. It grows out great branches so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade.«


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He was in back of the boat sleeping on a cushion. They woke him. They said: »Master is it nothing to you that we are in danger of destruction?«


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He awoke from sleep and commanded the wind and sea. He commanded the sea to be at peace and rest. And he commanded the wind to go down and there was a great calm.


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Their fear was great. They said to themselves: »Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey his orders?«


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Often he was bound in chains and iron bands but he would break them. No man was strong enough to keep him still.


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Crying out with a loud voice, he said: »What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the highest God? In Gods name do not torment me!«


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Then Jesus said: »What is your name?« He answered: »My name is Legion because there are a great number of us.«


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He let them do it. Then the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd went rushing down a sharp slope into the sea. About two thousand of them died in the sea.


text:
Their keepers ran off to the town to tell others what happened. People came to see what had taken place.


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When they came to Jesus they saw the man who had been demon possessed. He was fully clothed and in full use of his senses. So they were afraid.


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Those who saw the event gave a full account of what happened to the man, the evil spirits and the pigs.


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Entering the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons asked that he might be allowed to travel with him.


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Jesus told him: »Go to your house and to your friends and tell them about the great things God did for you and how he had mercy on you.«


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He went away and told others in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him. They all marveled.


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Again Jesus crossed over in the boat to the other side. A great crowd gathered to him while he was by the sea.


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He pleaded with him saying: »My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her that she will be healed and live.«


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She suffered treatment from many physicians but did not become better. She spent all her money and grew worse.


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Immediately the flow of her blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.


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Suddenly Jesus recognized that power issued from him. He turned to the crowd and asked: »Who touched my garments?«


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The woman was afraid and trembled. Knowing what happened she fell down before him, and told him the truth.


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While he yet spoke they came from the ruler of the synagogues house. They said: »Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher.«


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They laughed him to scorn. He sent them all out of the house. Then he took the father, mother and his companions and went to the child.


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He took the child by the hand and said to her: »Talitha cumi.« Which means when interpreted, »little girl I say to you arise.«


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Immediately the twelve-year old girl rose up and walked. And they were promptly amazed with a great amazement.


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He gave them firm orders not to tell any man about this. Then he commanded that she be given something to eat.


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Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Many were astonished when they heard him. They asked: »Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to this man and how did he perform these mighty works by his hands?


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»Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary, brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?« He offended them.


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Jesus said to them: »A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own people and in his own house.«


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He summoned the twelve and sent them forth in pairs. They were given authority over the unclean spirits.


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»When someone will not listen to you leave that house and shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony to the householder.«


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John the Baptist had become well known. King Herod heard that John had risen from the dead. Therefore he was doing these powerful works.


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For Herod captured John and locked him in prison for the sake of Herodias his wife. She was his brother Philips wife before he married her.


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But Herod feared John. He knew he was a righteous and holy man so he kept him safe. That is why he listened to John but was perplexed.


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It was Herods birthday. He invited his lords, the military commanders, and the prominent men of Galilee to supper.


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When the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, she pleased him so much he promised her anything she desired.


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At once she went to the king and asked: »Will you give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.«


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The king was very sorry. Even so he kept his promise to her. He did not turn her down. This also showed his dinner guests he was a man of his word.


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He told them come into a secluded place and rest a while. For there were many people coming and going and they had no leisure time.


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The people from all the cities knew they were going and they ran together on foot to arrive ahead of them.


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When he arrived and saw the great crowd he had compassion on them. They were as sheep without a shepherd. He taught them many things.


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Late in the day his disciples approached him. They said: »The day is almost over and we are in a secluded place.


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»Send them away that they may go to the country and villages nearby and buy themselves something to eat.«


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He replied: »You give them food to eat.« They asked: »Should we buy two hundred shillings worth of bread to feed them?«


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He said« »Find out how many loaves you have? When they knew they said« »Five loaves and two fishes.«


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Then he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and broke the loaves into pieces and gave them to his disciples. He also divided the two fishes. He gave the food to his disciples to serve to the people.


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Jesus made his disciples hurry into a boat to cross to Bethsaida ahead of him. Then he sent the crowd away.


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He saw that they were tired of rowing for the wind was against them. It was the fourth watch of the night. He walked on the sea and was about to pass them.


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They all saw him and were troubled. Suddenly he spoke to them: »Be of good cheer. It is I do not fear.«


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When he entered a village or city in the marketplaces or the country the sick tried to touch the border of his garment and be healed.


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<i>For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat until they wash their hands. They practice the tradition of the elders.</i>


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When they come from the marketplace they wash themselves before they eat. They follow many other rules. They wash their cups, and brass pots, and other vessels.


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The Pharisees and the scribes asked: »Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders. Instead they eat their bread with defiled hands?«


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He told them: »Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me.


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Speaking to the Pharisees and scribes He said: »You abandon the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.


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»Moses said: Honor your father and your mother. He also said: He that speaks evil of father or mother must die.


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»But you say: If a man says to his father or his mother that which would benefit you is a gift to God,


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»Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. That which comes from inside of a man can make him unclean.


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He replied: »Do you not understand? Do you not know that which goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him?


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»It is because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is eliminated? All foods are clean.


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Jesus went to the territory of Tyre and Sidon. He did not want anyone to know that he was staying in a house there. However it could not be kept a secret.


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The woman was a Greek Syrophoenician by race. She wanted him to drive out the demon out of her daughter.


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He said to her: »Let the children be fed first. It is not proper to take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs.«


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They brought a deaf man with an impediment in his speech to him and asked him to lay his hands on him.


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Jesus took him aside from the crowd privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.


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It was one of those days when there was a great crowd of people. They had nothing to eat so he called his disciples.


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Jesus said: »I am concerned for these people because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.


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»If I send them away to their houses with no food they will be weak and faint. Some of them have a long way to go.«


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He made the people sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks. He gave the broken bread to his disciples and they served the people.


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He sighed deeply in his spirit and said: »Why does this generation seek a sign? I tell you truly no sign will be given to this generation.«


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Hearing this Jesus said: »Why do you reason about having no bread? Do you not understand? Are your hearts dull of understanding?


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»When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand how many baskets full of broken pieces did you up bring back?« They answered: »Twelve.«


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And the seven loaves among the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you bring back? And they told him: »Seven.«


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He held the blind mans hand and led him out of the village. Then he spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him. He asked him: »Do you see?«


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Jesus and his disciples went into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples: »Who do men say I am?«


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Then he taught them that the Son of man must suffer many things. The elders, chief priests, and the scribes will reject him. He will be killed and after three days he will rise from the dead.


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He turned around and looked at his disciples. Then he rebuked Peter saying: »Get behind me Satan for you do not pay attention to the things of God. You tend to the things of men.«


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He then spoke to both his disciples and the crowd. He said: »If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his stake and follow me.


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»Whoever would save his life will lose it. Whoever would lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.


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»For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.«


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He continued: »Truly I tell you there are some here who will in no way experience death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.«


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Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain completely alone. He was transfigured in front of them.


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Peter said to Jesus: »Teacher it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.«


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A cloud hovered over them and a voice came out of the cloud: »This is my Son the beloved listen to him!«


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They came down the mountain. He warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of man had risen from the dead.


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He said: »Elijah does come first and restores all things. It is written that the Son of man should suffer and be treated with contempt?


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»But I say to you that Elijah has come. They have done to him what ever they wished just as it is written about him.«


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One of the people answered him: »Teacher I brought my son who is unable to talk because of a spirit.


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»The spirit seizes him and slams him down. He foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth. I asked your disciples to cast it out but they could not do it.«


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Jesus then said: »O faithless generation. How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.«


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They brought the boy to him. Suddenly the spirit threw him into convulsions. He fell on the ground rolled around and foamed at the mouth.


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Often it casts him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything have compassion on us and help us.


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When Jesus saw the people he ordered the unclean spirit to come out of him. He commanded the spirit that caused the loss of voice and hearing to leave and never return to him.


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The spirit cried out and shook the child violently. It came out and the child became like a dead person. Most of them said: »He is dead.«


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When the child went into the house his disciples asked him privately: »Why were we unable to send it out?«


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He taught his disciples: »The Son of man will be handed over to men who will put him to death. After three days he will come back from the dead.«


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They traveled to Capernaum. When they were in the house he asked them: »What were you talking about on the way?«


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He sat down and the twelve came to him. He said: »If any man has the desire to be first, he would be last of all and servant of all.«


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»Whoever receives a little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.«


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John spoke up: »Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name. We tried to stop him because he does not follow us.«


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But Jesus said: »Do not stop him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.


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»Whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christs, most assuredly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.


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»Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea.


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»If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It would be better to enter into life maimed then, having two hands to be destroyed in the ever-burning trash fires in the Valley of Hinnom. <i>Greek: Gehenna</i>


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<i>spurious, but included in King James Version, »Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.« </i>


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»If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is good for you to enter into life with only one foot, rather than having two feet to be cast into the ever-burning fires of Hinnom. <i>Greek: Gehenna: symbolic of total destruction</i>


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»If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is good for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be destroyed in the ever-burning trash fires in the valley of Hinnom.


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»Salt is good. If it loses its saltiness how can you make it salty again? Have the salt or seasoning of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.«


text:
Jesus crossed the Jordan River when he went to the province of Judea. Crowds gathered all around him just as they always did.


text:
Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him. »Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife?« They asked.


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But when Jesus saw it he was moved with indignation. He said: »Allow the little children to come to me! Do not turn them away for they belong to the kingdom of God.


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»Truly I tell you, he who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it.«


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As he traveled someone ran to him, kneeled and asked him: »Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit everlasting life?«


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»You know the commandments, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.«


text:
Jesus lovingly looked at him and said: »You lack one thing. Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.«


text:
Looking around Jesus said to his disciples: »It is hard for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!«


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The disciples were amazed at his words. Jesus repeated it again: »Children, it is hard to enter into the kingdom of God!


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»It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.«


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Jesus looked at them: »With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God.«


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Jesus said: »Truly I tell you, a man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the sake of the good news,


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Jesus went to Jerusalem. The disciples followed him. They were amazed at what Jesus did. Others followed and were afraid. He met with the twelve to tell them the things that were to happen to him.


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»When we go to Jerusalem the Son of man will be turned over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the people of the nations.


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»They will mock him, spit on him, and scourge him. Then they will kill him. After three days he will rise again.«


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James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him saying: »Teacher, we want you to do for us what we ask of you.«


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They said to him: »Allow us to sit next to you in your glory. One could sit on your right hand, and one on your left hand.«


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»You do not know what you ask,« Jesus replied. »Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?«


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They said: »We are able.« Jesus replied: »The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized you will be baptized.


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»But to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give. It is for them for whom it has been prepared.«


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Jesus called them together and said: »You know that those who rule over the nations lord it over them. Their great ones exercise authority over them.


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»It is not so among you. Whoever would become great among you, shall be your minister <i>servant attendant</i> .


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»For the Son of man also came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.«


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They arrived at Jericho. He left there with his disciples and a large crowd. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the side of the road.


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Many rebuked him that he should keep quiet. However he cried out even more: »You son of David have mercy on me.«


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Jesus stood still and said: »You call him.« They called the blind man saying to him, »Be of good cheer: rise, he calls you.«


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Jesus responded to him: »What do you want me to do for you?« The blind man said to him: »Teacher I want to receive my sight!«


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Jesus told him: »Go your way; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him in the way.«


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They came close to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives. He appointed two of his disciples to


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go into the village that is nearby. »As soon as you enter it you will find a colt tied there. No man has ever sat on that colt. Untie him and bring him.


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»If any one questions why you do this say: The Lord has need of him. Immediately he will send it here.«


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Those who led the way and those who followed cried: »Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in Jehovahs name!


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He saw a fig tree far off. When he got closer he found nothing but leaves for it was not the season of figs.


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When in Jerusalem he entered the temple and turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of the people who sold doves.


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When he taught, he said: »Is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.«


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The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. They feared him because the crowd was astonished at his teaching.


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»Truly I say faithful ones shall say to this mountain, be cast into the sea and it will happen. There must be no doubt in his heart and he must believe that what he says will come to pass.


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»When you say a prayer have forgiveness in your heart. Forgive anything you have against anyone so that your Heavenly Father will forgive you your sins.«


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They said to him: »By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you authority to do these things?«


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Jesus said: »I will ask you one question. Give me an answer, and I will say by what authority I do these things.«


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They thought about it among themselves saying: »If we say from heaven he will say why did you not have faith in him?«


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They feared the people. »If we say from men the people would not like it because they all thought John was a true prophet.«


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They told Jesus« »We have no idea.« Jesus said to them: »I should not say to you by what authority I do these things.«


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He taught them with illustrations: »A man had a vineyard planted. He built a wall around it. He prepared a place for crushing out the wine and put up a tower. Then he rented it out to field workers, and went into another country.


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»During the season he sent a servant to the field workers that he might receive the fruits of the vineyard.


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»He sent another and they killed him. He sent many others and some were beaten and some were killed.


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»But those field workers said among themselves: This is the heir let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours.


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»What will the lord of the vineyard do? He will destroy the field workers and give the vineyard to others.


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»Have you not read this Scripture: The stone the builders rejected was made the chief corner stone. (Psalm 118:22, 23)


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They tried to capture him but feared the crowd. They perceived that he spoke the illustration against them. So they left him and went away.


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»Teacher,« they said, »we know that you are truthful, and not concerned about what other people think. You truthfully teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?


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»Should we pay or should we not pay?« Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them:« Why do you test me? Show me a denarius.«


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And they brought it. He said to them: »Whose is this image and superscription?« They said: »Caesars.«


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Jesus said: »Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.« They greatly marveled at him.


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»Teacher, Moses wrote that if a mans brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.


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»The second took her, and died, leaving no seed behind him. The third also died without leaving a seed.


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Jesus replied: »Is it not for this cause that you err? You do not know the scriptures or the power of God.


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»For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven.


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»It is a fact that the dead will be raised again. Have you not read the account of the burning bush in the book of Moses? Did you notice how God spoke to him, saying: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?


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»You should love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your being <i>with every breath you take your life</i> , with your entire mind and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4)


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»The second is you should love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.« (Leviticus 19:18)


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The scribe said to him: »It is true teacher youve said it well that he is one and there is no one else besides him.


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»To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.«


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When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently he said to him: »You are not far from the kingdom of God. No man dared ask any questions after that.«


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»Inspired by Holy Spirit David said: Jehovah said to my Lord sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. (Psalm 110:1)


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He said: »Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and to have greetings in the marketplaces.


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»They devour widows houses and for pretence make long prayers. These shall receive greater condemnation.«


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He sat down near the collection boxes and observed how the crowd dropped money into the boxes. Many that were rich dropped in much.


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He told his disciples: »Truly I tell you this poor widow gave more then all the others who gave to the collection box.


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»They all gave out of their surplus. She gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she owned, all her living.«


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As he left the temple one of his disciples said to him: »Teacher look at these stones and the great buildings!«


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Jesus said: »See these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another. They will all be thrown down.«


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He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately:


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»Tell us when will these things be? What will be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?«


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»Many will come in my name <i>Greek: onoma: claiming my authority</i> , saying, I am he; and will lead many astray.


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»When you hear of wars and rumors <i>reports</i> of wars do not be troubled. These things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.


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»Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These things are the beginning of pain <i>sorrow trouble</i> .


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»Be on guard for they will deliver you up to courts. You will be beaten in the meeting places. You will be taken before governors and kings for a testimony to them for my sake.


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»When they deliver you up to judgment, do not worry before hand what you shall speak. Holy Spirit will give it to you at that time.


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»Brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.


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»When you see the unclean thing that makes desolation standing where he ought not <i>let the reader use discernment</i> , then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains.


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»The tribulation in these days will be greater then there has ever been from the beginning of Gods creation until now, and never shall be.


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»Unless Jehovah shortened the days no flesh would be saved. For the sake of his chosen anointed he will shorten the days.


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»There will arise false Christs and false prophets. They show signs and wonders that will mislead many, even the anointed.


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»In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light.


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»He will send the angels to gather together his anointed from the four winds, from one end of the earth to the other end of heaven.


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»Learn the illustration of the fig tree. When her branch is tender and she sprouts leaves you know summer is near.


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»No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven do not know. The Son of God does not know. Only the Father knows!


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»Be awake <i>beware be cautious and active</i> , watch <i>perceive</i> and pray, for you do not know the time.


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»It is similar to a man traveling to another country. He leaves his house and gives authority to his servants to do the work. He commands them to watch.


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»Watch therefore for you do not know when the lord of the house comes. It could be in the evening, at midnight or in the morning <i>when the cock crows</i> .


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»What I say to you I say to all, be on the watch <i>be vigilant stay awake be circumspect attentive and ready</i> !«


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It was just two days until the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might quietly capture and kill him.


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He was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. While he was dining a woman with an alabaster vase filled with costly perfume, of pure nard <i>spikenard</i> , brake it open and poured it over his head.


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»This ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii. And the money could have been given to the poor. They scolded her.«


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»Truly I tell you everywhere the good news is preached through out the whole world, that which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her.«


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Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might betray Jesus to them.


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They were glad to hear it and promised to give him money. He looked for ways how he might conveniently deliver Jesus to them.


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Now it was the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover. His disciples said to him: »Where do you want to go to prepare to eat the Passover?«


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He sent two of his disciples into the city. He said: »Meet a man bearing a pitcher of water and follow him.


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»Where he leads you say to the master of the house: The Teacher says where is my guest-chamber? Where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?


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The disciples went to the city and found everything as he described and they prepared for the Passover.


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While they sat and ate Jesus said: »Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, even he that eats with me.«


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»The Son of man goes even as it is written of him. Woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better if he had not been born.«


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While they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it, he gave the broken bread to them, and said: »Take it, this means <i>represents</i> my body.«


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»Truly I say to you, I will take no more of the fruit of the vine till the day when I take it new in the kingdom of God.«


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Jesus told them: »You would all be turned away from me. It is written, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight.


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Jesus said to Peter: »I tell you that before the rooster crows twice tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.«


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Peter answered even more strongly: »I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!« All the other disciples said the same thing.


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He went forward a little ways and fell on the ground to pray. He prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him.


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He said: »Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup from me. Even so not what I will, but what you will.«


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He returned to find them sleeping. He said to Peter, »Simon why do you sleep? Could you not watch for one hour?


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He came a third time and said to them: »Sleep and take your rest. It is enough the hour has come. Look, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners!


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Suddenly, as he spoke, Judas one of the twelve arrived. A great crowd with swords and spears were with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes and elders.


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He who betrayed him gave them a sign. He told them the one I kiss is the one to capture and take away safely.


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One of those who were near took out his sword and gave the servant of the high priest a blow, cutting off his ear.


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»I was with you every day in the Temple teaching and you did not take me. This is done so that the scriptures will be fulfilled.«


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They led Jesus away to the high priest. The chief priests, elders and scribes came together with him.


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Peter followed him at a distance. He followed into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers staying warm by the fire.


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Now the chief priests and the whole council looked for witness against Jesus to put him to death. They found none.


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»We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.«


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The high priest stood in the middle of them, and said to Jesus: »Do you not answer? What is it these say against you?«


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But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioned him: »Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One?«


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Jesus said: »I am and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.«


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Some spit on him and covering his face they gave him blows. Guess who hit you, they said. The leaders took him and beat him with their hands.


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He denied it. »I do not know and I do not understand what you are talking about,« he answered. He went out into the passageway.


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Peter denied it again. Later the bystanders accused Peter again saying: »You cannot deny that you are one of them, because you, too, are from Galilee.«


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Then Peter said: »I swear I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I lie! I do not know the man you are talking about!«


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Then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus said: »Before the rooster crows two times, you will deny me three times.« He broke down and cried.


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Early in the morning the chief priests met hurriedly with the elders, the teachers of the Law, and the entire Council. They made their plans. They led Jesus away in chains and handed him over to Pilate.


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Wishing to please the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. Then he handed over Jesus. He was flogged and impaled.


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The soldiers led him away to the court in the Praetorium building <i>governors palace</i> . They assembled together all of the troops.


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After they mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to impale him.


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Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus was passing by on the road. They compelled <i>forced</i> him to go with them, that he might carry his stake.


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Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, »ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,


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Likewise, also the chief priests mocked among themselves with the scribes said, »He saved others. He cannot save himself.


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»Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the stake that we may see and believe him.« Those who were impaled with him also mocked him.


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At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: »Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?« Interpreted it means, »My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?«


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They filled a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. Then they said let him be. Let us see whether Elijah comes to take him down.


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The centurion who stood nearby heard him cry out his last breath. Then he said: »Truly this man was the Son of God!«


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The women watching from afar included: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome,


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who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him. Many other women came up with him to Jerusalem.


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Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus body.


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Pilate wondered if he were already dead. So he summoned the centurion and asked him about the death.


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He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.


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After Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so they could anoint him.


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They entered the tomb. They were amazed at what they saw. A young man dressed in a white robe was sitting on the right side of the tomb.


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He said to them: »Do not be amazed. Jesus the Nazarene, who has been impaled, is not here. He has risen. Behold, the place where they laid him!


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»Go tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him just as he told you.«


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They fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.


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<i>Verses 9 through 20 not in some older manuscripts</i> After he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She was the one who had the seven demons that he cast out.


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Afterward he was revealed to the eleven as they sat at the table. He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen.


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»These signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name. They will speak with new languages.


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»They will pick up and handle serpents. Deadly drink will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.«


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After he had spoken to them the Lord Jesus, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.


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They went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Amen.


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They received testimony from those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning. Ministers of Gods word delivered it to us.


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Most excellent Theophilus <i>Greek: Theo philos: friend of God</i> : I have accurately traced the course of all things from the beginning. Now it seems good to me to write this report to you.


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There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.


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They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God <i>Greek: kurios: God</i> .


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The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense.


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»Have no fear Zechariah,« said the angel, »for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John.


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»He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth.


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»Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3)


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»He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah.« (Malachi 3:1)


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The angel answered: »I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news.


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»You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this.«


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The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time.


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When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them.


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She said: »This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men.« (1 Samuel 1:11)


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»He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10)


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The angel replied: »Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God.«


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»Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month.


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Mary said: »Look, Jehovahs servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke.« The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11)


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When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit.


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»He has looked on the low position of his servant. All generations from now on will call me blessed.


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Her neighbors and her relatives heard that Jehovah magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her.


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On the eighth day they circumcised the child. They planned to call him Zechariah, after the name of the father.


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All that heard them wondered in their heart, saying, »What will this child be? For the hand of Jehovah was with him.«


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»Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel. He has visited his people and brought them redemption. (Psalm 72:18)


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»He raised up a horn of salvation <i>power of deliverance</i> for us in the house of his servant David


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»Your child will be called the prophet of the Most High. You will go in advance of Jehovah God to make his ways ready. (Malachi 3:1)


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»The light will shine on them who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet into the way of peace.«


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The child grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the deserts till the time came to show himself to Israel.


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In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the inhabited earth.


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Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David.


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She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. That was because there was no room for them in the inn.


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The angel spoke to them: »Do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy to all the people.


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»This is the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.«


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The angels went away from them into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, »Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which God told us about.«


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They hurried to see the baby. They found Mary and Joseph. And they saw the baby lying in the manger.


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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.


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After eight days the baby was circumcised. He was called by the name, Jesus. <i>Jesus: Jehovah is salvation</i> This was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


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Following the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses they brought him up to Jerusalem. There they would present him to Jehovah.


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It is written in Gods law that every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to Jehovah. (Exodus 13:1, 2)


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There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for God to save Israel. Gods Holy Spirit was working in him.


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Under the power of the spirit he came to the temple. The parents brought in the child Jesus, that they obey the custom of the law.


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Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: »This child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against.


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She had been a widow eighty-four years. She never left the temple. She worshipped and fasted with supplications day and night.


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Even up to that time she gave thanks to God and spoke to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.


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When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of God they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.


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When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this.


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They thought he was in the traveling company. After a days journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends.


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After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions.


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When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: »Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried.«


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He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.


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It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea. Herod served as tetrarch of Galilee. Herods brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.


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This was in the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests. The word of God was delivered to John the son of Zechariah. He was in the wilderness.


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John traveled in the region near the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.


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This was according to the words of Isaiah the prophet: »The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make ready the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight.


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»Every valley shall be filled. Every mountain and hill shall be brought low. The crooked shall become straight and the rough ways smooth.


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He told the crowds that came to be baptized by him: »You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?


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»Produce fruit that is worthy of repentance. Do not say we have Abraham for our father. I tell you, that God is able to make these stones into children for Abraham.


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»The axe is now at the root of the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in to the fire.«


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He answered: »He who has two coats let him give to him who has none. He who has food let him do likewise.«


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Soldiers also asked him: »What must we do?« And he said: »Do not take money from any one by force. Never falsely accuse any one wrongfully and be content with your wages.«


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Many people were expecting the Messiah. They reasoned in their hearts concerning John: »Perhaps he was the Messiah.«


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John answered, saying to them: »I baptize you with water. He is coming who is mightier than I. I am not worthy to untie his shoelaces. He will baptize you in Holy Spirit and in fire.


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»His winnowing fork is in his hand ready to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.«


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John reproved Herod the tetrarch for all the evil things he had done for he took his brother Herodias wife.


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Holy Spirit descended upon him in a bodily form like a dove. A voice came out of heaven. He said: »You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.«


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When Jesus began to teach he was about thirty years old. Jesus was the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,


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the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,


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Jesus was full of Gods Holy Spirit when he returned from the Jordan. Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness.


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He spent forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. He did not eat anything during those days so when it was over he was hungry.


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Then the devil said: »I will give all this authority and glory to you, for it has been turned over to me. I may give it to whomever I will.


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Jesus answered: »It is written, you shall worship Jehovah your God and him only shall you serve.« (Deuteronomy 6:13-15; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 10:20) (Exodus 20:3-5)


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He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle <i>highest level</i> of the temple. Then he said to him: »If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here.


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Jesus was directed by Gods Spirit to return to Galilee. His reputation spread through out the region.


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Then he returned to Nazareth the place where he was raised. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day. This was his custom. There he stood up to read.


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He was given the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written:


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»The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me. He anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are bruised.


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He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.


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All witnessed this and wondered at the kind words that he spoke. They said: »Is this not Josephs son?«


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Then he said: »You will no doubt say this proverb to me, physician heal yourself. That which we heard was done at Capernaum do also here in your own country.«


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»I tell you truth. There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah. There was no rain from heaven three years and six months. There came a great famine over all the land.


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»Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was only sent to Zarephath in the land of Sidon. She was a widow.


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»There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Only one of them was cleansed, Naaman the Syrian.«


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They rose up to drive him out of the city. They led him to the top of the hill where their city was built to throw him down the hill.


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»What have we to do with you Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!«


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Jesus rebuked him, saying: »Be quiet and come out of him.« When the demon had thrown him down in front of them, he came out of him without harming him.


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All were amazed and spoke to one another. »What is he telling us? For he speaks with authority and with power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out.«


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He left the synagogue and went to Simons house. Simons mother in law was suffering with a great fever. They asked him to help her.


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He stood over her and rebuked the fever. It left her and immediately she rose up and ministered to them.


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When the sun was setting they brought many who were sick of different diseases to him. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.


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Demons came out from many. They cried out: »You are the Son of God!« He rebuked them and charged them not to speak for they knew he was the Christ.


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The next day he went to a secluded place. The crowds followed him. They did not want him to leave them.


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He said to them: »I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also. This is why I was sent.«


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Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret as the crowds pressed in upon him in order to hear the word of God.


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He saw two boats docked by the shore. The fishermen had gone away from them and were washing their nets.


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He boarded one of the boats. It was Simons boat. He asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.


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Simon answered, Master we worked all night and caught nothing. At your word I will let down the nets.


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They called their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats until they began to sink.


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When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at Jesus knees. He said: »Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.«


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So were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon: »Do not fear. From now on you will catch men.«


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One time while he was in one of the cities a man full of leprosy fell on his face before Jesus. He said: »Lord, if you want to you can make me clean.«


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He stretched forth his hand and touched him, saying: »I want to, be made clean.« Immediately the leprosy departed from him.


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He told him to tell no one and go and show himself to the priest. Then he was to make a cleansing offering, just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.


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The news about him spread far away and large crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.


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One day when he was teaching, Pharisees and doctors of the Law were in the crowd. People came from every village of Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem. Gods power was with him to heal.


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They could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd. So they went up to the housetop and let the man and the bed down through the tiles to Jesus.


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The scribes and the Pharisees reasoned saying: »Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?«


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»So you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,« he said to the man who was paralyzed, »I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house.«


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Everyone was amazed and they glorified God. They were filled with fear. They said: »We have seen strange things today.«


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After that he met a tax collector named Levi sitting at his place of business. He told him: »Follow me.«


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Levi made him a great feast in his house. There was a large group of tax collectors and of others that were sitting at the meal with them.


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And the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus disciples. They asked: »Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?«


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They said: »The disciples of John fast often and make supplications. So do the disciples of the Pharisees. But yours eat and drink.«


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Jesus replied: »Could you make the sons of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them?


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He told an illustration to them: »No one takes a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise he will tear the new. Also the new will not match the old.


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Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples plucked the ears, rubbed them in their hands and ate.


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entered into the house of God. They and the others with them ate the showbread <i>holy bread</i> . It is only lawful for the priest to eat it.«


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He entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath and taught. There was a man there whose right hand was withered.


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The scribes and the Pharisees watched to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. They looked for a way to accuse him.


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He knew their thoughts. So he said to the man that had the withered hand: »Stand up and come here.« He arose and stepped forward.


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Jesus said: »I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm? Is it lawful to save a life, or to destroy it?«


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He looked around at everyone and said to the man: »Stretch out your hand.« And he did so and his hand was restored.


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The next day he called his disciples to choose from them twelve, whom he named apostles <i>ambassadors messengers</i> :


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Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,


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He came down with them, and stood on a level place. A great crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem came to hear him. Others from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.


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»Blessed are you who hunger now for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now: for you shall laugh.


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»Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of mans sake.


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»Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. For your reward is great in heaven. Your fathers treated the prophets the same way.


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»Woe to you who are full now! For you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! You will mourn and weep.


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»When someone slaps you on one cheek offer the other. Give your coat to the one who takes your topcoat.


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»If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive what thanks do you have? Even sinners lend to sinners to receive again as much.


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»Love your enemies and do good to them. Lend expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great. You will be sons of the Most High for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.


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»Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.


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»Give and it shall be given to you. You will receive a good measure. It will be pressed down, shaken together, running over and they will give it to you. For with the measure that you measure out it will be measured to you also.«


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»The disciple is not above his teacher. Every one will be like his teacher when he is fully trained.


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»How can you say to your brother: Let me remove the speck in your eye when you do not notice the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye.


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»The identity of a tree is made clear by the fruit it produces. Men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble.


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»The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that which is evil. Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.


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»He is like a man building a house. He dug and laid a deep foundation upon the rock. A flood sent a stream of water against the house and could not shake it because it was well built.


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»He who hears but does not do is like a man who built a house upon the earth without a foundation. A flood will send a stream of water and immediately it will fall. The ruin of that house will be great.«


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When he heard about him he contacted Jesus through the Jewish elders. He asked him to come and save his servant.


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They came to Jesus and earnestly pleaded with him saying: »He is worthy and you should do this for him.


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Jesus went with them. As he approached the house, the centurion sent friends to him saying, »Lord do not trouble yourself. I am not worthy that you should come under my roof.


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»I also am a man with much authority. I am in charge of soldiers and say to this one go and he goes and to another I say come and he comes. I tell my servant to do this and he does it.«


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Jesus heard this and marveled at him. He turned to the crowd and said, »I tell you I find no greater faith in Israel.«


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When he came near the gate of the city he saw people carrying a dead person. It was the only son of a widow. Many people were with her.


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They were all afraid and they praised God. They said: »A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited <i>inspected selected</i> his people.«


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John sent two of his disciples to the Lord. They asked, »Should we look for another or are you the one?«


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When the men found him they said: »John the Baptist sent us. Are you the one who comes or should we look for another?«


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He answered Johns disciples: »Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard. The blind receive their sight! The lame walk and lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear! The dead are raised up and the poor have good news preached to them.


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After Johns disciples departed he told the crowd about John: »What did you go into the wilderness to find? Was it a reed shaken with the wind?


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»This is he of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before you. He will prepare a way before you.


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»I say to you, of those who are born of women there is none greater than John. Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.«


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They are like children that sit in the marketplace and call to each other. We played the flute for you but you did not dance. We wailed and you did not weep.


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»The Son of man came eating and drinking, and you say look he is a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!


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One of the Pharisees asked him to dine with him. He went to the Pharisees house and sat down to eat.


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Standing by his feet weeping, she wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with the hair of her head. Then she kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.


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The Pharisee saw it and thought to himself if this man were a prophet he would know what kind of woman touched him. She is a sinner.


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»They did not have money to pay the debt so he forgave them both. Which of them did he love the most?«


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Simon answered: »I suppose it was the one whom he forgave the most.« Jesus said: »Your judgment is correct.«


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Turning to the woman, he said to Simon: »See this woman? I entered into your house and you gave me no water for my feet. She watered my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.


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»She loved much! She has many sins and they are forgiven. When little is forgiven, little love is shown.«


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Jesus and the twelve apostles traveled through cities and villages preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.


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Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.


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Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herods steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.


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»The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed some fell by the side of the road. It was trampled under foot and the birds of heaven devoured it.


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»Other seed fell on the good ground. It grew and produced fruit a hundredfold.« As he said these things he cried. He said: »He who has ears to hear let him hear.«


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He said: »You are meant to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. I speak to the rest in illustrations, that seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand.


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»Those by the side of the road are they who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.


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»Those on the rock are those who receive the word with joy. These have no root. They believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.


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»The seeds that fell among the thorns are people who hear the word and go their own way. They are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and do not produce fruit.


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»The good ground represents the honest and good-hearted people. They hear the word, hold fast to it and produce forth fruit with patience.«


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»No one lights a lamp and puts a cover over it or hides it under a bed. Instead he places it on a stand that everyone entering may see the light.


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»Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. Nothing is secret that will not be made known and come to light.


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»Pay attention and hear! Whoever has will be given more. Whoever does not have, more will be taken away, and even what he thinks he has will be taken.«


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He said to his disciples: »Let us go to the other side of the lake.« Then he and his disciples boarded a boat and did so.


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Jesus fell asleep as they sailed to the other side. A large windstorm came to the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in danger.


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They awoke him saying: »Master, Master, we parish!« He rebuked the wind and the raging of the water and there was calm.


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He asked them, »Were is your faith?« They were afraid and they marveled. They asked: »Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?«


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When he arrived on the shore, a demon-possessed man met him. He wore no clothes and did not live in a house but in the tombs. He had been this way a long time.


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When he saw Jesus he cried out and fell down in front of him. He shouted in a loud voice: »What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I implore you do not torment me.«


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The spirit seized him many times. For this reason he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bands apart, he was driven by the demon into the deserts. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out from the man!


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There was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain. They entreated him that he would allow them to enter into them. He gave them permission.


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The demons came out from the man and entered into the swine. The herd rushed down the hill into the lake, and was drowned.


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They went out to see what happened. They came to Jesus and found the man who had been demon possessed. He was clothed, in his right mind and sitting at the feet of Jesus. They were afraid.


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The people of the country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart. They were very much afraid. So he boarded a boat and left.


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»Return to your house and declare the great things God has done for you.« He went throughout the whole city telling the great things Jesus had done for him.


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Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue came to Jesus. He fell down at Jesus feet and implored him to come to his house.


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His twelve-year old daughter was dying. She was his only daughter. As he went the crowds surrounded him.


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There was a woman having an issue of blood twelve years. She spent all her money on physicians, and could not be healed by any.


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Jesus said: »Who touched me?« Peter and the others with him said: »Master, the people press in from all sides.«


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When the woman knew she was discovered she trembled, fell down before him and declared in the presence of all the people why she touched him, and how she was healed immediately.


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While he yet spoke someone came from the ruler of the synagogues house saying: »Your daughter is dead do not trouble the teacher.«


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When he arrived at the house he allowed only the mother and father of the girl, Peter, John and James to enter with him.


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Her life force returned and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given her to eat.


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He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.


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He said, »Take nothing for your journey. Do not take a staff or food or money. Do not even take two coats.


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»If someone does not receive you, when you leave the city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against that person.«


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Herod the ruler of Galilee heard of all that was done and was very perplexed <i>confused skeptical</i> . Some said John the Baptist was raised from the dead and that he did it.


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Herod said: »I beheaded John, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?« He wanted to see him.


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When the apostles returned they told Jesus about the things they had done. They traveled to the city of Bethsaida.


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The crowds followed him and he welcomed them. He spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He healed many who were sick.


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As the day wore on the twelve came to him and said: »Send the people away, that they may go into the villages and country nearby to find lodging and get food, for we are here in a lonely place.«


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He said to them: »You feed them.« They replied: »We have no more than five loaves and two fishes unless we should go and buy food for all these people.«


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There were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.


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He took the five loaves and the two fishes. Looking up to heaven, he blessed them and broke the bread. Then he gave them to the disciples to pass out to the crowd.


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They said: »John the Baptist. Others say Elijah and still others say one of the old prophets has risen again.«


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The Son of man must suffer many things, he told them. The elders, chief priests and scribes will reject him and kill him. The third day he will be raised up.


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He told them all: »If any man would come after me let him deny himself. Let him take up his stake <i>of self-denial</i> daily, and follow me.


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»If any man is ashamed of my teachings, and of me the Son of man will be ashamed of that person. This will happen when he comes in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.


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»I tell you the truth, there are some here who shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.«


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About eight days after he said these things he took Peter, John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.


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Peter and his companions were very sleepy. When they awoke they saw his brilliance and the two men that stood with him.


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Before they left Peter said to Jesus: »Master it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles. We could make one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.« He did not know what he was saying.


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»A spirit controls him and suddenly he cries out. He foams at the mouth. It throws him into convulsions and he is badly bruised.


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Jesus answered: »O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son to me.«


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When he came near the demon slammed him down and through him in to a convulsion. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.


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They were all overwhelmed by the greatness of God. Everyone marveled at all the things he did. Jesus said to his disciples:


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They did not understand what he said. The meaning was concealed from them. They could not comprehend it. And they were afraid to ask him about it.


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Then he said to them: »Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. He who is least among you will be the greatest!«


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John said: »Master we saw some one casting out demons in your name. So we prevented him from doing this because he does not follow us.«


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When his disciples James and John saw this they said: »Lord, do you want us to request fire from heaven to consume them?«


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Jesus told him: »Foxes have holes and birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.«


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Jesus responded: »No man, who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.«


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The Lord appointed seventy disciples and sent them in groups of two into every city and place where he was about to go.


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He said to them: »The harvest indeed is great but the laborers are few. Pray that the Master <i>Controller Lord</i> of the harvest will send laborers into his harvest.


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»If a son of peace lives there, your peace shall rest upon him. If not, it shall return to you again.


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»Remain in that house eating and drinking what they give you. The laborer is worthy of his hire. Do not stay in different houses.


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»Shake off the dust that clings to your feet, from that city, so they may know that the kingdom of God came near.


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»Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! If the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.


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»He that hears you hears me; and he that rejects you rejects me and he that rejects me rejects him that sent me.«


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»Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any way hurt you.


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»Do not rejoice about this that the spirits are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.«


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In that same hour he rejoiced in Holy Spirit and said: »I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you did hide these things from the wise and the understanding and revealed them to babes. Father, it is pleasing in your sight.


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»All things have been delivered to me from my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father. And no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.«


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»I tell you many prophets and kings desired to see the things you see and did not see them. To hear the things you hear and did not hear them.«


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He answered: »Love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your life, with all your strength and with all your mind. <i>Feelings and total existence Might and total thinking capacity</i> And you should love your neighbor as yourself.« (Deuteronomy 6:5) (Leviticus 19:18)


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Jesus answered: »A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead.


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»He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him.


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»The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return.


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Martha was worried about the housework. She approached Jesus and said: »Lord do you not care that my sister does not help me? Tell her to help me.«


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»However one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the proper way and it shall not be taken away from her.«


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Jesus was praying. When he finished one of his disciples said to him: »Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.«


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He said: »When you pray say, Father holy <i>sacred sanctified blessed consecrated</i> is your name. Let your kingdom come.


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»Forgive us our sins. For we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And keep us from temptation.«


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He also said: »Which of you have a friend you would approach at midnight and say lend me three loaves.


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»You hear a voice from the house say, The door is shut, my children are in bed, do not bother me. I cannot rise and help you.«


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»I tell you even if he will not rise and give you what you need because he is your friend, he will arise and give you what you need because you keep asking.


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»I say to you: Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you.


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»Every one who asks receives. Everyone who seeks will find. It will be opened to everyone who knocks.


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»What father would give his son a stone when he asked for a loaf? What father would give a serpent when his son asked for a fish?


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»If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?«


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He cast out a demon from a dumb man. When the demon left the man he spoke and the crowds were astonished.


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He knew their thoughts. So he told them: »Every kingdom that is divided is destroyed. A house divided against itself falls.


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»If Satan is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? You say I cast out demons with the help of Beelzebub.


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»If Beelzebub helps me cast out demons, who helps your sons cast them out? They will be your judges.


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»If I use the finger <i>power Spirit</i> (Exodus 31:18) (2 Corinthians 3:3) of God to cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you?


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»When some one stronger comes to him and overpowers him he takes away his armor and steels his possessions.


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»When an unclean spirit leaves a man it passes through desolate places. It seeks rest and finds none. It says, I will return from where I came.


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»He then takes seven other spirits more evil than himself and they enter in and dwell. The last condition of that man becomes worse than the first.«


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As he was talking a woman out of the crowd shouted: »Blessed is the woman who bore you and nursed you.«


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When the crowd gathered to him, he said: »This generation is evil. It seeks a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.


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»The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation. She will condemn them for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon and one greater than Solomon is here now.


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»The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation. They will condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and someone greater than Jonah is here now.


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»No man lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a bushel. He puts it on a table so those who enter may see the light.


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»The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is clear your entire body is full of light. When it is evil your body is full of darkness.


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If your entire body is full of light and has no darkness you will have no part of the dark. Just as a lamp when shinning brightly gives plenty of light.«


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The Lord said: »You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. Yet your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.


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»Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone.


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»Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces.


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Jesus said: »Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.


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»Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs.


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»It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.


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»The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation.


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»This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation.


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»Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.«


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When he left there the scribes and the Pharisees became hostile with him. They tried to quarrel with him about many things.


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Thousands of people in the crowd were gathered together so much that they bumped into one another. He said to his disciples: »First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.


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»That which you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. That which you have spoken in the inner chambers will be proclaimed on the housetops.


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»I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body. After that they can do no more.


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»I will show you the one to fear. Fear the one who, after he has killed, has power to destroy you <i>throw into the ever-burning trash fires of the valley of Hinnom Greek: Gehenna</i> . This is one you should fear.


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»Are not five sparrows sold for two coins of small value? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.


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»Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear. You are worth more than many sparrows.


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»I tell you, every one who confesses me before men; the Son of man will also confess him before the angels of God.


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»He who speaks against the Son of man will be forgiven. However he who blasphemes against Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.


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»When you are brought before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about what you will say to answer them.


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»He said: »I would pull down my barns and build larger barns. I will store all my grain and goods there.


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»I will say to my self: You have many possessions saved for many years. Take it easy and eat, drink and be merry.


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»But God said to him: You fool this night you will give up your life. Then who will have all these things you accumulated?


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He told his disciples: »Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, what you eat or what you wear on your body.


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»Consider the ravens for they do not sow or reap. They have no storehouse or barn. Yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!


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»Consider the way the lilies grow. They do not toil and neither do they spin. Yet I tell you even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


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»If God clothes the grasses in the field, which is here today and is cast into the oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you? You have little faith.


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»Sell your possessions and give to charity. Make yourselves purses that do not get old, a treasure in heaven where moth and rest cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.


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»Be like men looking for their master to return. He will knock when he returns from the marriage feast, and it will immediately be opened to him.


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»Those servants are blessed, for the master will find them alert when he comes. I tell you he will tighten his belt, have them sit down at the table, and he will serve them the meal.


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»Know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming he would have watched. He would not have allowed his house to be broken into.


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The Lord said: »Who is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master shall appoint over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?


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»If that servant says in his heart, my master delays his coming; and beats the other servants and eats and drinks to excess,


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the master of that servant will come when he does not expect. He will come in an hour that he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.


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»He who did not know and did things unacceptable will receive a lesser punishment. To whom much is given, much will be required and to whom they commit much they will demand even more.


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»They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.«


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»You hypocrites, you know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven but how is it that you do not know how to interpret this time?


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»For example when an opponent brings you to court, try to settle before you get there. Otherwise, he will drag you in front of a judge and the judge will hand you over to an officer who will throw you into prison.


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Some people there gave him an account of how Pilate killed some Galilaeans while they offered sacrifices.


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Jesus said: »Do you think the way those Galileans were killed prove they were worse sinners than all Galileans?


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»What about the eighteen people in Siloam killed when the castle tower fell on them? Do you think this proves that they were worse than all the other people living in Jerusalem?


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Jesus told them an illustration: »There was a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He looked for figs on it but found none.


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»So he told his gardener, I have been coming here looking for figs on this tree for three years. I have not found any. So cut it down! Why should it continue using the soil?


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»But the gardener said: Just give it one more year, sir. I will dig around it, fertilize it and leave it alone.


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A woman had an evil spirit that kept her sick for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not stand straight.


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The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. He told the people: »There are six days in which we should work. Come during those days and be healed, not on the Sabbath!«


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The Lord answered: »You hypocrites! You would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath.


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»Here is a descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years. Should she be released on the Sabbath?«


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»It is like this. A man plants a mustard seed in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree. The birds make their nests in its branches.«


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« It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour. Soon the whole batch of dough rises.«


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»The master of the house will close the door. You stand outside and knock on the door and say: Open the door for us, sir! He will answer: I do not know where you come from!


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»You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are thrown out!


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Some Pharisees came to Jesus and warned him: »You must leave and go somewhere else for Herod wants to kill you.«


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Jesus told them: »Go tell that fox I cast out demons and heal people today and tomorrow. On the third day my work will be finished.


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« I must go on my way today, tomorrow and the following day. It would not be right that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.


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»O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets! You stone those sent to you. How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her own brood under her wings. But you would not have it!


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»Behold, your house is made desolate. I tell you, you shall not see me until you say blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah.« (Psalm 118:26)


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Shortly after that he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees. They were there to eat on the Sabbath. They watched him.


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He said: »Which of you who has an ass or a bull that falls into a well, and will not immediately pull him up on a Sabbath day?«


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He spoke an illustration to the invited guests. He noticed they chose from the most important seats. So he said to them:


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»When you are invited to a marriage feast do not take the place of honor. Someone more distinguished than you may be invited.


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»Your host would tell you, give this person your place. Then you would be embarrassed and have to take the place of least honor.


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»When you are invited, take the place of least honor. Then, when your host comes, he will tell you, friend, move to a more honorable place. And the other guests will see how you are honored.


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Jesus said to his host: »When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors. They will invite you back, and in this way you will be paid for what you did.


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»You will be blessed because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.«


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One of the guests at the table then said to Jesus: »Those who sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God will be happy!«


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»They all made excuses one after another. The first one told the servant: I bought a field and must go and look at it. Please accept my apologies.


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»Another said: I purchased five pairs of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.


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»The servant returned and conveyed this to his master. The master was furious. He commanded his servant to hurry into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.


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»The master told the servant, Go to the country roads and lanes and make people come so my house will be full.


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»You who come to me may not be my disciple unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and yourself.


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»If you plan to build a tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost. Then you see if you have enough money to finish the job.


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»If you do not, you will not be able to finish the project after laying the foundation. Everyone who sees what happened will ridicule and poke fun of you.


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« When a king commands ten thousand men to fight another king who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and decide if he is strong enough to defeat the other king.


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»If he is not strong enough he will send messengers to the other king to ask for terms of peace while he is still far away.«


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»Likewise,« concluded Jesus, »none of you may be my disciples unless you give up everything you have.«


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»It is neither good for the soil nor for the manure pile. You throw it away. Listen if you have ears!«


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»If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it.


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»You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, I am so happy I found my lost sheep.


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»It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.


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»Suppose a woman with ten silver coins loses one of them. What does she do? She lights a lamp and sweeps her house. She looks carefully everywhere until she finds it.


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»When she finds it she calls her friends and says let us celebrate. I am happy I found the lost coin.


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»The younger one said to him, Father I want my share of the property. He divided his property between his two sons.


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»In a short time the younger son sold his share of the property. He left home with the money and traveled to a far away country where he wasted his money in reckless living.


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»Finally it dawned on him, my fathers hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve!


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»He went to his father. He was a long way from home when his father saw him. His heart filled with pity. He ran and threw his arms around his son and kissed him.


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»Father, the son said: I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son.


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»The father called his servants. He said: Hurry and bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet.


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»Your brother returned home, the servant answered. Your father killed the prize calf because he has returned safely.


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»The older brother was so angry he would not enter the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.


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»He spoke to his father in anger. All these years I have worked like a slave for you. I have never disobeyed you. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends!


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»This son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes. When he comes home you kill the prize calf for him!


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»We had to celebrate and be happy. Your brother was dead. Now he is alive! He was lost and now he has been found!«


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Jesus told his disciples: »There was a rich man who had a servant who managed his property. The rich man learned that the manager was accused of wasting his masters money.


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»He said: Is it true what I hear about you? Give me a complete accounting of your management of my property for you may not be my manager any longer.


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»The servant thought: I am fired from my job. What shall I do? I am not strong enough for heavy work and I am ashamed to beg.


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»He called all the people who were in debt to his master. He asked the first one: How much do you owe my master?


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»He asked another: How much do you owe? A thousand bushels of wheat, he answered. Here is your bill. Pay eight hundred bushels.


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»The master of the dishonest manager praised him for doing a shrewd thing. People of this world are more astute at handling their affairs than people who belong to the light.


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Jesus continued: »I tell you, make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth. That way when it gives out, you will be welcomed in the eternal home.


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»Whoever is faithful in little things will be faithful in large ones. Whoever is unrighteous in small things will be unrighteous in large ones.


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»If you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you?


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»No one can serve two masters. He will hate one and love the other. He will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.«


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Jesus said: »You make yourselves look righteous to other people. God knows your hearts. The things considered of great value by people are worth nothing in Gods sight.


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»The Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets was in effect until John the Baptist. From that time on the Good News about the Kingdom of God is being taught.


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« It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest detail of the Law to be eliminated.


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»A man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery. The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. <i>Jesus continued to tell illustrations.</i>


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»He hoped he could eat the bits of food that fell from the rich mans table. Then the dogs would come and lick his sores.


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»The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abrahams bosom. The rich man died and was buried.


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»He was in great torment in the grave <i>hades</i> . He looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side.


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»He called out: Father Abraham! Take pity on me! Please send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue. I am in torment in this fire!


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»Abraham said: Remember, my son, in your lifetime you were given good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. Now he is enjoying himself while you are in torment.


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»There is a deep pit lying between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so. And no one can cross over to us from where you are.


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« The rich man responded: It is not enough father Abraham! If someone from the dead went to them they would repent.


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»Abraham said: If they would not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would not listen to someone from the dead.«


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Jesus told his disciples: »Things that cause people to stumble do happen. However it is a terrible thing for someone to make them happen!


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»It would be better for him to have a large millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.


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»So watch how you behave. Admonish your brother to repent when he sins. Forgive him when he repents.


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He answered: »If your faith was as big as a mustard seed; you could say to this mulberry tree, uproot yourself and plant yourself in the sea and it would obey you!


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»Let us say you have a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. Do you tell him to hurry and eat his meal when he comes in from the field?


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»No you do not. You say to him get my supper ready. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. After that you may have your meal.


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The same applies to you. When you have done all you have been told to do, you say, we are unworthy servants. We have done what we ought to have done.«


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The Pharisees asked: »When does the kingdom of God come?« Jesus answered them: »The kingdom of God does not come with observable signs.


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»Neither shall they say it is here or over there! The kingdom of God is here with you <i>in your midst among you</i> .«


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He said to the disciples: »The time will come when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you shall not see it.


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»Just as the light from lightning shines from one part of the sky to another part of the sky, so the Son of man will be in his day.


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»They ate, they drank and they got married until Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came, and destroyed them all.


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»The days of Lot were similar. They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted and they built.


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»A man will be on the housetop. He should not go down into the house to take his possessions. He that is in the field should likewise not return to the house.


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»I tell you, that on that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken <i>learn be received</i> and the other will be left <i>omited forsaken</i> .


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They asked him: »Where, Lord?« And he said to them: »Where the body is the eagles will also gather.«


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»There was a widow in that same city. She went to him asking for legal protection from her adversary.


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»At first he refused. Then he thought about it and he said to himself, I do not fear God and have little respect for man.


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»However this widow bothers me. For this reason I will avenge her. If she keeps coming to me she will wear me out.«


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»I say to you, that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, will the Son of man find faith on the earth when he comes?»


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He then spoke this illustration to some who trusted in themselves. They were very self-righteous. They looked down on others:


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»The Pharisee stood and prayed like this: God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.


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»But the tax collector stood far away and would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying: God, be merciful to me a sinner.


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»I tell you the tax collector and not the Pharisee was right with God when he went home. He who exalts himself will be humbled! He who humbles himself will be exalted!«


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They brought all their babes to him that he should touch them. When the disciples saw it they rebuked them.


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Jesus said: »Invite the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them for the kingdom of God belongs to them.


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»Truly I tell you he who does not receive the kingdom of God like little child, shall in no wise enter it.«


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»You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, and do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.«


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When Jesus heard it he said to him, »You lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.«


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»It is easier for a camel to enter in through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.«


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Jesus said: »Truly I tell you, no man has left house, or wife, or brother, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,


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He took the twelve to Jerusalem so that the Son of man will accomplish all the things that are written through the prophets:


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»He will be delivered up to the people of the nations, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon.


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They did not understand for the meaning was hidden from them. They could not perceive the things he said.


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They rebuked him and said he should keep quiet. But he cried out even more: »You son of David, have mercy on me!«


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Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. All the people who saw it praised God.


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So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore <i>fig-mulberry</i> tree near where he would pass by in order to see him.


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When Jesus came to the place he looked up at Zacchaeus and said: »Come down quickly for today I must visit your home.«


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Zacchaeus stood before Jesus and said: »Lord, I now give half of all my possessions to the poor. If I have defrauded any one I will give back four times the amount taken.«


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They were close to Jerusalem. They assumed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. Jesus responded to their assumption with an illustration.


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He said: »A nobleman traveled to a country far away to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.


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»He called ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, and said do business with this until I return.


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»He received the kingdom and went back to check on his servants. He wanted to know what they had gained by trading with the money he gave them.


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»He said: Well done, you good servant. You were faithful in very little. Now you shall have authority over ten cities.


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»I feared you because you are an austere man. You take up what you do not lay down and you reap that which you did not sow.


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»He said to him: Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am an austere man, taking up that which I did not lay down, and reaping that which I did not sow.


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»I say to you, that every one who has more shall be given. The man who does not have what little he has shall be taken away from him.


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He told them, »Go into the nearby village. You will find a colt tied. No man has ever sat on him. Untie him and bring him to me.


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He was near the descent of the Mount of Olives. The entire crowd of disciples rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen.


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They said: »Blessed is the King that comes in the name of Jehovah! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!« (Psalms 118:26; 134:3)


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He said: »If you only knew today the things needed to bring peace! But they are hidden from your eyes.


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»The time is coming when your enemies will surround you and blockade you with a rampart <i>wall</i> on all sides. They will close in on you.


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»They will knock you and your children down to the ground. They will not leave one stone upon another. Whats more you do not know when this visit will take place.«


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Everyday he taught in the temple. The chief priests, scribes and other important men of the people looked for ways to destroy him.


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One day when he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the good news he saw the chief priests, scribes and elders.


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He told the people an illustration: »A man planted a vineyard. He rented it to tenants and went to another country for a long time.


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»At harvest time he sent a servant to the renters to collect fruit of the vineyard. The renters beat him, and sent him away empty.


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»The owner of the vineyard said, what should I do? I will send my beloved son. Maybe they will respect him.


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»When the renters saw him they reasoned that this is the heir, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.


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He will come and destroy the renters and will give the vineyard to others. When they heard it, they said, God forbid!


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»He looked at them and asked what does the scripture mean: The stone that the builders rejected the same was made the head of the corner?


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»Every one that falls on that stone shall be broken to pieces. Every one the stone falls on will be scattered as dust.«


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The scribes and the chief priests attempted to capture him in that very hour. They feared the people. They perceived that he spoke this illustration against them.


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They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous. The spies listened for something in his speech to deliver him up to the authority of the governor.


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»Teacher,« they said, »we know that you are right in what you say and teach. You are not partial and do not play favorites. Rather you teach the way of God truthfully.«


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He said to them: »Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.«


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They were not able to apprehend him in front of the people. They were amazed by his answer and kept quiet.


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They asked him: »Teacher, Moses wrote if a mans brother dies and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed for his brother.


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»Those accounted worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.


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»They cannot die anymore for they are equal to the angels. They are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.


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»Even Moses showed that the dead are raised when he was near the bush and he called Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Exodus 3:6-14)


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»Beware of the scribes for they walk around in long robes. They love greetings in the marketplaces. They sit in the chief seats in the synagogues and the head tables at feasts.


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»They devour widows houses. They offer long prayers to show off in front of others. They shall receive great condemnation.«


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»They all gave out of their surplus but she gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she had for living expenses.«


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Some spoke of how wonderful the temple was. How it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus replied:


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»Concerning these things you see, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.«


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They asked him: »Teacher, when would these things take place? What will be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?«


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He said: »Take heed that you are not led astray. Many will come in my name, saying, I am he but the time is not at hand. Do not follow them.


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»When you hear of wars and disturbances do not be terrified. These things must occur first. The end is not immediate.«


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»There will be great earthquakes. There will be famines and pestilences in various places. There shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.


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»Even before all these things, they will capture you, and persecute you. You will be delivered to synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for my names sake.


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»I will give you ability to talk and words of wisdom, which your adversaries shall not be able to resist or refute.


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»Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her leave. And let no one from the country enter.


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»Woe to those who are pregnant and those who nurse a child in those days! There will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people.


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»They will be killed by the edge of the sword. Some will be led captive into all the nations. The people of the nations will tread down Jerusalem until the time of the Nations is fulfilled.


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»There will be signs in sun and moon and stars. The earth will experience distress of nations in disarray for the roaring of the sea and the waves.


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»Men will faint out of fear for expectation of the things coming on the world. The powers of the heavens shall be shaken.


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»Be awake so your hearts are not weighed down. Do not allow the weight of worldly involvement, drunkenness, and cares of this life be a snare when that day suddenly comes.


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»Be on the watch all the time. Pray for the strength to escape all these things in order to stand before the Son of man.«


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The chief priests and the scribes searched for a way to put him to death. But they feared the people.


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He said: »When you enter the city a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house.


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»Say to the master of the house: The teacher says; where is the guest chamber where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?


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He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said: »Take this, and share it among yourselves.


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He gave thanks. Then he took the bread, broke it and gave it to them, saying: »This represents my body that is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.«


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Then he took the cup saying: « This represents the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.


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»The Son of man indeed goes, as it has been determined. But woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!«


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He told them: »The kings of the nations have lordship over them. Those who have authority over them are called Benefactors.


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»But you should not be this way. He who is the greater among you let him become as the younger. He that is chief among you is he who serves.


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»Which is greater, he who sits and eats or he who serves? Is it he who sits and eats? However I am in the midst of you as he who serves.


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»Just as you eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


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»I prayed for you that your faith would not fail. Once you have turned again strengthen your brothers.«


text:
Jesus said: »I tell you Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until you deny that you know me three times.«


text:
Speaking to them he asked: »When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?« They said: »Nothing.«


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»I tell you that which is written must be fulfilled in me. He was numbered with transgressors for that which concerns me has fulfillment.«


text:
He prayed: »Father if it is your will remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be done.«


text:
<i>possible spurious text</i> He was in agony and earnestly prayed. His sweat became, as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.


text:
When he finished his prayer he went to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of their sorrow.


text:
As he spoke a crowd followed Judas, one of the twelve. They came to him. Judas approached Jesus and kissed him.


text:
Jesus spoke to the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders who came against him: »Did you come as you would against a robber with swords and clubs?


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»I was with you every day in the temple. Yet you did not lift a hand against me. This is your hour for this power of darkness.«


text:
They seized him and led him away. They took him to the high priests house. Peter followed from a distance.


text:
They kindled a fire in the midst of the court. They sat down together. Peter sat in the midst of them.


text:
A servant girl saw him sitting by the light of the fire. She looked steadfastly upon him and said: »This man was also with him.«


text:
After a little while another saw him, and said: »You are one of them.« Peter replied: »Man I am not!«


text:
Peter responded: »I do not know what you are talking about!« Immediately, while he spoke he heard the cockcrow.


text:
The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him: »Before the cockcrow this day you will deny me three times.«


text:
The next day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together. They included chief priests and scribes. They led him away to their council, saying:


text:
They accused him, saying: »We found this man perverting our nation. He forbids payment of tax to Caesar. He claims to be Christ a king.«


text:
They were more insistent saying: »He excites the people throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee even to this place.«


text:
When he knew that he was from Herods jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. He was in Jerusalem at that time.


text:
Herod was very happy to see Jesus. He had wanted to see him for a long time. He hoped to see him perform a miracle.


text:
And Herod with his soldiers despised him with contempt, and mocked him. They arrayed him in magnificent apparel. Then they sent him back to Pilate.


text:
He said: »You brought this man to me as one who perverted the people. I examined him before you and find no fault in this man. He has not done the things you accuse him of.


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A third time he said to them: »Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no reason to put him to death. I will therefore chastise him and release him.«


text:
He released the man who was in prison for insurrection and murder and he delivered Jesus to their will.


text:
They led him away. Simon of Cyrene was traveling from the country. They seized him and forced him to carry the stake for Jesus.


text:
Jesus turned to them and said: »Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children.


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»The days are coming when they will say blessed are the barren those without children and the breasts that never nursed.


text:
They came to the place called the skull. They impaled him and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.


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<i>Jesus said: »Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.«  This verse not found in older manuscripts.</i> They cast lots and divided his garments among themselves.


text:
The people stood watching while the rulers scoffed at him, saying: »He saved others let him save himself if this is his chosen, the Christ of God.«


text:
One of the criminals who were hanged complained bitterly to him saying: »Are you the Christ? Save yourself and us.«


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»We are indeed justly condemned for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong.«


text:
Jesus cried with a loud voice: »Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.« After saying this he quit breathing.


text:
The crowds gathered at this sight. When they saw the things that were done they left beating their breasts.


text:
He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb that was carved in stone. No man had ever lain in this tomb.


text:
They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.


text:
It was early in the morning on the first day of the week. They went to the tomb with the spices that they had prepared.


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This frightened them and they bowed down prostrate on the ground. The two men said to them: »Why do you seek the living among the dead?


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»He said the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be impaled, and the third day rise again.«


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They were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them. They told these things to the apostles.


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Peter ran to the tomb. Looking inside he saw the linen cloths by themselves. He departed to his home, wondering about that which occurred.


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He asked: »What are you talking about with each other as you walk?« They stopped walking and were sad.


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The one named Cleopas answered him: »Do you travel alone in Jerusalem and not know the things that have happened there these days?«


text:
He asked: »What things?« They said to him: »The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene. He was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.


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»We hoped he would redeem Israel. Yes and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.


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»They did not find his body. They said that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.


text:
He said to them: »You are foolish men. You are slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!


text:
He explained to them all the Scriptures about the things concerning him. He spoke about Moses and all the prophets.


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They persuaded him not to go saying, »Abide with us. It is nearly evening and the day is almost gone.« He stayed with them.


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When he had sat down with them to eat he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them.


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They said to each other: »Were our hearts not burning within us? When he spoke to us in the way and opened the scriptures to us?«


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They rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven gathered together with others.


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»See my hands and my feet that it is I. Touch me and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones like I have.«


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While they still did not believe him but were filled with joy and wonder, he asked for something to eat.


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He said: »These are my words that I spoke to you, while I was yet with you. All things must be fulfilled. They are things that are written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me.«


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»Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.


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»You see I send the promise of my Father upon you. You are to wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.«


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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was like God <i>God-like</i> .


text:
He gave the right to become children of God to all who received him. Even to those who believe in his name.


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The Word <i>Jesus</i> became flesh <i>a human being</i> and lived with us. We saw the glory of the only begotten son from the Father. He was full of loving-kindness and truth.


text:
John spoke about him and declared: He is the one I said would come after me. He is greater than I am because he lived before me.«


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No man has ever seen God. The only begotten God-like one who is closest to the Father <i>in the bosom of the Father</i> tells us about him. (Psalm 8:5)


text:
John gave his witness even as Jewish authorities sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem. They asked him: »Who are you?«


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He said: »I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Isaiah the prophet said: Make straight the way of Jehovah.« (Isaiah 40:3)


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The next day he saw Jesus coming to him. He boldly declared: »Behold! The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!«


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»I did not know he was the one. God sent me to baptize in water and said: You will see one upon whom the spirit descends. The same is he who baptizes in Holy Spirit.


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Jesus turned and saw them following. He asked them, »What are you after? They asked him: »Teacher, where are you staying?«


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He said« »Come and see.« So they came to where he was staying. They stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.


text:
He took him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said: »You are Simon the son of John: you will be called Cephas <i>meaning: Peter</i> .«


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The next day he was reminded to go into Galilee. There he found Philip. Jesus said to him, »Follow me.«


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Philip found Nathanael, and said to him: »We have found the person Moses and the prophets wrote about in the Law and Gods word. It is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.«


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And Nathanael said to him: »Could any good thing come out of Nazareth?« Philip said: »Come and see.«


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Nathanael asked: »How do you know me?« Jesus answered: »I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.«


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Jesus responded: »I told you I saw you under the fig tree. Is this why you believe? You will see greater things than these.«


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Jesus continued: »You will see the heavens opened and you will see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.«


text:
Six stone water jars were placed there to honor purification rules of the Jews. Each contained more than twenty gallons.


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The master of the feast did not know about the water turned into wine. He tasted it and called the bridegroom.


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He said to him: »Every man sets out the good wine first. When the men have drunk freely the lower quality wine is served. You have kept the good wine until now.«


text:
This was the first miracle Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. It gave evidence of his glory and his disciples believed in him.


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He made a whip of cords, and chased them all out of the temple, including the sheep and the oxen. He poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned the tables.


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He told those who sold doves: »Take these things away. Do not make my Fathers house a house of merchandise.«


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The Jews responded: »It took forty-six years to build this temple and you will raise it up in three days?«


text:
When he was raised from the dead his disciples remembered that he said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus said.


text:
When he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many saw the signs he did and expressed active faith in his name.


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He came to Jesus by night, and said to him: »Rabbi! We know you are a teacher from God. No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.«


text:
Jesus answered: »Truly I tell you unless a person is born again <i>brought forth from above</i> he cannot see the kingdom of God.«


text:
Nicodemus asked: »How could a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mothers womb again and be born?«


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Jesus responded: »I tell you truth, except a man be born of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!


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»The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound of it. Yet you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. It is like this with every one who is born from the Spirit.«


text:
»This is the truth. We speak what we know and witness about what we have seen. But you do not receive our testimony.


text:
»If I told you earthly things and you did not have faith, how will you have faith if I tell you heavenly things?


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»For God loved the world so much, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever has an active faith in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


text:
»God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world. Instead the world should be saved through him.


text:
»He who has an active faith in him is not judged. He who does not have an active faith has been judged already for he has not had faith in the name of the only begotten Son of God.


text:
»This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world. People loved the darkness rather than the light for their works were evil.


text:
»Every one who does evil hates the light. He does not come to the light because his works would be reproved.


text:
After these things Jesus and his disciples traveled to the land of Judea where he stayed with them and baptized.


text:
John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there. People came and were baptized.


text:
They went to John and said: »Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, the one about whom you witnessed, he and the men with him baptize.«


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»He that has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens to him. He rejoices greatly because he hears the bridegrooms voice. This fills me with joy.


text:
»He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks from an earthly viewpoint. He who comes from heaven is superior.


text:
»He who puts active faith in the Son has everlasting life. He who disobeys* the Son will not see life for the wrath of God remains upon him.« <i>*Greek: apeitheo: willfully disobey, not having faith</i>


text:
The Lord was aware that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.


text:
He arrived at a city of Samaria called Sychar. It is near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.


text:
Jacobs well was there. It was about the sixth hour when Jesus arrived. Being weary from the journey he sat down by the well.


text:
The woman of Samaria asked: »How is it that you being a Jew ask for a drink from me? I am a woman of Samaria.« <i>The Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Not in early manuscripts.</i>


text:
Jesus answered: »If you know the gift of God and who asked you for a drink, you would have asked him to give you living water.«


text:
The woman said to him: »Sir, you do not have anything with which to draw water and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?


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»Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well. He and his children and cattle drank from it.«


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»But whoever drinks from the water that I give him will never thirst. The water that I will give him will be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.«


text:
The woman said to him: »Sir, give me this water! That way I will not thirst and not come here to draw.«


text:
»Our fathers worshipped in this mountain. But you say Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.«


text:
Jesus replied: »Woman believe me. The hour comes when you will worship the Father neither in the mountain nor in Jerusalem.


text:
»But the hour comes and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father with spirit and truth. The Father seeks such people to worship him.


text:
The woman responded: »I know that Christ the Messiah is coming. When he comes he will tell us all things.«


text:
His disciples came and wondered why he talked with the woman. Yet no one asked: »What are you looking for? Why did you talk to her?«


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»Do you say there are four months until the harvest comes? I say to you lift up your eyes and look on the fields. They are already white for harvest.


text:
»He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for life eternal. Both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.


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»I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Other men labored and you entered into their labors.«


text:
Many Samaritans of that city put faith <i>believed</i> in him because of what the woman said: »He told me everything I have ever done.«


text:
They told the woman: »We believe because of what you said and we heard him ourselves. We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world!«


text:
The Galileans welcomed him. They saw all the things he did at the feast in Jerusalem for they were at the feast.


text:
Jesus returned to Cana of Galilee where he turned the water into wine. There was a nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.


text:
He heard that Jesus came from Judea into Galilee. He went to him and urged him to come see his son. His son was near death.


text:
Jesus replied: »Go your way. Your son lives!« The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.


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He asked them about the hour he was healed. They said: »Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.«


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The father knew that it was the same hour in which Jesus said: »Your son lives.« He and his entire household believed.


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There is a pool by the sheep-market gate at Jerusalem. It is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethzatha. It has five porches <i>colonnades</i> .


text:
Jesus saw him lying there. He knew that he had been sick for a long time. So he asked him: »Do you want to get well?«


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The sick man replied: »I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred. Others step down before I can go.«


text:
Immediately the man was made whole. He picked up his bed and walked. It happened on the Sabbath day.


text:
So the Jews told the man who was cured: »It is not lawful for you to pickup your bed for it is the Sabbath.«


text:
Later Jesus found him in the temple and told him: »Now that you are healed do not sin anymore and avoid worse things happening to you.«


text:
The Jews intensified their efforts to kill him for these reasons: he broke the Sabbath and he also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.


text:
Jesus answered them: »Truly I tell you the Son can do nothing by himself. He sees the Father do something and then he does it. Whatever the Father does the Son does in like manner.


text:
»The Father loves the Son. He shows him all of the things he does. He will show him greater works than these. And you will marvel.


text:
»All may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father that sent him.


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»Truly, Truly I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes him that sent me, has everlasting life. He will not receive judgment for he has passed out of death into life.


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»Truly I tell you, the hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear <i>listen understand</i> will live.


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»They will return. Those who did good will have the resurrection of life. Those who did evil will receive the resurrection of judgment.


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»I can do nothing by myself. So I hear and judge and my judgment is righteous. I do not seek my own will, but the will of him that sent me.


text:
»The testimony I have is greater than that of John. The works I do are the works the Father gave me to accomplish. They testify that the Father has sent me.


text:
»You do not have his word dwelling in you. This is because you do not believe in the person he has sent.


text:
»You search <i>investigate study</i> the Scriptures because you think that in them you have everlasting life. These Scriptures testify about me.


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»I came in my Fathers name and you did not receive me. If another came in his own name you would receive him.


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»How can you believe? You seek praise and glory from one another? Why do you not seek the glory that comes from the only God?


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»Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Moses on whom you have set your hope is a plaintiff against you.


text:
Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to him. He asked Philip: »Where will we buy enough bread to feed them?«


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Philip answered: »Two hundred shillings worth of bread is not sufficient for everyone to take a little.«


text:
Jesus said: »Make the people sit down.« There were about five thousand men who sat down on the grass.


text:
Jesus gave thanks and then he distributed the loaves along with the fish to those sitting on the grass.


text:
When they were filled he told the disciples to gather up the broken pieces left over so nothing would be wasted.


text:
When the people saw the miracle performed they said: »Truly this is the prophet who came into the world.«


text:
Jesus knew that they were about to take him by force and make him king. So he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.


text:
They boarded a boat to travel over the sea to Capernaum. It was dark and Jesus had not yet come to them.


text:
They rowed about four miles and saw Jesus walking on the sea. He came close to the boat. They were afraid.


text:
The next day the crowd stood by the side of the sea. Jesus entered the only boat while his disciples went away alone.


text:
Small boats from Tiberias came there to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord gave thanks.


text:
When the crowd saw that Jesus and his disciples were not there they got into the boats and traveled to Capernaum seeking Jesus.


text:
They found him on the other side of the sea and said: »Rabbi <i>Teacher</i> when did you come here?«


text:
Jesus said: »Truly I tell you, you seek me not because you saw miracles but because you ate of the loaves and were full.


text:
»Do not work for food that perishes but for food that offers everlasting life. The Son of man will give you this food. The Father, even God, has set his seal upon him.«


text:
Jesus answered: »This is the work of God, that you have an active faith in the one whom he has sent.«


text:
They asked: »What do you offer for a sign <i>miracle</i> that we may see and believe you? What work will you do?


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»Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness. It is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.«


text:
Jesus responded: »I speak the truth! It was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven. My Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.


text:
Jesus replied: »I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not hunger. The one who puts active faith in me will never thirst.


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»This is the will of him that sent me that I should not lose any of those he has given me, but I should raise them up at the last day.


text:
»For this is the will of my Father. Every one who sees the Son and puts active faith in him will have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.«


text:
The Jews complained about him. This is because he said I am the bread that came down out of heaven.


text:
They said: »Is Jesus the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How does he now say, I came down out of heaven?«


text:
»No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him. I will resurrect him <i>raise him up</i> in the last day.


text:
»It is written in the prophets: Jehovah shall teach them all. Every one who hears the Father and has learned comes to me. (Jeremiah 31:34)


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»I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. If any man eats of this bread he will live forever. Yes and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.«


text:
Jesus responded to them: »Truly I tell you if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you will not have life in yourselves.


text:
»He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life! I will raise him up at the last day.


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»The living Father sent me and I live because of the Father. He who takes me for his food will live because of me.


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»This is the bread that came down out of heaven. It is not like the bread <i>manna</i> the fathers ate and then died. He who eats this bread will live forever.«


text:
»It is the spirit that gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I spoke to you are spirit and life.


text:
»There are some of you who do not believe.« Jesus knew from the beginning whom they were who did not believe and who would betray him.


text:
He stated: »For this reason listen to what I say. No man can come to me, except it be given to him from the Father.«


text:
Jesus replied: »Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil <i>false accuser slanderer demon</i> «.


text:
After that Jesus walked in Galilee. He would not walk in Judea because the Jews looked for ways to kill him.


text:
His brothers said to him: »Leave here and go to Judea. That way your disciples also may see the works that you do.


text:
»No one does anything in secret when he seeks to be known publicly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.«


text:
There was much whispering among the people concerning him. Some said: »He is a good man.« Others said: »No, he deceives the people.«


text:
»If any man does his will he shall know the teachings. He will know if it is from God, or whether I speak from myself.


text:
»He who speaks from his own authority seeks his own glory. He who seeks glory for the one who sent him is true. Unrighteousness is not found in him.


text:
»Moses gave you circumcision. Not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers. And you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.


text:
»A man receives circumcision on the Sabbath. That way the Law of Moses may not be broken. Are you angry with me, because I made an entire man whole on the Sabbath?


text:
»He spoke openly and they said nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?


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»How is it we know where this man is from but when the Christ comes no one will know where he is from?«


text:
Jesus shouted in the temple: »You know me and from where I came. I did not come on my own. He who sent me is true and you do not know him.


text:
They looked for a way to capture him. But no man laid his hand on him. This is because his hour had not yet arrived.


text:
Many in the crowd believed in him. They asked: »When the Christ comes will he do more signs than those this man has done?«


text:
The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things concerning him. The chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to capture him.


text:
The Jews said among themselves: »Where will this man go that we shall not find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?


text:
»What is this word that he said: You will seek me, and will not find me; and you cannot come where I am going?«


text:
On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and shouted in a loud voice: »If any man thirst let him come to me and drink.


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»Rivers of living water will flow from the innermost being of the man who believes in me. This is according to the scriptures.«


text:
He spoke this by the Spirit. Those who believed in him were to receive the Spirit. The Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.


text:
»Do the Scriptures say that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?«


text:
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying: »I am the light of the world. He that follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.«


text:
Jesus answered them: »Even if I bear witness about myself, my testimony is true! I know where I came from and I know where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going.


text:
They said: »Where is your Father?« Jesus answered: »You do not know me, nor do you know my Father! If you knew me you would also know my Father.«


text:
He spoke these words at the treasury as he taught in the temple. No one tried to arrest him because his hour had not yet arrived.


text:
He responded to them: »You are from below. I am from above. You are from this world. I am not from this world.


text:
»I said to you that you would die in your sins. Unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins!«


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»I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. He that sent me is true. I tell the world the things he told me.«


text:
Jesus said: »When you have lifted up <i>impaled</i> the Son of man you will know that I am that person. I do nothing by myself! I speak what the Father taught me!


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»He sent me and is with me. He has not left me alone. I always do the things that are pleasing to him!«


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They answered him: »We are Abrahams seed, and have never been in bondage to any man. How can you say we will be made free?«


text:
»I know that you are Abrahams seed. Yet you seek to kill me. That is because my word has no place among you.


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»I speak the things that I have seen and heard when I was with my Father. You also do the things that you heard from your father.«


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They answered: »Our father is Abraham.« Jesus replied: »If you were Abrahams children, you would do the works of Abraham.


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»You do the works of your father.« They said: »We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God!«


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Jesus said: »If God were your Father you would love me. I came from God! I have not come from myself. He sent me!


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»You are from your father <i>Satan</i> the Devil <i>slanderer false accuser</i> ! You want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning. He does not stand for the truth. There is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks his own lies. He is a liar and the father of the lie!


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The Jews said to him: »Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died. And you say if a man obeys my word he will never taste of death.


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»Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died! The prophets also died. Who do you make yourself out to be?«


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Jesus answered: »If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. My Father glorifies me. He is the one whom you say is your God.


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»You do not know him. I know him. If I say I do not know him I would be like you, a liar! But I know him and obey his word.


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Jesus answered: »This man did not sin. Neither did his parents sin. The works of God should be made known in him.


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He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle. Then he anointed the eyes of the blind with the clay.


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The neighbors saw him afterwards. They knew he was a blind beggar. So they asked: Is this he who sat and begged?


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He answered: »The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes. Then he told me to go to Siloam and wash. I went there and washed, and I received sight.«


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The Pharisees asked him how he received his sight. He said to them: « He put clay on my eyes, I washed and now I see.«


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Some of the Pharisees said: »This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.« Others said: »How could a man that is a sinner perform such signs?« There was division among them.


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The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and then received his sight. So they called his parents.


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»We do not know how he now sees or who opened his eyes. Ask him. He is of age and he will speak for himself.«


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The parents said these things because they feared the Jews. The Jews had agreed that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.


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So they called the man that was blind a second time, and said to him: »Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.«


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He answered them: »I told you before and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Would you also become his disciples?«


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The man answered: »This certainly is a marvel that you do not know where he is from and yet he opened my eyes.«


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»We know that God does not listen to sinners. If any man respects God and does his will, God listens to him.


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Jesus said: »I came into the world for this judgment that those not seeing may see and those seeing may become blind.«


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»Truly I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber.


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»The doorkeeper opens to him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them.


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»I am the door. If any man enters through me he will be saved. He will go in and out and find pasture.


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»The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.


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»The hired man owns no sheep. He is not the shepherd. He sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep. The wolf snatches them, and scatters them.


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»I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I will also bring them. They will hear my voice and they will become one flock, one shepherd.


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»No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I have authority <i>jurisdiction right</i> to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment from my Father.«


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Others said: »These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?«


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It was wintertime. Jesus was walking in the temple on Solomons porch <i>the Colonnade of Solomon</i> .


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The Jews came to him and asked: »How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.«


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Jesus replied: »I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Fathers name bear witness of me.


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»My Father has given them to me. He is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand.


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Jesus replied to them: »I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works do you stone me?«


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The Jews answered him: »We do not stone you for good work but for blasphemy. You are a man and you make yourself like God.« (John 1:1)


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»So if he called them god-like ones, those to whom the word of God came, and the Scriptures may not be annulled,


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»do you say to the one whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, you blaspheme? And this because I said, I am the Son of God. (Psalm 82:1, 6) (John 1:34; John 5:18) (Luke 1:35)


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»But if I do them and you do not believe me, believe the works! That way you may know and understand that the Father is with me, and I am with the Father.«


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Many came to him and they said: »John indeed did not perform a single miracle. Yet everything John said about this man was true.«


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This is the same Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick.


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The sisters therefore sent for the Lord, They said: »The one for whom you have great affection is sick.«


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When Jesus heard it he said: »This sickness will not end in death. It is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it.«


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Jesus answered: »Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world.


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Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: »Let us also go that we may die with him.«


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Jesus said: »I am the resurrection and the life. He who puts active faith in me will live, even if he dies.


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She said: »Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world.«


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After she said this she went away and secretly called her sister Mary. She said: »The teacher is here and calls you.«


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<i>Now Jesus had not yet arrived at the village and was still at the place where Martha met him.</i>


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The Jews were with her in the house, consoling her. They saw Mary get up quickly and leave. So they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.


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When Mary saw Jesus she fell down at his feet. She said: »Lord; if you had been here my brother would not have died.«


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Jesus groaned in his spirit and was troubled when he saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her weeping.


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Some of them said: »This man opened the eyes of the blind. Could he have prevented this man from dying?«


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Jesus said: »Take away the stone.« Martha, the sister of the dead man said: »Lord by now the body has decayed for he has been dead four days.«


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So they took away the stone. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said: »Father, I thank you that you hear me.


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»I knew that you always hear me. But because of the crowd that stands here I said it, that they may believe that you did send me.«


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He that was dead came out. He was bound hand and foot with grave-clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus commanded them: »Unwrap him and let him go.«


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The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council. They asked what they should do. »This man does many signs and miracles.


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»If we let him alone all men will believe in him. Then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.«


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»You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. That way the whole nation will not perish.«


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He did not say this from his own understanding. As high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.


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He would die for the nation. He would also gather together the children of God that are scattered abroad.


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Jesus did not walk openly among the Jews anymore. He departed into the wilderness of the nearby country. He and his disciples stayed at a city called Ephraim.


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It was the Jewish Passover. Many went out of the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.


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They searched for Jesus. They stood in the temple speaking to one another: »What do you think? Will he come to the feast?«


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Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that, if any man knew where he was, he should report it that they might seize him.


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Six days before the Passover Jesus traveled to Bethany. This was where Lazarus lived. He was the man Jesus raised from the dead.


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Mary took a pound of very precious ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus. She wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment.


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He did not say this because he cared for the poor. He was a thief. He had the moneybox and took away what was put in it.


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The common people of the Jews learned that he was there. So they came to see Jesus and Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead.


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They took palm branches and met him. They cried out, »Hosanna: Blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah, even the King of Israel!« (Psalm 118:26)


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His disciples did not understand these things at first. However when Jesus was glorified they remembered the things that were written about him. They also remembered the things that had been done to him.


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The crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, gave witness.


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The Pharisees spoke among themselves: »You see that you are not accomplishing anything. Look the world has gone after him.«


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»Truly I tell you unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit.


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»He that loves his life <i>in this world</i> loses it; and he that detests <i>does not love</i> his life in this world shall save it for everlasting life.


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»If you want to serve me follow me! My servant will be where I am and the Father will honor my servant.


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»I am troubled! What should I say? Father, save me out of this hour? It is for this purpose that I came to this hour! (Hebrews 5:7)


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»Father, glorify your name.« A voice came from heaven: »I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.«


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The crowd answered him: »We have heard from the law that the Christ lives forever. Why do you say the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?«


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Jesus said to them: »The light will be with you for a little while. Walk while you have the light, that darkness does not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.


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»While you have the light, exert active faith in the light, that you may become sons of light.« Jesus said this and then he departed and hid himself from them.


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The word of Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: »Jehovah who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of Jehovah been revealed?« (Isaiah 53:1)


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»He has blinded their eyes. He hardened their heart. Otherwise they would see with their eyes and perceive with their heart. Then they would turn and I would heal them.«


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Many of the rulers believed in him, although they did not confess their faith because of the Pharisees, for they would be expelled from the synagogue.


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»If any man hears my sayings and does not obey them I will not judge him. I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.


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»He that rejects me and does not accept my message has one that judges him. The word <i>divine expression Gods Word</i> that I spoke shall judge him now and in the last day. (Deuteronomy 18:19)


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»I spoke not from myself but from the Father who sent me. He has given me a commandment concerning what I should say when I speak.


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»I know that his commandment means everlasting life. Therefore I say the things the Father tells me to say.«


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Jesus knew before the feast of the Passover that the time had come for him to leave this world and return to his Father. He loved his own who were in the world to the very end.


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Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over all things. He also knew it came from God and he returns it to God.


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Then he poured water into the basin and washed the disciples feet. He wiped them with the towel he was wearing.


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Peter said: »You will never wash my feet.« Jesus answered him: »If I do not wash you; you have no part with me.«


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Jesus responded: »He that is bathed must wash his feet. He is clean everywhere and you are clean, but not all.«


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After he washed their feet he put his outer garments on and sat down. He asked: »Do you know what I have done to you?


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»Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master. Neither is one that is sent greater than he that sent him.


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»I do not speak about all of you. I know whom I have chosen! This way the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eats my bread lifted up his heel against me.«


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»Truly I say to you, he who receives whom ever I send receives me. And he who receives me receives him who sent me.


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Jesus answered: »It is he to whom I give a piece of bread after I dip it.« So when he dipped the bread he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.


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After he was given the piece of bread Satan entered him. Jesus said to him: »Do what you do quickly.«


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Some thought Judas was going to shop for food for the feast or give something to the poor. Judas was in charge of the moneybox.


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When he was gone Jesus said: »Now the Son of man is glorified <i>praised exulted proclaimed honored</i> and God is glorified through him.


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»Little children I am with you for a little while. You will seek me and as I told the Jews now I say to you, where I go, you cannot come.


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»I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.


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Simon Peter said: »Lord where are you going?« Jesus answered: »Where I am going you cannot follow me now. You will follow me later.«


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Jesus answered: »Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you the cock will not crow till you have denied me three times.«


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»In my Fathers house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.


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»If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and I will receive you to myself, for where I am you may also be.


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Jesus proclaimed: »I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through me.


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»If you had known me, you would have perceived my Father also. From now on you understand him and have experienced him.«


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Jesus responded: »Have I been with you so long a time and you do not know me Philip? He who has seen me has discerned <i>experienced perceived</i> the Father. And you say, show us the Father?


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»Do you not believe that I am with the Father and that the Father is with me? The words I say to you are not from me, but the Father dwells with me and does his works.


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»Believe me that I am with the Father and the Father is with me, or else believe me because of the works.


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»Truly I tell you, he who exerts active faith in me will do the works that I do. In fact he will do greater works than these. I go to the Father.


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»I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he <i>the Father</i> may be with you forever.


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»It is the Spirit of the truth. The world cannot receive it. The world does not see or know it. You know it because it lives with you and will be with you.


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»He that has my commandments, and obeys them loves me. My Father will love the person who loves me. I will love him and disclose myself to him.«


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Judas <i>not Iscariot</i> asked him: »Lord, what will happen that you will disclose yourself to us, and not to the world?«


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Jesus answered: »If a man loves me, he will obey my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and dwell with him.


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»He who does not love me does not obey my words. The word you hear is not mine, but comes from the Father who sent me.


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»The Father will send a helper in my name, the Holy Spirit, which <i>Greek: hos he ho which that one</i> will teach you all things and bring to your memory all that I said to you.


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»Peace I leave with you! My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or full of fear.


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»You heard me say I will go away and I will come again to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father. The Father is greater than I!


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»The world must know that I love the Father. And I obey the Fathers commandments. Get up and let us leave here.«


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»He takes away the branches in me that do not bear fruit. He cleans every branch that bears fruit. That way it may bear more fruit.


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»Remain with me, and I with you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain with me.


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»I am the vine and you are the branches. He that remains with me, and I with him, the same bears much fruit. You can do nothing apart from me.


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»If a man does not remain with me, he is removed as a branch, and withers. They gather them and throw them into the fire where they are burned <i>destroyed consumed</i> .


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»If you remain with me, and my words remain with you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you.


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»If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love. I have obeyed my Fathers commandments and remain in his love.


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»I no longer call you servants for the servant does not know what the lord does. I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.


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»You did not choose me. I chose you and appointed you. You should go and bear fruit and your fruit should remain. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.


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»If you were of the world, the world would love its own. I chose you out of the world. The world hates you because you are not of the world.


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»Remember the word I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours also.


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»They will do all these things to you for my names sake. It is because they do not know the one that sent me.


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»If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin!


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»If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would have no sin. They have seen and hated both my Father and me.


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»I will send the helper from the Father, the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father to bear witness of me.


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»They will throw you out of the synagogues. Yes, the hour comes that whoever kills you will think that he offered service to God.


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»I tell you these things so you will remember that I told you when the time comes. I did not tell this from the beginning because I was with you.


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»Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away. For if I do not go away the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. <i>Greek: autos: it</i>


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»When the Spirit of truth comes it will guide you to all truth for it will not speak from itself. It will speak the things it hears and declare to you the things that are to come.


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»All the things the Father has are mine. That is why I said <i>the Spirit</i> takes what I have and declares it to you.


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Some of his disciples said to one another: »What is this he says, a little while, and you see me no more and again a little while and you will see me because I go to the Father?


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Jesus perceived what they wanted to ask him. He said to them: »You inquire among yourselves concerning what I said. A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?


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»Truly I tell you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.


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»A woman in tribulation has sorrow, because her hour to give birth has come. When she delivers the child, she remembers no more anguish, because of the joy that a man is born into the world.


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»You have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice and no one can take your joy from you.


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»You will ask me for nothing then. Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.


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»Until now you have not asked a single thing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.


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»I have spoken to you in figurative language <i>illustrations and proverbs</i> . The hour comes when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language. I will tell you plainly from the Father.


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»In that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you. It will not be necessary.


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»We are sure you know all things and have no need that any man ask you questions. Because of this we believe you came from God.«


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»Behold! The hour comes, and indeed, it is here, that you will be scattered and each one will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.


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»I spoke to you that in me you might have peace. In the world you have tribulation. Be of good cheer for I have conquered the world!«


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Jesus spoke these things and lifted up his eyes to heaven. He said: »Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the son may glorify you.


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»You have given him authority over all flesh that he may give everlasting life to the ones whom you have given him.


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»This is everlasting life that they should have *deep, intimate knowledge of you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have commissioned. *<i>Greek: ginosko: know, perceive, be sure, understand</i>


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»I taught your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours and you gave them to me. They have lived by your word.


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»I gave them the words that you gave me. They understood them and knew I came from you. They believed you sent me.


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»I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray only for those you gave me, for they are yours.


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»I am no more in the world but they are in the world. I come to you Holy Father. Keep them in your name, which you have given to me, that they may be one*, even as we are. *<i>Greek: heis; united in purpose and love</i>


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»While I was with them I kept them in your name, which you have given to me. I guarded them, and not one of them perished, except the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled.


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»Now I come to you. I spoke these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.


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»I gave them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.


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»May they all be united <i>in agreement</i> as one. Just as you, Father, are with me, and I am with you. Help them be united with us! That way the world may believe that you sent me.


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»I with them, and you with me, that they may accomplish complete unity. That way the world may know that you sent me and that you love them just as you love me.


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»Father, I desire that these whom you gave me may be with me where I am. I want them to see the glory you have given me. For you loved me before the creation of the world.


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»I have made your name known, and will make it known. That way your love for me may be with them and I may be with them.«


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Judas brought a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees there with lights and with weapons.


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Simon Peter drew the sword he had, struck the high priests servant, and cut off his right ear. The servants name was Malchus.


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Caiaphas was the man who gave counsel to the Jews that it was for their benefit that one man should die for the people.


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Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple. The high priest knew that disciple. He entered the court of the high priest with Jesus.


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Peter stood outside the door. The disciple known by the high priest went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door and he brought in Peter.


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The maid that kept the door asked Peter: »Are you also one of this mans disciples?« He said: »I am not.«


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It was cold. So the servants and officers warmed themselves by the fire. Peter also stood by the fire to get warm.


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Jesus answered him: »I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple where all the Jews gathered. I spoke nothing in secret.


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When he said this one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus with his hand, saying: »You answer the high priest!«


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Jesus answered him: »If I spoke evil, bear witness of the evil. But if I spoke honestly, why do you strike me?«


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Simon Peter stood nearby warming himself. They asked him: »Are you also one of his disciples?« He denied it saying: »I am not.«


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One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said: »Did I see you in the garden with him?«


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They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.


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Pilate replied: »Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.« The Jews said: »It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.«


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Thus the word of Jesus would be fulfilled when he spoke about the kind of death he would experience.


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Pilate entered again into the Praetorium. He called Jesus and asked him: »Are you the King of the Jews?«


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Pilate answered: »Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me! What have you done?«


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Jesus answered: »My kingdom is not of this world! If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. My kingdom is not from this domain.«


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Pilate said: »Are you a king then?« Jesus answered: »As you say I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this purpose, that I should bear witness to the truth! Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.«


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Pilate then asked: »What is truth?« After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: »I find no fault in him.


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»You have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?«


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The soldiers braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They dressed him in a purple garment.


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Pilate went out again, and said to them: »Look, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him.«


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When the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out: »Impale him! Impale him!« Pilate replied: »Take him yourselves, and impale him for he has committed no crime!«


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The Jews answered him: »We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.«


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He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus: »Where are you from?« But Jesus gave him no answer.


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Pilate said: »Will you not speak to me? Do you know I have the power to release you and the power to impale you?«


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Jesus answered him: »You would have no power against me except it was given you from above. Therefore he that delivered me to you has greater sin.«


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As a result of this Pilate sought to release him. The Jews cried out: »If you release this man you are not Caesars friend. Every one that makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.«


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When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment-seat. They were at a place called The Stone Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.


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Now it was the Preparation of the Passover, about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews: »Behold, your King!«


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They cried out: »Away with him, away with him, impale him!« Pilate asked: »Should I impale your King?« The chief priests answered: »We have no king but Caesar.«


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They took Jesus bearing his own stake to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.


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Pilate wrote a title and put it on the stake. There it was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.


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This title was read by many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was impaled was near the city. It was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.


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The chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: »Do not write, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.«


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After they impaled Jesus the soldiers took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier. The coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.


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They said to one another, Let us not tear the coat. So they cast lots for it. That fulfilled the scripture that said: »They parted my garments among them, and they cast lots for my covering.«


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His mother stood by the stake of Jesus, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.


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Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved. He said to his mother, »Woman, look, your son!«


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Then he said to the disciple, »Look, your mother!« That hour forward the disciple took her to his home.


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A vessel full of vinegar was setting there. They put a sponge full of vinegar upon a hyssop branch and brought it to his mouth.


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When Jesus received the vinegar, he said, »it is finished.« He bowed his head, and he stopped breathing.


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It was Preparation and the Jews insisted that bodies not remain on the stake on the Sabbath. The day of that Sabbath was a high day. They asked Pilate that the legs be broken and that they might be taken away.


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He who saw testified and his testimony is true. He knows and he speaks truth that you also may believe.


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These things came to pass in order that the scripture might be fulfilled: A bone of him shall not be broken.


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Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate secretly for fear of the Jews. He asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission. So he took the body away.


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Nicodemus also came with a mixture of myrrh and about a hundred pounds of aloes. Nicodemus is the one who came to Jesus at night.


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They prepared the body of Jesus for burial. They bound it in linen cloths with spices. This was the custom of the Jews.


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There was a garden at the place where he was impaled. It contained a new tomb where no one had been buried.


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Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb early on the first day of the week while it was still dark. She saw the stone was taken away from the tomb.


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She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them: »They have taken the Lord away out of the tomb. We do not know where they laid him.«


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She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.


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»Woman why do you weep,« they asked? She told them: »They have taken my Lord and I do not know where they laid him.«


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Jesus said to her: »Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?« She thought he was the gardener. She said: »Sir, if you have carried him somewhere else tell me where you laid him and I will take him away.«


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Jesus said: »Do not touch me for I am not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and youre Father, and my God and your God.« (Revelation 3:12)


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It was evening of the first day of the week. The disciples shut the doors where they stayed for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: »May you have Peace.«


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When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad, when they saw the Lord.


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Jesus therefore said to them again: »May you have peace. As the Father sent me, even so I send you.«


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The other disciples therefore said to him: »We have seen the Lord.« He said: »Unless I feel the print of the nails in his hands and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.«


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Eight days later the disciples were inside with the doors shut and Thomas was with them. Jesus came in and stood in the midst, and said: »Peace be with you.«


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Jesus said to Thomas: »Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and believe!«


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Jesus said to him: »Because you saw me, you believe. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe!«


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Jesus did many miracles <i>signs</i> in the presence of the disciples. They are not written in this book.


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These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. By believing you may have life in his name.


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There were together Simon Peter; Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.


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Simon Peter said to them: »I am going fishing.« They told him: »We would also come with you.« They boarded the boat and caught nothing that night.


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He said: »Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find fish.« They cast it and they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.


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That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: »It is the Lord.« So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat about him <i>for he was dressed only in undergarments</i> , and jumped into the sea.


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The other disciples came in the little boat <i>for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away</i> , dragging the net full of fishes.


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Simon Peter went to draw the net to land. It was full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three in all. There were so many and yet the net was not torn.


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Jesus said to them: »Come and eat.« And none of the disciples dared to inquire, who are you? They just knew it was the Lord.


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When they had eaten Jesus said to Simon Peter: »Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?« He said: »Yes Lord; you know I have affection for you.« Jesus said to him: »Feed my lambs.«


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He spoke to him a second time: »Simon, son of John, do you love me?« He replied: »Yes Lord, you know I have affection for you.« Then Jesus said: »Shepherd my sheep.«


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The third time Jesus said to him: »Simon, son of John, do you have affection for me?« Peter was grieved. Because he said to him the third time, do you have affection for me? Peter replied: »Lord, you know all things; you know I have affection for you!« Jesus said to him: »Feed my sheep.«


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»Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you become old, you stretch out your hands and another dresses you, and carries you where you do not want to go.«


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Now this he spoke, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. After he spoke he said: »Follow me.«


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Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following. He is the one who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said,« Lord, who is he that betrays you?«


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This expression went among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say that he should not die. He only said: »If I will that he stay until I come, what is that to you?«


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This is the disciple that bears witness of these things, and wrote these things. That way we know that his witness is true.


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There are many other things that Jesus did. Should all of them be written I suppose the world would not contain the books written.


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until the day he was received up to heaven. After that he gave orders through the Holy Spirit to his chosen apostles.


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He presented himself alive to them after his suffering. He gave many convincing proofs. He appeared to them during forty days speaking about the kingdom of God.


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When they were gathered together he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem. They were to wait for the promise of the Father that he spoke about.


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He replied: »It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has set within His own authority.


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»You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.«


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When he said these things, while they watched, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.


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They said: »You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven will come in a similar manner as you saw him go into heaven.«


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Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath days journey away.


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When they entered the city they went to the upper chamber where they were staying. Included were Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealous one, and Judas the son of James.


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They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.


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»Brothers, the Scripture needed to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus.


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»This man obtained a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open and all his intestines spilled out. <i>Matthew 27:5 says he hanged himself. The rope broke or the branch on which it was tied broke. Then he fell to the ground and burst open.</i>


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»It became known to all who live in Jerusalem that the field was called the field of blood, in their language; Akeldama.


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»It is written in the book of Psalms: Let his habitation be made desolate and let no man dwell there. Let another take his office. (Psalm 109:8)


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»Someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us. This should be from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven.


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»One who was with us from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us must become a witness with us of his resurrection.«


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»Which of these men should assume this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.«


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Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind. It filled the house where they were sitting.


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They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit moved them to speak.


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When they heard this sound a crowd came together in confusion, because men heard them speak in their own language.


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And they were all amazed and marveled. They said to each other: »Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans?«


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»Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,


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»Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,


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But Peter, stood up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them: »You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem let me explain this to you. Listen to my words.


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»It will come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out from my Spirit upon all flesh. <i>Greek: apo, from</i> Your sons and your daughters will prophesy <i>proclaim Gods Word</i> . Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.


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»And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out <i>a portion from some of</i> my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy: (Joel 2:28)


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»I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.


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»The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable <i>awesome</i> Day of Jehovah arrives. (Joel 2:31)


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»You men of Israel hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God came among you with miracles and wonders and signs. God did these by him in your midst, as you also know:


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»You took this man and delivered him by the determined counsel <i>purpose</i> and foreknowledge of God. With wicked hands you impaled and murdered him.


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»God resurrected him, loosing the pains of death. This is because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it.


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»David spoke concerning him: I had Jehovah always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)


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»Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:


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»Because you will not leave me in the grave, neither will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10)


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»Men and brothers let me freely speak to you about the patriarch David that he is dead and buried. His grave is with us to this day.


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»Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.


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»He seeing this before spoke about the resurrection of Christ. That he would not be left in the grave and his flesh did not see corruption.


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« He is exalted to the right hand of God. He has received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. So he poured out what you now see and hear.


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»For David has not ascended into heaven and yet he said: Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,


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»Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure that God has made that same Jesus, whom you impaled, both Lord and Christ.« (Acts 10:36)


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Now when they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: »Men and brothers, what shall we do?«


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Then Peter said: »Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


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»The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Jehovah our God calls.« (Micah 4:5) (Deuteronomy 6:4)


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He gave a thorough witness with many words and exhorted them, saying: »Save yourselves from this indecent generation.«


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Those who gladly received his word were baptized. About three thousand persons were added the same day.


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They continued devoting themselves to doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.


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They continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart.


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As they praised God, they had favor with all the people. God added to the congregation daily those being saved.


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A man who had been crippled from birth was carried to the gate of the temple called Beautiful. There he begged for handouts from those who entered the temple.


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Then Peter said: »We have no money but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.«


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He took him by the right hand, and lifted him up. Immediately his feet and anklebones received strength.


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He leaped up, stood and walked. He entered the temple with them walking, and leaping, and praising God.


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They knew he was the one who begged at the Beautiful gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement because of what happened to him.


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The beggar held on to Peter and John while all the people came to them at the place called Solomons Colonnade.


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When Peter saw this he spoke to the people: »You men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you look at us as though our own power or holiness made this man walk?


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»The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus. You handed him over to Pilate. When he was determined to let him go you denied him.


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»This man you see and know was made strong by his faith in the name of Jesus. His faith has given him total healing in your presence.


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»The things God fulfilled he announced beforehand by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.


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»Repent therefore, and turn around, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times <i>seasons</i> of refreshing shall come from the presence of Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 18:18, 19)


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whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things. God spoke about this through all his holy prophets since the world began.


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»Moses said to the fathers, Jehovah will raise up for your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to all the things he speaks to you. (Deuteronomy 18:18)


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»It will happen. Every person who will not listen to the prophet will be destroyed from among the people.


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»You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made with our fathers. He said to Abraham: All the families of the earth will be blessed in your seed.


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»God raised up his servant and sent him to you first. He sent him to bless you and to turn every one of you from your wicked ways.«


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As they spoke to the people, the chief priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them.


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They were annoyed because they taught the people through Jesus. They preached the resurrection from the dead.


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Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.


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»Let it be known to you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you impaled and whom God raised from the dead, even by him this man stands before you healed.


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»There is no salvation in anyone else. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.«


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They observed the confidence of Peter and John. Yet they thought they were uneducated <i>not formally educated</i> and ordinary men. They were amazed and recognized them as having been with Jesus.


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They said: »What shall we do to these men? The fact that a notable miracle has been done by them is evident to all who live in Jerusalem. And we cannot deny it.


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»We must warn these men not to speak about it in order to stop this from spreading further among the people.«


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Peter and John answered: »You judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God.


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When they further threatened them, they let them go. They found no basis for punishment because of the people for all men glorified God for that which was done.


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Being released, they went to their own and reported all that the chief priests and elders said to them.


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When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: »Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them.


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»You spoke by the mouth of your servant David: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Psalm 2:1)


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»The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Jehovah, and against his Christ. (Psalm 2:2)


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Truly both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the people of the nations and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you have anointed.


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»Now Jehovah behold their threats and grant that your servants keep speaking your word with boldness.


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When they prayed, the place where they assembled together was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.


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The congregation that believed was of one heart and mind. No one claimed his or her own possessions for everything was common property.


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The apostles witnessed about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. Grace <i>Gods loving kindness</i> was upon them all.


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There was no needy person among them for as many as possessed land or houses sold them, and brought the money from the things that were sold.


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Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, <i>this meaning: The son of consolation,</i> was a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus.


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They kept back part of the money. His wife was also knowledgeable of the transaction. They brought part of the funds to the apostles.


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Peter said: »Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the money from the land sale?


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While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why did you conceive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.«


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Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things.


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Peter said to her: »Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price?« And she said: »Yes, we did.«


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Then Peter said: »How is it that you have agreed together to put Jehovahs Spirit to the test? Look, those who buried your husband are at the door to carry you out.«


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Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband.


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The apostles performed many wonders among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomons porch.


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They brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and cots in order that the shadow might fall on them when Peter passed by.


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Crowds came from the cities near Jerusalem. They brought sick people and people with unclean spirits and everyone of them was healed.


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Then the high priest rose up, and all those of the sect of the Sadducees who were with him were filled with zeal <i>indignation</i> .


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When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him. He called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.


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»We found the prison locked with the guards standing before the doors. When we opened it we did not find a man.«


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When the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted them. They wondered what this would come to.


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Someone came to them and told them: »The men you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people.«


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Then the captain with the officers brought them in without violence. They feared the people lest they should have been stoned.


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»Did we command you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are willing to bring this mans blood upon us.«


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»God exalted him to his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.


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»We are witnesses of these things. The Holy Spirit, which God gave to those who obey him, also witnessed.«


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One of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people. He commanded to put the apostles outside for a while.


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»Sometime ago Theudas claimed to be somebody. About four hundred men joined and obeyed him. He was killed and they finally dispersed.


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»After this man Judas of Galilee rose in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all who obeyed him dispersed.


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»I tell you: Leave these men alone. If this message and this work are from men it will come to nothing.


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»But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; otherwise you may find yourselves fighting against God.«


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They agreed with him and called the apostles. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.


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They taught daily in the temple and in every house. They did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.


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The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.


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The twelve called the congregation of the disciples to them. They said: »It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God and serve tables.


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»Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.


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The idea pleased the whole congregation. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch,


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The word of God increased. The number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. Even a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.


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Certain men arose from the synagogue. It was called the synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians. Some of them were from Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen.


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They secretly induced me to say: »We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.«


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They stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and pursued him. They caught him and brought him to the council.


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They brought false witnesses, which said: »This man will not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.


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»We heard him say: This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.«


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He said: »Men, brothers and fathers, listen; The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.


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»He said to him: Get out of your country and away from your relatives. Go to the land that I will show you.


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»He went out of the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. After his father died, God moved him to this land, where you now dwell.


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»He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. Yet he promised that he would give it to him and his seed after him for a possession. This promise was made before he had a child.


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»God spoke to this effect, that his seed would be alien residents in a strange land. They would enslave them, and mistreat them for four hundred years.


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»I will judge the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, said God, and after they will come serve me in this place.


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»He gave him the covenant of circumcision. Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became father to Jacob and Jacob fathered the twelve family heads.


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»The family heads were jealous of Joseph and sold him as a slave into Egypt. However, God was with him.


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»And God delivered him out of all his afflictions. He gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Pharaoh made him governor over Egypt and his entire house.


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»A famine and great suffering came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan. Our fathers found no food.


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»The second time Joseph got acquainted with his brothers and Pharaoh was told about Josephs family.


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»Their bodies were brought to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem.


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»He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our fathers so that they cast out their young children and they did not survive.


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»Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged the oppressed one by killing the Egyptian.


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»He supposed his brothers would understand how God by his hand would deliver them but they did not understand.


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»The next day he appeared to them while they were fighting. He wanted to unite them and said, You are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?


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»The one who was treating his neighbor unjustly pushed him away, saying: Who made you our ruler and judge?


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»When he heard this talk Moses fled and became a stranger in the land of Median, where he became father to two sons.


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»At the end of forty years, Jehovahs angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai in a flame of fire in a bush. (Exodus 3:3)


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When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. He drew near to look at it and the voice of Jehovah came to him.


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»He said: I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled and did not dare to look further.


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»Jehovah said: Take the sandals from your feet for the place where you stand is holy ground. (Exodus 3:5)


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»I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come to deliver them. Come, I will send you into Egypt.


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»This Moses whom they refused, saying: Who made you ruler and judge? God sent him to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.


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»He brought them out. He showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.


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»This is the Moses that said to the children of Israel, your God will raise up a prophet like me from your brothers.


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»This one was with our father in the congregation in the wilderness. The angel spoke to him on Mount Sinai. He received the living oracles to give to us.


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»Our fathers would not obey him. They sent him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt.


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»They said to Aaron: Make us gods to go in front of us. We do not know what happened to this Moses, who led us out of Egypt.


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»They made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.


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»God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven. It is written in the book of the prophets: O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?


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»Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan. You made figures to worship them. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.


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»Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.


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»Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Joshua into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David;


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»Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will you build me? Said Jehovah God. What is the place of my rest? (Isaiah 66:1)


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»You obstinate men who are uncircumcised in heart and ears. You always resist the Holy Spirit as your fathers did.


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»Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? They killed those who announced in advance the coming of the righteous one whom you have betrayed and murdered.


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Being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.


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They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young mans feet. His name was Saul.


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He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice: »Jehovah, do not charge this sin against them.« After saying this he fell asleep in death.


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Saul agreed to his death. There was at that time a great persecution against the congregation at Jerusalem. All but the apostles were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.


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Saul ravaged the congregation. He entered every house and dragged off men and women and put them in prison.


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The people with one accord gave heed to those things Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles he did.


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Unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many who were possessed by them. Many who were taken with palsies and the lame were healed.


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A certain man called Simon was in the same city. He used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, telling everyone that he was great.


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They all listened to him, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man has great power from God.


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When they believed what Philip preached about the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.


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Simon also believed. When he was baptized he continued with Philip, amazed by the miracles and signs he saw.


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When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.


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When Simon saw the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money.


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Peter said to him: »Your money will perish with you, because you think that the gift of God may be purchased with money.


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Simon answered: »Pray to God for me, that none of these things that you have spoken will happen to me.«


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When they had testified and preached the word of Jehovah they returned to Jerusalem, and preached the good news in many villages of the Samaritans.


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Gods angel said to Philip: »Arise, and go toward the south the way that goes from Jerusalem unto Gaza through the desert.«


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He went and an Ethiopian eunuch <i>government official</i> , a man of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship.


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Philip ran to him, heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said: »Do you understand what you are reading?«


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»How can I«, the eunuch said: »unless someone explains it to me?« He invited Philip to come and sit with him.


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The Scripture he read was this: »He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth.


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»In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who will declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.«


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The eunuch asked Philip: »Please tell me of whom is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?«


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On their way, they came to a body of water and the eunuch said, »See, here is water. What prevents me from getting baptized?«


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Philip said: »If you believe with all your heart, you may.« He answered: »I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.«


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He commanded the chariot to stop. They both went into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.


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After they came out of the water Gods Spirit took Philip away. The eunuch did not see him again. He continued his journey rejoicing.


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Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest.


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He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.


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Saul got up from the ground. Even though he opened his eyes, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus.


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The disciple Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision: »Ananias.« He replied: »Yes, I am here, Lord.«


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The Lord said to him, »Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for he is praying.


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»He has seen a man named Ananias in a vision. He came in and laid his hand on him that he might receive his sight.«


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Ananias answered: »Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem.


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The Lord said to him: »Be on your way. This man is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the people of the nations, and kings and the children of Israel.


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Ananias went his way. He entered the house and put his hands on him and said, »Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you along the road sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.«


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Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he received sight. He got up and was baptized.


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All who heard him were amazed. They asked: »Is he the one who raised havoc with those who called on this name in Jerusalem? Did he come for that purpose to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?«


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Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.


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When Saul came to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples. They were afraid of him and did not believe he was a disciple.


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Barnabas led him to the apostles. He declared to them how he had seen the Lord in The Way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.


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He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He had a dispute with the Greek speaking Jews and they made attempts to kill him.


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The congregations throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria, were built up. They walked in deep respect for Jehovah and were comforted by the Holy Spirit and continued to grow.


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Peter said to him: « Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole! Stand up and take your bed.« And he stood up immediately.


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A disciple named Tabitha was at Joppa. Her name, when translated means Dorcas. This woman did many good works and gave gifts of mercy.


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Since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him requesting that he come to them quickly.


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Peter went to them right a way. When he arrived they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.


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Peter put them all outside, kneeled down, and prayed. He turned to the body and said: »Tabitha, rise!« She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.


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He gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then he called the holy ones and widows and presented her alive.


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He was a devout man who respected God with his entire household. He gave many gifts of mercy to the people and prayed to God always.


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About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw a vision. An angel of God came to him and said, »Cornelius.«


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He looked at him and was afraid. »What is it, Lord?« He replied. The angel said: »God hears your prayers and sees your gifts of mercy.


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When the angel who spoke to Cornelius left, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who was his attendant.


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The next day they journeyed to the city. As they drew near, Peter went to the housetop to pray. It was about the sixth hour.


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He saw heaven opened, something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners was descending to the earth.


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The voice spoke to him again the second time: »You stop calling defiled that which God has cleansed.«


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While Peter doubted in himself what this vision ment, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius inquired for Simons house, and stood at the gate.


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Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius. He said: »I am the one you are looking for. Why did you come?«


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They said: »We come from Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who respects God. He has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say.«


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He invited them in to be his guests. The next day Peter went away with them. Brothers accompanied them from Joppa.


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The day after that they entered Caesarea. Cornelius expected them so he called his relatives and close friends to join him.


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He said to them: »You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to keep company, or approach someone of another nation. But God revealed to me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.


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»Therefore I came to you without objection, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore for what intent you sent for me?«


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Cornelius replied, »Four days ago I was praying at this hour. It was the ninth hour and I prayed in my house. A man dressed in bright clothing stood before me.


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»Send to Joppa, and call Simon, whose surname is Peter. He lives in the house of the tanner named Simon by the sea. When he comes he will speak with you.


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»Immediately I sent for you. You have done well for you have come. We are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded to you from God.«


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»You know the Word of God was sent to the children of Israel. He <i>Jehovah God</i> presented peace through the anointed Lord <i>or Master</i> of all, Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36) (Jesus identified his father, Jehovah God, as Lord of all heaven and earth at Matthew 11:25)


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»You know that message which began in Galilee and was published throughout all Judea, after the baptism that John preached.


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God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. God was with him.


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»We are witnesses of all things that he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a stake.


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»However, all the people did not see him. Witnesses who were previously chosen by God saw him. We who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead saw him.


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»He commanded us to preach to the people. We testify that he was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.


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»All the prophets testify that through his name whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins.«


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Those circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of Holy Spirit was also poured out on the people of the nations.


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»Can any man keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit as we have.«


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He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.


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The apostles and brothers in Judea heard that the people of the nations also received the word of God.


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»I was in the city of Joppa praying. In a trance I saw a vision. A vessel descended like a great sheet. It let down from heaven by four corners and it came to me.


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»I looked in it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things and birds of the air.


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»The Spirit told me to go with them and not to doubt them. These six brothers accompanied me when we entered the mans house.


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»He showed us how he had seen an angel in his house that stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.


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»Then I remembered what the Lord said, John indeed baptized with water. However you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.


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»Since God gave them the same gift as he gave to us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could oppose God?«


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When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: »God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.«


text:
Those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to the Jews.


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Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. When they came to Antioch they spoke to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus.


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News of these things came to the ears of the congregation in Jerusalem. They sent Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch.


text:
When he arrived he saw the grace of God and was glad. He exhorted them all to remain true to the Lord as their only purpose of heart.


text:
When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation for a whole year. They taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.


text:
One of them was named Agabus. He indicated through the Spirit that a great famine was about to come on the entire earth. He said it would come to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.


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The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.


text:
He saw that it pleased the Jews so he captured Peter also. This happened during the feast of unleavened bread.


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When he apprehended him, he put him in prison. He turned him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. After Passover he would be presented to the people.


text:
It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door.


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Suddenly Gods angel came to him. A light shined in the prison. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up saying: »Get up quickly.« And his chains fell off of his hands.


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The angel said: »Dress yourself and put on sandals. Put on your coat and follow me.« So Peter did as he was told.


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Peter followed him out of the prison. He did not know what the angel was doing was really happening. He thought he saw a vision.


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They went past the first and second guard to the Iron Gate that leads to the city. The gate opened and went out on the street. The angel then departed from him.


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Peter came to himself and he said: »Now I know for sure that God sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jews.«


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After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray.


text:
When she recognized Peters voice she was so overjoyed she ran back into the house to tell others he was there. She forgot to open the door for him.


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They said to her: »You are mad.« But she kept insisting that it was so. Then they said: »It must be his angel.«


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Peter motioned for them to be quiet. Then he told them how God brought him out of the prison. He said: »Tell James and the brothers.« Then he went away to another place.


text:
Herod had a thorough search made for him and could not find him. He cross examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Herod went from Judea to Caesarea to stay for a while.


text:
Herod highly disagreed with them at Tyre and Sidon. But they finally came to an agreement. They secured the support of Blastus a trusted personal servant of the king. They desired peace because their country was supported by the kings country.


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Immediately the angel of God killed him, because he did not give God the glory. He was eaten by worms and died.


text:
Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their mission. They took with them John, surnamed Mark.


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There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.


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As they ministered to God, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said: »Set Barnabas and Saul apart for the work I have called them.«


text:
They preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews at Salamis. John was also there as an attendant.


text:
They traveled the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they found Barjesus. He was a sorcerer, a false prophet and a Jew.


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He was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.


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And said: »You child of the devil, full of all subtlety and mischief, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of Jehovah?


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»Look Jehovahs hand is on you. You will be blind and not see the sun for a season.« Immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness. He went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.


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Paul and his company put out to sea from Paphos. They went to Perga in Pamphylia. John left them to return to Jerusalem.


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When they left Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia. They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.


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After the public reading of the law and the prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying: »You men and brothers if you have a message of encouragement for the people speak.«


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Then Paul stood up gestured with his hand and said: »Men of Israel, and you who reverence God, listen.«


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»The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. He brought them out of Egypt with his great strength.


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»Afterward they desired a king. God gave Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, to them for forty years.


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»When he removed him, he made David their king. He testified about him when he said: I found David the son of Jesse is a man after my own heart. He will do my will.


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»As John accomplished his purpose he asked: Who do you think I am? I am not that one. One comes after me whose shoes I am not worthy to untie.


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»Men and brothers, children of Abraham, and you of the nations who respect God, the message of salvation is sent to you.


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»The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not know Jesus. They fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath when they condemned Jesus.


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»When they had fulfilled all that was written about him, they took him down from the stake, and laid him in a tomb.


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»God has fulfilled this promise to their children by resurrecting Jesus. Just as it is written in the second psalm: You are my Son, today I have become your father. (Psalms 2:7)


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»He raised him up from the dead, never to decay. It is stated in these words: I will give you the sure blessings promised David. (Isaiah 55:3)


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»After David served his own generation by doing the will of God he died and was buried with his fathers. His body decayed.


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»You should know, men and brothers that it is through this man Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.


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»Through him all who believe are justified from all things. You could not be justified through the Law of Moses.


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»Look among the nations, watch, and be amazed. Though you are told you will not believe the work I do today.« (Habakkuk 1:5)


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When the Jews left the synagogue the people asked for this message to be preached to them the next Sabbath.


text:
When the congregation dismissed, many followed Paul and Barnabas. They urged them to continue in the grace of God.


text:
When the Jews saw the crowds they were filled with envy. They spoke against those things Paul spoke. They contradicted and blasphemed him.


text:
Paul and Barnabas became very bold, and said: »It was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken to you. But seeing you reject it you judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life! Therefore we turn to the people of the nations.


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»Jehovah commanded us with these words: I appoint you as a light to the nations. My salvation will come to the ends of the earth.« (Isaiah 49:6)


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And when the people of the nations heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were receptive to eternal life believed.


text:
The Jews incited the devout and honorable women and the leading men of the city. They caused persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their coasts.


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Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue of the Jews at Iconium. There they spoke to a great crowd of Jews and Greeks who became believers.


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The unbelieving Jews stirred up the people of the nations and poisoned their minds against the brothers.


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The apostles stayed there for a long time. They spoke boldly by the authority of God who proved that their message about his grace was true by giving them the power to perform miracles and wonders.


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Then some of the people of the nations and Jews, together with their leaders, decided to mistreat the apostles and stone them.


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They knew about it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the country around them.


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Seeing what Paul did, the crowd lifted up their voice, saying in Lycaonian: »The gods have come down to us, becoming like men.«


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Then the priest of Jupiter whose temple was there in the city, brought cattle and garlands to the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.


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When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they ripped their clothes, and ran in among the people.


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They said: »Sirs, why do you do these things? We are only men like you. We bring you good news. You should turn from these worthless things to the living God. He is the God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things.


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»He has not left himself without witness. For he did good and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.«


text:
Jews from Antioch and Iconium took control of the crowd. They persuaded the people to stone Paul. Then they threw him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.


text:
The disciples gathered around him and he stood up. They went into the city and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.


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After they preached the good news to that city and taught many, they returned again to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.


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They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith. They said, »We must enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation.«


text:
When they had ordained elders in every congregation they prayed with fasting. They commended them to God, on whom they believed.


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They sailed to Antioch, where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work they completed.


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The congregation gathered and reported all God had done with them how he had opened the door of faith to the nations.


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Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: »You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses.«


text:
Paul and Barnabas had an intense <i>harsh</i> dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question.


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The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers.


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Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them.


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The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: »It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.«


text:
After much discussion Peter got up and said: »Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe.


text:
»God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us.


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»Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear?


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The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations.


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»I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12)


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»That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12)


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»We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood.


text:
The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.


text:
They wrote letters as follows: »The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.


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»Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment!


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»It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.


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»For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.


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»You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell <i>best wishes</i> .«


text:
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the crowd together, they delivered the letter.


text:
After time passed Paul said to Barnabas: »Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the Word of God, and see how they are doing.«


text:
Their disagreement was so great between them that they parted company. So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus.


text:
Paul arrived at Derbe and Lystra where he saw a disciple named Timothy. He was the son of a Jewish woman, and his father was a Greek.


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Paul wanted to have him travel with him. So he had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in the area. For they knew that his father was a Greek.


text:
They went through the towns and delivered to the believers the rules decided upon by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. They told them to obey those rules.


text:
The Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia. So they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.


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When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.


text:
Paul had a vision that night. In it he saw a Macedonian standing and pleading with him, »Come over to Macedonia and help us!«


text:
After Paul had this vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia. We decided that God had called us to preach the good news to the people there.


text:
From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia. It is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there.


text:
On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the river where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women who gathered there.


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A woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple came from Thyatira. She worshipped God because God opened her heart to listen to the things spoken by Paul.


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When she and her household were baptized she came to us saying, »If you judge me to be faithful to God, come to my house, and stay there.« She absolutely insisted that we come.


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A young woman who had a spirit of divination met us as we were going to the place of prayer. She brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.


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She followed Paul and cried out: »These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.«


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She did this for many days. This troubled Paul. So he turned and said to the spirit, »I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!« And it came out that very hour.


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When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.


text:
They took them to the magistrates and said: »These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city.


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The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods.


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After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe.


text:
Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them.


text:
Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyones bands came off.


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The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.


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That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized.


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He took them to his house and fed them. They rejoiced along with his entire house, having believed in God.


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The jailor reported the words to Paul, saying: »The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore go in peace.«


text:
Paul said to them: »They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out privately? No I say, but let them come in person to bring us out.«


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The officers reported these words to the magistrates. They feared when they heard that they were Romans.


text:
They left the prison and entered the house of Lydia. When they saw the brothers they comforted them and then left.


text:
They passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.


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Paul went in, for it was his custom. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbath days.


text:
He explained and proved that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. And that Jesus is the Messiah.


text:
Some of them were convinced <i>believed</i> and joined with Paul and Silas. A large crowd of the devout Greeks and of the prominent women also joined.


text:
The Jews were moved with jealousy so they gathered bad people who organized a crowd for a riot. They assaulted the house of Jason in order to bring them out to the crowd.


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When they did not find them they dragged Jason and other brothers before the rulers of the city. They said: »These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.«


text:
Jason welcomed them. They all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.


text:
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived there they went to the synagogue of the Jews.


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The Bereans were nobler than those in Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness of mind and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul told them was true.


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When the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Beroea, they went there and stirred up the crowds and caused trouble.


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Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. He sent orders to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible.


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Paul waited for them at Athens. His spirit was irritated within him when he saw the city full of idols.


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So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons. He went to the marketplace every day with those who would meet with him.


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The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said: What is this babbler saying? Others: He seems to be advocating strange gods because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.


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They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus. They said, »May we know what is this new teaching?


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The Athenians and the strangers who lived there spent their time doing nothing else except talking about and listening to new ideas.


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Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said: »Men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious.


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« As I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: »To An Unknown God.« What you worship as unknown, this I will proclaim to you.


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»The God that made the world and all things in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not live in temples made with hands.


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»From one person he made every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. He determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation.


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»In him we live, and move, and have our existence. Your own poets have said: For we are also his offspring.


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»Being then the offspring of God, we should not think that the divine being is like gold, or silver, or stone, a device made by mans design or skill.


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»He has established a day <i>time</i> in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man <i>Jesus</i> whom he has ordained. Of that he gives proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.« (John 5:22) (Isaiah 2:4) (Acts 10:42)


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Some mocked when they heard about the resurrection of the dead. Yet others said: »We will hear you again concerning this«.


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Some men joined themselves to him and believed. Included among the believers were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


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There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus who is currently from Italy with his wife Priscilla. Claudius commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. So he came to them.


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Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia. He witnessed to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.


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When they opposed Paul and treated him abusively he shook out his garment and said to them: »Your blood is upon your own heads. I am clean. From now on I will go to the people of the nations.«


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He left the synagogue and went next door to the house of a man named Titus Justus, one who worshiped God.


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Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord and so did his household. Many of the Corinthians who heard and believed were baptized.


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When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.


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Paul was about to speak when Gallio said to the Jews: »If you Jews were about to complain about some crime it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.


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»But it involves questions about words and names in your own law so look to it yourselves. I will not be judge of these matters.«


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They all grabbed Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the court. Gallio did not care about this.


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Paul stayed many days. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria. Also with Paul were Priscilla and Aquila. Paul clipped this hair short in Cenchreae because of a vow.


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After spending some time there he departed through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.


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A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was an Alexandrian who had a comprehensive knowledge of the scriptures and spoke eloquently.


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This man had been instructed in Gods way. Being fervent in spirit he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.


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He spoke boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him home and explained Gods word more accurately.


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When he decided to travel to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him. They wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived he was a great help to those who by grace believed.


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He powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.


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While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country to Ephesus, and found some disciples.


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He said to them: »Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?« They said: »We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit.«


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Paul said: »John baptized with the baptism of repentance. He told the people they should believe in Jesus, the one who came after John.«


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He entered the synagogue and spoke boldly reasoning and persuading about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.


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Some were obstinate and publicly maligned The Way before the crowds. He departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.


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This continued for two years so that all who lived in this part of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.


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Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his body were put on the sick and the evil spirits went away.


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Some Jews went around driving out evil spirits saying: »In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches I command you to come out!«


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The man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, and overpowered them. He gave them such a beating that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


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This became known to all both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. They were all afraid. The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.


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Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books and burned them in the sight of everyone. When they totaled the value of them it came to about fifty thousand pieces of silver.


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After this ended Paul was directed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem after he passed through Macedonia and Achaia. He said: »After I have been there, I must also see Rome.«


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A man named Demetrius, a silversmith made silver shrines of Diana. He brought a lot of business to the craftsmen.


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They gathered together along with similar related workmen, and said: »Sirs, You know we receive a good income from this business.


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»You see and hear that Paul, in Ephesus and throughout all Asia, has persuaded and turned away many people. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.


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»There is danger that our trade will lose its good name. The temple of the great goddess Artemis <i>Diana</i> would then become useless. The goddess who is worshiped in all Asia would be robbed of her divine majesty.«


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When they heard this they were filled with anger. They shouted: »Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.«


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The city was filled with the confusion. They rushed with one accord into the theatre and seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel.


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Some cried one thing and others another for the crowd was in confusion. Most of them did not know why they assembled.


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The crowd of Jews thrust Alexander forward. Alexander motioned with his hand and wanted to make a defense to the people.


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They perceived that he was a Jew and all with one voice shouted for two hours: »Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.«


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The city recorder quieted the crowd. He said: »You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?


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»If Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him have a grievance against any man, the courts are open, and there are judges. Let them accuse one another.


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»For indeed we are in danger to be charged with rioting <i>sedition</i> because of todays events. We would not be able to account for this ruckus for there is no reason for it.«


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After the uproar ceased Paul sent for the disciples. He encouraged them. Then he left for Macedonia.


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After three months he set sail for Syria. He decided to return through Macedonia. He left there because the Jews formed a plot against him.


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Those who accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.


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We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread. Five days later we met them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.


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On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul spoke to them. Intending to depart the next morning he prolonged his speech until midnight.


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A young man named Eutychus sat in the window. He was very sleepy. Pauls talk was long and he fell asleep. He fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.


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He went up and they broke bread and ate. He talked with them a long time until morning. Then he left.


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We went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos. We intended to take Paul on board for he had arranged to go there on foot.


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Paul decided to sail past Ephesus so he might not spend time in Asia. He was in a hurry to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.


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When they arrived he said: »You know from the first day that I set foot in Asia, I was with you all the time,


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serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials that came on me by the plots of the Jews.


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»I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house.


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»I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.


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»I am compelled by the spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there.


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»I do not consider my life of any account. It is not dear to me so that I may finish the race, and I may accomplish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to preach the good news of the grace of God.


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»Be on guard for yourselves and the flock that the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Feed the Congregation of God that he purchased with the blood of his own <i>Son</i> .


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»Now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace. This is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.


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»In all things I gave you an example. You by laboring should help the weak. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.«


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They all wept profusely, and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him. <i>embraced him hugged him</i> (Genesis 45:14)


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What grieved them most was his statement that they would not see him again. They accompanied him to the ship.


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After we parted from them we set sail with a straight course to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and then to Patara.


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We passed to the south of Cyprus and sailed to Syria. We landed at Tyre where the ship unloaded its cargo.


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Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Guided by the Spirit the disciples urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.


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When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye.


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The next morning we left for Caesarea where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist and one of the seven.


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Coming to us he took Pauls belt and bound his own feet and hands. He said: »The Holy Spirit says, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the nations.«


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Why do you weep and break my heart? Paul answered: »For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.«


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The disciples from Caesarea brought us to the home of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we stayed.


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After Paul greeted them he reported in detail what God had done among the nations through his ministry.


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Those who heard it glorified God. They said to him: »You see brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed. They are all zealous for the law.


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»They have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the nations to forsake Moses. You tell them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.


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Take these men and join in on their purification rites. Let them shave their heads. All will know there is no truth in the things they have heard about you, that you walk orderly and keep the law.


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Concerning those of the nations who have believed, we write: they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.


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Then Paul took the men and became purified with them. They went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.


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When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple stirred up the entire crowd and laid hands on him.


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They shouted: »Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and defiled this holy place.«


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They had previously been with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple.


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The entire city was aroused, and the people ran together from all directions. They laid hold on Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. Immediately the doors were shut.


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They were seeking to kill him when tidings came to the military commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.


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At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul.


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Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.


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Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.


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And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, »Might I say something to you?« He replied: »Do you know Greek?


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But Paul said, »I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people.«


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The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:


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»I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you.


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»I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison.


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»The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.


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»While I was traveling I came near Damascus about midday. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed around me.


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»I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.


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»I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus.


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»A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there.


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»He came and stood by me, and said: Brother Saul, see again! At that very moment I saw again and looked at him.


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»He said: The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice.


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»I saw the Lord. He said to me: Hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people here will not accept your witness about me.


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»I answered, Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you.


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»When your witness Stephen was put to death, I was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the coats of his murderers.«


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The people listened to Paul until he said this. Then they shouted at the top of their voices: »Away with him! Kill him! He is not fit to live!«


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The Roman commander ordered his men to take Paul into the barracks. He told them to whip him in order to find out why the Jews were screaming like this against him.


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When they tied him up to be whipped Paul said to the officer standing there, »Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not been tried for a crime?«


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When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked him: »What are you doing? That man is a Roman citizen!«


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The commander said: »I became one by paying a large amount of money.« »I am one by birth,« Paul answered.


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At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.


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The commander wanted to find out for sure what the Jews were accusing Paul of. The next day he had Pauls chains taken off and ordered the chief priests and the whole Council to meet. Then he took Paul and made him stand before them.


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Paul looked straight at the Council and said: »Fellow Israelites! My conscience is perfectly clear about the way in which I have lived before God to this very day.«


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Paul said to him: »God will strike you, white washed wall! Do you sit judging me according to the Law, and against law command me to be struck?«


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Then Paul said, »I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest. It is written: You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.«


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When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: »Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.«


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The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. The Pharisees believe both.


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There arose a great cry. The scribes who were on the Pharisees side arose and spoke, »We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.«


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The dispute became so violent the commander was afraid they would pull Paul to pieces. He commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him from among them by force, and to bring him into the barracks.


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The following night the Lord stood by him and said: »Be of good courage, Paul, for just as you testified about me in Jerusalem, so you also must bear witness at Rome.«


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When day arrived some of the Jews came together and united with an oath saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.


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They went to the chief priests and elders and said: »We have united with a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.


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»Now therefore you, with the Sanhedrin, inform the commander that he bring him down to you tomorrow. You say you would inquire some more regarding him. We are ready to put him to death before he comes near.«


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Paul called one of the centurions and said: »Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.«


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The officer took him to the commander, and said: »The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to say to you.«


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The commander took him by the hand and led him off by himself, and asked: »What do you have to tell me?«


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He said: »The Jewish authorities have agreed to ask you tomorrow to take Paul down to the Council. They want you to pretend the Council wants to get more accurate information about him.


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»Do not give in to them. There are more than forty men lying in wait for him. They are united with an oath that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready and looking for a promise from you.«


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So the commander sent the young man away commanding, »Tell no one that you have told these things to me.«


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He called two centurions, saying, »Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea. Also prepare seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night.


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»The Jews seized this man and were about to kill him. I learned that he is a Roman citizen, so I went with my soldiers and rescued him.


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»I found that he did not do a thing for which he deserved to die or be put in prison. The accusation against him had to do with questions about their own law.


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»When I was informed that there was a plot against him, I decided to send him to you. I told his accusers to make their charges against him before you.«


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They took him to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor. Then they turned Paul over to him.


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The governor read the letter and asked Paul what province he was from. When he found out that he was from Cilicia,


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he said, »I will hear you fully when your accusers arrive.« He commanded him to be kept in the praetorian of Herod.


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After five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders. They brought an orator, Tertullus, who made a statement to the governor against Paul.


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»We have seen peace under your rule. Excellent accomplishments have come to this nation due to your forethought. We acknowledge this with profound gratitude, most excellent Felix.


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»We have found this man to be a troublemaker who stirs up sedition <i>resists lawful authority</i> among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.


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»He commanded his accusers to come to you. Examine him yourself and you will learn the truth about these charges we bring against him.«


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The governor motioned for Paul to speak. He said, »I know that you have been a judge for this nation for many years. For this reason I cheerfully make my defense.


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»They did not find me in the Temple, in the synagogues nor in the city disputing with any man. Neither did I cause a riot with the people.


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»This I confess to you that according to The Way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of our fathers. I believe all the things written in the law and the prophets.


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»I have hope toward God, which they also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.


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»Except for one utterance I cried out while standing among them. It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am called in question by you this day.«


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When Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them saying, »When Lysias the commander comes here I will decide your case.«


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He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him.


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A few days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ.


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He reasoned about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Felix trembled, and answered: »Go your way for now. When I have time I will send for you.«


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He hoped that Paul would give him money to free him. He sent for him frequently and conversed with him.


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After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Felix was willing to show the Jews a favor. He left Paul in prison.


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They desired favor against him that he would transfer him to Jerusalem. Then they would ambush him along the way and kill him.


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He said: »Let those who have authority among you go there with me to present your case against this man if there is anything out of the way about the man.«


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After he stayed there more than ten days, he went to Caesarea. The next day he sat in judgment. He commanded Paul be brought before him.


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When he arrived the Jews who also came there from Jerusalem presented many grievous complaints against Paul. They could not prove them.


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Paul defended himself: »Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I committed any sin.«


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Festus was willing to do the Jews a favor, so he answered Paul: »Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?«


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»I stand at Caesars court,« Paul replied, »where I ought to be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you are finding out.


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»If I am a wrongdoer, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if charges brought against me by the Jews are not true no man has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.«


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Then Festus conferred with his council and answered: »Have you appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go.«


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While they were there Festus declared Pauls cause to the king. He said, »There is a man that Felix left a prisoner.


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»When I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him. They desire to have judgment against him.


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»I told them it is not the Roman practice to deliver any man to die before his accusers face him. He should answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.


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»When they came before me, without any delay I sat in judgment, and commanded the man to be brought in.


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»When the accusers took the stand they produced no charge of the wicked things I supposed about him.


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»They had questions against him about their own superstition. They had one about Jesus, who is dead, but Paul affirmed to be alive.


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»Since I doubt such manner of questions, I asked him if he would go to Jerusalem to be judged there of these matters.


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»Paul appealed to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus. So I commanded him to be kept until I might send him to Caesar.«


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Then Agrippa said to Festus: »I would also hear the man myself.« Festus replied: »Tomorrow, you will hear him.«


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The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived with great elegance. They entered the place of hearing with the commanders and important men of the city. Festus gave the order for Paul to be brought in.


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Festus said, »King Agrippa and all men who are present with us, you see this man, about whom all the crowds of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he should not live any longer.


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»I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death. He has appealed to Augustus and I have determined to send him.


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»I have no certain thing to write to my lord. I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, O king Agrippa, that, after examination I might have something to write.


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Agrippa said to Paul, »You are permitted to speak for yourself.« Then Paul stretched out his arm and began his defense,


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»I would be happy, King Agrippa, to answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which the Jews accuse me.


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»I know you are an expert in all customs and controversy among the Jews. Therefore I urge you to hear me patiently.


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»They knew me from the beginning. They could testify that I was from the strictest sect of our religion and I lived as a Pharisee.


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»Our twelve tribes served God day and night with the promise and hope of what was to come. It is because of this hope that the Jews accuse me, King Agrippa.


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»That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death.


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»I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities.


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»At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me.


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»We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. <i>You only hurt yourself.</i>


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»Stand up on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things that you have seen, and of those things I will show to you.


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»To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. They may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.


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»I preached first to Damascus, and to Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the people of the nations, that they should repent and turn to God, and prove their repentance by deeds.


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« Having obtained help from God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those that the prophets and Moses said should come.


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»That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the nations.«


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While he was defending himself, Festus said with a loud voice: »Paul, you are beside yourself. Much learning has made you mad.«


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»For the king knows about these things. I speak freely to him for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For this was not done in a corner.


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Then Agrippa said to Paul: »In a short time you would persuade <i>convince</i> me to become a Christian.«


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Paul replied, »I pray to God, that you and also all that hear me this day were altogether such as I am, except for these bonds.«


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As they left they talked between themselves, saying, »This man does nothing worthy of death or of prison.«


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When it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to a man named Julius, a centurion of the band of Augustus.


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We entered a ship at Adramyttium and set sail. We intended to sail by the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica was with us.


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The next day we landed at Sidon. Julius treated Paul in a kind way and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.


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We sailed slowly for many days and had problems arriving off Cnidus. The wind did not allow us to hold our course. So we sailed to the downwind part of Crete near Salmone.


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It was difficult to move along the coast. We came to a place called Fair Havens near the town of Lasea.


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Much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous. Because the fast was over Paul admonished them,


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»Men, I see that our voyage from here on will be dangerous. There will be great damage to the cargo and to the ship, and loss of life as well.«


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But the army officer was convinced by what the captain and the owner of the ship said, and not by what Paul said.


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It was not a good harbor in which to spend the winter. Nearly everyone was in favor of putting out to sea and trying to reach Phoenix in order to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete that faces southwest and northwest.


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A gentle wind from the south began to blow. The men thought they could accomplish their plan. So they pulled up the anchor and sailed as close as possible along the coast of Crete.


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It hit the ship and it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind. We gave up trying and let it be carried along by the wind.


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We had shelter when we passed to the south of the little island of Cauda. There, with some difficulty we managed to make the ships boat secure.


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They pulled it aboard and then fastened some ropes tight around the ship. They were afraid that they might run into the sandbanks <i>quicksand</i> off the coast of Libya, so they lowered the sail and allowed the ship be carried by the wind.


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The sun and stars did not appear for many days. No small tempest pressed upon us. All hope of our being saved was taken away.


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After they spent a long time without eating Paul stood up and said: »Sirs, you should listen to me. You should not have put out to sea from Crete to sustain this damage and loss.


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»He said, »Paul, do not be afraid. You must stand before Caessar and God has graciously given you the lives of you and all who sail with you.


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On the fourteenth night we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria. About midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.


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They sounded and found twenty fathoms. After a little space they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms.


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Fearing they would be cast ashore on rocky ground they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.


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The sailors were seeking to flee from the ship. They lowered the boat into the sea by pretending they were lowering some anchors from the bow.


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Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers: »Unless these men remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.«


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At daybreak Paul encouraged all of them to eat some food, saying, »This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue without food.


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»I encourage you to take some food for this is for your safety. Not a hair will perish from the head of any of you.«


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After he said this he took some bread, gave thanks to God in the presence of all. He broke it and began to eat.


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When daylight came they saw no land. But they thought they saw a bay with a beach. They debated whether to drive the ship upon it.


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They threw the anchors overboard and left them in the sea. At the same time they untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach.


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The ship stuck fast on a sandbar and ran aground. The bow struck fast and would not move. Then the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.


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The centurion desired to save Paul so he kept them from doing what they planned. He commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard, and get to the land first.


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The natives there were very friendly to us. It started to rain and was cold, so they built a fire and made us all welcome.


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Paul gathered an armful of sticks and put them on the fire. A snake came out on account of the heat and fastened itself to his hand.


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The natives saw the snake hanging on Pauls hand and said to one another: »This man must be a murderer, but Fate will not let him live, even though he escaped from the sea.«


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The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. They waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him. They changed their minds and said he was a god.


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A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly. We were his guests for three days.


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His father was sick in bed. He suffered from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, placed his hands on him, and made him well.


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They honored us with many gifts. When we were going to set sail, they put whatever we needed on board.


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After three months we sailed on an Alexandrian ship that wintered at the island. The ship had the gods Castor and Pollux carved on its front.


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We sailed from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day a south wind began to blow, and two days later we arrived at the city of Puteoli.


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We came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we arrived at Rome.


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When the brothers had news for us they came out from town as far as Appius Forum <i>Market place on the Appian Road</i> and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us. Paul saw them and praised God. He was encouraged.


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When we arrived at Rome they allowed Paul to have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.


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Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews. When they assembled, he said to them: »My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.


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»They questioned me and were ready to set me free, for they found me not guilty of any crime deserving death.


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»When the Jews brought charges against me again I presented my cause to Caesar for I said nothing against my nation.


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They said to him: »We have not had letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers have come to us to give an account or say any evil about you.


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»We desire to hear your opinion concerning this sect. We have knowledge that it is attacked in all places.«


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So they set a date with Paul. A large number of them came that day to the place where Paul was staying. From morning till night he explained his message about the Kingdom of God to them. He tried to convince them about Jesus by quoting from the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets.


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So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: »How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors!«


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He said, »Go and say to this people, You will listen and listen, but not understand. You will look and look, but not see.


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»These people have closed their mind and are hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. They never turn to me for healing.


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He spread the message about Gods Kingdom and taught boldly about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one stopped him!


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Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed <i>set apart</i> for the good news of God,


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This is about his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who came from the seed of David according to the flesh.


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He was declared to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.


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Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name.


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To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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First, I thank my God for all of you through Jesus Christ, for your faith is reported throughout the whole world.


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God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit <i>whole heart and mind</i> in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.


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I want you to know, brothers, that I was often determined to come to you, but was hindered until now, that I might have some fruit among you as well as the rest of the nations.


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I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith <i>believes</i> , to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


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It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: »The righteous shall live by faith.«


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The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.


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His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse,


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for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.


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They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.


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God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.


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They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


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For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.


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Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error.


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They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate <i>depraved</i> mind, to do things that are not fitting.


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They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers,


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backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


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They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.


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You who judge have no excuse. For when you judge another you condemn yourself. After all you do the same things.


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What do you reason O man? When you judge these things, and you also do them, do you think that you will escape the judgment of God?


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Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?


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Thanks to your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you store up wrath for yourself, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.


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<i>He offers</i> everlasting life for those who search for incorruptible glory and honor by enduring in good works.


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Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation.


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<i>There will be</i> tribulation and distress on every person who works evil, for the Jew first and for the Greek.


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<i>There will be</i> glory, honor and peace to every one who does good works, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.


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For all who have sinned without law will perish without law. All who have sinned under law will be judged under law.


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When those of the nations, who have no law, practice by nature the things of the law they are a law to themselves even though they do not have any law.


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They show the work of the law written in their hearts. Their conscience also bears witness, and their thoughts accuse or excuse them.


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This is in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my good news, by Jesus Christ.


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You are an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law.


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You who say man should not commit adultery do you commit adultery? You who abhors idols do you rob temples?


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The name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, just as it is written. (Ezekiel 36:20, 21)


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Circumcision is a benefit if you obey the law. But if you are a transgressor of the law your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.


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If therefore someone not circumcised obeys the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be considered circumcision?


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The uncircumcised person is by nature, fulfilling the law. He will judge you because you transgress the law with your written code and circumcision.


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He is not a Jew who is one on the outside. Neither is circumcision that which is on the outside in the flesh.


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But he is a Jew who is so on the inside with circumcision of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.


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Certainly not! But let God be true, and every man false. It is written: So that you should be proved righteous in your words and should overcome when you are judged.


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If our unrighteousness defines Gods righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his anger is he? I speak in human terms.


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But what if my untruth serves Gods glory by making his truth stand out more clearly? Why should I be condemned as a sinner?


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Why not say, »Let us do evil so that good may come?« Some people have insulted me by accusing me of saying this very thing! They should be condemned and they will be.


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Are we Jews in any better condition than the people of the nations? Not at all! I have already shown that Jews and the people of the nations are all under the power of sin.


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»All have turned away from God; they have all done wrong. No one does what is right, not even one.« (Psalm 53:3)


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»Their throat is an open grave. They have practiced deceit with their tongues. The poison of snakes is under their lips.« (Psalm 5:9)


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We know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law. Every mouth may be stopped and the entire world may become liable to God for punishment.


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But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.


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God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.


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being justified freely by his grace <i>as a gift</i> through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.


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God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation <i>atonement</i> by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before.


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It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.


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Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith.


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Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also.


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Do we nullify the law through faith? No we do not! In fact, we establish <i>continue stand by uphold</i> the law.


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For what does the scriptures say? »Abraham believed Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.« (Genesis 15:6)


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He who does not work but believes in him who justifies <i>absolves</i> the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.


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Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: »To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness.«


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How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:


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He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them.


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The father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham that he had when he was not circumcised.


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The promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world was not through the law but through righteousness by faith.


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The law produces wrath <i>violent passion indignation</i> . But where there is no law there is no sin.


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For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace <i>divine influence loving-kindness</i> . The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.


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It is written: »I have made you a father of many nations.« <i>This was</i> in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist.


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In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: »So your descendants will be.«


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Not being weak in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead <i>he being about a hundred years old</i> , and the deadness of Sarahs womb.


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Yet, he looked to the promise of God. He did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith. He gave the glory to God!


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It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,


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We are justified <i>acquitted made righteous</i> by faith. And we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.


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We have access to grace <i>Gods favor</i> by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.


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Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is Gods gift to us.


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For scarcely for a righteous man will one die. Perhaps for the good man some one would even dare to die.


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But God demonstrates <i>commends</i> his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.


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While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son. Being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.


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We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation <i>restoration atonement divine favor</i> .


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Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned.


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Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adams transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later.


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But the two are not the same, because Gods gift <i>spiritual endowment</i> is not like Adams sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But Gods grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ.


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And there is a difference between Gods gift <i>spiritual endowment</i> and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness.


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It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ.


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The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification <i>acquittal</i> , which brings life for all men.


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Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous.


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The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased Gods loving kindness increased even more.


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And what for? Just as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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Or are you ignorant to the fact that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?


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We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death. Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, that we might walk in the newness of life.


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If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be in the likeness of his resurrection.


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We know this that our old self was impaled with him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer be in bondage to sin.


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For the death that he died, he died with reference to sin once. But the life that he lives, he lives to God.


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Consider yourselves to be dead with reference to sin, but alive with reference to God through Christ Jesus.


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Also do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness for God.


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Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient servants you are his <i>voluntary</i> servants because you obey him? This could be obedience to sin with death in view or obedience to righteousness with holiness in view?


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But thanks to God, that you were the servants of sin yet you became obedient from the heart to the teachings delivered to you.


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I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. You once presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to sin. Now you present your members as servants to righteousness and sanctification <i>purification holiness</i> .


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Now you are free from sin and are servants to God. You have your fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting <i>eternal</i> life.


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For the wages of sin is death, but the gift from God is everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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Do you not know, for I speak to men who know the law, that the law has dominion <i>jurisdiction</i> over a man as long as he lives?


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Law binds the married woman to her husband while he lives. But if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.


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So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she will be called an adulteress. If the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.


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Brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ; that you should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.


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When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.


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We have been discharged <i>released</i> from the law. We have died to that by which we were held. So we serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.


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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet.


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But sin, finding occasion, worked out in me through the commandment all manner of coveting. Apart from the law sin is dead.


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Did that which is good become death to me? God forbid! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good. This way sin might be shown to be sin. Through the commandment sin could be recognized.


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I know that good does not live in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it.


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If I do what I do not want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it. Instead, it is the sin that lives in me.


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I find that this law is at work. When I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have.


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However I see a different law at work in my body. This law fights against the law that my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin that is at work in my body.


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Thanks to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ! So then I can serve Gods law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.


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Those who live through <i>in union with because of</i> Jesus Christ have no condemnation. <i>They do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.</i>


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The law of the Spirit gives us life through <i>with because of</i> Christ Jesus. It has set me free from the law of sin and death.


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God did what the Law could not do, because human nature was weak. He sent his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and do away with sin. So he condemned sin in sinful human nature.


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God did this so that the righteous requirements of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.


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They who live according to flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. They who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.


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The mind of sinful flesh <i>fleshly thought</i> means death; but the mind influenced by the Spirit gives life and peace.


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This is because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. It is not subject to the law of God for it cannot be.


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But you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed Gods Spirit dwells in you. If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him.


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If Christ is with you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit is life on account of righteousness.


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If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from among the dead dwells with you, he who raised Christ from among the dead shall also make your mortal bodies alive. This is on account of his Spirit that dwells with you.


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So then, brothers we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh <i>human nature</i> ,


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for if you live according to flesh, you are about to die. If by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.


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For you have not received a spirit of bondage again causing fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Father, Father! <i>Chaldee: Abba, meaning father</i> .


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The Spirit itself <i>Greek:autos ho pneuma itself the Spirit</i> bears witness with our spirit <i>mind and heart</i> , that we are children of God.


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If children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him we may also be glorified with him.


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I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.


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For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation <i>revelation disclosure</i> of the sons of God.


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For the creation was subject to corruption, not by its own will but by reason of the one who subjected it on the basis of hope.


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The creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.


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We also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption and the release from our bodies by ransom.


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Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. We do not know what we should pray for, as we should. The Spirit <i>of God</i> makes intercession with groaning that cannot be spoken.


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So he who searches the hearts knows what is the inclination <i>purpose mind-set</i> of the Spirit <i>of God</i> , because the Spirit makes intercession for the holy ones according to the will of God.


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We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.


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Those he first recognized, he ordained in advance that they be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


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He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous.


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He that did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things?


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Who will bring any charge against the ones God has chosen? It is God who justifies <i>makes righteous</i> .


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Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.


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Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?


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It is written: »For your sake we are put to death all day long. We are considered as sheep for the slaughter.« (Psalm 44:22)


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For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,


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Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 6:12)


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I could wish that I were accursed <i>separated banned excommunicated</i> from Christ for the good of <i>in behalf of</i> my countrymen and brothers <i>the Jews</i> .


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They are Israelites and the adoption belongs to them. They have the glory of the covenants. The law was given to them along with the service and promises.


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The forefathers belong to them from whom came the Christ according to the flesh. God who is over all is blessed forever. Amen.


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It is not because they are Abrahams that they are all children, but: »What will be called your seed will be through Isaac.« (Genesis 21:12)


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That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as seed.


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When they had not yet been born nor performed anything good or vile, so the purpose of God regarding the choosing would continue without dependence on works but on the One who calls.


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He says to Moses, »I will show mercy to the one I choose to show mercy, and I will feel compassion for the one I choose to feel compassion.«


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The scripture says to Pharaoh: »For this reason I have raised you up, that I might through you, show my power and declare my name in all the earth.«


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Yes, but you, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: »Why have you made me this way?« (Isaiah 45:9)


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Or does the potter not have authority over the clay? Can he make out of the same lump one vessel to honor, and another for common use? (Jeremiah 18:6)


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If God decided to show his wrath and make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fit for destruction.


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In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory.


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He says also in Hosea: »Those who are not my people I will call my people. And she who is not loved I will call loved.«


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In the place where it was said to them: »You are not my people, they will be called Sons of the living God.« (Hosea 2:23)


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Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: »Should the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved.


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»He is bringing the matter to an end, and cutting it short in righteousness. Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth.« (Isaiah 10:22)


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Just as Isaiah said earlier: »Unless Jehovah of Hosts had left a seed to us, we should have become like Sodom, and Gomorrah.« (Isaiah 1:9)


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What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith.


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Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone.


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It is written: »Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed.« (Isaiah 8:14)


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They are ignorant of Gods righteousness. They seek to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God.


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Moses writes down the righteousness that is of the law. The man who has practiced those things shall live by them.


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But the righteousness of faith speaks this way: »Do not say in your heart: who will ascend to heaven? That is, to bring Christ down;


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But what does it say? »The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.« It is the »word« of faith, which we preach. (Deuteronomy 30:8-20)


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If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and have active faith in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


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For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. The same Lord <i>God</i> of all is abounding in riches for all who call on him.


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How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to preach?


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How will they preach unless they have been sent? Just as it is written: »How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace and who bring good tidings of good things! For they proclaim salvation and say to Zion: »Your God reigns as king!« <i>Hebrew: Elohiym malak: God rules!</i> (Isaiah 52:7)


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But they have not all obeyed the good news. For Isaiah says: »Jehovah, who has believed our message?« (Isaiah 53:1)


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I say: Have they not heard? Yes in fact their sound went »into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited earth.« (Psalm 19:4)


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I say Israel did not know. First Moses said: »I will provoke you people to rivalry through that which is not a nation, and I will anger you with a foolish nation.« (Deuteronomy 32:21)


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Isaiah is very bold, and says: »Those who did not seek me found me. I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me.«


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But to Israel he says: »All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who are disobedient and self-willed <i>obstinate</i> .« (Isaiah 65:1, 2)


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I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.


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God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel?


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»Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.« (1 Kings 19:14, 18)


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What does God say in answer to him? »I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.«


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If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace <i>undeserved kindness</i> . But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works.


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What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded <i>rendered stupid hardened made insensitive</i> .


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It is written, »God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day.« (Deuteronomy 29:4)


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David says, »Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them.


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I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy.


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Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean?


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I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify <i>honor praise celebrate</i> my ministry.


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If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh <i>fellow countrymen</i> , and might save some of them.


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If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?


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Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them.


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Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.


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Observe both Gods kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off.


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If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.


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If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?


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I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits <i>estimation</i> . Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in.


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In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob.


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Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers sake.


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In times past you have not believed <i>did not obey</i> God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:


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O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments. His ways are beyond human understanding!


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I request <i>urge implore</i> you brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.


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Do not be conformed to this world <i>religious, social, political, and economic arrangement</i> . But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.


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I say through the grace given to me that every man among you should not think more highly of himself than he ought to think. But to think soberly, just as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.


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These many members are one body in Christ, and every one, individually, is a member one of the other.


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We have gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us. Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;


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or he who exhorts; on exhortation; he who gives let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.


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Be of the same mind as others. Do not think lofty things but be led along by lowly things. Do not be wise in your own conceit <i>self-love vanity estimation</i> .


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Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourselves, instead leave room for divine punishment, for it is written: Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 32:35)


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Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.


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Let every person be subject to superior authorities. For there is no authority except by God. God allows the authorities to serve in their positions.


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For rulers are objects of fear, not to good works, but to the evil. Will you not have respect for the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it.


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He is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.


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You must be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also for the sake of your conscience.


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Render therefore to all their due. Provide tribute to whom tribute is due. Give custom to whom custom is owed. Render fear to whom fear is owed and offer honor to whom honor is deserved.


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Owe no man any thing but to love one another. He that loves another has fulfilled <i>obeyed</i> the law.


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For the Law code says: You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not bear false witness, and you must not covet. If there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying; namely, you must love your neighbor as yourself.


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You know the time. It is the hour for you to awake from sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we became believers.


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The night is far along and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.


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Let us walk honestly as in the daytime, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy.


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Put on <i>live like clothe yourself with</i> the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.


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Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating. Let the one who does not eat judge him that eats, for God has received him.


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Who are you to judge another mans servant? He stands or falls before his own master. Yes, he will be made to stand for God can make him stand.


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One person judges one day above another. Another person judges every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.


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He who regards the day regards it to God and he who does not regard the day does not regard it to God. He, who eats, eats to God, for he gives God thanks. He who does not eat does not eat to God and he gives God thanks.


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For if we live, we live to God and if we die, we die to God. Therefore should we live or die, we are Gods.


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To this end Christ both died, and rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.


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Why do you judge your brother? Why do you look down on your brother with contempt? We will all stand before the judgment seat of God <i>Theos</i> .


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It is written: As I live, says Jehovah, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge <i>confess to</i> Jehovah. (Isaiah 45:23)


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Let us not judge one another any more. Let no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way.


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I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean in itself. If someone thinks something is unclean it is unclean to him.


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If because of your food your brother is grieved, you do not walk in love. Do not allow what you eat to destroy the one for whom Christ died.


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For the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


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Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.


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It is good neither to eat food, nor to drink wine, nor any thing that causes your brother to stumble or be offended and weakened.


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Do you have faith? Have it for yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in that thing that he allows.


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We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not just please ourselves.


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For even Christ did not please himself. However it is written, »The reproaches <i>insults</i> hurled at you have fallen on me.« (Psalm 69:9)


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The things written in earlier times were written for our instruction, that we through endurance and the encouragement from the Scriptures might have hope.


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Now may the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.


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To this end you may glorify God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one accord <i>language united expression</i> .


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Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.


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That the nations might glorify God for his mercy as it is written: »For this cause I will confess you to the people of the nations, and sing to your name.«


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And again, Isaiah says: »Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious.« (Isaiah 11:10)


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Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.


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I am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.


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Nevertheless, brothers, I have written more boldly to you on some points, keeping you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me from God,


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That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the nations, ministering the good news of God, that the offering of these nations might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


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I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed.


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Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ.


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I have strived to preach the good news, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another mans foundation:


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It is written, »To whom he was not announced, they shall see: and those who have not heard shall understand.« (Isaiah 52:15)


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I have no more places to go in these parts, and have a great desire these many years to come to you.


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When I take my journey to Spain, I will come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and to be escorted on my way by you, after I have been satisfied with your company.


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It pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor holy ones in Jerusalem.


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It pleased them to do so and they are debtors for this. If the nations have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in physical things.


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I am sure that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ.


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Now I beg you, brothers, for the Lord Jesus Christs sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.


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That I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted by the holy ones.


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Receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones. Assist her in whatever business she has need of from you. She has been a great help to many people including me.


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They have risked their own necks for my life. I not only thank them but also the congregations of the nations give thanks.


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Likewise greet the congregation that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is of the first fruits <i>converts</i> of Asia to Christ.


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Greet Andronicus and Junia. They are my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are well known among the apostles. They were in Christ before me.


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Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus, for they are in the Lord.


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Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.


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Now I beseech you, brothers, mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them.


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They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unaware.


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Your obedience has come to our attention abroad. I am glad therefore on your behalf. Yet I would have you wise to that which is good and simple concerning evil.


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The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


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Gaius my host and the whole congregation, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.


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Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, which was kept secret since the world began.


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It is now made known by the Scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God. It is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.


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This letter is from Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.


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To the congregation of God at Corinth. To you, who are sanctified in Christ Jesus. You who are called to be holy ones, with all whom in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. He is both their Lord and ours.


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He will also confirm <i>establish</i> you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there are no divisions among you. You should be perfectly joined together <i>united</i> in the same mind and thought.


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Concerning that I say, that each one of you said, »I follow Paul;« and »I follow Apollos;« and »I follow Cephas;« and »I follow Christ.«


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I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides that I do not know whether I baptized any others.


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Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the good news: not with wisdom of words, lest the stake of Christ be emptied of its effect.


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For the preaching of the stake is foolishness to those who perish. It is the power of God to us who are saved.


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It is written: »I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.« (Isaiah 29:14)


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Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


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This is the wisdom of God that the world through its wisdom did not come to know God. God was well pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.


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To those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, it is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.


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Consider your calling, brothers. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.


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Instead God chose the foolish things of the world to confuse <i>shame</i> the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to confuse <i>shame</i> the things that are mighty.


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God also chose the base things of the world, and things which are despised, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are.


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It is because of him you are united with Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.


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Brothers, I did not come to you with superiority of speech or with human wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.


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My speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,


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How is it we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who come to nothing <i>are doomed to destruction</i> ?


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We speak the wisdom of God in a secret, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the ages <i>generations and human entities</i> for our glory.


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None of the rulers of this age knew <i>understood</i> for had they known it they would not have impaled the glorious Lord <i>esteemed Master</i> .


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It is written: »Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, and it has not entered into the heart of man, the things God prepared for those who love him.« (Isaiah 64:4)


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But God revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit investigates <i>searches</i> all things, yes even the deep things of God.


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For what man knows the things of a man, except the mental disposition that is in man? Even so no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God.


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Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God. This is so we might know the things that are freely given to us from God.


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We speak these things, not in the words that man's wisdom teaches. But we speak them with the words the Holy Spirit teaches comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.


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But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to him! He cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


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»Who has understood the mind of Jehovah, or has instructed him, as his counselor?« (Isaiah 40:13) But we do have the mind <i>purpose feelings thoughts understanding</i> of Christ.


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Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as fleshly men, as babes <i>infants</i> in Christ.


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You are still fleshly! There is envy, strife, and divisions among you. Do you not walk as ordinary men?


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While one said, »I belong to Paul;« and another, »I belong to Apollos;« are you not fleshly human beings?


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Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?


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Now he who plants and he who waters are one <i>in purpose</i> and every man will receive his own reward according to his own labor.


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For we are fellow workers together with God. You are God's field under cultivation. You are God's building.


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According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let every man take heed how he builds.


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every man's work will be made known, for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will prove what sort every man's work is.


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God will destroy any man who defiles the temple of God! For the temple of God is holy. You are that temple!


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Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.


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For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. It is written: »He catches the wise in their own craftiness <i>deception</i> .« (Job 5:13)


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And again: »Jehovah knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain <i>useless empty</i> .« (Psalm 94:11)


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Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours!


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But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.


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Do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make apparent the counsels of the hearts. Then each mans praise will come from God.


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Brothers I have applied these things to myself and to Apollos for your sakes. That way you might learn the value of the saying: Do not go beyond the things written. None of you should be arrogant <i>self-important</i> against one another.


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For who made you superior to <i>different than</i> another? What do you have that you did not receive? If you did receive it, why do you brag, as if you did not receive it?


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You are full and now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us. I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.


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For I think that God has placed us apostles last as men appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.


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We are fools for Christ. But you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we are despised.


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Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst. We are naked. We are treated badly and we are homeless.


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being slandered, we answer kindly. We are made as the filth of the world and are the refuse of all things to this day.


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Though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.


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I send Timothy, my beloved son faithful in the Lord, to you for this purpose. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ, just as I teach it in every congregation.


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But I will come to you shortly, if God wills, and I will get to know what the proud ones do and not what they say, but their power.


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What do you want? Shall I come to you with punishment or with love, and in the mild spirit of meekness?


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It is reported that there is sexual immorality among you. This type of fornication is not even found among the people of the nations <i>who do not know God</i> . There is a man who has his fathers wife.


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And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness that he did this deed. And you should have ejected <i>expelled excommunicated disfellowshiped</i> him from your congregation.


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I am not there with you in person. But I am with you in spirit. I have already judged the man who did this.


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When you assemble in the name and with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, I will be with you in spirit.


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Deliver this one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.


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Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new batch of dough. For even Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us.


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Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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Yet you cannot completely avoid the fornicators of this world, nor the greedy persons, nor cheaters and robbers, nor those who worship idols. To do so you would have to leave this world.


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I wrote you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother who is a fornicator, or who is greedy, or who worships idols, or constantly gets drunk, or cheats people. Do not even eat with such a person.


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What have I to do with judging those outside <i>in the world</i> ? Do we not judge those who are inside <i>the congregation</i> ?


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If you have a dispute with another <i>Christian</i> do you dare to go to a law court before judges who are ungodly? Why not let the holy ones decide who is right?


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Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if you will judge the world, are you unworthy to judge these small matters?


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If you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, would you appoint as judges those who mean nothing to the congregation?


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I speak to shame you. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? Not one who would be able to judge between his brothers?


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It is already a defeat for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not let yourself be wronged? Why not let your selves be defrauded <i>cheated</i> ?


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Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor people who worship idols, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,


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nor thieves, nor covetous <i>greedy</i> , nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, will inherit the kingdom of God.


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That is what some of you were. You have been washed clean and now you are sanctified. The Spirit of our God declares you righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus.


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All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient <i>profitable good</i> . All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the authority <i>power control</i> of anything.


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Foods are for the belly, and the belly for foods, but God will destroy both of them. Now the body is not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.


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Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and unite them with <i>turn them into</i> the members of a prostitute? God forbid!


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What? Do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one <i>united with her</i> body? For he said: »Two will be one flesh.«


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Flee from fornication! Every sin that a man does is outside his body. But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.


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What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? That one <i>Greek: »hos he ho« which, that one</i> is in you. You received it from God. You are not your own.


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Concerning the things that you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch <i>have sex with</i> a woman.


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Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.


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The wife has no authority over her own body, but her husband does. Likewise also the husband has no authority over his own body, but his wife does.


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Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent for a time. That way you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. Then come together again, that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.


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I prefer that all men were as I am. But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.


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But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. It is better to marry than to be inflamed <i>with lust</i> .


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To the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord commands do not let the wife depart from her husband.


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If she leaves, let her remain unmarried or become reconciled to her husband. A husband should not divorce his wife.


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To the others, I speak and not the Lord. If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him he should not divorce her.


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And the woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce him.


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For the wife sanctifies the unbelieving husband, and the husband sanctifies the unbelieving wife. Otherwise your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.


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If the unbelieving leave, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases for God has called us to peace.


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Wife how do you know that you will save your husband? Husband how do you know whether you will save your wife?


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But as God has distributed to every person so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the congregations.


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Is any man called being circumcised? He should not become uncircumcised. Is any called who is not circumcised? He should not be circumcised.


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He who is called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman. Likewise also he who is called, being free, is Christ's slave.


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Now concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord. Yet I give my opinion as one who has obtained the mercy of the Lord to be faithful.


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If you marry you have not sinned. If a virgin marries she has not sinned. Those who marry will face many problems in this life and I want to spare you.


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I will say this brothers the time remaining is short. So from now on those who have wives should be like those who have none.


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Those who weep should be like those who do not weep. And those who rejoice should be like those who do not rejoice, and those who buy like those who do not possess.


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I want you to be free from anxiety. He who is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord.


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There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. She who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.


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I say this for your benefit and not to restrict you. I show you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things.


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If any man thinks he behaves improperly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth, let him do what he will, he does not sin if they get married.


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Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virginity he does well.


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So then he who gives his virginity in marriage does well; but he who does not get married does even better.


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The wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord.


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But she is happier if she remains as she is. This is my opinion and I think I also have the Spirit of God.


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Concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.


