# verses

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Then the earth will produce grain, olive oil and fresh wine. And Israel will be called Jezreel. That is because I will answer her prayers.


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I will plant her in the land for myself. I will show my love to the one I called Not My Loved One. I will say, 'You are my people' to those who were called Not My People. And they will say, 'You are my God.' "


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The Lord said to me, "Go. Show your love to your wife again. She is loved by another man. And she has committed adultery. But I want you to love her just as I love the people of Israel. They turn to other gods. And they love to offer raisin cakes to Baal and eat them. In spite of that, I love my people."


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Then I told her, "You must wait for me for a long time. You must not be a prostitute. You must not have sex with any man. And I will wait for you."


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So the people of Israel will live for a long time without a king or prince. They won't have sacrifices or sacred stones. They won't have sacred linen aprons or statues of family gods.


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After that, the people of Israel will return to the Lord their God. They will look to him and to a king from the family line of David. In the last days, they will tremble with fear as they come to the Lord. And they will receive his full blessing.


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People of Israel, listen to the Lord's message. He is bringing charges against you who live in Israel. He says, "There is no faithfulness or love in the land. No one recognizes me as God.


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People call down curses on others. They tell lies and commit murder. They steal and commit adultery. They break all of my laws. They keep on spilling the blood of others.


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That is why the land is drying up. All those who live in it are getting weaker and weaker. The wild animals and the birds of the air are dying. So are the fish in the ocean.


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"But you priests should not blame the people. You should not find fault with one another. After all, your people could also bring charges against you.


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You trip and fall day and night. And the prophets fall down along with you. So I will destroy your nation. She is the one who gave birth to you.


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My people are destroyed because they do not know me. "You priests have refused to obey me. So I will refuse to accept you as my priests. You have not paid any attention to my law. So I will not let your children be my priests.


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The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have traded their glorious God for that shameful god Baal.


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So here is what I will do. I will punish people and priests alike. I will judge them because of their sinful lives. I will pay them back for the evil things they have done.


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"My people will eat. But they will not have enough. They will have sex with prostitutes. But they will not have any children. That is because they have deserted me.


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They have sex with prostitutes. They drink old wine and fresh wine. When they do those things, it destroys their ability to understand.


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They ask a wooden statue of a god for advice. They expect to get answers from a stick of wood. They act like prostitutes. That leads them down the wrong path. I am their God. But they are not faithful to me.


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They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops. They burn offerings on the hills. They worship under oak, poplar and terebinth trees. The trees provide plenty of shade. So your daughters become prostitutes. And your daughters-in-law commit adultery.


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"I will not punish your daughters when they become prostitutes. I will not judge your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. After all, the men themselves have sex with sinful women. They offer sacrifices where temple prostitutes earn their living. People who can't understand will be destroyed!


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"Israel, you are not faithful to me. But I do not want Judah to become guilty too. "My people, do not go to Gilgal to offer sacrifices. Do not go up to Bethel to worship other gods. Do not take an oath and say, 'You can be sure that the Lord is alive.'


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The people of Israel are stubborn. They are as stubborn as a young cow. So how can I take care of them like lambs in a meadow?


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They continue to be unfaithful to me even when their drinks are gone. And their rulers love to do shameful things.


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"Listen to me, you priests! Pay attention, people of Israel! Listen, you members of the royal family! Here is my decision against you. You have been like a trap at Mizpah. You have been like a net spread out on Mount Tabor.


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People of Ephraim, I know all about you. What you are doing is not hidden from me. Now you have joined yourselves to other gods. You have made yourselves 'unclean.'


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"You can't return to me because you have done so many evil things. In your hearts you long to act like prostitutes. You do not recognize me as the Lord.


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Israel, your pride witnesses that you are guilty. People of Ephraim, you trip and fall because you have sinned. Judah, you fall down along with them.


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Israel, you will come to worship me. You will bring your animals to offer as sacrifices. But you will not find me. I have turned away from you.


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You are not faithful to me. Your children do not belong to me. The way you act at your New Moon Feasts will destroy you and your fields.


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"My people, blow trumpets in Gibeah! Blow horns in Ramah! Shout the battle cry in Bethel! Say to Benjamin, 'The Assyrian army is coming!'


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People of Ephraim, you will be completely destroyed when it is time for me to punish you. You can be sure it will happen. I am announcing it among your tribes.


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Judah, your leaders have stolen some land. They have moved their borders farther north. So I will pour out my anger on you like a flood of water.


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Ephraim, you will soon be crushed. The Assyrians will stomp all over you. It will happen because you have made up your minds to chase after other gods.


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"Ephraim, you saw how sick you were. Judah, you saw that you were wounded. Ephraim, you turned to Assyria for help. You sent gifts to the great King Tiglath-Pileser. But he is not able to make you well. He can't heal your wounds.


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Ephraim, I will be like a lion to you. Judah, I will attack you like a powerful lion. I will tear you to pieces. I will drag you off. Then I will leave you. No one will be able to save you.


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I will go back to my home in heaven. I will stay there until you admit you have sinned. Then you will turn to me. You will suffer so much that you will really want me to help you."


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The people say, "Come. Let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces. But he will heal us. He has wounded us. But he'll bandage our wounds.


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After two days he will give us new life. On the third day he'll make us like new again. Then we will enjoy his blessing.


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Let's recognize him as the Lord. Let's keep trying to really know him. You can be sure the sun will rise. And you can be just as sure the Lord will appear. He will come to renew us like the winter rains. He will be like the spring rains that water the earth."


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The Lord says, "Ephraim, what can I do with you? And what can I do with you, Judah? Your love for me vanishes like the morning mist. It soon disappears like the early dew.


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So I used the words of my prophets to cut you in pieces. I used my words to put you to death. When I judged you, I struck you like lightning.


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I want mercy and not sacrifice. I want you to recognize me as God instead of bringing me burnt offerings.


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Just as Adam disobeyed me, you have broken the covenant I made with you. You were not faithful to me in the land I gave you.


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On the road to Shechem, groups of priests act like robbers. They hide and wait to attack people. They murder them and commit other shameful crimes.


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People of Israel, I have seen a horrible thing in your land. People of Ephraim, you have joined yourselves to other gods. You have made yourselves 'unclean.'


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"People of Judah, I have appointed a time for you to be destroyed. "My people, I would like to bless you with great success again."


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The Lord says, "I would like to heal Israel. But when I try to, Ephraim's sins are brought out into the open. The crimes of Samaria are made known to everyone. The people tell lies. They break into houses and steal. They rob others in the streets.


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But they do not realize that I remember all of the evil things they do. Their sins pile up and cover them. I am always aware of those sins.


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But all of the people are unfaithful to the king. Their anger against him burns like the coals in an oven. The baker does not even need to stir up the fire until the dough is ready."


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On special days to honor our king, the princes get drunk with wine. And the king enjoys the party. He joins hands with those who pretend to be faithful to him.


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Their hearts are as hot as an oven. They make evil plans to get rid of him. Their anger burns like a slow fire all night. In the morning it blazes out like a flaming fire.


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All of them are as hot as an oven. They destroy their rulers. All of their kings fall from power. But none of them calls on the Lord for help.


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The people of Ephraim mix with the nations. They are like a flat cake that is baked on only one side.


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People from other lands make them weaker and weaker. But they don't realize it. Their hair is becoming gray. But they don't even notice it.


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The pride of Israel witnesses that they are guilty. But in spite of everything, they don't return to the Lord their God. They don't go to him for help.


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The Lord says, "The people of Ephraim are like a dove. They are easily tricked. They do not have any sense at all. First they call out to Egypt for help. Then they turn to Assyria.


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When they send for help, I will throw my net over them. I will capture them like birds of the air. I will punish them, just as I warned them I would.


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How terrible it will be for them! They have wandered away from me. So they will be destroyed. They have refused to obey me. I long to save them. But they tell lies about me.


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They do not cry out to me from their hearts. Instead, they just lie on their beds and sob. They cut themselves when they pray to Baal for grain and fresh wine. So they turn away from me.


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I am the Most High God. But they do not turn to me. They are like a bow that does not shoot straight. Their leaders will be killed with swords. They will die because they have spoken too proudly. The people of Egypt will make fun of them."


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The Lord said to me, "Put a trumpet to your lips! Give a warning to my people! Assyria is like an eagle. It is ready to attack my land. My people have broken the covenant I made with them. They have refused to obey my law.


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My people appoint kings I do not want. They choose princes without my permission. They use their silver and gold to make statues of gods. That is how they destroy themselves."


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The Lord says, "People of Samaria, throw out your god that looks like a calf! My anger burns against you. How long will it be until you are able to remain faithful to me?


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The Lord says, "Worshiping other gods is like worshiping the wind. It is like planting worthless seeds. Assyria is like a windstorm. That is all my people will harvest. There are no heads of grain on the stems that will come up. So they will not produce any flour. Even if they did produce grain, the Assyrians would eat all of it up.


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So the people of Israel are swallowed up. Now they are like a worthless pot to me among the nations.


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They have gone up to Assyria for help. They are like a wild donkey that wanders around by itself. Ephraim's people have sold themselves to their Assyrian lovers.


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They have sold themselves to the nations to get their help. But now I will gather them together. They will get weaker and weaker. The mighty kings of Assyria will crush them.


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"Ephraim built many altars where they sacrificed sin offerings to other gods. So their altars have become places where they commit sin.


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I wrote down many things in my law for their good. But they considered my laws as something strange.


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They offer sacrifices to me. They eat the meat of the animals they bring. But I am not pleased with any of that. I will remember the evil things they have done. I will punish them for their sins. And they will return to Egypt.


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Israel has forgotten the One who made them. They have built palaces for themselves. Judah has built forts in many towns. But I will send fire down on their cities. It will burn up their forts."


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Israel, don't be joyful. Don't be glad as the other nations are. You haven't been faithful to your God. You love to get paid for being a prostitute. Your pay is the grain at every threshing floor.


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You won't remain in the Lord's land. Ephraim, you will return to Egypt. You will eat "unclean" food in Assyria.


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You won't pour out wine offerings to the Lord. Your sacrifices won't please him. They'll be like the bread people eat when someone dies. Everyone who eats those sacrifices will be "unclean." They themselves will have to eat that kind of food. They can't bring it into the Lord's temple.


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Some of you will escape without being destroyed. But you will die in Egypt. Your bodies will be buried at Memphis. Weeds will cover your treasures of silver. Thorns will grow up in your tents.


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The time when God will punish you is coming. The day when he will judge you is near. I want you to know that. You have committed many sins. And you hate me very much. That's why you think I'm foolish. You think I'm crazy. But the Lord speaks through me.


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People of Ephraim, I'm a true prophet. My God is warning you through me. But you set traps for me everywhere I go. You hate me so much you even wait for me in God's house.


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You have sunk very deep into sin, just as our people did at Gibeah long ago. God will remember the evil things you have done. He will punish you for your sins.


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The Lord says, "When I first found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert. When I saw your people long ago, it was like seeing the early fruit on a fig tree. But then they went to Baal Peor. There they gave themselves to that shameful god Baal. They became as evil as the god they loved.


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Ephraim's greatness and glory will be gone. It will fly away like a bird. Women will no longer have children. They will not be able to get pregnant.


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But suppose they do have children. Then I will kill every one of them. How terrible it will be for them when I turn away from them!"


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Tyre is planted in a pleasant place. And so is Ephraim. But the Assyrians will kill Ephraim's children.


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Lord, what should you do to Ephraim's people? Give them women whose babies die before they are born. Give them women whose breasts don't have any milk.


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The Lord says, "My people did many evil things in Gilgal. That is why I hated them there. They committed many sins. So I will drive them out of my land. I will not love them anymore. All of their leaders refuse to obey me.


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Ephraim is like a worthless plant. Its roots are dried up. It does not produce any fruit. Suppose Ephraim's people have children. Then I will kill the children they love so much."


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My God will turn his back on his people. They have not obeyed him. So they will wander among other nations.


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Israel was like a spreading vine. They produced fruit for themselves. As they grew more fruit, they built more altars. As their land became richer, they made the sacred stones they worshiped more beautiful.


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Their hearts are dishonest. So now they must pay for their sins. The Lord will tear their altars down. He'll destroy their sacred stones.


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Then they'll say, "We don't have a king. That's because we didn't have any respect for the Lord. But suppose we did have a king. What could he do for us?"


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They make a lot of promises. They make agreements among themselves. They take oaths they don't mean to keep. So court cases spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.


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The people who live in Samaria are filled with fear. They are afraid their god that looks like a calf will be carried off from Bethel. They will sob over it. So will the priests who lead them to worship it. The priests were full of joy because their statue was so glorious. But it will be captured and taken far away from them.


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It will be carried off to Assyria. The people of Ephraim will be forced to give it to the great king. They will be dishonored. Israel will be ashamed that all they have left to worship is a wooden god.


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The high places where Israel worshiped other gods will be destroyed. That's where they sinned against the Lord. Thorns and weeds will grow up there. They will cover the altars. Then the people will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" They'll say to the hills, "Fall on us!"


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The Lord says, "Israel, you have done evil things ever since your people sinned at Gibeah long ago. And you are still doing what is evil. War caught up with those who sinned at Gibeah.


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So I will punish you when I want to. Nations will gather together to fight against you. They will put you in chains because you have committed so many sins.


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Ephraim, you were like a well-trained young cow. It loved to thresh grain. I spared its pretty neck from pulling heavy loads. But now I will make you do hard work. Judah also must plow. So all of the people of Jacob must break up the ground.


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Your hearts are as hard as a field that has not been plowed. If you change your ways, you will produce good crops. So plant the seeds of doing what is right. Then you will harvest the fruit of your faithful love. It is time to turn to me. When you do, I will come and shower my blessings on you.


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But you have planted the seeds of doing what is wrong. So you have harvested the fruit of your evil conduct. You have had to eat the fruit of your lies. You have trusted in your own strength. You have depended on your many soldiers.


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But the roar of battle will come against you. All of your forts will be completely destroyed. It will happen just as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in a battle. Mothers and their children were smashed on the ground.


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People of Bethel, that will happen to you. You have committed far too many sins. When the time for me to punish you comes, your king will be completely destroyed."


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The Lord continues, "When Israel was a young nation, I loved them. I chose to bring my son out of Egypt.


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But the more I called out to Israel, the further they went away from me. They brought sacrifices to the statues of the gods that were named after Baal. And they burned incense to them.


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I taught Israel to walk. I took them up in my arms. But they did not realize I was the one who took care of them.


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I led them with kindness and love. I did not lead them with ropes. I lifted the heavy loads from their shoulders. I bent down and fed them.


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"But they refuse to turn away from their sins. So they will return to Egypt. And Assyria will rule over them.


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Swords will flash in their cities. The heavy metal bars on their gates will be destroyed. Their plans will come to an end.


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My people have made up their minds to turn away from me. Even if they call out to me, I will certainly not honor them. I am the Most High God."


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The Lord continues, "People of Ephraim, how can I give you up? Israel, how can I hand you over to your enemies? Can I destroy you as I did the town of Admah? Can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is stirred inside me. It is filled with pity for you.


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My anger will not burn against you anymore. I will not completely destroy you. After all, I am God. I am not a mere man. I am the Holy One among you. My burning anger will not come against you.


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I will roar like a lion against my enemies. You will follow me. When I roar, my children will come home trembling with fear. You will return from the west.


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You will come trembling like birds from Egypt. You will return like doves from Assyria. I will settle you again in your homes," announces the Lord.


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The people of Ephraim tell nothing but lies. Israel has not been honest with me. And Judah continues to wander away from God. They have deserted the faithful Holy One.


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'PV'1 The people of Ephraim look to others for help. It's like chasing the wind. The wind they keep chasing is hot and dry. They tell more and more lies. They are always hurting others. They make a peace treaty with Assyria. They send olive oil to Egypt to get help.


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The Lord is bringing charges against Judah. He will punish Jacob's people because of how they act. He'll pay them back for the evil things they've done.


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Even before Jacob was born, he was holding on to his brother's heel. When he became a man, he struggled with God.


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At Peniel he struggled with the angel and won. He sobbed and begged for his blessing. God also met with him at Bethel. He talked with him there.


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People of Jacob, you must return to your God. You must hold on to love and do what is fair. You must trust in your God always.


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People of Ephraim, you brag, "We are very rich. We've become wealthy. And no one can prove we sinned to gain all of this wealth."


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The Lord says, "I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. But I will make you live in tents again. That is what you did when you celebrated the Feast of Booths in the desert.


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The people of Gilead are evil! They aren't worth anything! Gilgal's people sacrifice bulls to other gods. Their altars will become like piles of stones on a plowed field.


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Jacob ran away to the country of Aram. There Israel served Laban to get a wife. He took care of sheep to pay for her.


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But Ephraim's people have made the Lord very angry. Their Lord will hold them accountable for the blood they've spilled. He'll pay them back for the shameful things they've done.


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When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the other tribes trembled with fear. Ephraim was honored in Israel. But its people sinned by worshiping Baal. So they were as good as dead.


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Now they sin more and more. They use their silver to make statues of gods for themselves. The statues come from their own clever ideas. Skilled workers make all of them. The people pray to those gods. They offer human sacrifices to them. They kiss the gods that look like calves.


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So those people will vanish like the morning mist. They will soon disappear like the early dew. They will be like straw that the wind blows around on a threshing floor. They will be like smoke that escapes through a window.


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The Lord says, "People of Israel, I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. You must not recognize any God but me. You must not have any Savior except me.


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I will attack you like a bear that is robbed of her cubs. I will rip you wide open. Like a lion I will eat you up. Like a wild animal I will tear you apart.


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Where is your king? Wasn't he supposed to save you? Where are the rulers in all of your towns? You said, 'Give us a king and princes.'


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You will suffer pain like a woman having a baby. You are like a foolish child. It is time for you to be born. But you refuse to come out of your mother's body.


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"I will set you free from the power of the grave. I will save you from death. Death, where are your plagues? Grave, where is your power to destroy? "Ephraim, I will no longer pity you.


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Even though you are doing well among the other tribes, trouble will come to you. I will send a hot and dry wind from the east. It will blow in from the desert. Your springs will not have any water. Your wells will dry up. All of your treasures will be taken out of your storerooms.


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People of Samaria, you must pay for your sins. You have refused to obey me. You will be killed with swords. Your little children will be smashed on the ground. Your pregnant women will be ripped wide open."


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Tell the Lord you are turning away from your sins. Return to him. Say to him, "Forgive us for all of our sins. Please be kind to us. Welcome us back to you. Then our lips will offer you our praise.


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Assyria can't save us. We won't trust in our war horses. Our own hands have made statues of gods. But we will never call them our gods again. We are like children whose fathers have died. But you show us your tender love."


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Then the Lord will answer, "My people always wander away from me. But I will put an end to that. My anger has turned away from them. Now I will love them freely.


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I will be like the dew to Israel. They will bloom like a lily. They will send their roots down deep like a cedar tree in Lebanon.


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They will spread out like new branches. They will be as beautiful as an olive tree. They will smell as sweet as the cedar trees in Lebanon.


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Once again my people will live in the safety of my shade. They will grow like grain. They will bloom like vines. And they will be as famous as wine from Lebanon.


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Ephraim will have nothing more to do with other gods. I will answer the prayers of my people. I will take good care of them. I will be like a green pine tree to them. All of the fruit they bear will come from me."


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If you are wise, you will realize that what I've said is true. If you have understanding, you will know what it means. The ways of the Lord are right. People who are right with God live the way he wants them to. But those who refuse to obey him trip and fall.


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Elders, listen to me. Pay attention, all you who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your whole life? Did it ever happen to your people who lived long ago?


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Tell your children about it. Let them tell their children. And let their children tell it to those who live after them.


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The giant locusts have eaten what the common locusts have left. The young locusts have eaten what the giant locusts have left. And other locusts have eaten what the young locusts have left.


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Get up and sob, you people who drink too much! Cry, all you who drink wine! Cry because the fresh wine has been taken away from you.


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The locusts are like an army that has marched into our land. There are so many of them they can't even be counted. Their teeth are as sharp as a lion's teeth. They are like the fangs of a female lion.


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The locusts have completely destroyed our vines. They have wiped out our fig trees. They've stripped off the bark and thrown it away. They've left the branches bare.


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My people, sob like a virgin who is dressed in black clothes. She is sad because she has lost the young man she was going to marry.


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No one brings grain offerings and drink offerings to the Lord's house anymore. So the priests who serve the Lord are filled with sorrow.


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Our fields are wiped out. The ground is dried up. The grain is destroyed. The fresh wine is gone. And there isn't any more olive oil.


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Farmers, be sad. Cry, you who grow vines. Sob because the wheat and barley are gone. The crops in the fields are destroyed.


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The vines and fig trees are dried up. The pomegranate, palm and apple trees don't have any fruit on them. In fact, all of the trees in the fields are dried up. And my people's joy has faded away.


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Priests, put on black clothes and sob. Cry, you who serve at the altar. Come, you who serve my God in the temple. Spend the night dressed in black clothes. Sob because no one brings grain offerings and drink offerings to the house of your God anymore.


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Announce a holy fast. Tell the people not to eat anything. Gather them together for a special service. Send for all of the elders who live in the land. Have them come to the house of the Lord your God. And pray to him.


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The day of the Lord is near. How sad it will be on that day! The Mighty One is coming to destroy you.


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Our food has been taken away right in front of our eyes. There isn't any joy or gladness in the house of our God.


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The seeds have dried up in the ground. The grain is also gone. The storerooms have been destroyed. The barns are broken down.


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Listen to the cattle groan! The herds wander around. They don't have any grass to eat. The flocks of sheep are also suffering.


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Lord, I call out to you. Fire has burned up the grasslands. Flames have destroyed all of the trees in the fields.


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Even the wild animals cry out to you for help. The streams of water have dried up. Fire has burned up the grasslands.


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Priests, blow the trumpets in Zion. Give a warning on my holy mountain. Let everyone who lives in the land tremble with fear. The day of the Lord is coming. It is very near.


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That day will be dark and sad. It will be black and cloudy. A huge army of locusts is coming. They will spread across the mountains like the sun when it rises. There has never been an army like it. And there will never be another for all time to come.


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Like fire they eat up everything in their path. Behind them it looks as if flames have burned the land. In front of them the land is like the Garden of Eden. Behind them it is a dry and empty desert. Nothing escapes them.


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They sound like chariots as they leap over the mountaintops. They crackle like fire burning up dry weeds. They are like a mighty army that is ready for battle.


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The locusts charge ahead like warriors. They climb over walls like soldiers. All of them march in line. They don't turn to the right or the left.


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They don't bump into one another. Each of them marches straight ahead. They charge through everything that tries to stop them. But they still stay in line.


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They attack a city. They run along its wall. They climb into houses. They enter through windows like robbers.


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As they march forward, the earth shakes. The sky trembles as they approach. The sun and moon grow dark. And the stars stop shining.


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The Lord thunders with his mighty voice as he leads his army. He has so many forces they can't even be counted. Those who obey his commands are great in number. The day of the Lord is great and terrifying. Who can live through it?


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The Lord announces to his people, "Return to me with all your heart. There is still time. Do not eat any food. Sob and cry."


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Don't just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He takes pity on you. He won't destroy you.


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Who knows? He might turn toward you and have pity on you. He might even give you his blessing. Then you can bring grain offerings and drink offerings to the Lord your God.


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Priests, blow the trumpets in Zion. Announce a holy fast. Tell the people not to eat anything. Gather them together for a special service.


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Bring them together. Set all of them apart to me. Bring together the elders. Gather the children and the babies who are still nursing. Let the groom leave his bedroom. Let the bride leave their marriage bed.


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Let the priests who serve the Lord sob. Let them cry between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Lord, spare your people. Don't let others make fun of them. Don't let the nations laugh at them. Don't let them tease your people and say, 'Where is their God?' "


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He will reply, "I will send you grain, olive oil and fresh wine. It will be enough to satisfy you completely. I will never allow other nations to make fun of you again.


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"I will drive far away from you the army that comes from the north. I will send some of its forces into a dry and empty land. Those in front will be pushed into the Dead Sea. The ones in back will be driven into the Mediterranean Sea. Their dead bodies will give off a bad smell." The Lord has done great things.


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Wild animals, don't be afraid. The grasslands are turning green again. The trees are bearing their fruit. The vines and fig trees are producing rich crops.


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People of Zion, be glad. Be joyful because of what the Lord your God has done. He has given you the right amount of rain in the fall. He has sent you plenty of showers. He has sent fall and spring rains alike, just as he did before.


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Your threshing floors will be covered with grain. Olive oil and fresh wine will spill over from the places where they are stored.


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The Lord says, "I sent a great army of locusts to attack you. They included common locusts, giant locusts, young locusts and other locusts. I will make up for the years they ate your crops.


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You will have plenty to eat. It will satisfy you completely. Then you will praise me. I am the Lord your God. I have done wonderful miracles for you. My people will never be put to shame again.


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You will know that I am with you in Israel. I am the Lord your God. There is no other God. So my people will never be put to shame again.


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"After that, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will have visions.


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I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.


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The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. It will happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.


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Everyone who calls out to me will be saved. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some of my people will be left alive. I have chosen them. That is what I have promised.


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I will gather all of the nations together. I will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them. I will punish them for what they have done to my people Israel. They scattered them among the nations. They divided up my land among themselves.


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They cast lots for my people. They sold boys into slavery to get prostitutes. They sold girls to buy some wine to drink.


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"Tyre and Sidon, why are you doing things like that to me? And why are you doing them, all of you people in Philistia? Are you trying to get even with me for something I have done? If you are, I will pay you back for it in a quick and speedy way.


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You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks. You wanted to send them far away from their own country.


text:
"But now I will stir them up into action. I will bring them back from the places you sold them to. And I will do to you what you did to them.


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I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah. And they will sell them to the Sabeans far away." The Lord has spoken.


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Announce this among the nations. Tell them to prepare for battle. Nations, get your soldiers ready! Bring all of your fighting men together and march out to attack.


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Hammer your plows into swords. Hammer your pruning tools into spears. Let those who are weak say, "We are soldiers!"


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Come quickly, all of you surrounding nations. Gather together in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Lord, send your soldiers down from heaven!


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The Lord says, "Stir up the nations into action! Let them march into the valley where I will judge them. I will take my seat in court. I will judge all of the surrounding nations.


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My soldiers, swing your sickles. The nations are ripe for harvest. Come. Stomp on them as if they were grapes. Crush them until the winepress of my anger is full. Do it until the wine spills over from the places where it is stored. The nations have committed far too many sins!"


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Huge numbers of soldiers are gathered in the valley where the Lord will hand down his sentence. The day of the Lord is near in that valley.


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The Lord will roar like a lion from Jerusalem. His voice will sound like thunder from Zion. The earth and sky will tremble. But the Lord will keep the people of Israel safe. He will be a place of safety for them.


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The Lord says, "You will know that I am the Lord your God. I live in Zion. It is my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be my holy city. People from other lands will never attack it again.


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"At that time fresh wine will drip from the mountains. Milk will flow down from the hills. Water will run through all of Judah's valleys. A fountain will flow out of my temple. It will water the places where acacia trees grow.


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But Egypt will be deserted. Edom will become a dry and empty desert. They did terrible harm to the people of Judah. My people were not guilty of doing anything wrong. But Egypt and Edom spilled their blood anyway.


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My people will live in Judah and Jerusalem forever. The land will be their home for all time to come.


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These are the words of Amos. He was a shepherd from the town of Tekoa. Here is the vision he saw concerning Israel. It came to him two years before the earthquake. At that time Uzziah was king of Judah. Jeroboam was king of Israel. He was the son of Jehoash. Here are the words of Amos.


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I said, "The Lord roars like a lion from Jerusalem. His voice sounds like thunder from Zion. The grasslands of the shepherds turn brown. The top of Mount Carmel dries up."


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The Lord says, "The people of Damascus have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They used threshing sleds with iron teeth to crush Gilead's people.


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So I will send fire to destroy the palace of King Hazael. It will burn up the forts of his son Ben-Hadad.


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I will break down the city gate of Damascus. I will cut off the king who lives in the Valley of Aven. He holds the ruler's rod in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will be taken away to Kir as prisoners," says the Lord.


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The Lord says, "The people of Gaza have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They captured whole communities. They sold them to Edom.


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I will cut off the king of Ashdod. He holds the ruler's rod in Ashkelon. I will use my powerful hand against Ekron. Every single Philistine will die," says the Lord and King.


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The Lord says, "The people of Tyre have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They captured whole communities. They sold them to Edom. They did not honor the treaty of friendship they had made.


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The Lord says, "The people of Edom have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They chased Israel with swords that were ready to strike them down. They did not show them any pity. They were angry all the time. Their anger blazed out. It could not be stopped.


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The Lord says, "The people of Ammon have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They ripped open the pregnant women in Gilead. They wanted to add land to their territory.


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So I will set fire to destroy the walls of Rabbah. It will burn up its forts. War cries will be heard on that day of battle. Strong winds will blow on that stormy day.


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The Lord says, "The people of Moab have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They burned the bones of Edom's king to ashes.


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So I will send fire to destroy Moab. It will burn up Kerioth's forts. Moab will come crashing down with a loud noise. War cries will be heard. So will the blast of trumpets.


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The Lord says, "The people of Judah have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They have refused to obey my law. They have not kept my rules. Other gods have led them down the wrong path. Their people before them worshiped those gods.


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The Lord says, "The people of Israel have sinned again and again. So I will punish them. They sell into slavery those who do what is right. They trade needy people for a mere pair of sandals.


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They grind the heads of the poor into the dust of the ground. They refuse to be fair to those who are crushed. A father and his son have sex with the same girl. They treat my name as if it were not holy.


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They lie down beside every altar on clothes they had taken until the owner paid back what was owed. In the house of their God they drink wine that was taken as fines.


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"I destroyed the Amorites to make room for my people in the land. The Amorites were as tall as cedar trees. They were as strong as oak trees. But I cut off their fruit above the ground and their roots below it.


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"People of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt. I led you in the desert for 40 years. I gave you the land of the Amorites.


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I raised up prophets from among your children. I also set some of your young people apart to me as Nazirites. Isn't that true, people of Israel?" announces the Lord.


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Your fastest runners will not escape. The strongest people will not get away. Even soldiers will not be able to save their own lives.


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Men who are armed with bows will lose the battle. Soldiers who are quick on their feet will not escape. Horsemen will not be able to save their own lives.


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People of Israel, listen to the Lord's message. It is against you. It is against the whole family he brought up out of Egypt. He says,


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"Out of all of the families on earth I have chosen only you. So I will punish you because you have committed so many sins."


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Does a lion roar in the bushes when it doesn't have any food? Does it growl in its den when it hasn't caught anything?


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Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground where no one has set a trap for it? Does a net spring up from the earth when there isn't anything for it to catch?


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When someone blows a trumpet in a city, don't the people tremble with fear? When trouble comes to a city, hasn't the Lord caused it?


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A lion has roared. Who isn't afraid? The Lord and King has spoken. Who can do anything but prophesy?


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Speak to the people in the forts of Ashdod and Egypt. Tell them, "Gather together on the mountains of Samaria. Look at the great trouble in that city. Its people are committing many crimes."


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"They do not know how to do what is right," announces the Lord. "They pile up stolen goods in their forts."


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So the Lord and King says, "Enemies will take over your land. They will pull down your places of safety. They will rob your forts."


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The Lord says, "Suppose a shepherd saves only two leg bones from a lion's mouth. Or he might save only a piece of an ear. That is how the Israelites will be saved. They sit in Samaria on the edge of their beds. They lie down in Damascus on their couches."


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"Listen to me," announces the Lord. "Witness against the people of Jacob," says the Lord God who rules over all.


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"I will punish Israel for their sins. When I do, I will destroy their altars at Bethel. The horns that stick out from the upper corners of their main altar will be cut off. They will fall to the ground.


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I will tear their winter houses down. I will also pull down their summer houses. The houses they have decorated with ivory will be destroyed. And their princely houses will be torn down," announces the Lord.


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Listen to the Lord's message, you women who live on the hill of Samaria. You treat poor people badly. You crush those who are in need. You say to your husbands, "Bring us some drinks!" But you are already as fat as the cows in Bashan.


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The Lord and King has taken an oath in his own holy name. He says, "You can be sure that the time will come when your enemies will put hooks in your faces. They will lead every one of you away with fishhooks.


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Each of you will go straight out through a gap in the wall. You will be thrown out of the city on the hill where you crush others," announces the Lord.


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"People of Samaria, go to Bethel and sin! Go to Gilgal! Sin there even more! Bring your sacrifices every morning. Every third year, bring a tenth of everything you produce.


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Bake some bread with yeast. Burn it as a thank offering. Brag about the offerings you freely give. That is what you Israelites love to do," announces the Lord and King.


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"I made sure your stomachs were empty in every city. You did not have enough bread in any of your towns. In spite of that, you still have not returned to me," announces the Lord.


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"I also held rain back from you. The time to harvest crops was still three months away. I sent rain on one town. But I held it back from another. One field had rain. Another did not. So it dried up.


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People wandered from town to town to look for water. But they did not get enough to drink. In spite of that, you still have not returned to me," announces the Lord.


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"Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards. I sent hot winds to dry them up completely. Locusts ate up your fig and olive trees. In spite of that, you still have not returned to me," announces the Lord.


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"I sent plagues on you, just as I did on Egypt. I killed your young men with swords. I also let the horses you had captured be killed. I filled your noses with the bad smell of your camps. In spite of that, you still have not returned to me," announces the Lord.


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"I destroyed some of you, just as I did Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick that was pulled out of the fire. In spite of that, you still have not returned to me," announces the Lord.


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The Lord forms the mountains. He creates the wind. He makes his thoughts known to human beings. He turns sunrise into darkness. He rules over the highest places on earth. His name is The Lord God Who Rules Over All.


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"The people of Israel have fallen. They will never get up again. They are deserted in their own land. No one can lift them up."


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The Lord and King says, "A thousand soldiers will march out from a city in Israel. But only a hundred will return. A hundred soldiers will march out from a town. But only ten will come back."


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Do not look to Bethel. Do not go to Gilgal. Do not travel to Beersheba. The people of Gilgal will be taken away as prisoners. Nothing will be left of Bethel."


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Israel, look to the Lord and live. If you don't, he will sweep through the people of Joseph like a fire. It will burn everything up. And Bethel won't have anyone to put it out.


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The Lord made the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into sunrise. He makes the day fade into night. He sends for the waters in the clouds. Then he pours them out on the surface of the land. His name is The Lord.


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You walk all over poor people. You make them give you grain. You have built stone houses. But you won't live in them. You have planted fruitful vineyards. But you won't drink the wine they produce.


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I know how many crimes you have committed. You have sinned far too much. You crush those who do what is right. You accept money from people who want special favors. You take away the rights of poor people in the courts.


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Look to what is good, not to what is evil. Then you will live. And the Lord God who rules over all will be with you, just as you say he is.


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Hate what is evil. Love what is good. Do what is fair in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God who rules over all will show you his favor. After all, you are the only ones left in the family line of Joseph.


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The Lord God rules over all. The Lord says, "People will sob in all of the streets. They will be very sad in every market place. Even farmers will be told to cry loudly. People will sob over the dead.


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How terrible it will be for you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you want it to come? That day will be dark, not light.


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It will be like a man running away from a lion only to meet a bear. He enters his house and rests his hand on a wall only to be bitten by a snake.


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The day of the Lord will be dark, not light. It will be very black. There won't be a ray of sunlight anywhere.


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You bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings. But I will not accept them. You bring your best friendship offerings. But I will not even look at them.


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I want you to treat others fairly. So let fair treatment roll on just as a river does! Always do what is right. Let right living flow along like a stream that never runs dry!


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Yes. But you have honored the place where your king worshiped other gods. You have carried the stands the statues of your gods were on. You have lifted up the banners of the stars you worship as gods. You made all of those things for yourselves.


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So I will send you away as prisoners beyond Damascus," says the Lord. His name is God Who Rules Over All.


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How terrible it will be for you men who are so contented on Mount Zion! How terrible for you who feel secure on the hill of Samaria! You are famous men from the greatest nation. The people of Israel come to you for help and advice.


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Go to the city of Calneh. Look at it. Go from there to the great city of Hamath. Then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are those places better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours?


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You are trying to avoid the time when trouble will come. But you are only bringing closer the Assyrian rule of terror.


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You lie down on beds that are decorated with ivory. You rest on your couches. You eat the best lambs and the fattest calves.


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You drink wine by the bowlful. You use the finest lotions. But Joseph's people will soon be destroyed. And you aren't even sad about it.


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So you will be among the first to be taken away as prisoners. You won't be able to enjoy good food. You won't lie around on couches anymore.


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The Lord and King has taken an oath in his own name. He is the Lord God who rules over all. He announces, "I hate the pride of Jacob's people. I can't stand their forts. I will hand the city of Samaria and everything in it over to their enemies."


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Relatives might come to burn the dead bodies. If they do, they'll have to carry them out of the house first. They might ask someone still hiding there, "Is anyone here with you?" If the answer is no, the relatives will say, "Be quiet! We must not pray in the Lord's name."


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The Lord has already given an order. He will smash large houses to pieces. He will crush small houses to bits.


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Horses don't run on rocky ground. People don't plow there with oxen. But you have turned fair treatment into poison. You have turned the fruit of right living into bitterness.


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You are happy because you captured the town of Lo Debar. You say, "We were strong enough to take Karnaim too."


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But the Lord God rules over all. He announces, "People of Israel, I will stir up a nation against you. They will crush you from Lebo Hamath all the way down to the Arabah Valley."


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The Lord and King gave me a vision. He was bringing large numbers of locusts on the land. The king's share of the first crop had already been harvested. Now the second crop was coming up.


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The locusts stripped the land clean. Then I cried out, "Lord and King, forgive Israel! How can Jacob's people continue? They are such a weak nation!"


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The Lord and King gave me a second vision. He was using fire to punish his people. It dried up the deep waters. It burned the land up.


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Then I cried out, "Lord and King, please stop! How can Jacob's people continue? They are such a weak nation!"


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Then the Lord gave me a third vision. He was standing by a wall. It had been built very straight, all the way up and down. He was holding a plumb line.


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The Lord asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look at what I am doing. I am hanging a plumb line next to my people Israel. It will show how crooked they are. I will no longer spare them.


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"The high places where Isaac's people worship other gods will be destroyed. The other places of worship in Israel will also be torn down. I will use my sword to attack Jeroboam's royal family."


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Amaziah was priest of Bethel. He sent a message to Jeroboam, the king of Israel. He said, "Amos is making evil plans against you right here in Israel. The people in the land can't stand to listen to what he's saying.


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Amos is telling them, " 'Jeroboam will be killed with a sword. The people of Israel will be taken away as prisoners. They will be carried off from their own land.' "


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Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out of Israel, you prophet! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your living there. Do your prophesying there.


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Don't prophesy here at Bethel anymore. This is where the king worships. The main temple in the kingdom is located here."


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Amos answered Amaziah, "I was not a prophet. I wasn't even a prophet's son. I was a shepherd. I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.


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But the Lord took me away from taking care of the flock. He said to me, 'Go. Prophesy to my people Israel.'


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Now then, listen to the Lord's message. You say, " 'Don't prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against the people of Isaac.'


text:
"But the Lord says, " 'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city of Bethel. Your sons and daughters will be killed with swords. Your land will be measured and divided up. And you yourself will die in another country. The people of Israel will be taken away as prisoners. They will be carried off from their own land.' "


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"What do you see, Amos?" he asked. "A basket of ripe fruit," I replied. Then the Lord said to me, "The time is ripe for my people Israel. I will no longer spare them.


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"The time is coming when the songs in the temple will turn to crying," announces the Lord and King. "Many, many bodies will be thrown everywhere! So be quiet!"


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You say, "When will the New Moon Feast be over? Then we can sell our grain. When will the Sabbath day come to an end? Then people can buy our wheat." But you don't measure out the right amount. You raise your prices. You cheat others by using dishonest scales.


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You buy poor people to make slaves out of them. You buy those who are in need for a mere pair of sandals. You even sell the worthless parts of your wheat.


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People of Jacob, you are proud that the Lord is your God. But he has taken an oath in his own name. He says, "I will never forget anything Israel has done.


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"The land will tremble because of what will happen. Everyone who lives in it will sob. So the whole land will rise like the Nile River. It will be stirred up. Then it will settle back down again like that river in Egypt."


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The Lord and King announces, "At that time I will make the sun go down at noon. The earth will become dark in the middle of the day.


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I will turn your holy feasts into times for sobbing. I will turn all of your songs into crying. You will have to wear black clothes. You will shave your heads. I will make you sob as if your only son had died. The end of that time will be like a bitter day."


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The Lord and King announces, "The days are coming when I will send hunger through the land. But people will not be hungry for food. They will not be thirsty for water. Instead, they will be hungry to hear a message from me.


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People will wander from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean. They will travel from north to east. They will look for a message from me. But they will not find it.


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Some people take oaths in the name of Samaria's shameful god. Others say, 'People of Dan, you can be sure that your god is alive.' Still others say, 'You can be sure that Beersheba's god is alive.' But all of those people will fall dead. They will never get up again."


text:
I saw the Lord standing next to the altar in the temple. He said to me, "Strike the tops of the temple pillars. Then the heavy stones at the base of the entrance will shake. Bring everything down on the heads of everyone there. I will kill with my swords those who are left alive. Not one of them will escape. None will get away.


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They might dig down to the deepest parts of the grave. But my powerful hand will take them out of there. They might climb up to the heavens. But I will bring them down from there.


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They might hide on top of Mount Carmel. But I will hunt them down and grab hold of them. They might hide from me at the bottom of the ocean. But I will command the serpent to bite them.


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Their enemies might take them away as prisoners to another country. But I will command their enemies to kill them with their swords. I will turn my eyes toward them to harm them. I will not help them."


text:
The Lord rules over all. The Lord touches the earth, and it melts. Everyone who lives in it sobs. The whole land rises like the Nile River. Then it settles back down again like that river in Egypt.


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The Lord builds his palace high in the heavens. He lays its foundation on the earth. He sends for the waters in the clouds. Then he pours them out on the surface of the land. His name is The Lord.


text:
"You Israelites are just like the people of Cush to me," announces the Lord. "I brought Israel up from Egypt. I also brought the Philistines from Crete and the Arameans from Kir.


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"I am the Lord and King. My eyes are watching the sinful kingdom of Israel. I will wipe it off the face of the earth. But I will not totally destroy the people of Jacob," announces the Lord.


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"I will give an order. I will shake the people of Israel among all of the nations. They will be like grain that is shaken through a screen. Not a pebble will fall to the ground.


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All of the sinners among my people will be killed with swords. They say, 'Nothing bad will ever happen to us.'


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"The time will come when I will rebuild David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be.


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Then my people will take control of those who are left alive in Edom. They will also possess all of the nations that belong to me," announces the Lord. He will do all of those things.


text:
"A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "At that time those who plow the land will catch up with those who harvest the crops. Those who stomp on grapes will catch up with those who plant the vines. Fresh wine will drip from the mountains. It will flow down from all of the hills.


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I will bring my people Israel back home. I will bless them with great success again. They will rebuild the destroyed cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce. They will make gardens and eat their fruit.


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I will plant Israel in their own land. They will never again be removed from the land I have given them," says the Lord your God.


text:
This is the vision about Edom that Obadiah had. Here is what he said. We've heard a message from the Lord and King. A messenger was sent to the nations. The Lord told him to say, "Get up! Let us go and make war against Edom."


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You live in the safety of the rocks. You make your home high up in the mountains. But your proud heart has tricked you. So you say to yourself, 'No one can bring me down to the ground.'


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You have built your home as high as an eagle does. You have made your nest among the stars. But I will bring you down from there," announces the Lord.


text:
"Edom, suppose robbers came to you at night. They would steal only as much as they wanted. Suppose grape pickers came to harvest your vines. They would still leave a few grapes. But you are facing horrible trouble!


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All those who are helping you will force you to leave your country. Your friends will trick you and overpower you. Those who eat bread with you will set a trap for you. But you will not see it."


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The Lord announces, "At that time I will destroy the wise men of Edom. I will wipe out the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau.


text:
People of Teman, your soldiers will be terrified. Everyone in Esau's mountains will be cut down with swords.


text:
You did harmful things to your brothers, the people of Jacob. So you will be covered with shame. You will be destroyed forever.


text:
Strangers entered the gates of Jerusalem. They cast lots to see what each one would get. They carried off its wealth. When that happened, you just stood there and did nothing. You were like one of them.


text:
That was a time of trouble for your brothers. So you should not have looked down on them. The people of Judah were destroyed. So you should not have been happy about it. You should not have laughed at them so much when they were in trouble.


text:
You should not have marched through the gates of my people's city when they were having so much trouble. You should not have looked down on them. You should not have stolen their wealth.


text:
You waited where the roads cross. You wanted to cut down those who were running away. You should not have done that. You handed over to their enemies those who were still left alive. You should not have done that. They were in trouble.


text:
"The day of the Lord is near for all of the nations. Others will do to you what you have done to them. You will be paid back for what you have done.


text:
You Edomites polluted my holy mountain of Zion by drinking and celebrating there. So all of the nations will drink from the cup of my anger. And they will keep on drinking from it. They will vanish. It will be as if they had never existed.


text:
But on Mount Zion some of my people will be left alive. I will save them. Zion will be my holy mountain once again. And the people of Jacob will again receive the land as their own.


text:
They will be like a fire. Joseph's people will be like a flame. The nation of Esau will be like straw. Jacob's people will set Edom on fire and burn it up. No one will be left alive among Esau's people." The Lord has spoken.


text:
Israelites from the Negev Desert will take over Esau's mountains. Israelites from the western hills will possess Philistia. They'll take over the territories of Ephraim and Samaria. Israelites from the tribe of Benjamin will possess the land of Gilead.


text:
Some Israelites were forced to leave their homes. They'll come back to Canaan and possess it all the way to the town of Zarephath. Some people from Jerusalem were taken to the city of Sepharad. They'll return and possess the towns of the Negev Desert.


text:
Leaders from Mount Zion will go and rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the Lord.


text:
"Go to the great city of Nineveh. Preach against it. The sins of its people have come to my attention."


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But Jonah ran away from the Lord. He headed for Tarshish. So he went down to the port of Joppa. There he found a ship that was going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board. Then he sailed for Tarshish. He was running away from the Lord.


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But the Lord sent a strong wind over the Mediterranean Sea. A wild storm came up. It was so wild that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.


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All of the sailors were afraid. Each one cried out to his own god for help. They threw the ship's contents into the sea. They were trying to make the ship lighter. But Jonah had gone below deck. There he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.


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The captain went down to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call out to your god for help! Maybe he'll pay attention to what's happening to us. Then we won't die."


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The sailors said to one another, "Come. Let's cast lots to find out who is to blame for getting us into all of this trouble." So they did. And Jonah was picked.


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They asked him, "What terrible thing have you done to bring all of this trouble on us? Tell us. What do you do for a living? Where do you come from? What is your country? What people do you belong to?"


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He answered, "I'm a Hebrew. I worship the Lord. He is the God of heaven. He made the sea and the land."


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They found out he was running away from the Lord. That's because he had told them. Then they became terrified. So they asked him, "How could you do a thing like that?"


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The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down?"


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"Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied. "Then it will become calm. I know it's my fault that this terrible storm has come on you."


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Instead of doing what he said, the men did their best to row back to land. But they couldn't. The sea got even rougher than before.


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Then they cried out to the Lord. They prayed, "Lord, please don't let us die for taking this man's life. After all, he might not be guilty of doing anything wrong. So don't hold us accountable for killing him. Lord, you always do what you want to."


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When the men saw what had happened, they began to have great respect for the Lord. They offered a sacrifice to him. And they made promises to him.


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But the Lord sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.


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He said, "When I was in trouble, I called out to you. And you answered me. When I had almost drowned, I called out for help. And you listened to my cry.


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You threw me into the Mediterranean Sea. I was in the middle of its waters. They were all around me. All of your rolling waves were sweeping over me.


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I said, 'I have been driven away from you. But I will look again toward your holy temple in Jerusalem.'


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I had almost drowned in the waves. The deep waters were all around me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head.


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I sank down to the bottom of the mountains. I thought I had died and gone down into the grave forever. But you brought my life up from the very edge of the pit. You are the Lord my God.


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"When my life was nearly over, I remembered you, Lord. My prayer rose up to you. It reached you in your holy temple in heaven.


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"Some people worship the worthless statues of their gods. They turn away from the grace you want to give them.


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But I will sacrifice a thank offering to you. And I will sing a song of thanks. I will do what I have promised. Lord, you are the one who saves."


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Jonah obeyed the Lord. He went to Nineveh. It was a very important city. In fact, it took about three days to see all of it.


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On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He announced, "In 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed."


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The people of Nineveh believed God's warning. They decided not to eat any food for a while. All of them put on black clothes. That's what everyone from the least important of them to the most important did.


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The news reached the king of Nineveh. He got up from his throne. He took his royal robes off and dressed himself in black clothes. He sat down in the dust.


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Then he sent out a message to the people of Nineveh. He said, "I and my nobles give this order. "Don't let any person or animal taste anything. That includes your herds and flocks. People and animals must not eat or drink anything.


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Let people and animals alike be covered with black cloth. All of you must call out to God with all your hearts. Stop doing what is evil. Don't harm others.


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Who knows? God might take pity on us. He might turn away from his burning anger. Then we won't die."


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God saw what they did. They stopped doing what was evil. So he took pity on them. He didn't destroy them as he had said he would.


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He prayed to the Lord and said, "Lord, isn't this exactly what I thought would happen when I was still at home? That's why I was so quick to run away to Tarshish. I knew that you are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. You are a God who takes pity on people. You don't want to destroy them.


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Jonah left the city. He sat down at a place east of it. There he put some branches over his head. He sat in their shade. He waited to see what would happen to the city.


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Then the Lord God sent a vine and made it grow up over Jonah. It gave him more shade for his head. It made him more comfortable. Jonah was very happy he had the vine.


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When the sun rose, God sent a burning east wind. The sun beat down on Jonah's head. It made him very weak. He wanted to die. So he said, "I'd rather die than live."


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But God said to Jonah, "Do you have any right to be angry about what happened to the vine?" "I do," he said. "In fact, I'm angry enough to die."


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But the Lord said, "You have been concerned about this vine. But you did not take care of it. You did not make it grow. It grew up in one night and died the next.


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Nineveh has more than 120,000 people. They can't tell right from wrong. Nineveh also has a lot of cattle. So shouldn't I show concern for that great city?"


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A message came to Micah from the Lord. He was from the town of Moresheth. The message came while Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. This is the vision Micah saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Here is what he said.


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Listen to me, all of you nations! Earth and everyone who lives in it, pay attention! The Lord and King will be a witness against you. The Lord will speak from his holy temple in heaven.


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The mountains will melt under him like wax near a fire. The valleys will be broken apart by water rushing down a slope.


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All of that will happen because Jacob's people have done what is wrong. The people of Israel have committed many sins. Who is to blame for the wrong things Jacob has done? Samaria! Who is to blame for the high places where Judah's people worship other gods? Jerusalem!


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So the Lord says, "I will turn Samaria into a pile of trash. It will become a place for planting vineyards. I will dump its stones down into the valley. And I will destroy it down to its very foundations.


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All of the statues of Samaria's gods will be broken to pieces. All of the gifts its people gave to temple prostitutes will be burned with fire. I will destroy all of the statues of its gods. Samaria collected gifts that were paid to temple prostitutes. So the Assyrians will use the gifts to pay their own temple prostitutes."


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I will sob and cry because Samaria will be destroyed. I'll walk around barefoot. I won't have anything on but my underwear. I'll bark like a wild dog. I'll hoot like an owl.


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Samaria's wounds can't be healed. The Lord will also judge Judah. Enemies will march up to the very gate of my people. They will reach Jerusalem itself.


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Don't tell the people of Gath about it. Don't let them see you sob. People in Beth Ophrah, roll in the dust.


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You who live in the town of Shaphir, leave in shame and without your clothes. Those who live in Zaanan won't come out to help you. The people in Beth Ezel will sob. They won't be able to help keep you safe.


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Those who live in Maroth will groan with pain as they wait for help. That's because the Lord will bring trouble on them. It will reach the very gate of Jerusalem.


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You who live in Lachish, get your horses ready to pull their chariots. You trust in military power. That was the beginning of sin for the people of Zion. The wrong things Israel did were also done by you.


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People of Judah, you might as well say good-by to Moresheth near Gath. The town of Aczib won't give any help to the kings of Israel.


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An enemy will attack you who live in Mareshah. Israel's glorious leaders will have to run away and hide in the cave of Adullam.


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The children you enjoy so much will be taken away as prisoners. So shave your heads and sob. Make them as bare as the head of a vulture.


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How terrible it will be for those who plan to harm others! How terrible for those who make evil plans before they even get out of bed! As soon as daylight comes, they carry them out. That's because they have the power to do it.


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So the Lord says to them, "I am planning to send trouble on you. You will not be able to save yourselves from it. You will not live so proudly anymore. It will be a time of trouble.


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At that time people will make fun of you. They will tease you by singing a song of sadness. They will pretend to be you and say, 'We are totally destroyed. Our enemies have divided up our land. The Lord has taken it away from us! He has given our fields to those who turned against us.' "


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"Don't prophesy," the people's prophets say. "Don't prophesy about bad things. Nothing shameful is going to happen to us."


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People of Jacob, should others say, "The Lord isn't angry with us. He doesn't do things like that"? The Lord replies, "What I promise brings good things to those who lead honest lives.


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But lately my people have attacked one another as if they were enemies. You strip the rich robes off those who happen to pass by. They thought they were as safe as men returning from a battle they had won.


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You drive the women among my people out of their pleasant homes. You take my blessing away from their children forever.


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Get up! Leave this land! It is no longer your resting place. You have made it 'unclean.' You have completely destroyed it.


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Suppose a prophet goes around telling lies. And he prophesies that you will have plenty of wine and beer. Then that kind of prophet would be just right for this nation!


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"People of Jacob, I will gather all of you. I will bring together you who are still left alive in Israel. I will gather you together like sheep in a pen. You will be like a flock in its grasslands. Your country will be filled with people.


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I will open the way for you to return. I will march in front of you. You will break through the city gates and go free. I am your King. I will pass through the gates in front of you. I will lead the way."


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Then I said, "Listen, you leaders of Jacob's people! Pay attention, you rulers of Israel! You should know how to judge others fairly.


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But you hate what is good. And you love what is evil. You are like someone who tears the skin off my people. You pull the meat off their bones.


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You eat my people's bodies. You strip their skin off. You break their bones in pieces. You chop them up like meat. You put them in a cooking pot."


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The time will come when Israel will cry out to the Lord. But he won't answer them. In fact, he'll turn his face away from them. They have done what is evil.


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The Lord says, "You prophets are leading my people down the wrong path. If they feed you, you promise them peace. If they do not, you prepare to go to war against them.


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So night will come on you. But you will not have any visions. Darkness will cover you. But you will not be able to figure out what is going to happen. The sun will set on you prophets. The day will become dark for you.


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You who see visions will be put to shame. You who try to figure out what is going to happen will be dishonored. All of you will cover your faces. I will not answer you."


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The Spirit of the Lord has filled me with power. He helps me do what is fair. He makes me brave. Now I'm prepared to tell Jacob's people what they've done wrong. I'm ready to tell Israel they've sinned.


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Listen to me, you leaders of Jacob's people! Pay attention, you rulers of Israel! You hate to do what is fair. You twist everything that is right.


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Your judges take money from people who want special favors. Your priests teach only if they get paid for it. Your prophets won't tell fortunes unless they receive money. But you still claim to depend on the Lord. You say, "The Lord is with us. No trouble will come on us."


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So because of what you have done, Zion will be plowed up like a field. Jerusalem will be turned into a pile of trash. The temple hill will be covered with bushes and weeds.


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In the last days the mountain where the Lord's temple is located will be famous. It will be the most important mountain of all. It will stand out above the hills. And nations will go to it.


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People from many nations will go there. They will say, "Come, let us go up to the Lord's mountain. Let's go to the house of Jacob's God. He will teach us how we should live. Then we will live the way he wants us to." The law of the Lord will be taught at Zion. His message will go out from Jerusalem.


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He will judge between people from many nations. He'll settle problems among strong nations everywhere. They will hammer their swords into plows. They'll hammer their spears into pruning tools. Nations will not go to war against one another. They won't even train to fight anymore.


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Every man will have his own vine and fig tree. And no one will make them afraid. That's what the Lord who rules over all has promised.


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Other nations worship and trust in their gods. But we will worship and obey the Lord. He will be our God for ever and ever.


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"The time is coming when I will gather those who are disabled," announces the Lord. "I will bring together those who were taken away as prisoners. I will gather those I have allowed to suffer.


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I will make the disabled my faithful people. I will make those who were driven away from their homes a strong nation. I will rule over them on Mount Zion. I will be their King from that time on and forever.


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Jerusalem, you used to be like a guard tower for my flock. City of Zion, you used to be a place of safety for my people. The glorious kingdom you had before will be given back to you. Once again a king will rule over your people."


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Why are you crying out so loudly now? Don't you have a king? Have your advisers died? Is that why pain comes on you like the pain of a woman having a baby?


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People of Zion, groan with pain. Cry out like a woman having a baby. Soon you must leave your city. You must camp in the open fields. You will have to go to Babylonia. But that's where the Lord will save you. There he will set you free from the powerful hand of your enemies.


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But now many nations have gathered together to attack you. They say, "Let Jerusalem be polluted. We want to see others laugh when Zion suffers!"


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But those nations don't know what the Lord has in mind. They don't understand his plan. He will gather them up like bundles of grain. He will take them to his threshing floor.


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The Lord says, "People of Zion, get up and crush your enemies. I will make you like a threshing ox. I will give you iron horns and bronze hoofs. So you will crush many nations." They got their money in the wrong way. But you will set it apart to the Lord. You will give their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.


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Jerusalem, you are being attacked. So bring your troops together. Our enemies have surrounded us. They want to slap the face of Israel's ruler.


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The Lord says, "Bethlehem, you might not be an important town in the nation of Judah. But out of you will come a ruler over Israel for me. His family line goes back to the early years of your nation. It goes all the way back to days of long ago." Bethlehem was also called Ephrathah.


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The Lord will hand his people over to their enemies. That will last until the promised ruler is born. Then his relatives in Judah will return to their land. The Lord will rule over them and the people of Israel.


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The promised ruler will stand firm and take care of his flock. The Lord will give him the strength to do it. The Lord his God will give him the authority to rule. His people will live safely. His greatness will reach from one end of the earth to the other.


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And he will bring them peace. The Assyrians will attack our land. Enemies will march through our forts. But we will raise up many shepherds against them. We'll send out against them as many leaders as we need to.


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They will use their swords to rule over Assyria. They'll rule the land of Nimrod with swords that are ready to strike. The Assyrians will march across our borders and attack our land. But the promised ruler will save us from them.


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Jacob's people who are still left alive will be scattered among many nations. They will be like dew the Lord has sent. It doesn't wait for a man's command. They will be like rain that falls on the grass. Rain doesn't wait for someone to give it orders.


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So Jacob's people will be scattered among many nations. They will be like a lion among the animals in the forest. They'll be like a young lion among flocks of sheep. Lions attack and tear as they move along. No one can keep them from killing what they want.


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I will destroy the statues of your gods. I will take your sacred stones away from you. You will no longer bow down to the gods your hands have made.


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I will pull down the poles you used to worship the goddess Asherah. And I will destroy your cities completely.


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Israel, listen to the Lord's message. He says to me, "Stand up in court. Let the mountains serve as witnesses. Let the hills hear what you have to say."


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Hear the Lord's case, you mountains. Listen, you age-old foundations of the earth. The Lord has a case against his people Israel. He is bringing charges against them.


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I brought your people up out of Egypt. I set them free from the land where they were slaves. I sent Moses to lead them. Aaron and Miriam helped him.


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Remember how Balak, the king of Moab, planned to put a curse on your people. But Balaam, the son of Beor, gave them a blessing instead. Remember their journey from Shittim to Gilgal. I want you to know that I always do what is right."


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The people of Israel say, "What should we bring with us when we go to worship the Lord? What should we offer the God of heaven when we bow down to him? Should we take burnt offerings to him? Should we sacrifice calves that are a year old?


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Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams? Will he take delight in 10,000 rivers of olive oil? Should we offer our oldest sons for the wrong things we've done? Should we sacrifice our own children to pay for our sins?"


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The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must treat people fairly. You must love others faithfully. And you must be very careful to live the way your God wants you to.


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The Lord is calling out to Jerusalem. And it would be wise to pay attention to him. He says, "Listen, tribe of Judah and you people who are gathered in the city.


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You sinful people, should I forget that you got your treasures by stealing them? You use dishonest measures to cheat others. I have placed a curse on that practice.


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Should I forgive you who use dishonest scales? You use weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are.


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The rich people among you harm others. You are always telling lies. You try to fool others by what you say.


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You will eat. But you will not be satisfied. Your stomachs will still be empty. You will try to save what you can. But you will not be able to. If you do save something, it will be destroyed in battle.


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You will plant seeds. But you will not harvest any crops. You will press olives. But you will not use the oil for yourselves. You will crush grapes. But you will not drink the wine that is made from them.


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You have followed the evil practices of King Omri of Israel. You have done what the family of King Ahab did. You have followed their bad example. So I will let you be destroyed. Others will make fun of you. The nations will laugh at you."


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I'm suffering very much! I'm like someone who gathers summer fruit in a vineyard after the good fruit has already been picked. No grapes are left to eat. None of the early figs I long for remain.


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Faithful people have disappeared from the land. Those who are honest are gone. All men hide and wait to spill the blood of others. They use nets to try and trap one another.


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They are very good at doing what is evil. Rulers require gifts. Judges accept money from people who want special favors. Those who are powerful always get what they want. All of them make evil plans together.


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The best of them are as harmful as thorns. The most honest of them are even worse. The time your prophets warned you about has come. God is about to punish you. Panic has taken hold of you.


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Don't trust your neighbors. Don't put your faith in your friends. Be careful of what you say even to your own wife.


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Sons don't honor their fathers. Daughters refuse to obey their mothers. Daughters-in-law are against their mothers-in-law. A man's enemies are the members of his own family.


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The people of Jerusalem say, "Don't laugh when we suffer, you enemies of ours! We have fallen. But we'll get up. Even though we sit in the dark, the Lord will give us light.


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We've sinned against the Lord. So he is angry with us. That will continue until he takes up our case. Then he'll do what is right for us. He'll bring us out into the light. Then we'll see him save us.


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The people of Nineveh will see it too. And they will be put to shame. After all, they said to us, 'Where is the Lord your God?' But we will see them destroyed. Soon they will be stomped on like mud in the streets."


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People of Jerusalem, the time will come when your walls will be rebuilt. Land will be added to your territory.


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At that time your people will come back to you. They'll return from Assyria and the cities of Egypt. They'll come from the countries between Egypt and the Euphrates River. They'll return from the lands between the seas. They'll come back from the countries between the mountains.


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Lord, be like a shepherd to your people. Take good care of them. They are your flock. They live by themselves in the safety of a forest. Rich grasslands are all around them. Let them eat grass in Bashan and Gilead just as they did long ago.


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The Lord says to his people, "I showed your people my wonders when they came out of Egypt long ago. In the same way, I will show them to you."


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When the nations see those wonders, they will be put to shame. All of their power will be taken away from them. They will be so amazed that they won't be able to speak or hear.


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They'll be forced to eat dust like a snake. They'll be like creatures that have to crawl on the ground. They'll come out of their dens trembling with fear. They'll show respect for the Lord our God. They will also have respect for his people.


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Lord, who is a God like you? You forgive sin. You forgive your people when they do what is wrong. You don't stay angry forever. Instead, you take delight in showing your faithful love to them.


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Once again you will show loving concern for us. You will completely wipe out the evil things we've done. You will throw all of our sins into the bottom of the sea.


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You will be true to Jacob's people. You will show your faithful love to Abraham's children. You will do what you promised to do for our people when you took an oath long ago.


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Here is a message the Lord gave Nahum in a vision about Nineveh. It is written on a scroll. Nahum was from the town of Elkosh. Here is what he said.


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The Lord is a jealous God who punishes people. He pays them back for the evil things they do. His anger burns against them. The Lord punishes his enemies. He holds his anger back until the right time to use it.


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The Lord is slow to get angry. He is very powerful. The Lord will not let guilty people go without punishing them. When he marches out, he stirs up winds and storms. Clouds are the dust kicked up by his feet.


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He controls the seas. He dries them up. He makes all of the rivers run dry. Bashan and Mount Carmel dry up. The flowers in Lebanon fade.


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He causes the mountains to shake. The hills melt away. The earth trembles because he is there. So do the world and all those who live in it.


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Who can stand firm when his anger burns? Who can live when he is angry? His anger blazes out like fire. He smashes the rocks to pieces.


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The Lord is good. When people are in trouble, they can go to him for safety. He takes good care of those who trust in him.


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But he will destroy Nineveh with a powerful flood. He will chase his enemies into the darkness of punishment.


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The Lord will put an end to anything they plan against him. He won't allow Assyria to win the battle over his people a second time.


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His enemies will be tangled up among thorns. Their wine will make them drunk. They'll be burned up like dry straw.


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Nineveh, a king has marched out from you. He makes evil plans against the Lord. He gives harmful advice.


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The Lord says, "His army has many soldiers. Other nations are helping them. But they will be cut off and pass away. Judah, I punished you. But I will not do it anymore.


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Nineveh, the Lord has given an order concerning you. He has said, "You will not have any children to carry on your name. I will destroy the wooden and metal statues that are in the temple of your gods. I will get your grave ready for you. You are worthless."


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Look at the mountains of Judah! I see a messenger running to bring good news! He's telling us that peace has come! People of Judah, celebrate your feasts. Carry out your promises. The evil Assyrians won't attack you again. They'll be completely destroyed.


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Nineveh, armies are coming to attack you. Guard the forts! Watch the roads! Get ready! Gather all of your strength!


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Assyria once took everything of value from God's people. Its army destroyed all of their vines. But the Lord will bring back the glory of Jacob's people. He'll make Israel glorious again.


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The shields of the soldiers attacking Nineveh are red. The armies are dressed in bright red uniforms. The metal on their chariots flashes when they are prepared for war. Their spears are ready to use.


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The chariots race through the main streets. They rush back and forth through them. They look like flaming torches. They dart around like lightning.


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The commander of the attackers sends for his special troops. But they trip and fall on their way. They run toward the city wall. They keep their shield in front of them.


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The attackers order that the city's people be taken away as prisoners. The female slaves cry like sad doves. They beat their chests.


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Nineveh is like a pool. Its water is draining away. "Stop running away!" someone cries out. But no one turns back.


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"Steal the silver!" the attackers shout. "Grab the gold!" The supply is endless. There is plenty of wealth among all of the city's treasures.


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Nineveh is destroyed, robbed and stripped! Hearts melt away in fear. Knees give way. Bodies tremble with fear. Everyone's face turns pale.


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Assyria is like a lion. Where is the lions' den now? Where did they feed their cubs? Where did all of the lions go? In their den they had nothing to fear.


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The lion killed enough for his cubs to eat. He choked what he caught for his mate. He filled his home with what he had killed. He brought to his dens what he had caught.


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"Nineveh, I am against you," announces the Lord who rules over all. "I will burn up your chariots with fire. Your young lions will be killed with swords. I will leave you nothing on earth to catch. The voices of your messengers will no longer be heard."


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How terrible it will be for Nineveh! It is a city of murderers! It is full of liars! It's filled with stolen goods! The killing never stops!


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Horsemen attack! Swords flash! Spears gleam! Many people die. Dead bodies pile up. They can't even be counted. People trip over them.


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All of that was caused by the evil longings of the prostitute Nineveh. That woman who practiced evil magic was very beautiful. She used her sinful charms to make slaves out of the nations. She worshiped evil powers in order to trap others.


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"Nineveh, I am against you," announces the Lord who rules over all. "I will pull your skirts up over your face. I will show the nations your naked body. Kingdoms will make fun of your shame.


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All those who see you will run away from you. They will say, 'Nineveh is destroyed. Who will sob over it?' Where can I find someone to comfort your people?"


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Nineveh, are you better than Thebes on the Nile River? There was water all around that city. The river helped to keep it safe. The waters were like a wall around it.


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But Thebes was captured anyway. Its people were taken away as prisoners. Its babies were smashed to pieces at every street corner. The Assyrian soldiers cast lots for all of its great leaders. They put them in chains and made slaves out of them.


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People of Nineveh, you too will get drunk. You will try to hide from your enemies. You will look for a place of safety.


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All of your forts are like fig trees that have their first ripe fruit on them. When the trees are shaken, the figs fall into the mouths of those who eat them.


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Look at your troops. All of them are weak. The gates of your forts are wide open to your enemies. Fire has destroyed their heavy metal bars.


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Prepare for the attack by storing up water! Make your walls as strong as you can! Make some bricks out of clay! Mix the mud to hold them together! Use them to repair the walls!


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In spite of all of your hard work, fire will burn you up inside your city. Your enemies will cut you down with their swords. They will destroy you just as grasshoppers eat up crops. Multiply like grasshoppers! Increase your numbers like locusts!


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You have more traders than the number of stars in the sky. But like locusts they strip the land. Then they fly away.


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Your guards are like grasshoppers. Your officials are like large numbers of locusts. They settle in the walls on a cold day. But when the sun appears, they fly away. And no one knows where they go.


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King of Assyria, your leaders are asleep. Your nobles lie down to rest. Your people are scattered on the mountains. No one is left to gather them together.


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Nothing can heal your wounds. You will die of them. All those who hear the news about you clap their hands because you have fallen from power. All of them suffered because you never showed them any pity.


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Lord, how long do I have to call out for help? Why don't you listen to me? How long must I keep telling you that things are terrible? Why don't you save us?


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Why do you make me watch while people treat others so unfairly? Why do you put up with the wrong things they are doing? I have to look at death. People are harming others. They are arguing and fighting all the time.


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The law can't do what it's supposed to do. Fairness never comes out on top. Sinful people surround those who do what is right. So people are never treated fairly.


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The Lord replies, "Look at the nations. Watch them. Be totally amazed at what you see. I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe. You would not believe it even if someone told you about it.


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I am going to send the armies of Babylonia to attack you. They are very mean. They move quickly. They sweep across the whole earth. They take over places that do not belong to them.


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Their horses are faster than leopards. They are meaner than wolves in the dark. Their horsemen charge straight into battle. They ride in from far away. They come down like an eagle diving for its food.


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All of them are ready to destroy others. Their huge armies advance like a wind out of the desert. They gather prisoners like sand.


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They laugh at kings and make fun of rulers. They laugh at all of the cities that have high walls around them. They build dirt ramps against the walls and capture the cities.


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They sweep past like the wind. Then they go on their way. They are guilty. They worship their own strength."


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Lord, haven't you existed forever? You are my holy God. So we won't die, will we? Lord, you have appointed the Babylonians to punish your people. My Rock, you have chosen them to judge us.


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Your eyes are too pure to look at what is evil. You can't put up with the wrong things people do. So why do you put up with those who can't be trusted? The evil Babylonians swallow up those who are more godly than themselves. So why are you silent?


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You have made men as if they were only fish in the sea. They are like sea creatures that don't have a ruler.


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The evil Babylonians pull all of them up with hooks. They catch them in their nets. They gather them up. So they celebrate. They are glad.


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They offer sacrifices to their nets. They burn incense to them. Their nets allow them to live in great comfort. They enjoy the finest food.


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Are you going to let them keep on emptying their nets? Will they go on destroying nations without showing them any mercy?


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I will go up to the lookout tower. I'll station myself on the city wall. I'll wait to see how the Lord will reply to me. Then I'll try to figure out how to answer him.


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The Lord replies, "Write down the message I am showing you in a vision. Write it clearly on the tablets you use. Then a messenger can read it and run to announce it.


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The message I give you waits for the time I have appointed. It speaks about what is going to happen. And all of it will come true. It might take a while. But wait for it. You can be sure it will come. It will happen when I want it to.


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"The Babylonians are very proud. What they want is not good. "But the one who is right with God will live by faith.


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"Wine makes the Babylonians do foolish things. They are proud. They never rest. Like the grave, they are always hungry for more. Like death, they are never satisfied. They gather all of the nations to themselves. They take their people away as prisoners.


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"Won't those people laugh at the Babylonians? Won't they make fun of them? They will say to them, " 'How terrible it will be for you who pile up stolen goods! You get rich by cheating others. How long will that go on?


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Those who owe you money will suddenly rise up. You charge them too much interest. So they will wake up and make you tremble with fear. Then they will take away everything you have.


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You have robbed many nations. So the nations that are left will rob you. You have spilled man's blood. You have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.'


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"How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They build their kingdom with money they gained by cheating others. They have tried to make the kingdom as secure as possible. After all, they did not want to be destroyed.


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They have planned to wipe out many nations. But they have brought shame on their own kingdom. So they must pay with their own lives.


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"How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They build cities by spilling the blood of others. They establish towns by committing crimes.


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I am the Lord who rules over all. Human effort is no better than wood that feeds a fire. So the nations wear themselves out for nothing.


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The oceans are full of water. In the same way, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of my glory.


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"How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They give drinks to their neighbors. They pour the drinks from wineskins until their neighbors are drunk. They want to look at their naked bodies.


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But the Babylonians will be filled with shame instead of glory. So now it is their turn to drink and be stripped of their clothes. The cup of anger in my powerful right hand is going to punish them. They will be covered with shame instead of glory.


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The harm they have done to Lebanon will bring them down. Because they have killed so many animals, animals will terrify them. They have spilled man's blood. They have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.


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"If someone carves a statue of a god, what is it worth? What value is there in a god that teaches lies? The one who trusts in another god worships his own creation. He makes statues of gods that can't speak.


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How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They say to a wooden god, 'Come to life!' They say to a stone god, 'Wake up!' Can those gods give advice? They are covered with gold and silver. They can't even breathe.


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Lord, I know how famous you are. I have great respect for you because of your mighty acts. Do them again for us. Make them known in our time. When you are angry, please show us your tender love.


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God, you came from Teman. You, the Holy One, came from Mount Paran. [Selah Your glory covered the heavens. Your praise filled the earth.


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Your glory was like the sunrise. Rays of light flashed from your mighty hand. Your power was hidden there.


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When you stood up, the earth shook. When you looked at the nations, they trembled with fear. The age-old mountains crumbled. The ancient hills fell down. Your mighty acts will last forever.


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Lord, did your anger burn against the rivers? Were you angry with the streams? Were you angry with the Red Sea? You rode your horses and chariots to overcome it.


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You got your bow ready to use. You asked for many arrows. [Selah You broke up the surface of the earth with rivers.


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The mountains saw you and shook. Floods of water swept by. The sea roared. It lifted its waves high.


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The sun and moon stood still in the sky. They stopped because your flying arrows flashed by. Your gleaming spear shone like lightning.


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You came out to set your people free. You saved your chosen ones. You crushed Pharaoh, the leader of that evil land of Egypt. You stripped him from head to foot. [Selah


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His soldiers rushed out to scatter us. They were laughing at us. They thought they would easily destroy us. They saw us as weak people who were trying to hide. So you wounded Pharaoh's head with his own spear.


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I listened and my heart pounded. My lips trembled at the sound. My bones seemed to rot. And my legs shook. But I will be patient. I'll wait for the day of trouble to come on Babylonia. It's the nation that is attacking us.


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The fig trees might not bud. The vines might not produce any grapes. The olive crop might fail. The fields might not produce any food. There might not be any sheep in the pens. There might not be any cattle in the barns.


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The Lord and King gives me strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He helps me walk on the highest places. This prayer is for the director of music. It should be sung while being accompanied by stringed instruments.


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A message came to Zephaniah from the Lord. He was the son of Cushi. Cushi was the son of Gedaliah. Gedaliah was the son of Amariah. Amariah was the son of King Hezekiah. The Lord spoke to Zephaniah during the rule of Josiah. He was king of Judah and the son of Amon.


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"I will destroy people and animals alike. I will wipe out the birds of the air and the fish in the waters. I will destroy sinful people along with their gods. I will wipe man off the face of the earth," announces the Lord.


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"I will reach out my powerful hand against Judah. I will punish all those who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from that place what is left of Baal worship. The officials and priests who serve other gods will be removed.


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I will wipe out those who bow down on their roofs to worship all of the stars. I will destroy those who take oaths not only in my name but also in the name of Molech.


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Be silent in front of me. I am the Lord and King. The day of the Lord is near. I have prepared a sacrifice. I have set apart for myself the people I invited.


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When my sacrifice is ready to be offered, I will punish the princes and the king's sons. I will also judge all those who follow the practices of other nations.


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At that time I will punish all those who worship other gods. They fill the temples of their gods with lies and other harmful things.


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"At that time people at the Fish Gate in Jerusalem will cry out," announces the Lord. "So will those at the New Quarter. The buildings on the hills will come crashing down with a loud noise.


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Cry out, you who live in the market places. All of your merchants will be wiped out. Those who trade in silver will be destroyed.


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At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish those who are so contented. They are like wine that has not been shaken up. They think, 'The Lord won't do anything. It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad.'


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Their wealth will be stolen. Their houses will be destroyed. They will build houses. But they will not live in them. They will plant vineyards. But they will not drink the wine they produce.


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"The great day of the Lord is near. In fact, it is coming quickly. Listen! The cries on that day will be bitter. Even soldiers will cry out in fear.


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At that time I will pour out my anger. There will be great suffering and pain. It will be a day of horrible trouble. It will be a time of darkness and gloom. It will be filled with the blackest clouds.


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Trumpet blasts and battle cries will be heard. Soldiers will attack cities that have forts and corner towers.


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I will bring trouble on the people. They will trip and fall as if they were blind. They have sinned against me. Their blood will be poured out like dust. Their bodies will lie rotting on the ground.


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Their silver and gold will not be able to save them on the day I pour out my anger. The whole world will be burned up when my jealous anger blazes out. Everyone who lives on earth will come to a sudden end."


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Come together before the appointed time arrives. The day of the Lord will sweep in like straw blown by the wind. Soon the Lord's anger will burn against you. The day of his anger will come on you.


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So look to him, all of you people in the land who worship him faithfully. You always do what he commands you to do. Continue to do what is right. Don't be proud. Then perhaps the Lord will keep you safe on the day he pours out his anger on the world.


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Gaza will be deserted. Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be emptied out at noon. Ekron will be pulled up by its roots.


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How terrible it will be for you Kerethites who live by the Mediterranean Sea! Philistia, the Lord has spoken against you. What happened to Canaan will happen to you. The Lord says, "I will destroy you. No one will be left."


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It will belong to those who are still left alive among the people of Judah. They will find grasslands there. They will take over the houses in Ashkelon and live in them. The Lord their God will take care of them. He will bless them with great success again.


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The Lord says, "I have heard Moab make fun of my people. The Ammonites also laughed at them. They told them that bad things would happen to their land.


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So Moab will become like Sodom," announces the Lord who rules over all. "Ammon will be like Gomorrah. Weeds and salt pits will cover those countries. They will be dry and empty deserts forever. Those who are still left alive among my people will take all of their valuable things. So they will receive those lands as their own. And that is just as sure as I am alive." The Lord is the God of Israel.


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Moab and Ammon will be judged because they are so proud. They made fun of the Lord's people. They laughed at them.


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The Lord who rules over all will terrify Moab and Ammon. He will destroy all of the gods on earth. Then the nations on every shore will worship him. All of them will serve him in their own lands.


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The Lord will reach out his powerful hand against the north. He will destroy Assyria. He'll leave Nineveh totally empty. It will be as dry as a desert.


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Flocks and herds will lie down there. So will creatures of every kind. Desert owls and screech owls will rest on its pillars. Their cries will echo through the windows. The doorways will be full of trash. The cedar beams will be showing.


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Nineveh is a carefree city. It lived in safety. It said to itself, "I am like a god. No one is greater than I am." But it has been destroyed. Wild animals make their home there. All those who pass by laugh and shake their fists at it.


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How terrible it will be for Jerusalem! Its people crush others. They refuse to obey the Lord. They are "unclean."


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They don't obey anyone. They don't accept the Lord's warnings. They don't trust in him. They don't ask their God for his help.


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Their officials are like roaring lions. Their rulers are like wolves that hunt in the evening. They don't leave anything to eat in the morning.


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Their prophets are proud. They can't be trusted. Their priests pollute the temple. They break the law they teach others to obey.


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In spite of that, the Lord is good to Jerusalem. He never does anything that is wrong. Every morning he does what is fair. Each new day he does the right thing. But those who do what is wrong aren't even ashamed of it.


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The Lord says to his people, "I have cut off other nations. I have wiped out their forts. I have left their streets deserted. No one walks along them. Their cities are destroyed. Not even one person is left.


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I said to you people of Jerusalem, 'Because I cut off other nations, you will have respect for me. Now you will accept my warning.' I wish you had returned to me. Then your homes would not have been torn down. And I would not have had to punish you so much. But you still wanted to go on sinning in every way you could.


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So wait for me to come as judge," announces the Lord. "Wait for the day I will stand up to witness against all sinners. I have decided to gather the nations. I will bring the kingdoms together. And I will pour out all of my burning anger on them. The fire of my jealous anger will burn the whole world up.


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"But then I will purify what all of the nations say. And they will use their words to worship me. They will serve me together.


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My scattered people, you will come to me from beyond the rivers of Cush. You will worship me. You will bring me offerings.


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You have done many wrong things to me. But at that time you will not be put to shame anymore. Then I will remove from this city those who take delight in their pride. You will never be proud again on my holy mountain of Zion.


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Those who are still left alive in Israel will not do anything wrong. They will not tell any lies. They will not say anything to fool others. They will eat and lie down in peace. And no one will make them afraid."


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People of Zion, sing! Israel, shout loudly! People of Jerusalem, be glad! Let your hearts be full of joy.


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The Lord has stopped punishing you. He has made your enemies turn away from you. The Lord is the King of Israel. He is with you. You will never again be afraid that others will harm you.


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The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty enough to save you. He will take great delight in you. The quietness of his love will calm you down. He will sing with joy because of you."


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The Lord says to his people, "You used to celebrate my appointed feasts in Jerusalem. You are sad because you can't do that anymore. So others make fun of those feasts. That was a heavy load for you to carry. But I will bring you back to your city.


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At that time I will punish all those who crushed you. I will save those among you who are disabled. I will gather those who have been scattered. I will give you praise and honor in every land where you were put to shame.


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At that time I will gather you together. And I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all of the nations on earth. I will bless you with great success again," says the Lord.


text:
A message came to the prophet Haggai from the Lord. Haggai gave it to Zerubbabel and Jeshua. It came on the first day of the sixth month of the second year that Darius was king of Persia. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah and the son of Shealtiel. Jeshua was high priest and the son of Jehozadak. Here is what Haggai said.


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The Lord who rules over all says, "The people of Judah are saying, 'The time hasn't come yet for the Lord's temple to be rebuilt.' "


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"My temple is still destroyed. In spite of that, you are living in your houses that have beautiful wooden walls."


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You have planted many seeds. But the crops you have gathered are small. So you eat. But you never have enough. You drink. But you are never full. You put your clothes on. But you are not warm. You earn your pay. But it will not buy everything you need."


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Go up into the mountains. Bring logs down. Use them to rebuild my house. Then I will enjoy it. And you will honor me," says the Lord.


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"You expected a lot. But you can see what a small amount it turned out to be," announces the Lord who rules over all. "I blew away what you brought home. Why? Because my temple is still destroyed. In spite of that, each one of you is busy with your own house.


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"So because of what you have done, the heavens have held back the dew. And the earth has not produced its crops.


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I ordered the rain not to fall on the fields and mountains. Then the ground did not produce any grain. There were not enough grapes to make fresh wine. The trees did not bear enough olives to make oil. People and cattle suffered. All of your hard work failed."


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Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and the high priest Jeshua, the son of Jehozadak, obeyed the Lord their God. So did all of the Lord's people who were still left alive. He had given his message to them through me. He had sent me to speak to them. And the people had respect for him.


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I was the Lord's messenger. So I gave his message to the people. I told them, "The Lord announces, 'I am with you.' "


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So the Lord stirred up the spirits of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and the high priest Jeshua. He also stirred up the rest of the people to help them. Then everyone began to work on the temple of the Lord who rules over all. He is their God.


text:
A second message came to me from the Lord. It came on the 21st day of the seventh month. The Lord said,


text:
"Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and the son of Shealtiel. Also speak to the high priest Jeshua, the son of Jehozadak. And speak to all of my people who are still left alive. Ask them,


text:
'Did any of you who are here see how beautiful this temple used to be? How does it look to you now? It doesn't look so good, does it?


text:
" 'But be strong, Zerubbabel,' announces the Lord. 'Be strong, Jeshua. Be strong, all of you people in the land,' announces the Lord. 'Start rebuilding. I am with you,' announces the Lord who rules over all.


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'That is what I promised you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit continues to be with you. So do not be afraid.' "


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The Lord says, "In a little while I will shake the heavens and the earth once more. I will also shake the ocean and the dry land.


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I will shake all of the nations. Then what they consider to be priceless will come to my temple. And I will fill the temple with glory," says the Lord who rules over all.


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"The new temple will be more beautiful than the first one was," says the Lord. "And in this place I will give peace to my people," announces the Lord who rules over all.


text:
A third message came to me from the Lord. It came on the 24th day of the ninth month of the second year that Darius was king.


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Suppose someone carries holy meat in the clothes he is wearing. And the clothes touch some bread or stew. Or they touch some wine, olive oil or other food. Then do those things also become holy?" The priests answered, "No."


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So I said, "Suppose someone is made 'unclean' by touching a dead body. And then he touches one of those things. Does it become 'unclean' too?" "Yes," the priests replied. "It does."


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Then I said, "The Lord announces, 'That is how I look at these people and this nation. Anything they do and anything they sacrifice on the altar is "unclean."


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People went to get 20 measures of grain. But they could find only 10. They went to where the wine was stored to get 50 measures. But only 20 were there.


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You worked very hard to produce all of those things. But I struck them with rot, mold and hail. And you still did not turn to me,' announces the Lord.


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" 'It is the 24th day of the ninth month. From this day on, think carefully about the day when the foundation of my temple was laid. Think about it carefully.


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Are any seeds still left in your barns? Until now, your vines and fig trees have not produced any fruit. Your pomegranate and olive trees have not produced any either. " 'But from this day on I will bless you.' "


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I will throw down royal thrones. I will smash the power of other kingdoms. I will destroy chariots and their drivers. Horses and their riders will fall. They will be killed with the swords of their relatives.


text:
" 'Zerubbabel, at that time I will pick you,' announces the Lord. 'You are my servant,' announces the Lord. 'You will be like a ring that has my royal seal on it. I have chosen you,' announces the Lord who rules over all."


text:
A message came to the prophet Zechariah from the Lord. It was the eighth month of the second year that Darius was king of Persia. Zechariah was the son of Berekiah. Berekiah was the son of Iddo. Here is what Zechariah said.


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"Do not be like your people years ago. The earlier prophets gave them my message. I said, 'Stop doing what is evil. Turn away from your sinful practices.' But they would not listen to me. They would not pay any attention," announces the Lord.


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I commanded my servants the prophets what to say. I told them what I planned to do. But your people refused to obey me. So I had to punish them. "Then they had a change of heart. They said, 'The Lord who rules over all has punished us because of how we have lived. He was fair and right to do that. He has done to us just what he decided to do.' "


text:
During the second year that Darius was king, a message came to me from the Lord. It was the 24th day of the 11th month. That's the month of Shebat.


text:
I had a vision at night. I saw a man riding a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a valley. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.


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An angel was talking with me. I asked him, "Sir, what are these?" He answered, "I will show you what they are."


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Then the man who was standing among the myrtle trees said, "They are the messengers the Lord has sent out. He told them to go all through the earth."


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They brought a report to the angel of the Lord. He was standing among the myrtle trees. They said to him, "We have gone all through the earth. We've found the whole world enjoying peace and rest."


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Then the angel of the Lord spoke up. He said, "Lord, you rule over all. How long will you keep from showing your tender love to Jerusalem? How long will you keep it from the towns of Judah? You have been angry with them for 70 years."


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Then the angel said, "Announce this message. Say, 'The Lord who rules over all says, "I am very jealous for my people in Jerusalem and Zion.


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But I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry with my people. But the nations went too far and tried to wipe them out."


text:
" 'So the Lord says, "I will return to Jerusalem. I will show its people my tender love. My temple will be rebuilt there. Workers will use a measuring line when they rebuild Jerusalem," announces the Lord.


text:
" 'He says, "My towns will be filled with good things once more. I will comfort Zion. And I will choose Jerusalem again." ' "


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I spoke to the angel who was talking with me. "What are these horns?" I asked. He said, "They are the powerful nations that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."


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I asked, "What are they coming to do?" He answered, "They are the powerful nations that scattered the people of Judah. That made them helpless. But the workers have come to terrify the horns. They will destroy the power of those nations. They had used their power to scatter Judah's people."


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"Where are you going?" I asked. "To measure Jerusalem," he answered. "I want to find out how wide and how long it is."


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He said to him, "Run! Tell that young man Zechariah, 'Jerusalem will be like a city that does not have any walls around it. It will have huge numbers of people and animals in it.


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And I myself will be like a wall of fire around it,' announces the Lord. 'I will be the city's glory.' "


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"Israel, I have scattered you in all four directions," announces the Lord. "Come quickly! Run away from the land of the north," announces the Lord.


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The Lord rules over all. His angel says to Israel, "The Lord has sent me to honor him. He wants me to punish the nations that have robbed you of everything. After all, anyone who hurts you hurts those the Lord loves and guards.


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So I will raise my powerful hand to strike your enemies down. Their own slaves will rob them of everything. Then you will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me.


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'At that time many nations will join themselves to me. And they will become my people. I will live among you.' says the Lord. Then you will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me to you.


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"All you people of the world, be still because the Lord is coming. He is getting ready to come down from his holy temple in heaven."


text:
Then the Lord showed me the high priest Jeshua. He was standing in front of the angel of the Lord. Satan was standing to the right of Jeshua. He was there to bring charges against the high priest.


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The Lord said to Satan, "May the Lord correct you! He has chosen Jerusalem. So may he correct you! Isn't this man Jeshua like a burning stick pulled out of the fire?"


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The angel spoke to those who were standing near him. He said, "Take his dirty clothes off." He said to Jeshua, "I have taken your sin away. I will put fine clothes on you."


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I added, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they did. And they dressed him while the angel of the Lord stood by.


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"The Lord who rules over all says, 'You must live the way I want you to. And you must do what I want you to do. Then you will rule in my temple. You will be in charge of my courtyards. And I will give you a place among these who are standing here.


text:
" 'High priest Jeshua, pay attention! I want you other priests who are sitting with Jeshua to listen also. All of you men are signs of things to come. I am going to bring my servant the Branch.


text:
Look at the stone I have put in front of Jeshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone. I will carve a message on it,' says the Lord who rules over all. 'And I will remove the sin of this land in one day.


text:
" 'At that time each of you will invite your neighbors to visit you. They will sit under your vines and fig trees,' announces the Lord."


text:
"What do you see?" he asked me. "I see a solid gold lampstand," I answered. "It has a bowl on top of it. There are seven lamps on it. Seven tubes lead to each of them.


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So he said to me, "A message came to Zerubbabel from the Lord. He said, 'Your strength will not get my temple rebuilt. Your power will not do it either. Only the power of my Spirit will do it,' says the Lord who rules over all.


text:
"So nothing can stop Zerubbabel from completing the temple. Even a mountain of problems will be smoothed out by him. When the temple is finished, he will put its most important stone in place. Then the people will shout, 'God bless it! God bless it!' "


text:
"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple. His hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me to you.


text:
"Do not look down on the small amount of work done on the temple so far. People will be filled with joy when they see Zerubbabel holding the most important stone. "The seven eyes on the stone are the eyes of the Lord himself. He looks out over the whole earth."


text:
Then I said to the angel, "I see two olive trees. One is on the right side of the lampstand. The other is on the left. What are those trees?"


text:
I continued, "I also see two olive branches. They are next to the two gold pipes that pour out golden olive oil. What are those branches?"


text:
So he told me, "They are Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The Lord of the whole earth has anointed them to serve him."


text:
"What do you see?" the angel asked me. "A flying scroll," I replied. "It's 30 feet long and 15 feet wide."


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He said to me, "A curse sent by the Lord is written on it. It is going out over the whole land. Every thief will be driven out of the land. That is what it says on one side of the scroll. Everyone who lies when taking an oath to tell the truth will also be driven out. That is what it says on the other side.


text:
The Lord who rules over all announces, 'I will send the curse out. It will enter the house of the thief. It will also enter the house of anyone who lies when taking an oath in my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it. It will pull down its beams and stones.' "


text:
"What is it?" I asked. "A measuring basket," he replied. "The sins of the people all through the land are in it."


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The angel said, "She stands for everything that is evil." Then he pushed her down into the basket. He put the lead cover back over its opening.


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I looked up and saw two other women. They had wings like the wings of a stork. A wind sent by the Lord carried them along. They lifted the basket up between heaven and earth.


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He replied, "To the country of Babylonia. A temple will be built for it. When the temple is ready, the basket will be set there in its place."


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I looked up again and saw four chariots. They were coming out from between two mountains. The mountains were made out of bronze.


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The angel answered, "The four spirits of heaven. They are going out to serve the Lord of the whole world.


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The chariot pulled by the black horses is going toward the north country. The one with the white horses is going toward the west. And the one with the spotted horses is going toward the south."


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The powerful horses went out. They were in a hurry to go all over the earth. The angel said, "Go all through the earth!" So they did.


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Then the Lord called out to me, "Look! The horses going toward the north have given my Spirit rest in the north country."


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"Get some silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah. They have just come back from Babylonia. On that same day go to Josiah's house. He is the son of Zephaniah.


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Use the silver and gold to make a crown. Set it on the head of the high priest Jeshua. He is the son of Jehozadak.


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"Give Jeshua a message from the Lord who rules over all. He says, 'Here is the man whose name is The Branch. He will branch out and build my temple.


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That is what he will do. He will be dressed in majesty as if it were his royal robe. He will sit as king on his throne. He will also be a priest there. So he will combine the positions of king and priest in himself.'


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"The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Zephaniah's son Hen. The crown will be kept in the Lord's temple. It will remind everyone that the Lord's promises will come true.


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"Those who are far away will come to Jerusalem. They will help build the Lord's temple. Then his people will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me to them. It will happen if they are careful to obey the Lord their God."


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During the fourth year that Darius was king, a message came to me from the Lord. It was the fourth day of the ninth month. That's the month of Kislev.


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The people of Bethel wanted to ask the Lord to show them his favor. So they sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech and their men.


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They went to the prophets and priests at the Lord's temple. They asked them, "Should we sob and go without eating in the fifth month? That's what we've done for many years."


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"Ask the priests and all of the people in the land a question for me. Say to them, 'You sobbed and fasted in the fifth and seventh months. You did it for the past 70 years. But did you really do it for me?


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" 'Didn't I tell you the same thing through the earlier prophets? That was when Jerusalem and the towns around it were at rest and enjoyed success. People lived in the Negev Desert and the western hills at that time.' "


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He rules over all. He says to his people, "Treat everyone fairly. Show faithful love and tender concern to one another.


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Do not take advantage of widows. Do not mistreat children whose fathers have died. Do not crush strangers or poor people. Do not make evil plans against one another."


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But they refused to pay attention to the Lord. They were stubborn. They turned their backs and covered up their ears.


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They made their hearts as hard as the hardest stone. They wouldn't listen to the law. They wouldn't pay attention to the Lord's messages. So the Lord who rules over all was very angry. After all, his Spirit had spoken to his people through the earlier prophets.


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I used a windstorm to scatter them among all of the nations. They were strangers there. The land they left behind became dry and empty. No one could even travel through it. That is how they turned the pleasant land into a dry and empty desert."


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He continued, "I will return to Zion. I will live among my people in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called The City of Truth. And my mountain will be called The Holy Mountain."


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He continued, "Once again old men and women will sit in the streets of Jerusalem. All of them will be using canes because they are old.


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He continued, "All of that might seem wonderful to the people who are living at that time. But it will not seem wonderful to me."


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He continued, "I will save my people. I will gather them from the countries of the east and the west.


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I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people. I will be their faithful God. I will keep my promises to them."


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The Lord who rules over all says to his people, "Listen to the words that were spoken by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. They spoke to you when the work on my temple started up again. Let your hands be strong so that you can rebuild the temple.


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"Before the work was started again, there was no pay for the people or food for the animals. People could not go about their business safely because of their enemies. I had turned all of them against one another.


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But now I will not punish you who are living at this time. I will not treat you as I treated your people before you," announces the Lord who rules over all.


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"Your seeds will grow well. Your vines will bear fruit. The ground will produce crops for you. And the heavens will drop their dew on your land. I will give all of those things to those who are still left alive here.


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"Judah and Israel, in the past the nations called down curses on you. But now I will save you. You will be a blessing to others. Do not be afraid. Let your hands be strong so that you can do my work."


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The Lord who rules over all says, "Years ago your people made me angry. So I decided to bring trouble on them. I did not show them any pity.


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"Here is what you must do. Speak the truth to one another. Make true and wise decisions in your courts.


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Do not make evil plans against your neighbors. When you take an oath to tell the truth, do not lie. Many people love to do that. But I hate all of those things," announces the Lord.


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"You have established special times to go without eating. They are your fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. They will become days of joy. They will be happy times for Judah. It will happen if you take delight in telling the truth and bringing about peace."


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He continued, "Many nations will still come to you. And those who live in many cities will also come.


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The people who live in one city will go to another city. They will say, 'Let's go right away to ask the Lord to show us his favor. Let's look to him as our God. We ourselves are going.'


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Large numbers of people and nations will come to Jerusalem. They will look to me. They will ask me to show them my favor."


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He continued, "At that time many men from all nations and languages will take hold of one Jew. They will grab hold of the hem of his robe. And they will say, 'We want to go to Jerusalem with you. We've heard that God is with you.' "


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This is the Lord's message against the land of Hadrach. He will judge Damascus. That's because all of the tribes of Israel look to him. So do other people.


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The Lord will judge Hamath too. It's next to Damascus. He will also punish Tyre and Sidon even though they are very clever.


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Tyre's people have built a fort for themselves. They've piled up silver like dust. They have as much gold as the dirt in the streets.


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But the Lord will take away everything they have. He'll destroy their power on the Mediterranean Sea. And Tyre will be completely burned up.


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Ashkelon will see it and become afraid. Gaza will groan with pain. So will Ekron. Its hope will vanish. Gaza will no longer have a king. Ashkelon will be deserted.


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Strangers will take over Ashdod. The Lord says, "I will take away everything the Philistines are so proud of.


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They will no longer drink the blood of their animal sacrifices. I will remove the 'unclean' food from between their teeth. The Philistines who are left will belong to our God. They will become leaders in Judah. And Ekron will be like the Jebusites. So the Philistines will become part of Israel.


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But I will guard my temple against enemy armies. No one will ever crush my people again. I will make sure it does not happen.


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"City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has the power to save. He is gentle and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey's colt.


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I will take the chariots away from Ephraim. I will remove the war horses from Jerusalem. I will break the bows that are used in battle. Your king will announce peace to the nations. He will rule from ocean to ocean. His kingdom will reach from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.


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I will set your prisoners free from where their enemies are keeping them. I will do it because of the blood that put my covenant with you into effect.


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Return to your place of safety, you prisoners who still have hope. Even now I announce that I will give you back much more than you had before.


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I will bend Judah as I bend my bow. I will make Ephraim's people my arrows. Zion, I will stir up your sons. Greece, they will attack your sons. My people, I will use you as my sword."


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Then the Lord will appear over his people. His arrows will flash like lightning. The Lord and King will blow the trumpet of his thunder. He'll march out like a storm in the south.


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The Lord who rules over all will be like a shield to his people. They will destroy their enemies. They'll use slings to throw stones at them. They'll drink the blood of their enemies as if it were wine. They'll be full like the bowl that is used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.


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The Lord their God will save his people on that day. They will be like sheep that belong to his flock. They will gleam in his land like jewels in a crown.


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People of Judah, ask the Lord to send rain in the spring. He is the one who makes the storm clouds. He sends down showers of rain on all people. He gives everyone the plants in the fields.


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Other gods tell lies. Those who practice magic see visions that aren't true. They tell dreams that fool people. They give comfort that doesn't do any good. So the people wander around like sheep. They are crushed because they don't have a shepherd.


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The Lord who rules over all says, "My anger burns against the shepherds. I will punish the leaders. I will take care of my flock. They are the people of Judah. I will make them like a proud horse in battle.


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The most important building stone will come from the tribe of Judah. The tent stake will also come from it. And the bow that is used in battle will come from it. In fact, every ruler will come from it.


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Together they will be like soldiers in battle. They will fight their way through the muddy streets. I will be with them. So they will fight against the horsemen and destroy them.


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"I will make the family of Judah strong. I will save the people of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have tender love for them. It will be as if I had not sent them away. I am the Lord their God. I will help them.


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The people of Ephraim will become like mighty men. Their hearts will be glad as if they were drinking wine. Their children will see it and be filled with joy. I will make their hearts glad.


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I will whistle for my people and gather them in. I will set them free. There will be as many of them as before.


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I have scattered them among the nations. But in lands far away they will remember me. They and their children will be kept alive. And they will return.


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I will bring them back from Egypt. I will gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon. There will not be enough room for them.


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They will pass through a sea of trouble. The stormy sea will calm down. All of the deep places in the Nile River will dry up. Assyria's pride will be brought down. Egypt's right to rule will disappear.


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Pine trees, cry out! The cedar trees have fallen down. The majestic trees are destroyed. Cry out, you oak trees of Bashan! The thick forest has been cut down.


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Listen to the shepherds cry out! Their rich grasslands are destroyed. Listen to the lions roar! The trees and bushes along the Jordan River are gone.


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Those who buy them kill them. And they are not punished for it. Those who sell them say, 'Praise the Lord! We're rich!' And their own shepherds do not spare them.


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"I will no longer have pity on the people in the land," announces the Lord. "I will hand all of them over to their neighbors and their king. They will crush the people in the land. And I will not save them from their powerful hands."


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So I took care of the sheep set apart to be sacrificed. I took special care of those that had been crushed. Then I got two shepherd's staffs. I called one of them Favor. I called the other one Union. And I took care of the flock.


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So I said, "I won't be your shepherd anymore. Let those of you who are dying die. Let those who are passing away pass away. Let those who are left eat one another up."


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Then I got my staff called Favor. I broke it. That meant the covenant the Lord had made with all of the nations was broken.


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It happened that very day. The sheep that had been crushed were watching me. They knew it was the Lord's message.


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I told them, "If you think it is best, give me my pay. But if you don't think so, you keep it." So they paid me 30 silver coins.


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The Lord said to me, "Throw the coins to the potter." What a good price they had set for me! So I threw the 30 silver coins to the potter in the Lord's temple.


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I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land. He will not take care of those that are wounded. He will not look for the young ones. He will not heal those that are hurt. He will not feed the healthy ones. Instead, he will eat the best sheep. He will even tear their hoofs off.


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"How terrible it will be for that worthless shepherd! He deserts the flock. May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his powerful arm become weak! May his right eye be totally blinded!"


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This is the Lord's message about Israel. The Lord spread out the heavens. He laid the foundation of the earth. He created the spirits of all men. He says,


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"Jerusalem will be like a cup in my hand. It will make all of the surrounding nations drunk from the wine of my anger. Judah will be attacked by its enemies. So will Jerusalem.


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"At that time all of the nations on earth will gather together against Jerusalem. Then it will become like a rock that can't be moved. All of the nations that try to move it will only hurt themselves.


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On that day I will fill every horse with panic. I will make every rider crazy," announces the Lord. "I will watch over the people of Judah. But I will make all of the horses of the nations blind.


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"Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts, 'The people of Jerusalem are strong. That's because the Lord who rules over all is their God.'


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"At that time Judah's leaders will be like a fire pot in a pile of wood. They will be like a burning torch among bundles of grain. They will destroy all of the surrounding nations on every side. But Jerusalem will remain unharmed in its place.


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"I will save the houses in Judah first. The honor of David's family line is great. So is the honor of those who live in Jerusalem. But their honor will not be greater than the honor of the rest of Judah.


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"At that time I will be like a shield to those who live in Jerusalem. Then even the weakest among them will be great warriors like David. And David's family line will be like the Angel of the Lord who leads them.


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"I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on David's family line. I will also send it on those who live in Jerusalem. They will look to me. I am the one they have pierced. They will sob over me as someone sobs over an only child who has died. They will be full of sorrow over me, just like someone who is full of sorrow over an oldest son.


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"At that time there will be a lot of crying in Jerusalem. It will sound like the sobs of the people at Hadad Rimmon over Josiah's death in the Valley of Megiddo.


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Everyone in the land will sob. Each family will cry by themselves and their wives by themselves. That will include the family lines of David, Nathan,


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"At that time a fountain will be opened for the benefit of David's family line. It will also bless the others who live in Jerusalem. It will wash away their sins. It will make them pure and clean.


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"On that day I will remove the names of other gods from the land. They will not even be remembered anymore," announces the Lord who rules over all. "I will drive the evil prophets out of the land. I will get rid of the spirit that put lies in their mouths.


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Some people might still prophesy. But their own fathers and mothers will speak to them. They will tell them, 'You must die. You have told lies in the Lord's name.' When they prophesy, their own parents will stab them.


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"At that time every prophet will be ashamed of his vision. He will no longer pretend to be a true prophet. He will not put on clothes that are made out of hair in order to trick people.


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In fact, he will say, 'I'm not really a prophet. I'm a farmer. I've farmed the land since I was young.'


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Suppose someone asks him, 'What are those wounds on your body?' Then he will answer, 'I was given these wounds at the house of my friends.'


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"My sword, wake up! Attack my shepherd! Attack the man who is close to me," announces the Lord who rules over all. "Strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn my hand against their little ones.


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Here is what will happen in the whole land," announces the Lord. "Two-thirds of the people will be struck down and die. But one-third will be left.


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I will put that third in the fire. I will make them as pure as silver. I will test them like gold. They will call out to me. And I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people.' And they will say, 'The Lord is our God.' "


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The day of the Lord is coming. At that time Jerusalem's enemies will steal everything its people have. They will divide it up right in front of them.


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The Lord will gather all of the nations together. They will fight against Jerusalem. They'll capture the city. Its houses will be robbed. Its women will be raped. Half of the people will be taken away as prisoners. But the rest of them won't be taken.


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On that day he will stand on the Mount of Olives. It's east of Jerusalem. It will be split in two from east to west. Half of the mountain will move north. The other half will move south. A large valley will be formed.


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The people will run away through that mountain valley. It will reach all the way to Azel. They'll run away just as they ran from the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come. All of the holy ones will come with him.


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It will be a day unlike any other. It won't be separated into day and night. It will be a day known only to the Lord. After that day is over, there will be light again.


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At that time water that gives life will flow out from Jerusalem. Half of it will run into the Dead Sea. The other half will go to the Mediterranean Sea. The water will flow in summer and winter.


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The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord. His name will be the only name.


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The whole land south of Jerusalem will be changed. From Geba to Rimmon it will become like the Arabah Valley. But Jerusalem will be raised up. It will remain in its place. From the Benjamin Gate to the First Gate to the Corner Gate nothing will be changed. From the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepress the city will remain the same.


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The Lord will punish all of the nations that fought against Jerusalem. He'll strike them with a plague. It will make their bodies rot while they are still standing on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their heads. Their tongues will rot in their mouths.


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On that day the Lord will fill people with great panic. They will grab one another by the hand. And they'll attack each other.


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Judah will also fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all of the surrounding nations will be collected. Huge amounts of gold, silver and clothes will be gathered up.


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The same kind of plague will strike the horses, mules, camels and donkeys. In fact, it will strike all of the animals in the army camps.


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But some people from all of the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will still be left alive. All of them will go up there to worship the King. He is the Lord who rules over all. Year after year they will celebrate the Feast of Booths.


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Some nations might not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King. If they don't, they won't have any rain.


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The people of Egypt might not go up there to take part. Then they won't have any rain either. That's the plague the Lord will send on the nations that don't go to celebrate the Feast of Booths.


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On that day holy to the Lord will be carved on the bells of the horses. The cooking pots in the Lord's temple will be just like the sacred bowls in front of the altar for burnt offerings.


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Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart to the Lord. All those who come to offer sacrifices will get some of the pots and cook in them. At that time there won't be any Canaanites in the Lord's temple. He is the Lord who rules over all.


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"Israel, I have loved you," says the Lord. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother?" says the Lord. "But I chose Jacob


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instead of Esau. I turned Esau's mountains into a dry and empty land. I left that land of Edom to the wild dogs in the desert."


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Edom might say, "We have been crushed. But we'll rebuild our cities." The Lord who rules over all says, "They might rebuild their cities. But I will destroy them. They will be called The Evil Land. My anger will always remain on them.


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You will see it with your own eyes. You will say, 'The Lord is great! He rules even beyond the borders of Israel!'


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"A son honors his father. A servant honors his master. If I am a father, where is the honor I should have? If I am a master, where is the respect you should give me?" says the Lord who rules over all. "You priests look down on me. "But you ask, 'How have we looked down on you?'


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"You put 'unclean' food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we made you "unclean?" ' "You do it by looking down on my altar.


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You sacrifice blind animals to me. Isn't that wrong? You sacrifice disabled or sick animals. Isn't that wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the Lord who rules over all.


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"Now you dare to ask me to show you my favor! But as long as you give offerings like those, how can I accept you?" says the Lord.


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"You might as well shut the temple doors! Then you would not light useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you," says the Lord. "I will not accept any of the offerings you bring.


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"My name will be great among the nations. They will worship me from where the sun rises in the east to where it sets in the west. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be brought to me. That is because my name will be great among the nations," says the Lord.


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"But you treat my name as if it were not holy. You say my altar is 'unclean.' And you look down on its food.


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You say, 'What a heavy load our work is!' And you turn your nose up as if you hate working for me," says the Lord who rules over all. "You bring animals that have been hurt. Or you bring disabled or sick animals. Then you dare to offer them to me as sacrifices! Should I accept them from you?" says the Lord.


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"Suppose you have a male sheep or goat that does not have any flaws. And you promise to offer it to me. But then you sacrifice an animal that has flaws. When you do that, you cheat me. And anyone who cheats me is under my curse. After all, I am a great king," says the Lord who rules over all. "The other nations have respect for my name. So why don't you respect it?


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Listen to it. Honor me with all your heart," says the Lord who rules over all. "If you do not, I will send a curse on you. I will turn your blessings into curses. In fact, I have already done that because you have not honored me with all your heart.


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"Because of what you have done, I will punish your children. I will smear the guts from your sacrifices on your faces. And you will be carried off to the dump along with them.


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You will know that I have given you a warning. I have warned you so that my covenant with Levi will continue," says the Lord who rules over all.


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"My covenant promised Levi life and peace. So I gave them to him. I required him to respect me. And he had great respect for my name.


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True teaching came from his mouth. Nothing but the truth came from his lips. He walked with me in peace. He did what was right. He turned many people away from their sins.


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"The lips of a priest should guard knowledge. People should look for true teaching from his mouth. After all, he is my messenger.


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But you have turned away from the right path. Your teaching has caused many people to trip and fall. You have broken my covenant with Levi," says the Lord who rules over all.


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"So I have caused all of the people to hate you. They have lost respect for you. You have not done what I told you to do. Instead, you have favored one person over another in matters of the law."


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People of Judah, all of us have one Father. One God created us. So why do we break the covenant the Lord made with our people long ago? We don't even keep our promises to one another.


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You have broken your promises. A hateful thing has been done in Israel and Jerusalem. The Lord loves his temple. But you have polluted it. You men have married women who worship other gods.


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May the Lord punish you who do that. It doesn't matter who you are. May the Lord who rules over all cut you off from the tents of Jacob's people. May he remove you even if you bring offerings to him.


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Here's something else you do. You flood the Lord's altar with your tears. You sob and cry because he doesn't pay attention to your offerings anymore. He doesn't accept them from your hands with pleasure.


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You ask, "Why?" It's because the Lord is holding you accountable. He watches how you treat the wife you married when you were young. You have broken your promise to her. You did it even though she's your partner. You promised to stay married to her. And the Lord was a witness to it.


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Hasn't he made the two of you one? Both of you belong to him in body and spirit. And why has he made you one? Because he was looking for godly children. So guard yourself in your spirit. Don't break your promise to the wife you married when you were young.


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"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel. "I hate it when people do anything that harms others," says the Lord who rules over all. So guard yourself in your spirit. And don't break your promises.


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You have worn the Lord out by what you keep saying. "How have we worn him out?" you ask. You have done it by saying, "All those who do evil things are good in the Lord's sight. And he is pleased with them." Or you ask, "Is God really fair?"


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The Lord who rules over all says, "I will send my messenger. He will prepare my way for me. Then suddenly the Lord you are looking for will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant will come. He is the one you long for."


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But who can live through the day when he comes? Who will be left standing when he appears? He will be like a fire that makes things pure. He will be like soap that makes things clean.


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He will act like one who makes silver pure. And he will purify the Levites, just as gold and silver are purified with fire. Then the Lord's people will bring proper offerings.


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And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to him. It will be as it was in days and years gone by.


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"So I will come and judge you. I will be quick to bring charges against all of you," says the Lord who rules over all. "I will bring charges against you sinful people who do not have any respect for me. That includes those who practice evil magic. It includes those who commit adultery and those who tell lies in court. It includes those who cheat workers out of their pay. It includes those who crush widows. It also includes those who mistreat children whose fathers have died. And it includes those who take away the rights of outsiders in the courts.


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You have turned away from my rules. You have not obeyed them. You have lived that way ever since the days of your people long ago. Return to me. Then I will return to you," says the Lord who rules over all. "But you ask, 'How can we return?'


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"Will a man dare to steal from me? But you rob me! "You ask, 'How do we rob you?' "By holding back your offerings. You also steal from me when you do not bring me a tenth of everything you produce.


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So you are under my curse. In fact, your whole nation is under it. That is because you are robbing me.


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"Bring the entire tenth to the storerooms in my temple. Then there will be plenty of food. Put me to the test," says the Lord. "Then you will see that I will throw open the windows of heaven. I will pour out so many blessings that you will not have enough room for them.


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I will keep bugs from eating up your crops. And your grapes will not drop from the vines before they are ripe," says the Lord.


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"Then all of the nations will call you blessed. Your land will be delightful," says the Lord who rules over all.


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"You have spoken bad things against me," says the Lord. "But you ask, 'What have we spoken against you?'


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"You have said, 'It is useless to serve God. What did we gain by obeying his laws? And what did we get by pretending to be sad in front of the Lord?


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But now we call proud people blessed. Things go well with those who do what is evil. And God doesn't even punish those who argue with him.' "


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Those who had respect for the Lord talked with one another. They cheered each other up. And the Lord heard them. A list of people and what they did was written on a scroll in front of him. It included the names of those who respected the Lord and honored him.


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"They will belong to me," says the Lord who rules over all. "They will be my special treasure. I will spare them just as a loving father spares his son who serves him.


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Then once again you will see the difference between godly people and sinful people. And you will see the difference between those who serve me and those who do not.


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"You can be sure the day of the Lord is coming. My anger will burn like a furnace. All those who are proud will be like straw. So will all those who do what is evil. The day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord who rules over all. "Not even a root or a branch will be left to them.


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"But here is what will happen for you who have respect for me. The sun that brings life will rise. Its rays will bring healing to my people. You will go out and leap like calves that have just been let out of the barn.


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"Then you will stomp on sinful people. They will be like ashes under your feet. That will happen on the day I act," says the Lord.


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"Remember the law my servant Moses gave you. Remember the rules and laws I gave him at Mount Horeb. They were for the whole nation of Israel.


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"I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day.


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Elijah will teach parents how to love their children. He will also teach children how to honor their parents. If that does not happen, I will come. And I will put a curse on the land."


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This is a record of the family line of Jesus Christ. He is the son of David. He is also the son of Abraham.


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Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.


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Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah. Tamar was their mother. Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.


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Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.


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Salmon was the father of Boaz. Rahab was Boaz's mother. Boaz was the father of Obed. Ruth was Obed's mother. Obed was the father of Jesse.


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And Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon. Solomon's mother had been Uriah's wife.


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Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.


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Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.


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Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah.


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And Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers. At that time, the Jewish people were forced to go away to Babylon.


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After this, the family line continued. Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.


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Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor.


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Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.


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Jacob was the father of Joseph. Joseph was the husband of Mary. And Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called Christ.


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So there were 14 generations from Abraham to David. There were 14 from David until the Jewish people were forced to go away to Babylon. And there were 14 from that time to the Christ.


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This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary and Joseph had promised to get married. But before they started to live together, it became clear that she was going to have a baby. She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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Her husband Joseph was a godly man. He did not want to put her to shame in public. So he planned to divorce her quietly.


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But as Joseph was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit.


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She is going to have a son. You must give him the name Jesus. That is because he will save his people from their sins."


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All of this took place to bring about what the Lord had said would happen. He had said through the prophet,


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"The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel."--(Isaiah 7:14) The name Immanuel means "God with us."


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Joseph woke up. He did what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do. He took Mary home as his wife.


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But he did not make love to her until after she gave birth to a son. And Joseph gave him the name Jesus.


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Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea. After Jesus' birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem.


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They asked, "Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? When we were in the east, we saw his star. Now we have come to worship him."


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So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people. He also called the teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ was going to be born.


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" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah. A ruler will come out of you. He will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " --(Micah 5:2)


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Then Herod called for the Wise Men secretly. He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared.


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He sent them to Bethlehem. He said, "Go! Make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, bring me a report. Then I can go and worship him too."


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After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when they were in the east went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was.


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The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh.


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But God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country on a different road.


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When the Wise Men had left, Joseph had a dream. In the dream an angel of the Lord appeared to him. "Get up!" the angel said. "Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to come back. Herod is going to search for the child. He wants to kill him."


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They stayed there until King Herod died. So the words the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true. He had said, "I chose to bring my son out of Egypt."--(Hosea 11:1)


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Herod realized that the Wise Men had tricked him. So he became very angry. He gave orders concerning Bethlehem and the area around it. All the boys two years old and under were to be killed. This agreed with the time when the Wise Men had seen the star.


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"A voice is heard in Ramah. It's the sound of crying and deep sadness. Rachel is crying over her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are gone." --(Jeremiah 31:15)


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After Herod died, Joseph had a dream while he was still in Egypt. In the dream an angel of the Lord appeared to him.


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The angel said, "Get up! Take the child and his mother. Go to the land of Israel. Those who were trying to kill the child are dead."


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But then he heard that Archelaus was king of Judea. Archelaus was ruling in place of his father Herod. This made Joseph afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, Joseph went back to the land of Galilee instead.


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There he lived in a town called Nazareth. So what the prophets had said about Jesus came true. They had said, "He will be called a Nazarene."


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John is the one the prophet Isaiah had spoken about. He had said, "A messenger is calling out in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.' " --(Isaiah 40:3)


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John's clothes were made out of camel's hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.


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People went out to him from Jerusalem and all of Judea. They also came from the whole area around the Jordan River.


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John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing. He said to them, "You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God's anger?


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Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.


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The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don't produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.


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"I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. And I'm not fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


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His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can't be put out."


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But John tried to stop him. He told Jesus, "I need to be baptized by you. So why do you come to me?"


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Jesus replied, "Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this. It carries out God's holy plan." Then John agreed.


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As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.


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Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man doesn't live only on bread. He also lives on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "--(Deuteronomy 8:3)


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"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. It is written, " 'The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you. They will lift you up in their hands. Then you won't trip over a stone.' " --(Psalm 91:11,12)


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Jesus answered him, "It is also written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "--(Deuteronomy 6:16)


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Finally, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. He showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.


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Jesus said to him, "Get away from me, Satan! It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve.' "--(Deuteronomy 6:13)


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Jesus left Nazareth. He went to live in the city of Capernaum. It was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.


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"Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Galilee, where non?Jewish people live! Land along the Mediterranean Sea! Territory east of the Jordan River!


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The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them." --(Isaiah 9:1,2)


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From that time on Jesus began to preach. "Turn away from your sins!" he said. "The kingdom of heaven is near."


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One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw two brothers. They were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen.


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Going on from there, he saw two other brothers. They were James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee. As they were preparing their nets, Jesus called out to them.


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Jesus went all over Galilee. There he taught in the synagogues. He preached the good news of God's kingdom. He healed every illness and sickness the people had.


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News about him spread all over Syria. People brought to him all who were ill with different kinds of sicknesses. Some were suffering great pain. Others were controlled by demons. Some were shaking wildly. Others couldn't move at all. And Jesus healed all of them.


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Large crowds followed him. Some people came from Galilee, from the area known as the Ten Cities, and from Jerusalem and Judea. Others came from the area across the Jordan River.


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"Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.


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Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago.


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"You are the salt of the earth. But suppose the salt loses its saltiness. How can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. It will be thrown out. People will walk all over it.


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Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house.


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"In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.


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"Do not think I have come to get rid of what is written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not come to do that. Instead, I have come to give full meaning to what is written.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed.


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"Do not break even one of the least important commandments. And do not teach others to break them. If you do, you will be called the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, practice and teach these commands. Then you will be called important in the kingdom of heaven.


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"Here is what I tell you. You must be more godly than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. If you are not, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.


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"You have heard what was said to people who lived long ago. They were told, 'Do not commit murder.--(Exodus 20:13) Anyone who murders will be judged for it.'


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But here is what I tell you. Do not be angry with your brother. Anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' must stand trial in the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire in hell.


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"Suppose you are offering your gift at the altar. And you remember that your brother has something against you.


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Leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift.


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"Suppose someone has a claim against you and is taking you to court. Settle the matter quickly. Do it while you are still with him on your way. If you don't, he may hand you over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer. And you may be thrown into prison.


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But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart.


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"If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. Your eye is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.


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"If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Your hand is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to go into hell.


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"It has been said, 'Suppose a man divorces his wife. If he does, he must give her a letter of divorce.'--(Deuteronomy 24:1)


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But here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who gets married to the divorced woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him.


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"Again, you have heard what was said to your people long ago. They were told, 'Do not break the promises you make to the Lord. Keep the oaths you have made to him.'


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But here is what I tell you. Do not make any promises like that at all. Do not make them in the name of heaven. That is God's throne.


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Do not make them in the name of the earth. That is the stool for God's feet. Do not make them in the name of Jerusalem. That is the city of the Great King.


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"Just let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes.' Let your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more than this comes from the evil one.


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"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.'--(Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21)


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But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person. "Suppose someone hits you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also.


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"Give to the one who asks you for something. Don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.


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Then you will be sons of your Father who is in heaven. "He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don't.


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If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that.


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"Be careful not to do 'good works' in front of others. Don't do them to be seen by others. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you.


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"When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.


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"When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.


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"When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can't be seen. He will reward you. Your Father sees what is done secretly.


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"When you pray, do not keep talking on and on the way ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot.


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"Forgive people when they sin against you. If you do, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you.


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"When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.


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Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can't be seen, will know it. He will reward you. Your Father sees what is done secretly.


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"Do not put away riches for yourselves on earth. Moths and rust can destroy them. Thieves can break in and steal them.


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Instead, put away riches for yourselves in heaven. There, moths and rust do not destroy them. There, thieves do not break in and steal them.


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"The eye is like a lamp for the body. Suppose your eyes are good. Then your whole body will be full of light.


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But suppose your eyes are bad. Then your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light inside you is darkness, then it is very dark!


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"No one can serve two masters at the same time. He will hate one of them and love the other. Or he will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can't serve God and Money at the same time.


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"I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes?


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"Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?


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"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothing.


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But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers.


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"If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won't he dress you even better? After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!


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People who are ungodly run after all of those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them.


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"But put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.


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"So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


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You will be judged in the same way you judge others. You will be measured in the same way you measure others.


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"You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend's eye. But you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye.


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How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye'? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye?


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"You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend's eye.


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"Do not give holy things to dogs. Do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they might walk all over them. Then they might turn around and tear you to pieces.


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"Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.


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Everyone who asks will receive. He who searches will find. The door will be opened to the one who knocks.


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Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!


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"In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets.


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"Enter God's kingdom through the narrow gate. The gate is large and the road is wide that lead to death and hell. Many people go that way.


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"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you pretending to be sheep. But on the inside they are hungry wolves.


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You can tell what they really are by what they do. "Do people pick grapes from bushes? Do they pick figs from thorns?


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"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter.


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"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord! Lord! Didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we drive out demons in your name? Didn't we do many miracles in your name?'


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"So then, everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock.


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The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. But it does not fall. It is built on the rock.


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"But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. He builds his house on sand.


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The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. And it falls with a loud crash."


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A man who had a skin disease came and got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, "Lord, if you are willing to make me 'clean,' you can do it."


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Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing to do it," he said. "Be 'clean'!" Right away the man was healed of his skin disease.


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Then Jesus said to him, "Don't tell anyone. Go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the gift Moses commanded. It will be a witness to them."


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The commander replied, "Lord, I am not good enough to have you come into my house. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.


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I myself am a man under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."


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When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those following him, "What I'm about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong.


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"I say to you that many will come from the east and the west. They will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. They will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


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But those who think they belong to the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness. There they will sob and grind their teeth."


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Then Jesus said to the Roman commander, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.


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When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother?in?law. She was lying in bed. She had a fever.


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When evening came, many people controlled by demons were brought to Jesus. He drove out the spirits with a word. He healed all who were sick.


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He did it to make what the prophet Isaiah had said come true. He had said, "He suffered the things we should have suffered. He took on himself the sicknesses that should have been ours." --(Isaiah 53:4)


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Jesus saw the crowd around him. So he gave his disciples orders to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.


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Then a teacher of the law came to him. He said, "Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go."


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Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes. Birds of the air have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."


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Suddenly a terrible storm came up on the lake. The waves crashed over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.


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He replied, "Your faith is so small! Why are you so afraid?" Then Jesus got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop. It became completely calm.


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The disciples were amazed. They asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"


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Jesus arrived at the other side of the lake in the area of the Gadarenes. Two men controlled by demons met him. They came from the tombs. The men were so wild that no one could pass that way.


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"Son of God, what do you want with us?" they shouted. "Have you come here to punish us before the time for us to be judged?"


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Jesus said to them, "Go!" So the demons came out of the men and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank. They ran into the lake and drowned in the water.


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Those who were tending the pigs ran off. They went into the town and reported all this. They told the people what had happened to the men who had been controlled by demons.


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Some men brought to him a man who could not walk. He was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that they had faith. So he said to the man, "Don't lose hope, son. Your sins are forgiven."


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I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he spoke to the man who could not walk. "Get up," he said. "Take your mat and go home."


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When the crowd saw this, they were filled with wonder. They praised God for giving that kind of authority to men.


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As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him.


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Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and "sinners" came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples.


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The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"


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Go and learn what this means, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'--(Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me."


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One day John's disciples came. They said to Jesus, "We and the Pharisees go without eating. Why don't your disciples go without eating?"


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Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the groom be sad while he is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.


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"People don't sew a patch of new cloth on old clothes. The new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse.


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"People don't pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst. The wine will run out, and the wineskins will be destroyed. No, everyone pours new wine into new wineskins. Then both are saved."


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While Jesus was saying this, a ruler came. He got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, "My daughter has just died. But come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again."


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Just then a woman came up behind Jesus. She had a sickness that made her bleed. It had lasted for 12 years. She touched the edge of his clothes.


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Jesus turned and saw her. "Dear woman, don't give up hope," he said. "Your faith has healed you." The woman was healed at that very moment.


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As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him. They called out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"


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When Jesus went indoors, the blind men came to him. He asked them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.


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While they were going out, another man was brought to Jesus. A demon controlled him, and he could not speak.


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When the demon was driven out, the man spoke. The crowd was amazed. They said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."


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Jesus went through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues. He preached the good news of the kingdom. And he healed every illness and sickness.


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When he saw the crowds, he felt deep concern for them. They were beaten down and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


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Jesus called for his 12 disciples to come to him. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every illness and sickness.


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Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then come James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.


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Next are Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more are James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.


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The last are Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas is the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies.


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Jesus sent these 12 out with the following orders. "Do not go among those who aren't Jews," he said. "Do not enter any town of the Samaritans.


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Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases 'clean' again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely.


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Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs.


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"When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at that person's house until you leave.


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"Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don't, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.


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You will be brought to governors and kings because of me. You will be witnesses to them and to those who aren't Jews.


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"But when they arrest you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the right words to say.


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"Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. Fathers will hand over their children. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death.


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"When people attack you in one place, escape to another. What I'm about to tell you is true. You will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.


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It is enough for the student to be like his teacher. And it is enough for the servant to be like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, what can the others who live there expect?


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"So don't be afraid of your enemies. Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered.


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What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. What is whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops.


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Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.


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"Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it.


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"What about someone who says in front of others that he knows me? I will also say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I know him.


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But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn't know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don't know him.


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"Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I didn't come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword.


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I have come to turn " 'sons against their fathers. Daughters will refuse to obey their mothers. Daughters?in?law will be against their mothers?in?law.


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"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.


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Suppose someone welcomes a prophet as a prophet. That one will receive a prophet's reward. And suppose someone welcomes a godly person as a godly person. That one will receive a godly person's reward.


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Suppose someone gives even a cup of cold water to a little one who follows me. What I'm about to tell you is true. That one will certainly be rewarded."


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Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.


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Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are healed. Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.


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As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, "What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?


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If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.


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He is the one written about in Scripture. It says, " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.' --(Malachi 3:1)


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is.


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Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. And forceful people are taking hold of it.


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"What can I compare today's people to? They are like children sitting in the market places and calling out to others. They say,


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" 'We played the flute for you. But you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn't become sad.'


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But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, 'This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He's a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' Those who act wisely prove that wisdom is right."


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Jesus began to speak against the cities where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said,


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"How terrible it will be for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on black clothes. They would have sat down in ashes.


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"And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today.


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At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and educated. But you have shown them to little children.


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"My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.


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Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls.


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One Sabbath day Jesus walked through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry. So they began to break off some heads of grain and eat them.


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The Pharisees saw this. They said to Jesus, "Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. But your disciples are doing it anyway!"


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So he entered the house of God. He and his men ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it.


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Haven't you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty.


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Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'--(Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.


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A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. The Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. So they asked him, "Does the Law allow us to heal on the Sabbath day?"


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He said to them, "What if one of your sheep falls into a pit on the Sabbath? Won't you take hold of it and lift it out?


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Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out. It was as good as new, just as good as the other hand.


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Jesus knew all about the Pharisees' plans. So he left that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick people.


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"Here is my servant. I have chosen him. He is the one I love. I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit on him. He will announce to the nations that everything will be made right.


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He will not break a bent twig. He will not put out a dimly burning flame. He will make everything right.


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A man controlled by demons was brought to Jesus. The man was blind and could not speak. Jesus healed him. Then the man could speak and see.


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The Pharisees heard this. So they said, "This fellow drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons."


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Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand.


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You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub. Then by whose power do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.


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"Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man's house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.


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So here is what I tell you. Every sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.


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Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won't be forgiven either now or in days to come.


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"If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit.


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"You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts.


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A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him.


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But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.


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Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."


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He answered, "Evil and unfaithful people ask for a miraculous sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.


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Jonah was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days and three nights. Something like that will happen to the Son of Man. He will spend three days and three nights in the grave.


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"The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that those people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now one who is more important than Jonah is here.


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"The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon's wisdom. And now one who is more important than Solomon is here.


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"What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a man? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn't find it.


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Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives there, it finds the house empty. The house has been swept clean and put in order.


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Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That man is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today."


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While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to speak to him.


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Large crowds gathered around him. So he got into a boat. He sat down in it. All the people stood on the shore.


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Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn't much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn't deep.


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Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than what was planted.


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He replied, "You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. It has not been given to outsiders.


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Everyone who has that kind of knowledge will be given more. In fact, they will have very much. If anyone doesn't have that kind of knowledge, even what little he has will be taken away from him.


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Here is why I use stories when I speak to the people. I say, "They look, but they don't really see. They listen, but they don't really hear or understand.


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"In them the words of the prophet Isaiah come true. He said, " 'You will hear but never understand. You will see but never know what you are seeing.


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The hearts of these people have become stubborn. They can barely hear with their ears. They have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. They might turn to the Lord, and then he would heal them.' --(Isaiah 6:9,10)


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What I'm about to tell you is true. Many prophets and godly people wanted to see what you see. But they didn't see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn't hear it.


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People hear the message about the kingdom but do not understand it. Then the evil one comes. He steals what was planted in their hearts. Those people are like the seed planted on a path.


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Others received the seed that fell on rocky places. They are those who hear the message and at once receive it with joy.


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But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message.


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Others received the seed that fell among the thorns. They are those who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep it from producing fruit.


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But still others received the seed that fell on good soil. They are those who hear the message and understand it. They produce a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than the farmer planted."


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Jesus told the crowd another story. "Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like," he said. "A man planted good seed in his field.


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But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came. The enemy planted weeds among the wheat and then went away.


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"The owner's servants came to him. They said, 'Sir, didn't you plant good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?'


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" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull the weeds up?'


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" 'No,' the owner answered. 'While you are pulling up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat with them.


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Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the workers what to do. Here is what I will say to them. First collect the weeds. Tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat. Bring it into my storeroom.' "


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Jesus told the crowd another story. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field.


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It is the smallest of all your seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches."


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Jesus told them still another story. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast," he said. "A woman mixed it into a large amount of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough."


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Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd by using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story.


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So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said, "I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden since the world was made." --(Psalm 78:2)


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Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him. They said, "Explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."


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The field is the world. The good seed stands for the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.


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The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin. They will also get rid of all who do evil.


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Then God's people will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Those who have ears should listen.


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"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.


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He found one that was very valuable. So he went away and sold everything he had. And he bought that pearl.


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"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. It was let down into the lake. It caught all kinds of fish.


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When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and gathered the good fish into baskets. But they threw the bad fish away.


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This is how it will be on judgment day. The angels will come. They will separate the people who did what is wrong from those who did what is right.


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They will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace. There the evil ones will sob and grind their teeth.


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He said to them, "Every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings new treasures out of his storeroom as well as old ones."


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He came to his hometown of Nazareth. There he began teaching the people in their synagogue. They were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom? Where did he get this power to do miracles?" they asked.


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"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary? Aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?


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They were not pleased with him at all. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not honored in his hometown. He doesn't receive any honor in his own home."


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He said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles."


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Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod's brother Philip.


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Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.


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On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased Herod very much.


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Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, "Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate."


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The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he told one of his men to give her what she asked for.


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Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns.


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When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people.


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When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. "There is nothing here," they said. "It's already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages."


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Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people.


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Right away Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then he sent the crowd away.


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After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.


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The boat was already a long way from land. It was being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it.


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They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said. And they cried out in fear.


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Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "Your faith is so small!" he said. "Why did you doubt me?"


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The men who lived there recognized Jesus. So they sent a message all over the nearby countryside. People brought all their sick to Jesus.


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They begged him to let those who were sick just touch the edge of his clothes. And all who touched him were healed.


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"Why don't your disciples obey what the elders teach? Your disciples don't wash their hands before they eat!"


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God said, 'Honor your father and mother.'--(Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) He also said, 'If anyone calls down a curse on his father or mother, he will be put to death.'--(Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9)


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But you allow people to say to their parents, 'Any help you might have received from us is a gift set apart for God.'


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So they do not need to honor their parents with their gift. You make the word of God useless in order to follow your own teachings.


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What goes into your mouth does not make you 'unclean.' It's what comes out of your mouth that makes you 'unclean.' "


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Then the disciples came to him. They asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were angry when they heard this?"


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Jesus replied, "There are plants that my Father in heaven has not planted. They will be pulled up by the roots.


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Leave them. The Pharisees are blind guides. If a blind person leads another who is blind, both of them will fall into a pit."


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"Don't you see? Everything that enters the mouth goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body.


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But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart. Those are the things that make you 'unclean.'


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Evil thoughts come out of the heart. So do murder, adultery, and other sexual sins. And so do stealing, false witness, and telling lies about others.


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Those are the things that make you 'unclean.' But eating without washing your hands does not make you 'unclean.' "


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A woman from Canaan lived near Tyre and Sidon. She came to him and cried out, "Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on me! A demon controls my daughter. She is suffering terribly."


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Jesus did not say a word. So his disciples came to him. They begged him, "Send her away. She keeps crying out after us."


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Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! You will be given what you are asking for." And her daughter was healed at that very moment.


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Jesus left there. He walked along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.


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Large crowds came to him. They brought blind people and those who could not walk. They also brought disabled people, those who could not speak, and many others. They laid them at his feet, and he healed them.


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The people were amazed. Those who could not speak were speaking. The disabled were made well. Those not able to walk were walking. Those who were blind could see. So the people praised the God of Israel.


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Then Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said, "I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don't have anything to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. If I do, they will become too weak on their way home."


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His disciples answered him. "There is nothing here," they said. "Where could we get enough bread to feed this large crowd?"


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He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks. Then he broke them and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples passed them out to the people.


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All of them ate and were satisfied. After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces.


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The Pharisees and Sadducees came to put Jesus to the test. They asked him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven.


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He replied, "In the evening you look at the sky. You say, 'It will be good weather. The sky is red.'


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And in the morning you say, 'Today it will be stormy. The sky is red and cloudy.' You know the meaning of what you see in the sky. But you can't understand the signs of what is happening right now.


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An evil and unfaithful people look for a miraculous sign. But none will be given to them except the sign of Jonah." Then Jesus left them and went away.


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The disciples talked about this among themselves. They said, "He must be saying this because we didn't bring any bread."


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Jesus knew what they were saying. So he said, "Your faith is so small! Why are you talking to each other about having no bread?


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Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember the five loaves for the 5,000? Don't you remember how many baskets of pieces you gathered?


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Don't you remember the seven loaves for the 4,000? Don't you remember how many baskets of pieces you gathered?


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How can you possibly not understand? I wasn't talking to you about bread. But watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."


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Then the disciples understood that Jesus was not telling them to watch out for the yeast used in bread. He was warning them against what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught.


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Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. There he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"


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They replied, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."


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Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! No mere man showed this to you. My Father in heaven showed it to you.


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Here is what I tell you. You are Peter. On this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not be strong enough to destroy it.


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I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What you lock on earth will be locked in heaven. What you unlock on earth will be unlocked in heaven."


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From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again.


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Peter took Jesus to one side and began to scold him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This will never happen to you!"


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Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are standing in my way. You do not have in mind the things of God. Instead, you are thinking about human things."


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Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me.


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"What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what can anyone trade for his soul?


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The Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory. His angels will come with him. And he will reward everyone in keeping with what they have done.


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."


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After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone.


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There in front of them his appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became as white as the light.


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Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."


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While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud surrounded them. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!"


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They came down the mountain. On the way down, Jesus told them what to do. "Don't tell anyone what you have seen," he said. "Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."


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But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People didn't recognize him. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. In the same way, they are going to make the Son of Man suffer."


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"Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water.


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"You unbelieving and evil people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."


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Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.


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He replied, "Because your faith is much too small. What I'm about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."


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They came together in Galilee. Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men.


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They will kill him. On the third day he will rise from the dead." Then the disciples were filled with deep sadness.


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Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum. There the tax collectors came to Peter. They asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"


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"Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke first. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "Who do the kings of the earth collect taxes and fees from? Do they collect from their own sons or from others?"


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"But we don't want to make them angry. So go to the lake and throw out your fishing line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find the exact coin you need. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."


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At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, "Who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?"


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Jesus said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don't, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.


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"But what if someone leads one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If he does, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned at the bottom of the sea.


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"How terrible it will be for the world because of the things that lead people to sin! Things like that must come. But how terrible for those who cause them!


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"If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter the kingdom of heaven with only one hand or one foot than to go into hell with two hands and two feet. In hell the fire burns forever.


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If your eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter the kingdom of heaven with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.


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"See that you don't look down on one of these little ones. Here is what I tell you. Their angels in heaven can go at any time to see my Father who is in heaven.


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"What do you think? Suppose a man owns 100 sheep and one of them wanders away. Won't he leave the 99 sheep on the hills? Won't he go and look for the one that wandered off?


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What I'm about to tell you is true. If he finds that sheep, he is happier about the one than about the 99 that didn't wander off.


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"If your brother sins against you, go to him. Tell him what he did wrong. Keep it between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won him back.


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"But what if he won't listen to you? Then take one or two others with you. Scripture says, 'Every matter must be proved by the words of two or three witnesses.'--(Deuteronomy 19:15)


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But what if he also refuses to listen to the witnesses? Then tell it to the church. And what if he refuses to listen even to the church? Then don't treat him as your brother. Treat him as you would treat an ungodly person or a tax collector.


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. What you lock on earth will be locked in heaven. What you unlock on earth will be unlocked in heaven.


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"Again, here is what I tell you. Suppose two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for. My Father in heaven will do it for you.


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Peter came to Jesus. He asked, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"


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The man was not able to pay. So his master gave an order. The man, his wife, his children, and all he owned had to be sold to pay back what he owed.


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"The servant fell on his knees in front of him. 'Give me time,' he begged. 'I'll pay everything back.'


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"But then that servant went out and found one of the other servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he said.


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"But the first servant refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison. The man would be held there until he could pay back what he owed.


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The other servants saw what had happened. It troubled them greatly. They went and told their master everything that had happened.


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"Then the master called the first servant in. 'You evil servant,' he said. 'I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to.


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In anger his master turned him over to the jailers. He would be punished until he paid back everything he owed.


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"This is how my Father in heaven will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."


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When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee. He went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River.


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Some Pharisees came to put him to the test. They asked, "Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?"


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Jesus replied, "Haven't you read that in the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female'?--(Genesis 1:27)


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He said, 'That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two will become one.'--(Genesis 2:24)


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They asked, "Then why did Moses command that a man can give his wife a letter of divorce and send her away?"


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Jesus replied, "Moses let you divorce your wives because you were stubborn. But it was not this way from the beginning.


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Here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife and gets married to another woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him."


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The disciples said to him, "If that's the way it is between a husband and wife, it is better not to get married."


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Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept the idea of staying single. Only those who have been helped to live without getting married can accept it.


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Some men are not able to have children because they were born that way. Some have been made that way by other people. Others have made themselves that way in order to serve the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept living that way should do it."


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Some people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples told the people to stop.


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Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them."


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"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter the kingdom, obey the commandments."


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"Which ones?" the man asked. Jesus said, " 'Do not commit murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false witness.


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Honor your father and mother.'--(Exodus 20:12?16; Deuteronomy 5:16?20) And 'love your neighbor as you love yourself.' "--(Leviticus 19:18)


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Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."


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Then Jesus said to his disciples, "What I'm about to tell you is true. It is hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven.


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Again I tell you, it is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for the rich to enter God's kingdom."


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Jesus looked at them and said, "With man, that is impossible. But with God, all things are possible."


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"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus said to them. "When all things are made new, the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne. Then you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones. You will judge the 12 tribes of Israel.


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Everyone who has left houses or families or fields because of me will receive 100 times as much. They will also receive eternal life.


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"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who owned land. He went out early in the morning to hire people to work in his vineyard.


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"About nine o'clock in the morning he went out again. He saw others standing in the market place doing nothing.


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About five o'clock he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'


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" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'


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"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard spoke to the person who was in charge of the workers. He said, 'Call the workers and give them their pay. Begin with the last ones I hired. Then go on to the first ones.'


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So when those who were hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them also received the usual day's pay.


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'These people who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said. 'You have paid them the same as us. We have done most of the work and have been in the hot sun all day.'


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"The owner answered one of them. 'Friend,' he said, 'I'm being fair to you. Didn't you agree to work for the usual day's pay?


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Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Do you feel cheated because I gave so freely to the others?'


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"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said. "The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death.


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Then they will turn him over to people who are not Jews. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!"


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The mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus. Her sons came with her. Getting on her knees, she asked a favor of him.


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"What do you want?" Jesus asked. She said, "Promise me that one of my two sons may sit at your right hand in your kingdom. Promise that the other one may sit at your left hand."


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"You don't know what you're asking for," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup of suffering I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.


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Jesus said to them, "You will certainly drink from my cup. But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or left hand. These places belong to those my Father has prepared them for."


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Jesus called them together. He said, "You know about the rulers of the nations. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around.


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"Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free."


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Two blind men were sitting by the side of the road. They heard that Jesus was going by. So they shouted, "Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on us!"


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The crowd commanded them to stop. They told them to be quiet. But the two men shouted even louder, "Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on us!"


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Jesus felt deep concern for them. He touched their eyes. Right away they could see. And they followed him.


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As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage. It was on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two disciples.


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He said to them, "Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey tied up. Her colt will be with her. Untie them and bring them to me.


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"Say to the city of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you. He is gentle and riding on a donkey. He is riding on a donkey's colt.' " --(Zechariah 9:9)


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A very large crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.


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Some of the people went ahead of him, and some followed. They all shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" --(Psalm 118:26) "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"


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Jesus entered the temple area. He began chasing out all those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the people who were exchanging money. He also turned over the benches of those who were selling doves.


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He said to them, "It is written that the Lord said, 'My house will be called a house where people can pray.'--(Isaiah 56:7) But you are making it a 'den for robbers.' "--(Jeremiah 7:11)


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The chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did. They also saw the children in the temple area shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" But when they saw all of this, they became angry.


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"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus. "Haven't you ever read about it in Scripture? It says, " 'You have made sure that children and infants praise you.' " --(Psalm 8:2)


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He saw a fig tree by the road. He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Right away the tree dried up.


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When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.


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Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You must have faith and not doubt. Then you can do what was done to the fig tree. And you can say to this mountain, 'Go and throw yourself into the sea.' It will be done.


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Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you this authority?"


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Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.


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Where did John's baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from men?" They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'


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But what if we say, 'From men'? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet."


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So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.


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"What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'


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"Then the father went to the other son. He said the same thing. The son answered, 'I will, sir.' But he did not go.


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"Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.


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John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.


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"Listen to another story. A man who owned some land planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it. He dug a pit for a winepress in it. He also built a lookout tower. He rented the vineyard out to some farmers. Then he went away on a journey.


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When harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the renters. He told the servants to collect his share of the fruit.


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"But the renters grabbed his servants. They beat one of them. They killed another. They threw stones at the third to kill him.


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Then the man sent other servants to the renters. He sent more than he did the first time. The renters treated them the same way.


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"But the renters saw the son coming. They said to each other, 'This is the one who will receive all the owner's property someday. Come, let's kill him. Then everything will be ours.'


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"He will destroy those evil people," they replied. "Then he will rent the vineyard out to other renters. They will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."


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Jesus said to them, "Haven't you ever read what the Scriptures say, " 'The stone the builders didn't accept has become the most important stone of all. The Lord has done it. It is wonderful in our eyes'? --(Psalm 118:22,23)


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"So here is what I tell you. The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. It will be given to people who will produce its fruit.


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Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But the stone will crush anyone it falls on."


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So they looked for a way to arrest him. But they were afraid of the crowd. The people believed that Jesus was a prophet.


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He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the dinner. The servants told them to come. But they refused.


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"Then he sent some more servants. He said, 'Tell those who were invited that I have prepared my dinner. I have killed my oxen and my fattest cattle. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding dinner.'


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"The king became very angry. He sent his army to destroy them. They killed those murderers and burned their city.


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"Then the king said to his servants, 'The wedding dinner is ready. But those I invited were not fit to come.


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So the servants went out into the streets. They gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad. Soon the wedding hall was filled with guests.


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'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man couldn't think of anything to say.


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"Then the king told his servants, 'Tie up his hands and feet. Throw him outside into the darkness. Out there people will sob and grind their teeth.'


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They sent their followers to him. They sent the Herodians with them. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of honor. You teach the way of God truthfully. You don't let others tell you what to do or say. You don't care how important they are.


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"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give to God what belongs to God."


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That same day the Sadducees came to Jesus with a question. They do not believe that people rise from the dead.


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"Teacher," they said, "here is what Moses told us. If a man dies without having children, his brother must get married to the widow. He must have children to carry on his brother's name.


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There were seven brothers among us. The first one got married and died. Since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.


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The same thing happened to the second and third brothers. It happened right on down to the seventh brother.


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Jesus replied, "You are mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures. And you do not know the power of God.


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When the dead rise, they won't get married. And their parents won't give them to be married. They will be like the angels in heaven.


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He said, 'I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. And I am the God of Jacob.'--(Exodus 3:6) He is not the God of the dead. He is the God of the living."


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Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.'--(Deuteronomy 6:5)


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He said to them, "Then why does David call him 'Lord'? The Holy Spirit spoke through David himself. David said,


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" 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your control." ' --(Psalm 110:1)


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No one could answer him with a single word. From that day on, no one dared to ask him any more questions.


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"So you must obey them. Do everything they tell you. But don't do what they do. They don't practice what they preach.


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They tie up heavy loads and put them on other people's shoulders. But they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger to move them.


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"Everything they do is done for others to see. On their foreheads and arms they wear little boxes that hold Scripture verses. They make the boxes very wide. And they make the tassels on their coats very long.


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"They love to sit down in the place of honor at dinners. They also love to have the most important seats in the synagogues.


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"How terrible it will be for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter. And you will not let those enter who are trying to.


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"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You travel everywhere to win one person to your faith. Then you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.


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"How terrible for you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone takes an oath in the name of the temple, it means nothing. But anyone who takes an oath in the name of the gold of the temple must keep the oath.'


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You are blind and foolish! Which is more important? Is it the gold? Or is it the temple that makes the gold holy?


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"You also say, 'If anyone takes an oath in the name of the altar, it means nothing. But anyone who takes an oath in the name of the gift on it must keep the oath.'


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You blind men! Which is more important? Is it the gift? Or is it the altar that makes the gift holy?


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"So anyone who takes an oath in the name of the altar takes an oath in the name of it and of everything on it.


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And anyone who takes an oath in the name of the temple takes an oath in the name of it and of the One who lives in it.


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And anyone who takes an oath in the name of heaven takes an oath in the name of God's throne and of the One who sits on it.


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"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You give God a tenth of your spices, like mint, dill and cummin. But you have not practiced the more important things of the law, like fairness, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the last things without failing to do the first.


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"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You clean the outside of the cup and dish. But on the inside you are full of greed. You only want to satisfy yourselves.


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"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You are like tombs that are painted white. They look beautiful on the outside. But on the inside they are full of the bones of the dead. They are also full of other things that are not pure and clean.


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It is the same with you. On the outside you seem to be doing what is right. But on the inside you are full of what is wrong. You pretend to be what you are not.


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"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You build tombs for the prophets. You decorate the graves of the godly.


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And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of those who lived before us, we wouldn't have done what they did. We wouldn't have helped to kill the prophets.'


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So you give witness against yourselves. You admit that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets.


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So I am sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers. You will kill some of them. You will nail some to a cross. Others you will whip in your synagogues. You will chase them from town to town.


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"So you will pay for all the godly people's blood spilled on earth. I mean from the blood of godly Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berekiah. Zechariah was the one you murdered between the temple and the altar.


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"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and throw stones in order to kill those who are sent to you. Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. But you would not let me!


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I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "--(Psalm 118:26)


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Jesus left the temple. He was walking away when his disciples came up to him. They wanted to call his attention to the temple buildings.


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"Do you see all these things?" Jesus asked. "What I'm about to tell you is true. Not one stone here will be left on top of another. Every stone will be thrown down."


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Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives. There the disciples came to him in private. "Tell us," they said. "When will this happen? And what will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end?"


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"You will hear about wars. You will also hear people talking about future wars. Don't be alarmed. Those things must happen. But the end still isn't here.


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Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. People will go hungry. There will be earthquakes in many places.


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"Then people will hand you over to be treated badly and killed. All nations will hate you because of me.


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At that time, many will turn away from their faith. They will hate each other. They will hand each other over to their enemies.


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This good news of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. It will be a witness to all nations. Then the end will come.


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"The prophet Daniel spoke about 'the hated thing that destroys.'--(Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) Someday you will see it standing in the holy place. The reader should understand this.


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There will be terrible suffering in those days. It will be worse than any other from the beginning of the world until now. And there will never be anything like it again.


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If the time had not been cut short, no one would live. But because of God's chosen people, it will be shortened.


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"At that time someone may say to you, 'Look! Here is the Christ!' Or, 'There he is!' Do not believe it.


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False Christs and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God's chosen people if possible.


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"So if anyone tells you, 'He is far out in the desert,' do not go out there. Or if anyone says, 'He is deep inside the house,' do not believe it.


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Lightning that comes from the east can be seen in the west. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.


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"Right after the terrible suffering of those days, " 'The sun will be darkened. The moon will not shine. The stars will fall from the sky. The heavenly bodies will be shaken.' --(Isaiah 13:10; 34:4)


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"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. All the nations on earth will be sad. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky. He will come with power and great glory.


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He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call. They will gather his chosen people from all four directions. They will bring them from one end of the heavens to the other.


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"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.


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In the same way, when you see all those things happening, you know that the end is near. It is right at the door.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. The people living at that time will certainly not pass away until all those things have happened.


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"No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.


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"In the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking. They were getting married. They were giving their daughters to be married. They did all those things right up to the day Noah entered the ark.


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They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes.


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You must understand something. Suppose the owner of the house knew what time of night the robber was coming. Then he would have kept watch. He would not have let his house be broken into.


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"Suppose a master puts one of his servants in charge of the other servants in his house. The servant's job is to give them their food at the right time. The master wants a faithful and wise servant for this.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. The master will put that servant in charge of everything he owns.


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"But suppose that servant is evil. Suppose he says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time.'


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Suppose he begins to beat the other servants. And suppose he eats and drinks with those who drink too much.


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The master of that servant will come back on a day the servant doesn't expect him. He will return at an hour the servant does not know.


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Then the master will cut him to pieces. He will send him to the place where pretenders go. There people will sob and grind their teeth.


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"Here is what the kingdom of heaven will be like at that time. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.


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" 'No,' they replied. 'There may not be enough for all of us. Instead, go to those who sell oil. Buy some for yourselves.'


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"So they went to buy the oil. But while they were on their way, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding dinner. Then the door was shut.


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"Again, here is what the kingdom of heaven will be like. A man was going on a journey. He sent for his servants and put them in charge of his property.


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He gave $10,000 to one. He gave $4,000 to another. And he gave $2,000 to the third. The man gave each servant the amount of money he knew the servant could take care of. Then he went on his journey.


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"The servant who had received the $10,000 went at once and put his money to work. He earned $10,000 more.


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But the man who had received $2,000 went and dug a hole in the ground. He hid his master's money in it.


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"After a long time the master of those servants returned. He wanted to collect all the money they had earned.


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The man who had received $10,000 brought the other $10,000. 'Master,' he said, 'you trusted me with $10,000. See, I have earned $10,000 more.'


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"His master replied, 'You have done well, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'


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"The man with $4,000 also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you trusted me with $4,000. See, I have earned $4,000 more.'


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"Then the man who had received $2,000 came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest where you have not planted. You gather crops where you have not scattered seed.


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"His master replied, 'You evil, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not planted? You knew that I gather crops where I have not scattered seed?


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Well then, you should have put my money in the bank. When I returned, I would have received it back with interest.'


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"Then his master commanded the other servants, 'Take the $2,000 from him. Give it to the one who has $20,000.


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Everyone who has will be given more. He will have more than enough. And what about anyone who doesn't have? Even what he has will be taken away from him.


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Throw that worthless servant outside. There in the darkness, people will sob and grind their teeth.'


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"The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with him. Then he will sit on his throne in the glory of heaven.


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All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats.


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"Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, 'My Father has blessed you. Come and take what is yours. It is the kingdom prepared for you since the world was created.


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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 invited me in.


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I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.'


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"Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. 'Lord,' they will ask, 'when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink?


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When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you?


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"The King will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


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"Then he will say to those on his left, 'You are cursed! Go away from me into the fire that burns forever. It has been prepared for the devil and his angels.


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I was a stranger. But you did not invite me in. I needed clothes. But you did not give me any. I was sick and in prison. But you did not take care of me.'


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"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not help you? When did we see you as a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and not help you?'


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"He will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you didn't do for one of the least important of these, you didn't do for me.'


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"Then they will go away to be punished forever. But those who have done what is right will receive eternal life."


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"As you know, the Passover Feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross."


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Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest.


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A woman came to Jesus with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. She poured the perfume on his head while he was at the table.


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Jesus was aware of this. So he said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere this good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her."


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He asked, "What will you give me if I hand Jesus over to you?" So they counted out 30 silver coins for him.


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It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The disciples came to Jesus. They asked, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"


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He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover at your house with my disciples." ' "


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While they were eating, he said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. One of you will hand me over to my enemies."


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The disciples became very sad. One after the other, they began to say to him, "It's not I, Lord, is it?"


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The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."


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Judas was the one who was going to hand him over. He said, "It's not I, Rabbi, is it?" Jesus answered, "Yes. It is you."


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While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."


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Here is what I tell you. From now on, I won't drink wine with you again until the day I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom."


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Jesus told them, "This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said, " 'I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' --(Zechariah 13:7)


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"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus answered. "It will happen this very night. Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know me."


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But Peter said, "I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don't know you." And all the other disciples said the same thing.


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Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."


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He went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want."


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Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.


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"Watch and pray. Then you won't fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak."


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Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, "My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done."


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Then he returned to the disciples. He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour is near. The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners.


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While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of the Twelve. A large crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them.


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Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. "The one I kiss is the man," he said. "Arrest him."


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Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then the men stepped forward. They grabbed Jesus and arrested him.


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At that moment, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword. He pulled it out and struck the servant of the high priest with it. He cut off the servant's ear.


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"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him. "All who use the sword will die by the sword.


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Do you think I can't ask my Father for help? He would send an army of more than 70,000 angels right away.


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At that time Jesus spoke to the crowd. "Am I leading a band of armed men against you?" he asked. "Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courtyard teaching. And you didn't arrest me.


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But all this has happened so that the words of the prophets would come true." Then all the disciples left him and ran away.


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Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the elders had come together there.


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Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see what would happen.


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The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death.


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But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two other witnesses came forward.


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They said, "This fellow claimed, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God. I can build it again in three days.' "


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Then the high priest stood up. He asked Jesus, "Aren't you going to answer? What are these charges that these men are bringing against you?"


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But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I command you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."


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"Yes. It is just as you say," Jesus replied. "But here is what I say to all of you. In days to come, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven."


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Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said, "He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing.


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Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A female servant came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.


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But in front of all of them, Peter said he was not. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.


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Then he went out to the gate leading into the courtyard. There another woman saw him. She said to the people, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."


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After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter. "You must be one of them," they said. "The way you talk gives you away."


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Then Peter began to call down curses on himself. He took an oath and said to them, "I don't know the man!" Right away a rooster crowed.


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Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said. "The rooster will crow," Jesus had told him. "Before it does, you will say three times that you don't know me." Peter went outside. He broke down and sobbed.


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It was early in the morning. All the chief priests and the elders of the people decided to put Jesus to death.


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Judas, who had handed him over, saw that Jesus had been sentenced to die. He felt deep shame and sadness for what he had done. So he returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.


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"I have sinned," he said. "I handed over a man who is not guilty." "What do we care?" they replied. "That's your problem."


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The chief priests picked up the coins. They said, "It's against the law to put this money into the temple fund. It is blood money. It has paid for a man's death."


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So they decided to use the money to buy a potter's field. People from other countries would be buried there.


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Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet came true. He had said, "They took the 30 silver coins. That price was set for him by the people of Israel.


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They used the coins to buy a potter's field, just as the Lord commanded me."--(Zechariah 11:12,13; Jeremiah 19:1?13; 32:6?9)


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Jesus was standing in front of the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes. It is just as you say," Jesus replied.


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It was the governor's practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.


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So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to set free? Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called Christ?"


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While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him."


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But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death.


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"Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"


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Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them. "I am not guilty of this man's death," he said. "You are accountable for that!"


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Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.


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The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which was called the Praetorium. All the rest of the soldiers gathered around him.


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Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. Then they fell on their knees in front of him and made fun of him. "We honor you, king of the Jews!" they said.


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After they had made fun of him, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.


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On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross.


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There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it.


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Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, ~this is jesus, the king of the jews.


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and said, "So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"


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"He saved others," they said. "But he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him.


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He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He's the one who said, 'I am the Son of God.' "


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About three o'clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" This means "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"--(Psalm 22:1)


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Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink.


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At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split.


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They came out of the tombs. After Jesus was raised to life, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people.


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The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, "He was surely the Son of God!"


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Not very far away, many women were watching. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to take care of his needs.


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Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of James and Joses, was also there. So was the mother of Zebedee's sons.


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As evening approached, a rich man came from the town of Arimathea. His name was Joseph. He had become a follower of Jesus.


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He placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb. Then he went away.


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"Sir," they said, "we remember something that liar said while he was still alive. He claimed, 'After three days I will rise again.'


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So give the order to make the tomb secure until the third day. If you don't, his disciples might come and steal the body. Then they will tell the people that Jesus has been raised from the dead. This last lie will be worse than the first."


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The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.


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There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it.


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The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.


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Go quickly! Tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."


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So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples.


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Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings!" he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him.


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Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."


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While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city. They reported to the chief priests all that had happened.


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When the chief priests met with the elders, they came up with a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money.


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They told the soldiers, "We want you to say, 'His disciples came during the night. They stole his body while we were sleeping.'


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So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This story has spread all around among the Jews to this very day.


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So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.


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Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."


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Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote, "I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way." --(Malachi 3:1)


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"A messenger is calling out in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.' " --(Isaiah 40:3)


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And so John came. He baptized people in the desert. He also preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.


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All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River.


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John wore clothes made out of camel's hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.


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Here is what John was preaching. "After me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. I'm not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.


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Jesus was coming up out of the water. Just then he saw heaven being torn open. He saw the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove.


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A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said, "You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you."


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He was in the desert 40 days. There Satan tempted him. The wild animals didn't harm Jesus. Angels took care of him.


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"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news!"


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One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen.


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Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets.


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Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.


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Jesus and those with him went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue. There he began to teach.


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The people were amazed at his teaching. He taught them like one who had authority. He did not talk like the teachers of the law.


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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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All the people were amazed. So they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching! And with so much authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him."


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Jesus and those with him left the synagogue. Right away they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.


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So he went to her. He took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her. Then she began to serve them.


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That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick. They also brought all who were controlled by demons.


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Jesus healed many of them. They had all kinds of sicknesses. He also drove out many demons. But he would not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.


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It was very early in the morning and still dark. Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone. There he prayed.


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Jesus replied, "Let's go somewhere else. I want to go to the nearby towns. I must preach there also. That is why I have come."


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A man who had a skin disease came to Jesus. On his knees he begged Jesus. He said, "If you are willing to make me 'clean,' you can do it."


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Jesus was filled with deep concern. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing to do it," he said. "Be 'clean'!"


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"Don't tell this to anyone," he said. "Go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded. It will be a witness to the priest and the people that you are 'clean.' "


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But the man went out and started talking right away. He spread the news to everyone. So Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. He stayed outside in lonely places. But people still came to him from everywhere.


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So many people gathered that there was no room left. There was not even room outside the door. And Jesus preached the word to them.


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But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole in the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat.


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Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?


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Is it easier to say to this man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?


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I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk.


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The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"


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Once again Jesus went out beside the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd came to him. He began to teach them.


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As he walked along he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him.


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Later Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house. Many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples. They were part of the large crowd following Jesus.


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Some teachers of the law who were Pharisees were there. They saw Jesus eating with "sinners" and tax collectors. So they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"


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Jesus heard that. So he said to them, "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor. Sick people do. I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me."


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John's disciples and the Pharisees were going without eating. Some people came to Jesus. They said to him, "John's disciples are fasting. The disciples of the Pharisees are also fasting. But your disciples are not. Why aren't they?"


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Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the groom go without eating while he is with them? They will not fast as long as he is with them.


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But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. On that day they will go without eating.


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"People don't sew a patch of new cloth on old clothes. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse.


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People don't pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins. Then the wine and the wineskins will both be destroyed. No, everyone pours new wine into new wineskins."


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One Sabbath day Jesus was walking with his disciples through the grainfields. The disciples began to break off some heads of grain.


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The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. Why are your disciples doing it?"


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He answered, "Haven't you ever read about what David did? He and his men were hungry. They needed food.


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It was when Abiathar was high priest. David entered the house of God and ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it. David also gave some to his men."


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Some Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. They watched him closely. They wanted to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath day.


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Then Jesus asked them, "What does the Law say we should do on the Sabbath day? Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we kill?" But no one answered.


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Jesus looked around at them in anger. He was very upset because their hearts were stubborn. Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was as good as new.


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People heard about all that Jesus was doing. And many came to him. They came from Judea, Jerusalem, and Idumea. They came from the lands east of the Jordan River. And they came from the area around Tyre and Sidon.


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Because of the crowd, Jesus told his disciples to get a small boat ready for him. This would keep the people from crowding him.


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When people with evil spirits saw him, they fell down in front of him. The spirits shouted, "You are the Son of God!"


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He appointed 12 of them and called them apostles. From that time on they would be with him. He would also send them out to preach.


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There were James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Jesus gave them the name Boanerges. Boanerges means Sons of Thunder.


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There were also Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, and James, son of Alphaeus. And there were Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot.


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Judas Iscariot was one of them too. He was the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies.


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Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat.


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His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, "He is out of his mind."


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Some teachers of the law were there. They had come down from Jerusalem. They said, "He is controlled by Beelzebub! He is driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons."


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So Jesus called them over and spoke to them by using stories. He said, "How can Satan drive out Satan?


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And if Satan fights against himself, and his helpers are divided, he can't stand. That is the end of him.


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In fact, none of you can enter a strong man's house and just take what the man owns. You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.


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But anyone who speaks evil things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. His guilt will last forever."


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A crowd was sitting around Jesus. They told him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside. They are looking for you."


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Then Jesus looked at the people sitting in a circle around him. He said, "Here is my mother! Here are my brothers!


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Again Jesus began to teach by the Sea of Galilee. The crowd that gathered around him was very large. So he got into a boat. He sat down in it out on the lake. All the people were along the shore at the water's edge.


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Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants. So the plants did not bear grain.


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Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the farmer planted."


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He told them, "The secret of God's kingdom has been given to you. But to outsiders everything is told by using stories.


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In that way, " 'They will see but never know what they are seeing. They will hear but never understand. Otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' " --(Isaiah 6:9,10)


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Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this story? Then how will you understand any stories of this kind?


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What is seed scattered on a path like? The message is planted. The people hear the message. Then Satan comes. He takes away the message that was planted in them.


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And what is seed scattered on rocky places like? The people hear the message. At once they receive it with joy.


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But then the worries of this life come to them. Wealth comes with its false promises. The people also long for other things. All of those are the kinds of things that crowd out the message. They keep it from producing fruit.


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And what is seed scattered on good soil like? The people hear the message. They accept it. They produce a good crop 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the farmer planted."


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Jesus said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a large bowl or a bed? Don't you put it on its stand?


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What is hidden is meant to be seen. And what is put out of sight is meant to be brought out into the open.


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"Think carefully about what you hear," he said. "As you give, so you will receive. In fact, you will receive even more.


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If you have something, you will be given more. If you have nothing, even what you have will be taken away from you."


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Night and day the seed comes up and grows. It happens whether the farmer sleeps or gets up. He doesn't know how it happens.


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All by itself the soil produces grain. First the stalk comes up. Then the head appears. Finally, the full grain appears in the head.


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But when you plant the seed, it grows. It becomes the largest of all garden plants. Its branches are so big that birds can rest in its shade."


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Using many stories like those, Jesus spoke the word to them. He told them as much as they could understand.


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He did not say anything to them without using a story. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything.


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They left the crowd behind. And they took him along in a boat, just as he was. There were also other boats with him.


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Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, "Teacher! Don't you care if we drown?"


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He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.


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His hands and feet had often been chained. But he tore the chains apart. And he broke the iron cuffs on his ankles. No one was strong enough to control him.


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He shouted at the top of his voice, "Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do you want with me? Promise before God that you won't hurt me!"


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Then Jesus asked the demon, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied. "There are many of us."


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Jesus allowed it. The evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs. There were about 2,000 pigs in the herd. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank. They ran into the lake and drowned.


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Those who were tending the pigs ran off. They told the people in the town and countryside what had happened. The people went out to see for themselves.


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Then they came to Jesus. They saw the man who had been controlled by many demons. He was sitting there. He was now dressed and thinking clearly. All this made the people afraid.


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Jesus did not let him. He said, "Go home to your family. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you. Tell them how kind he has been to you."


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So the man went away. In the area known as the Ten Cities, he began to tell how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.


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Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee in a boat. It landed at the other side. There a large crowd gathered around him.


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He begged Jesus, "Please come. My little daughter is dying. Place your hands on her to heal her. Then she will live."


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She had suffered a great deal, even though she had gone to many doctors. She had spent all the money she had. But she was getting worse, not better.


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At once Jesus knew that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd. He asked, "Who touched my clothes?"


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"You see the people," his disciples answered. "They are crowding against you. And you still ask, 'Who touched me?' "


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Then the woman came and fell at his feet. She knew what had happened to her. She was shaking with fear. But she told him the whole truth.


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He said to her, "Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace. You are free from your suffering."


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While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus. He was the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?"


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They came to the home of the synagogue ruler. There Jesus saw a lot of confusion. People were crying and sobbing loudly.


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He went inside. Then he said to them, "Why all this confusion and sobbing? The child is not dead. She is only sleeping."


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But they laughed at him. He made them all go outside. He took only the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him. And he went in where the child was.


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He took her by the hand. Then he said to her, "Talitha koum!" This means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"


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The girl was 12 years old. Right away she stood up and walked around. They were totally amazed at this.


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Jesus gave strict orders not to let anyone know what had happened. And he told them to give her something to eat.


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When the Sabbath day came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given to him? He even does miracles!


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Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son? Isn't this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were not pleased with him at all.


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Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not honored in his hometown. He doesn't receive any honor among his relatives. And he doesn't receive any in his own home."


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Jesus laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. But he could not do any other miracles there.


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He called the Twelve to him. Then he sent them out two by two. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits.


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Here were his orders. "Take only a walking stick for your trip. Do not take bread or a bag. Take no money in your belts.


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Some places may not welcome you or listen to you. If they don't, shake the dust off your feet when you leave. That will be a witness against the people living there."


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King Herod heard about this. Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles."


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Others said, "He is Elijah." Still others claimed, "He is a prophet. He is like one of the prophets of long ago."


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But when Herod heard this, he said, "I had John's head cut off. And now he has been raised from the dead!"


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In fact, it was Herod himself who had given orders to arrest John. He had him tied up and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod's brother Philip. But now Herod was married to her.


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because Herod was afraid of John. So he kept John safe. Herod knew John was a holy man who did what was right. When Herod heard him, he was very puzzled. But he liked to listen to him.


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Finally the right time came. Herod gave a big dinner on his birthday. He invited his high officials and military leaders. He also invited the most important men in Galilee.


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Then the daughter of Herodias came in and danced. She pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want. I'll give it to you."


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And he promised her with an oath, "Anything you ask for I will give you. I'll give you up to half of my kingdom."


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She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.


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At once the girl hurried to ask the king. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate right now."


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The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he did not want to say no to the girl.


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But many people were coming and going. So they did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said to his apostles, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place. You need to get some rest."


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But many people who saw them leaving recognized them. They ran from all the towns and got there ahead of them.


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When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.


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By that time it was late in the day. His disciples came to him. "There is nothing here," they said. "It's already very late.


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But Jesus answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a person's pay! Should we go and spend that much on bread? Are we supposed to feed them?"


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"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five loaves and two fish."


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Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to his disciples to set in front of the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.


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Right away Jesus made his disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to Bethsaida. Then he sent the crowd away.


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He saw the disciples pulling hard on the oars. The wind was blowing against them. Early in the morning, he went out to them. He walked on the lake. When he was about to pass by them,


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They all saw him and were terrified. Right away he said to them, "Be brave! It is I. Don't be afraid."


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They ran through that whole area to bring to him those who were sick. They carried them on mats to where they heard he was.


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He went into the villages, the towns and the countryside. Everywhere he went, the people brought the sick to the market places. Those who were sick begged him to let them touch just the edge of his clothes. And all who touched him were healed.


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The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem.


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The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach.


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When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way.


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So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?"


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He replied, "Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said, " 'These people honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me.


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Jesus then said to them, "You have a fine way of setting aside God's commands! You do this so you can follow your own teachings.


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Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother.'--(Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) He also said, 'If anyone calls down a curse on his father or mother, he will be put to death.'--(Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9)


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But you allow people to say to their parents, 'Any help you might have received from us is Corban.' (Corban means 'a gift set apart for God.' )


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You make the word of God useless by putting your own teachings in its place. And you do many things like that."


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Nothing outside of you can make you 'unclean' by going into you. It is what comes out of you that makes you 'unclean.' "


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"Don't you understand?" Jesus asked. "Don't you see? Nothing that enters people from the outside can make them 'unclean.'


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It doesn't go into the heart. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body." In saying this, Jesus was calling all foods "clean."


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Evil thoughts come from the inside, from people's hearts. So do sexual sins, stealing and murder. Adultery,


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greed, hate and cheating come from people's hearts too. So do desires that are not pure, and wanting what belongs to others. And so do telling lies about others and being proud and being foolish.


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Jesus went from there to a place near Tyre. He entered a house. He did not want anyone to know where he was. But he could not keep it a secret.


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Soon a woman heard about him. An evil spirit controlled her little daughter. The woman came to Jesus and fell at his feet.


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"First let the children eat all they want," he told her. "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to their dogs."


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Then Jesus left the area of Tyre and went through Sidon. He went down to the Sea of Galilee and into the area known as the Ten Cities.


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There some people brought a man to him. The man was deaf and could hardly speak. They begged Jesus to place his hand on him.


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Jesus took the man to one side, away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.


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Jesus looked up to heaven. With a deep sigh, he said to the man, "Ephphatha!" That means "Be opened!"


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Jesus ordered the people not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.


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People were really amazed. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes deaf people able to hear. And he makes those who can't speak able to talk."


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During those days another large crowd gathered. They had nothing to eat. So Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said,


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"I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don't have anything to eat.


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If I send them away hungry, they will become too weak on their way home. Some of them have come from far away."


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His disciples answered him. "There is nothing here," they said. "Where can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"


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He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. Then he broke them and gave them to his disciples. They set the loaves down in front of the people.


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The disciples also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for them too. He told the disciples to pass them around.


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The people ate and were satisfied. After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces.


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The Pharisees came and began to ask Jesus questions. They wanted to put him to the test. So they asked him for a miraculous sign from heaven.


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He sighed deeply. He said, "Why do you people ask for a sign? What I'm about to tell you is true. No sign will be given to you."


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"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. And watch out for the yeast of Herod."


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They talked about this with each other. They said, "He must be saying this because we don't have any bread."


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Jesus knew what they were saying. So he asked them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Why can't you see or understand? Are you stubborn?


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Do you have eyes and still don't see? Do you have ears and still don't hear? And don't you remember?


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Earlier I broke five loaves for the 5,000. How many baskets of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied.


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"Later I broke seven loaves for the 4,000. How many baskets of pieces did you pick up?" "Seven," they answered.


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Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man. They begged Jesus to touch him.


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He took the blind man by the hand. Then he led him outside the village. He spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him. "Do you see anything?" Jesus asked.


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Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened so that he could see again. He saw everything clearly.


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Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"


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Jesus then began to teach his disciples. He taught them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught them that the elders would not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law would not accept him either. He must be killed and after three days rise again.


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Jesus turned and looked at his disciples. He scolded Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You are not thinking about the things of God. Instead, you are thinking about human things."


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Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to come after me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me.


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If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me and for the good news, he will save it.


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"Suppose you are ashamed of me and my words among these adulterous and sinful people. Then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."


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Jesus said to them, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom coming with power."


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After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone. There in front of them his appearance was changed.


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His clothes became so white they shone. They were whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.


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Elijah and Moses appeared in front of Jesus and his disciples. The two of them were talking with Jesus.


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Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."


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Then a cloud appeared and surrounded them. A voice came from the cloud. It said, "This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to him!"


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They came down the mountain. On the way down, Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen. He told them to wait until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.


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Jesus replied, "That's right. Elijah does come first. He makes all things new again. So why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and not be accepted?


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I tell you, Elijah has come. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. They did it just as it is written about him."


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When Jesus and those who were with him came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them. The teachers of the law were arguing with them.


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A man in the crowd answered. "Teacher," he said, "I brought you my son. He is controlled by a spirit. Because of this, my son can't speak anymore.


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When the spirit takes hold of him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth. He grinds his teeth. And his body becomes stiff. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit. But they couldn't do it."


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"You unbelieving people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy to me."


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So they brought him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a fit. He fell to the ground. He rolled around and foamed at the mouth.


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Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "Since he was a child," he answered.


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"The spirit has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us. Please help us."


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Jesus saw that a crowd was running over to see what was happening. Then he ordered the evil spirit to leave the boy. "You spirit that makes him unable to hear and speak!" he said. "I command you, come out of him. Never enter him again."


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The spirit screamed. It shook the boy wildly. Then it came out of him. The boy looked so lifeless that many people said, "He's dead."


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Jesus went indoors. Then his disciples asked him in private, "Why couldn't we drive out the evil spirit?"


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That was because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men. They will kill him. After three days he will rise from the dead."


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Jesus and his disciples came to a house in Capernaum. There he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"


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But they kept quiet. On the way, they had argued about which one of them was the most important person.


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Jesus sat down and called for the Twelve to come to him. Then he said, "If you want to be first, you must be the very last. You must be the servant of everyone."


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Jesus took a little child and had the child stand among them. Then he took the child in his arms. He said to them,


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"Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me doesn't welcome only me but also the One who sent me."


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"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name. We told him to stop, because he was not one of us."


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"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. Suppose someone gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to me. That one will certainly not go without a reward.


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"What if someone leads one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If he does, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.


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"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter God's kingdom with only one hand than to go into hell with two hands. In hell the fire never goes out.


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"If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter God's kingdom with only one foot than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.


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"If your eye causes you to sin, poke it out. It would be better for you to enter God's kingdom with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.


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"Salt is good. But suppose it loses its saltiness. How can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves. And be at peace with each other."


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Jesus left that place and went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again crowds of people came to him. As usual, he taught them.


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Some Pharisees came to put him to the test. They asked, "Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife?"


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He answered, "What if a man divorces his wife and gets married to another woman? He commits adultery against her.


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People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to touch them. But the disciples told the people to stop.


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When Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to his disciples, "Let the little children come to me. Don't keep them away. God's kingdom belongs to people like them.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it."


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As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him. He fell on his knees before Jesus. "Good teacher," he said, "what must I do to receive eternal life?"


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You know what the commandments say. 'Do not commit murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false witness. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother.' "--(Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20)


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Jesus looked at him and loved him. "You are missing one thing," he said. "Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."


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Jesus looked around. He said to his disciples, "How hard it is for rich people to enter God's kingdom!"


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The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter God's kingdom!


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Is it hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It is even harder for the rich to enter God's kingdom!"


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Jesus looked at them and said, "With man, that is impossible. But not with God. All things are possible with God."


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"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus replied. "Has anyone left home or family or fields for me and the good news?


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They will receive 100 times as much in this world. They will have homes and families and fields. But they will also be treated badly by others. In the world to come they will live forever.


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They were on their way up to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the way. The disciples were amazed. Those who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took the Twelve to one side. He told them what was going to happen to him.


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"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said. "The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to people who are not Jews.


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The people will make fun of him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him. Three days later he will rise from the dead!"


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James and John came to Jesus. They were the sons of Zebedee. "Teacher," they said, "we would like to ask a favor of you."


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They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right hand in your glorious kingdom. Let the other one sit at your left hand."


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"You don't know what you're asking for," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup of suffering I drink? Or can you go through the baptism of suffering I must go through?"


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"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink. And you will go through the baptism I go through.


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But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or left hand. These places belong to those they are prepared for."


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Jesus called them together. He said, "You know about those who are rulers of the nations. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around.


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Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free."


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Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. They were leaving the city. A large crowd was with them. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road begging. His name was Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus means Son of Timaeus.


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He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. So he began to shout, "Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!"


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Many people commanded him to stop. They told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David! Have mercy on me!"


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Jesus stopped and said, "Call for him." So they called out to the blind man, "Cheer up! Get up on your feet! Jesus is calling for you."


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"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to be able to see."


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"Go," said Jesus. "Your faith has healed you." Right away he could see. And he followed Jesus along the road.


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As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples.


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He said to them, "Go to the village ahead of you. Just as you enter it, you will find a donkey's colt tied there. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here.


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Someone may ask you, 'Why are you doing this?' If so, say, 'The Lord needs it. But he will send it back here soon.' "


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Those in front and those in back shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" --(Psalm 118:25,26)


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Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything. But it was already late. So he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.


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Not too far away, he saw a fig tree. It was covered with leaves. He went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves. It was not the season for figs.


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Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" And his disciples heard him say it.


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When Jesus reached Jerusalem, he entered the temple area. He began chasing out those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the people who were exchanging money. He also turned over the benches of those who were selling doves.


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Then he taught them. He told them, "It is written that the Lord said, " 'My house will be called a house where people from all nations can pray.' --(Isaiah 56:7) But you have made it a 'den for robbers.' "--(Jeremiah 7:11)


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The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard about this. They began looking for a way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.


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In the morning as Jesus and his disciples walked along, they saw the fig tree. It was dried up all the way down to the roots.


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. Suppose one of you says to this mountain, 'Go and throw yourself into the sea.' You must not doubt in your heart. You must believe that what you say will happen. Then it will be done for you.


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"So I tell you, when you pray for something, believe that you have already received it. Then it will be yours.


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And when you stand praying, forgive anyone you have anything against. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins."


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Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyards. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too.


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Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.


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They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'


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But what if we say, 'From men'?" They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed that John really was a prophet.


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So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either."


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Jesus began to speak to the people by using stories. He said, "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it. He dug a pit for a winepress. He also built a lookout tower. He rented the vineyard out to some farmers. Then he went away on a journey.


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"At harvest time he sent a servant to the renters. He told the servant to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.


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So the man sent another servant to the renters. They hit this one on the head and treated him badly.


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The man sent still another servant. The renters killed him. The man sent many others. The renters beat up some of them. They killed the others.


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"The man had one person left to send. It was his son, and he loved him. He sent him last of all. He said, 'They will respect my son.'


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"But the renters said to each other, 'This is the one who will receive all the owner's property someday. Come, let's kill him. Then everything will be ours.'


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"What will the owner of the vineyard do then? He will come and kill those renters. He will give the vineyard to others.


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"Haven't you read what Scripture says, " 'The stone the builders didn't accept has become the most important stone of all.


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Then the religious leaders looked for a way to arrest Jesus. They knew he had told the story against them. But they were afraid of the crowd. So they left him and went away.


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Later the religious leaders sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus. They wanted to trap him with his own words.


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They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of honor. You don't let others tell you what to do or say. You don't care how important they are. But you teach the way of God truthfully. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?


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Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew what they were trying to do. So he asked, "Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a silver coin. Let me look at it."


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They brought the coin. He asked them, "Whose picture is this? And whose words?" "Caesar's," they replied.


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Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give to God what belongs to God." They were amazed at him.


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"Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us about a man who died and didn't have any children. But he did leave a wife behind. That man's brother must get married to the widow. He must have children to carry on his dead brother's name.


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The second one got married to the widow. He also died and left no child. It was the same with the third one.


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Jesus replied, "You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures. And you do not know the power of God.


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"What about the dead rising? Haven't you read in the scroll of Moses the story of the bush? God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. And I am the God of Jacob.'--(Exodus 3:6)


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One of the teachers of the law came and heard the Sadducees arguing. He noticed that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer. So he asked him, "Which is the most important of all the commandments?"


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Jesus answered, "Here is the most important one. Moses said, 'Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is one.


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Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength.'--(Deuteronomy 6:4,5)


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And here is the second one. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'--(Leviticus 19:18) There is no commandment more important than these."


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"You have spoken well, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one. There is no other God but him.


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To love God with all your heart and mind and strength is very important. So is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. These things are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."


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Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely. He said to him, "You are not far from God's kingdom." From then on, no one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.


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Jesus was teaching in the temple courtyard. He asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?


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The Holy Spirit spoke through David himself. David said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your control." ' --(Psalm 110:1)


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David himself calls him 'Lord.' So how can he be David's son?" The large crowd listened to Jesus with delight.


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As he taught, he said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in long robes. They like to be greeted in the market places.


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They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues. They also love to have the places of honor at dinners.


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They take over the houses of widows. They say long prayers to show off. God will punish those men very much."


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Jesus sat down across from the place where people put their temple offerings. He watched the crowd putting their money into the offering boxes. Many rich people threw large amounts into them.


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But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth much less than a penny.


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Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others.


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They all gave a lot because they are rich. But she gave even though she is poor. She put in everything she had. She gave all she had to live on."


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Jesus was leaving the temple. One of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What huge stones! What wonderful buildings!"


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"Do you see these huge buildings?" Jesus asked. "Not one stone here will be left on top of another. Every stone will be thrown down."


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Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, across from the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him a question in private.


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"Tell us," they said. "When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to come true?"


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Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many places. People will go hungry. All of those things are the beginning of birth pains.


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"Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings because of me. In that way you will be witnesses to them.


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You will be arrested and brought to trial. But don't worry ahead of time about what you will say. Just say what God brings to your mind at the time. It is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.


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"You will see 'the hated thing that destroys.'--(Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) It will stand where it does not belong. The reader should understand this. Then those who are in Judea should escape to the mountains.


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"Those days will be worse than any others from the time God created the world until now. And there will never be any like them again.


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If the Lord had not cut the time short, no one would live. But because of God's chosen people, he has shortened it.


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"At that time someone may say to you, 'Look! Here is the Christ!' Or, 'Look! There he is!' Do not believe it.


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False Christs and false prophets will appear. They will do signs and miracles. They will try to fool God's chosen people if possible.


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"So in those days there will be terrible suffering. After that, Scripture says, " 'The sun will be darkened. The moon will not shine.


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"At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds. He will come with great power and glory.


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He will send his angels. He will gather his chosen people from all four directions. He will bring them from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.


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In the same way, when you see those things happening, you know that the end is near. It is right at the door.


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It's like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge. Each one is given a task to do. He tells the one at the door to keep watch.


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"So keep watch! You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn.


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The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for a clever way to arrest Jesus. They wanted to kill him.


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Jesus was in Bethany. He was at the table in the home of a man named Simon, who had a skin disease. A woman came with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. It was made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesus' head.


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It could have been sold for more than a year's pay. The money could have been given to poor people." So they found fault with the woman.


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You will always have poor people with you. You can help them any time you want to. But you will not always have me.


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What I'm about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere the good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her."


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They were delighted to hear that he would do this. They promised to give Judas money. So he watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them.


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It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That was the time to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"


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So he sent out two of his disciples. He told them, "Go into the city. A man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.


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He will enter a house. Say to its owner, 'The Teacher asks, "Where is my guest room? Where can I eat the Passover meal with my disciples?" '


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He will show you a large upstairs room. It will have furniture and will be ready. Prepare for us to eat there."


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The disciples left and went into the city. They found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover meal.


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While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. One of you who is eating with me will hand me over to my enemies."


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While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, "Take it. This is my body."


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What I'm about to tell you is true. I won't drink wine with you again until the day I drink it in God's kingdom."


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"You will all turn away," Jesus told the disciples. "It is written, " 'I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep will be scattered.' --(Zechariah 13:7)


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"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus answered. "It will happen today, this very night. Before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will say three times that you don't know me."


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But Peter would not give in. He said, "I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don't know you." And all the others said the same thing.


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Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, "Sit here while I pray."


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He went a little farther. Then he fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass by him.


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["Abba]," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want." Abba means Father.


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Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Couldn't you keep watch for one hour?


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Watch and pray. Then you won't fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak."


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Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn't keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.


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Jesus returned the third time. He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners.


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Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the Twelve. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them.


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Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. "The one I kiss is the man," he said. "Arrest him and have the guards lead him away."


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Then one of those standing nearby pulled his sword out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.


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"Am I leading a band of armed men against you?" asked Jesus. "Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me?


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Every day I was with you. I taught in the temple courtyard, and you didn't arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true."


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A young man was following Jesus. The man was wearing nothing but a piece of linen cloth. When the crowd grabbed him,


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The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All of the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.


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Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire.


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The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof.


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"We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build another temple, not made by human hands.' "


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Then the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus, "Aren't you going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against you?"


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But Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ? Are you the Son of the Blessed One?"


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"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven."


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"You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you think?" They all found him guilty and said he must die.


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Then some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. They said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.


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When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with Jesus, that Nazarene," she said.


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But Peter said he had not been with him. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said. He went out to the entrance to the courtyard.


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Again he said he was not. After a little while, those standing nearby said to Peter, "You must be one of them. You are from Galilee."


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He began to call down curses on himself. He took an oath and said to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about!"


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Right away the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had spoken to him. "The rooster will crow twice," he had said. "Before it does, you will say three times that you don't know me." Peter broke down and sobbed.


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It was very early in the morning. The chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin, made a decision. They tied Jesus up and led him away. Then they handed him over to Pilate.


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It was the usual practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.


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A man named Barabbas was in prison. He was there with some other people who had fought against the country's rulers. They had committed murder while they were fighting against the rulers.


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But the chief priests stirred up the crowd. So the crowd asked Pilate to let Barabbas go free instead.


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Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd. So he let Barabbas go free. He ordered that Jesus be whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.


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The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace. It was called the Praetorium. They called together the whole company of soldiers.


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The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus. Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head.


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Again and again they hit him on the head with a stick. They spit on him. They fell on their knees and pretended to honor him.


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After they had made fun of him, they took off the purple robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to nail him to a cross.


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A man named Simon from Cyrene was passing by. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Simon was on his way in from the country. The soldiers forced him to carry the cross.


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They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get.


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Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads and said, "So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days?


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In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law made fun of him among themselves. "He saved others," they said. "But he can't save himself!


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Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross! When we see that, we will believe." Those who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.


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At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? " This means "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"--(Psalm 22:1)


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One of them ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar. He put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. "Leave him alone," he said. "Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down."


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A Roman commander was standing there in front of Jesus. He heard his cry and saw how Jesus died. Then he said, "This man was surely the Son of God!"


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Not very far away, some women were watching. Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of the younger James and of Joses, was also there. So was Salome.


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In Galilee those women had followed Jesus. They had taken care of his needs. Many other women were also there. They had come up with him to Jerusalem.


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Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a leading member of the Jewish Council. He was waiting for God's kingdom.


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Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. So he called for the Roman commander. He asked him if Jesus had already died.


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Then Joseph bought some linen cloth. He took the body down and wrapped it in the linen. He put it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.


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The Sabbath day ended. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices. They were going to apply them to Jesus' body.


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Very early on the first day of the week, they were on their way to the tomb. It was just after sunrise.


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They entered the tomb. As they did, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe. He was sitting on the right side. They were alarmed.


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"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. But he has risen! He is not here! See the place where they had put him.


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Go! Tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. It will be just as he told you.' "


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The women were shaking and confused. They went out and ran away from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.


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Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. He had driven seven demons out of her.


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After that, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them. This happened while they were walking out in the country.


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Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating. He spoke firmly to them because they had no faith. They would not believe those who had seen him after he rose from the dead.


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Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who does not believe will be punished.


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Here are the miraculous signs that those who believe will do. In my name they will drive out demons. They will speak in languages they had not known before.


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They will pick up snakes with their hands. And when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all. They will place their hands on sick people. And the people will get well."


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When the Lord Jesus finished speaking to them, he was taken up into heaven. He sat down at the right hand of God.


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Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them. And he backed up his word by the signs that went with it.


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Reports of these things were handed down to us. There were people who saw these things for themselves from the beginning and then passed the word on.


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I myself have carefully looked into everything from the beginning. So it seemed good also to me to write down an orderly report of exactly what happened. I am doing this for you, most excellent Theophilus.


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Herod was king of Judea. During the time he was ruling, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to a group of priests named after Abijah. His wife Elizabeth also came from the family line of Aaron.


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Both of them did what was right in God's eyes. They obeyed all the Lord's commandments and rules faithfully.


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He happened to be chosen, in the usual way, to go into the temple of the Lord. There he was supposed to burn incense.


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Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right side of the incense altar.


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But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. It will be a boy, and you must name him John.


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He will be important in the Lord's eyes. "He must never use wine or other such drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.


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And he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will teach parents how to love their children. He will also teach people who don't obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord."


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The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I serve God. I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.


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And now you will have to be silent. You will not be able to speak until after John is born. That's because you did not believe my words. They will come true when the time is right."


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During that time, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out. They wondered why he stayed in the temple so long.


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When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple. They knew this because he kept motioning to them. He still could not speak.


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"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days, he has been kind to me. He has taken away my shame among the people."


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In the sixth month after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.


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He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin's name was Mary.


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He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago.


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The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.


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Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now.


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"I serve the Lord," Mary answered. "May it happen to me just as you said it would." Then the angel left her.


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When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.


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In a loud voice she called out, "God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have!


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You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done!"


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He has taken note of me even though I am not important. From now on all people will call me blessed.


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He has done mighty things with his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.


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to Abraham and his children down through the years. He has done it just as he said to our people of long ago."


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On the eighth day, they came to have the child circumcised. They were going to name him Zechariah, like his father.


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The neighbors were all filled with fear and wonder. All through Judea's hill country, people were talking about all these things.


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Everyone who heard this wondered about it. And because the Lord was with John, they asked, "What is this child going to be?"


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He has acted with great power and has saved us. He did it for those who are from the family line of his servant David.


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"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.


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All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven.


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It will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet on the path of peace."


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The child grew up, and his spirit became strong. He lived in the desert until he appeared openly to Israel.


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In those days, Caesar Augustus made a law. It required that a list be made of everyone in the whole Roman world.


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So Joseph went also. He went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea. That is where Bethlehem, the town of David, was. Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of David.


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She gave birth to her first baby. It was a boy. She wrapped him in large strips of cloth. Then she placed him in a manger. There was no room for them in the inn.


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There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby. It was night, and they were looking after their sheep.


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An angel of the Lord appeared to them. And the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified.


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But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people.


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Here is how you will know I am telling you the truth. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."


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"May glory be given to God in the highest heaven! And may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth!"


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The angels left and went into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."


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After the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone. They reported what the angel had said about this child.


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But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over.


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The shepherds returned. They gave glory and praise to God. Everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told.


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When the child was eight days old, he was circumcised. At the same time he was named Jesus. This was the name the angel had given him before his mother became pregnant.


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The time for making them pure came as it is written in the Law of Moses. So Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem. There they presented him to the Lord.


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In the Law of the Lord it says, "The first boy born in every family must be set apart for the Lord."--(Exodus 13:2,12)


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They also offered a sacrifice. They did it in keeping with the Law, which says, "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."--(Leviticus 12:8)


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In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and godly man. He was waiting for God's promise to Israel to happen. The Holy Spirit was with him.


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The Spirit led him into the temple courtyard. Then Jesus' parents brought the child in. They came to do for him what the Law required.


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Then Simeon blessed them. He said to Mary, Jesus' mother, "This child is going to cause many people in Israel to fall and to rise. God has sent him. But many will speak against him.


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There was also a prophet named Anna. She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. After getting married, she lived with her husband seven years.


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Then she was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple. She worshiped night and day, praying and going without eating.


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Anna came up to Jesus' family at that very moment. She gave thanks to God. And she spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the time when Jerusalem would be set free.


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Joseph and Mary did everything the Law of the Lord required. Then they returned to Galilee. They went to their own town of Nazareth.


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After the Feast was over, his parents left to go back home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But they were not aware of it.


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They thought he was somewhere in their group. So they traveled on for a day. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends.


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After three days they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions.


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When his parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried about you. We have been looking for you everywhere."


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Then he went back to Nazareth with them, and he obeyed them. But his mother kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart.


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Tiberius Caesar had been ruling for 15 years. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod was the ruler of Galilee. His brother Philip was the ruler of Iturea and Traconitis. Lysanias was ruler of Abilene.


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Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. At that time God's word came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.


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He went into all the countryside around the Jordan River. There he preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.


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Here is what is written in the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. It says, "A messenger is calling out in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.


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Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The crooked roads will become straight. The rough ways will become smooth.


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John spoke to the crowds coming to be baptized by him. He said, "You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God's anger?


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Produce fruit that shows you have turned away from your sins. And don't start saying to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.


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The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don't produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire."


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John answered, "If you have extra clothes, you should share with those who have none. And if you have extra food, you should do the same."


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Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" John replied, "Don't force people to give you money. Don't bring false charges against people. Be happy with your pay."


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The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ.


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John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I am will come. I'm not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


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His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw away from his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can't be put out."


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But John found fault with Herod, the ruler of Galilee, because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod's brother. John also spoke strongly to Herod about all the other evil things he had done.


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When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened.


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The Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove. A voice came from heaven. It said, "You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you."


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Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his special work for God and others. It was thought that he was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.


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Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph.


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Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai.


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Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Semein. Semein was the son of Josech. Josech was the son of Joda.


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Joda was the son of Joanan. Joanan was the son of Rhesa. Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the son of Neri.


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Neri was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Addi. Addi was the son of Cosam. Cosam was the son of Elmadam. Elmadam was the son of Er.


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Er was the son of Joshua. Joshua was the son of Eliezer. Eliezer was the son of Jorim. Jorim was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi.


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Levi was the son of Simeon. Simeon was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Jonam. Jonam was the son of Eliakim.


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Eliakim was the son of Melea. Melea was the son of Menna. Menna was the son of Mattatha. Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Nathan was the son of David.


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David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon was the son of Nahshon.


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Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Amminadab was the son of Ram. Ram was the son of Hezron. Hezron was the son of Perez. Perez was the son of Judah.


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Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor.


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Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah.


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Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech.


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Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.


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Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.


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There the devil tempted him for 40 days. Jesus ate nothing during that time. At the end of the 40 days, he was hungry.


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Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place. In an instant, he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.


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He said to him, "I will give you all their authority and glory. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.


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Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve.' "--(Deuteronomy 6:13)


text:
Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem. He had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.


text:
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. News about him spread through the whole countryside.


text:
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue as he usually did. And he stood up to read.


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The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He unrolled it and found the right place. There it is written,


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"The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me to tell the good news to poor people. He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. He has sent me so that the blind will see again. He wants me to free those who are beaten down.


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Then Jesus rolled up the scroll. He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were staring at him.


text:
Everyone said good things about him. They were amazed at the gracious words they heard from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.


text:
Jesus said, "Here is a saying you will certainly apply to me. 'Doctor, heal yourself! Do the things here in your hometown that we heard you did in Capernaum.' "


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I tell you for sure that there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah. And there had been no rain for three and a half years. There wasn't enough food to eat anywhere in the land.


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But Elijah was not sent to any of those widows. Instead, he was sent to a widow in Zarephath near Sidon.


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And there were many in Israel who had skin diseases in the days of Elisha the prophet. But not one of them was healed except Naaman the Syrian."


text:
They got up and rwas also a prophet named Anna. Shim to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They planned to throw him down the cliff.


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In the synagogue there was a man controlled by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice.


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"Ha!" he said. "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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"Be quiet!" Jesus said firmly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of everybody. And it came out without hurting him.


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All the people were amazed. They said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits. And they come out!"


text:
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. At that time, Simon's mother?in?law was suffering from a high fever. So they asked Jesus to help her.


text:
He bent over her and commanded the fever to leave, and it left her. She got up at once and began to serve them.


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At sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick. He placed his hands on each one and healed them.


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Also, demons came out of many people. The demons shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he commanded them to be quiet. He would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.


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At dawn, Jesus went out to a place where he could be by himself. The people went to look for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving them.


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But he said, "I must announce the good news of God's kingdom to the other towns also. That is why I was sent."


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One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee. The people crowded around him and listened to the word of God.


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Jesus saw two boats at the edge of the water. They had been left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.


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He got into the boat that belonged to Simon. Jesus asked him to go out a little way from shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people.


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When he finished speaking, he turned to Simon. He said, "Go out into deep water. Let the nets down so you can catch some fish."


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Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."


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When they had done so, they caught a large number of fish. There were so many that their nets began to break.


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So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.


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When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees. "Go away from me, Lord!" he said. "I am a sinful man!"


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So were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who worked with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch people."


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While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along. He had a skin disease all over his body. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground. He begged him, "Lord, if you are willing to make me 'clean,' you can do it."


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Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing to do it," he said. "Be 'clean'!" Right away the disease left him.


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Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone. Go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded. It will be a witness to the priest and the people that you are 'clean.' "


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But the news about Jesus spread even more. So crowds of people came to hear him. They also came to be healed of their sicknesses.


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One day Jesus was teaching. Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. They heard that the Lord had given Jesus the power to heal the sick.


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Some men came carrying a man who could not walk. He was lying on a mat. They tried to take him into the house to place him in front of Jesus.


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They could not find a way to do this because of the crowd. So they went up on the roof. Then they lowered the man on his mat through the opening in the roof tiles. They lowered him into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.


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The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to think, "Who is this fellow who says such an evil thing? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"


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I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he spoke to the man who could not walk. "I tell you," he said, "get up. Take your mat and go home."


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Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with wonder. They said, "We have seen unusual things today."


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After this, Jesus left the house. He saw a tax collector sitting at the tax booth. The man's name was Levi. "Follow me," Jesus said to him.


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Then Levi gave a huge dinner for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.


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But the Pharisees and their teachers of the law complained to Jesus' disciples. They said, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"


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I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to turn away from their sins."


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Some of the people who were there said to Jesus, "John's disciples often pray and go without eating. So do the disciples of the Pharisees. But yours go on eating and drinking."


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Then Jesus gave them an example. He said, "People don't tear a patch from new clothes and sew it on old clothes. If they do, they will tear the new clothes. Also, the patch from the new clothes will not match the old clothes.


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People don't pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the new wine will burst the skins. The wine will run out, and the wineskins will be destroyed.


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One Sabbath day Jesus was walking through the grainfields. His disciples began to break off some heads of grain. They rubbed them in their hands and ate them.


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Some of the Pharisees said, "It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. Why are you doing it?"


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He entered the house of God and took the holy bread. He ate the bread that only priests were allowed to eat. David also gave some to his men."


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On another Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and was teaching. A man whose right hand was weak and twisted was there.


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The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were trying to find fault with Jesus. So they watched him closely. They wanted to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.


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But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He spoke to the man who had the weak and twisted hand. "Get up and stand in front of everyone," he said. So the man got up and stood there.


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Then Jesus said to them, "What does the Law say we should do on the Sabbath day? Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we destroy it?"


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He looked around at all of them. Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was as good as new.


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But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were very angry. They began to talk to each other about what they might do to Jesus.


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When morning came, he called for his disciples to come to him. He chose 12 of them and made them apostles.


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Simon was one of them. Jesus gave him the name Peter. There were also Simon's brother Andrew, James, John, Philip and Bartholomew.


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And there were Matthew, Thomas, and James, son of Alphaeus. There were also Simon who was called the Zealot


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and Judas, son of James. Judas Iscariot was one of them too. He was the one who would later hand Jesus over to his enemies.


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Jesus went down the mountain with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there. A large number of other people were there too. They came from all over Judea, including Jerusalem. They also came from the coast of Tyre and Sidon.


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They had all come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses. People who were troubled by evil spirits were made well.


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Jesus looked at his disciples. He said to them, "Blessed are you who are needy. God's kingdom belongs to you.


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Blessed are you who are hungry now. You will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are sad now. You will laugh.


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Blessed are you when people hate you, when they have nothing to do with you and say bad things about you, and when they treat your name as something evil. They do all this because you are followers of the Son of Man.


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"Their people treated the prophets the same way long ago. When these things happen to you, be glad and jump for joy. You will receive many blessings in heaven.


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How terrible for you who are well fed now! You will go hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now! You will cry and be sad.


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How terrible for you when everyone says good things about you! Their people treated the false prophets the same way long ago.


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"Suppose someone hits you on one cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also. Suppose someone takes your coat. Don't stop him from taking your shirt.


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"Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.


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And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that.


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And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back.


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"But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful.


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"If you do not judge others, then you will not be judged. If you do not find others guilty, then you will not be found guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.


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Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you."


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Jesus also gave them another example. He asked, "Can a blind person lead another blind person? Won't they both fall into a pit?


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Students are not better than their teachers. But everyone who is completely trained will be like his teacher.


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How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye'? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye? You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend's eye.


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You can tell each tree by the kind of fruit it bears. People do not pick figs from thorns. And they don't pick grapes from bushes.


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"A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away in his heart. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away in his heart. Their mouths say everything that is in their hearts.


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They are like someone who builds a house. He digs down deep and sets it on solid rock. When a flood comes, the river rushes against the house. But the water can't shake it. The house is well built.


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"But here is what happens when people listen to my words and do not obey them. They are like someone who builds a house on soft ground instead of solid rock. The moment the river rushes against that house, it falls down. It is completely destroyed."


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The commander heard about Jesus. So he sent some elders of the Jews to him. He told them to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.


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So Jesus went with them. When Jesus came near the house, the Roman commander sent friends to him. He told them to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself. I am not good enough to have you come into my house.


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That is why I did not even think I was fit to come to you. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.


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I myself am a man who is under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."


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When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. He turned to the crowd that was following him. He said, "I tell you, even in Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong."


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Then the men who had been sent to Jesus returned to the house. They found that the servant was healed.


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Some time later, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd went along with him.


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He approached the town gate. Just then, a dead person was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother. She was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her.


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Then he went up and touched the coffin. Those carrying it stood still. Jesus said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"


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The people were all filled with wonder and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."


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He sent them to the Lord. They were to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who was supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?"


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The men came to Jesus. They said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask you, 'Are you the one who was supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?' "


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At that very time Jesus healed many people. They had illnesses, sicknesses and evil spirits. He also gave sight to many who were blind.


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So Jesus replied to the messengers, "Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen and heard. Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are healed. Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.


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So John's messengers left. Then Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, "What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?


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If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear fine clothes and have many expensive things are in palaces.


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"He is the one written about in Scripture. It says, " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.' --(Malachi 3:1)


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I tell you, no one more important than John has ever been born. But the least important person in God's kingdom is more important than he is."


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All the people who heard Jesus' words agreed that God's way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptized by John.


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But the Pharisees and the authorities on the law did not accept God's purpose for themselves. They had not been baptized by John.


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They are like children sitting in the market place and calling out to each other. They say, " 'We played a flute for you. But you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn't cry.'


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"That is how it has been with John the Baptist. When he came to you, he didn't eat bread or drink wine. And you say, 'He has a demon.'


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But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And you say, 'This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He's a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." '


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One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him. So he went to the Pharisee's house. He took his place at the table.


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There was a woman in that town who had lived a sinful life. She learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So she came with a special sealed jar of perfume.


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She stood behind Jesus and cried at his feet. She began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair. She kissed them and poured perfume on them.


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The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this. He said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him. He would know what kind of woman she is. She is a sinner!"


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"Two people owed money to a certain lender. One owed him 500 silver coins. The other owed him 50 silver coins.


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Neither of them had the money to pay him back. So he let them go without paying. Which of them will love him more?"


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Then he turned toward the woman. He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water to wash my feet. But she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.


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So I tell you this. Her many sins have been forgiven. She has loved a lot. But the one who has been forgiven little loves only a little."


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The other guests began to talk about this among themselves. They said, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"


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After this, Jesus traveled around from one town and village to another. He announced the good news of God's kingdom. The Twelve were with him.


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So were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. One was Mary Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her.


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Another was Joanna, the wife of Cuza. He was the manager of Herod's household. Susanna and many others were there also. These women were helping to support Jesus and the Twelve with their own money.


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A large crowd gathered together. People came to Jesus from town after town. As they did, he told a story. He said,


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"A farmer went out to plant his seed. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. People walked on it, and the birds of the air ate it up.


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Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 100 times more than the farmer planted." When Jesus said this, he called out, "Those who have ears should listen."


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He said, "You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God's kingdom. But to outsiders I speak by using stories. In that way, " 'They see, but they will not know what they are seeing. They hear, but they will not understand what they are hearing.' --(Isaiah 6:9)


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People on the path are those who hear. But then the devil comes. He takes away the message from their hearts. He does it so they won't believe. Then they can't be saved.


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Those on the rock are the ones who hear the message and receive it with joy. But they have no roots. They believe for a while. But when they are put to the test, they fall away from the faith.


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The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures. So they do not reach full growth.


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"But the seed on good soil stands for those with an honest and good heart. They hear the message. They keep it in their hearts. They remain faithful and produce a good crop.


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"People do not light a lamp and then hide it in a jar or put it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand. Then those who come in can see its light.


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"So be careful how you listen. If you have something, you will be given more. If you have nothing, even what you think you have will be taken away from you."


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One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and left.


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As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake. It was so bad that the boat was about to sink. They were in great danger.


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The disciples went and woke Jesus up. They said, "Master! Master! We're going to drown!" He got up and ordered the wind and the huge waves to stop. The storm quieted down. It was completely calm.


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"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. They were amazed and full of fear. They asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him."


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When Jesus stepped on shore, he was met by a man from the town. The man was controlled by demons. For a long time he had not worn clothes or lived in a house. He lived in the tombs.


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When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet. He shouted at the top of his voice, "Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do you want with me? I beg you, don't hurt me!"


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This was because Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times the spirit had taken hold of him. His hands and feet were chained, and he was kept under guard. But he had broken his chains. And then the demon had forced him to go out into lonely places in the countryside.


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A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs. And he allowed it.


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When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep bank. They ran into the lake and drowned.


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Those who were tending the pigs saw what had happened. They ran off and reported it in the town and countryside.


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The people went out to see what had happened. Then they came to Jesus. They found the man who was now free of the demons. He was sitting at Jesus' feet. He was dressed and thinking clearly. All this made the people afraid.


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Then all the people who lived in the area of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them. They were filled with fear. So he got into the boat and left.


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The man who was now free of the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away. He said to him,


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"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away. He told people all over town how much Jesus had done for him.


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Then a man named Jairus came. He was a synagogue ruler. He fell at Jesus' feet. He begged Jesus to come to his house.


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His only daughter was dying. She was about 12 years old. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.


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A woman was there who had a sickness that made her bleed. Her sickness had lasted for 12 years. No one could heal her.


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"Who touched me?" Jesus asked. They all said they didn't do it. Then Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pushing against you."


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The woman realized that people would notice her. Shaking with fear, she came and fell at his feet. In front of everyone, she told why she had touched him. She also told how she had been healed in an instant.


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While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus. Jairus was the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," the messenger said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore."


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When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let everyone go in with him. He took only Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.


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During this time, all the people were crying and sobbing loudly over the child. "Stop crying!" Jesus said. "She is not dead. She is sleeping."


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Her spirit returned, and right away she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.


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Jesus called the Twelve together. He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to heal sicknesses.


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He told them, "Don't take anything for the journey. Do not take a walking stick or a bag. Do not take any bread, money or extra clothes.


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Some people may not welcome you. If they don't, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town. This will be a witness against the people living there."


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So the Twelve left. They went from village to village. They preached the good news and healed people everywhere.


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Now Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything that was going on. He was bewildered, because some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.


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Others were saying that Elijah had appeared. Still others were saying that a prophet of long ago had come back to life.


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But Herod said, "I had John's head cut off. So who is it that I hear such things about?" And he tried to see Jesus.


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The apostles returned. They told Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him. They went off by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.


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But the crowds learned about it and followed Jesus. He welcomed them and spoke to them about God's kingdom. He also healed those who needed to be healed.


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Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him. They said, "Send the crowd away. They can go to the nearby villages and countryside. There they can find food and a place to stay. There is nothing here."


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Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat." The disciples answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. We would have to go and buy food for all this crowd."


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About 5,000 men were there. But Jesus said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each."


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Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke them into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples to set in front of the people.


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One day Jesus was praying alone. Only his disciples were with him. He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"


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They replied, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."


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He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead."


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Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross every day and follow me.


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"Suppose you are ashamed of me and my words. The Son of Man will come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Then he will be ashamed of you.


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"What I'm about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom."


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About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him.


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As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.


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appeared in shining glory. Jesus and the two of them talked together. They spoke about his coming death. He was going to die soon in Jerusalem.


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Peter and his companions had been very sleepy. But then they became completely awake. They saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him.


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As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up. "Master," he said to him, "it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He didn't really know what he was saying.


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While Jesus was speaking, a cloud appeared. It surrounded them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.


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When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept quiet about this. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen.


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The next day Jesus and those who were with him came down from the mountain. A large crowd met Jesus.


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A man in the crowd called out. "Teacher," he said, "I beg you to look at my son. He is my only child.


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A spirit takes hold of him, and he suddenly screams. It throws him into fits so that he foams at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him. It is destroying him.


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"You unbelieving and evil people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you?" Then he said to the man, "Bring your son here."


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Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him into a fit. The boy fell to the ground. But Jesus ordered the evil spirit to leave the boy. Then Jesus healed him and gave him back to his father.


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They were all amazed at God's greatness. Everyone was wondering about all that Jesus did. Then Jesus said to his disciples,


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"Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men."


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But they didn't understand what this meant. That was because it was hidden from them. And they were afraid to ask Jesus about it.


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Then he spoke to them. "Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me," he said. "And anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me. The least important person among all of you is the most important."


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"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name. We tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."


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The disciples James and John saw this. They asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them?"


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Once Jesus and those who were with him were walking along the road. A man said to Jesus, "I will follow you no matter where you go."


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He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."


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Jesus said to him, "Let dead people bury their own dead. You go and tell others about God's kingdom."


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Still another man said, "I will follow you, Lord. But first let me go back and say good?by to my family."


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Jesus replied, "Suppose you start to plow and then look back. If you do, you are not fit for service in God's kingdom."


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After this the Lord appointed 72 others. He sent them out two by two ahead of him. They went to every town and place where he was about to go.


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He told them, "The harvest is huge, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.


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If someone there loves peace, your blessing of peace will rest on him. If not, it will return to you.


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Stay in that house. Eat and drink anything they give you. Workers are worthy of their pay. Do not move around from house to house.


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'We wipe off even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet. We do it to show that God isn't pleased with you. But here is what you can be sure of. God's kingdom is near.'


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"And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will go down to the place of the dead.


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"Anyone who listens to you listens to me. Anyone who does not accept you does not accept me. And anyone who does not accept me does not accept the One who sent me."


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I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.


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But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you. Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven."


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At that time Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. He said, "I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and educated. But you have shown them to little children. Yes, Father. This is what you wanted.


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"My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows who the Son is. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make the Father known."


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Then Jesus turned to his disciples. He said to them in private, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.


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I tell you, many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see. But they didn't see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn't hear it."


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One day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to receive eternal life?"


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He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.'--(Deuteronomy 6:5) And, 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' "--(Leviticus 19:18)


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Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers attacked him. They stripped off his clothes and beat him. Then they went away, leaving him almost dead.


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A priest happened to be going down that same road. When he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.


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He went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey. He took him to an inn and took care of him.


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The next day he took out two silver coins. He gave them to the owner of the inn. 'Take care of him,' he said. 'When I return, I will pay you back for any extra expense you may have.'


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The authority on the law replied, "The one who felt sorry for him." Jesus told him, "Go and do as he did."


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Jesus and his disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed him into her home.


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But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!"


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But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her."


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One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples spoke to him. "Lord," he said, "teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."


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Jesus said to them, "When you pray, this is what you should say. " 'Father, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come.


text:
Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.' "


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Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose someone has a friend. He goes to him at midnight. He says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.


text:
"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked. My children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'


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"I tell you, that person will not get up. And he won't give the man bread just because he is his friend. But because the man keeps on asking, he will get up. He will give him as much as he needs.


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"So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.


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Everyone who asks will receive. He who searches will find. And the door will be opened to the one who knocks.


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Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"


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Jesus was driving out a demon. The man who had the demon could not speak. When the demon left, the man began to speak. The crowd was amazed.


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But some of them said, "Jesus is driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons."


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Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Any kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. A family that is divided against itself will fall.


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If Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom stand? "I say this because of what you claim. You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub.


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Suppose I do drive out demons with Beelzebub's help. With whose help do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.


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But suppose I drive out demons with the help of God's powerful finger. Then God's kingdom has come to you.


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But when someone stronger attacks, he is overpowered. The attacker takes away the armor the man had trusted in. Then he divides up what he has stolen.


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"What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a man? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn't find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'


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Then the evil spirit goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That man is worse off than before."


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As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out. She shouted, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you."


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As the crowds grew larger, Jesus spoke to them. "The people of today are evil," he said. "They ask for a miraculous sign from God. But none will be given except the sign of Jonah.


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He was a sign from God to the people of Nineveh. In the same way, the Son of Man will be a sign from God to the people of today.


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"The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the men now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon's wisdom. And now one who is more important than Solomon is here.


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"No one lights a lamp and hides it. No one puts it under a bowl. Instead, people put a lamp on its stand. Then those who come in can see the light.


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"Your eye is like a lamp for your body. Suppose your eyes are good. Then your whole body also is full of light. But suppose your eyes are bad. Then your body also is full of darkness.


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"Suppose your whole body is full of light. And suppose no part of it is dark. Then your body will be completely lit up. It will be as when the light of a lamp shines on you."


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Jesus finished speaking. Then a Pharisee invited him to eat with him. So Jesus went in and took his place at the table.


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Then the Lord spoke to him. "You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish," he said. "But inside you are full of greed and evil.


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"How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give God a tenth of your garden plants, such as mint and rue. But you have forgotten to be fair and to love God. You should have practiced the last things without failing to do the first.


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"How terrible for you Pharisees! You love the most important seats in the synagogues. You love having people greet you in the market places.


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"How terrible for you! You are like graves that are not marked. People walk over them without knowing it."


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An authority on the law spoke to Jesus. He said, "Teacher, when you say things like that, you say bad things about us too."


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Jesus replied, "How terrible for you authorities on the law! You put such heavy loads on people that they can hardly carry them. But you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.


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"How terrible for you! You build tombs for the prophets. It was your people of long ago who killed them.


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So you give witness that you agree with what your people did long ago. They killed the prophets, and now you build the prophets' tombs.


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"So God in his wisdom said, 'I will send prophets and apostles to them. They will kill some. And they will try to hurt others.'


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So the people of today will be punished. They will pay for all the prophets' blood spilled since the world began.


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I mean from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the temple. Yes, I tell you, the people of today will be punished for all these things.


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"How terrible for you authorities on the law! You have taken away the key to the door of knowledge. You yourselves have not entered. And you have stood in the way of those who were entering."


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When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law strongly opposed him. They threw a lot of questions at him.


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During that time a crowd of many thousands had gathered. There were so many people that they were stepping on one another. Jesus spoke first to his disciples. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees," he said. "They just pretend to be godly.


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Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered.


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What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. What you have whispered to someone behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops.


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"My friends, listen to me. Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but can't do any more than that.


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I will show you whom you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the One who can kill the body and also has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him.


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In fact, he even counts every hair on your head! So don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.


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"What about someone who says in front of others that he knows me? I tell you, the Son of Man will say that he knows that person in front of God's angels.


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But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn't know me? I, the Son of Man, will say that I don't know him in front of God's angels.


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"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.


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"You will be brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities. But do not worry about how to stand up for yourselves or what to say.


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Someone in the crowd spoke to Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "tell my brother to divide the family property with me."


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Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has."


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"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my storerooms and build bigger ones. I will store all my grain and my other things in them.


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I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things stored away for many years. Take life easy. Eat, drink and have a good time." '


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"But God said to him, 'You foolish man! This very night I will take your life away from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'


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"That is how it will be for anyone who stores things away for himself but is not rich in God's eyes."


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Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, "I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear.


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"Think about the ravens. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't have any storerooms at all. But God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds!


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"Think about how the lilies grow. They don't work or make clothing. But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers.


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If that is how God dresses the wild grass, how much better will he dress you! After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!


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Sell what you own. Give to those who are poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out. Put away riches in heaven that will not be used up. There, no thief can come near it. There, no moth can destroy it.


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Be like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding dinner. When he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.


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"It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready when he comes. What I'm about to tell you is true. The master will then dress himself so he can serve them. He will have them take their places at the table. And he will come and wait on them.


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It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready. It will even be good if he comes very late at night.


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"But here is what you must understand. Suppose the owner of the house knew at what hour the robber was coming. He would not have let his house be broken into.


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The Lord answered, "Suppose a master puts one of his servants in charge of his other servants. The servant's job is to give them the food they are to receive at the right time. The master wants a faithful and wise manager for this.


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"But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time to come back.' Suppose he begins to beat the other servants. Suppose he feeds himself. And suppose he drinks until he gets drunk.


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The master of that servant will come back on a day the servant doesn't expect him. He will return at an hour the servant doesn't know. Then the master will cut him to pieces. He will send him to the place where unbelievers go.


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"Suppose a servant knows his master's wishes. But he doesn't get ready. And he doesn't do what his master wants. That servant will be beaten with many blows.


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"But suppose the servant does not know his master's wishes. And suppose he does things for which he should be punished. He will be beaten with only a few blows. "Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. Even more will be asked of the person who is supposed to take care of much.


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From now on there will be five members in a family, each one against the other. There will be three against two and two against three.


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They will be separated. Father will turn against son and son against father. Mother will turn against daughter and daughter against mother. Mother?in?law will turn against daughter?in?law and daughter?in?law against mother?in?law."


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Jesus spoke to the crowd. He said, "You see a cloud rising in the west. Right away you say, 'It's going to rain.' And it does.


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You pretenders! You know how to understand the appearance of the earth and the sky. Why can't you understand the meaning of what is happening right now?


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Suppose someone has a claim against you, and you are on your way to court. Try hard to settle the matter on the way. If you don't, that person may drag you off to the judge. The judge may turn you over to the officer. And the officer may throw you into prison.


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Some people who were there at that time told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had mixed their blood with their sacrifices.


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Jesus said, "These people from Galilee suffered greatly. Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans?


text:
Or what about the 18 people in Siloam? They died when the tower fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?


text:
Then Jesus told a story. "A man had a fig tree," he said. "It had been planted in his vineyard. When he went to look for fruit on it, he didn't find any.


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So he went to the man who took care of the vineyard. He said, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree. But I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'


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A woman there had been disabled by an evil spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and could not stand up straight.


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Jesus saw her. He asked her to come to him. He said to her, "Woman, you will no longer be disabled. I am about to set you free."


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Jesus had healed the woman on the Sabbath day. This made the synagogue ruler angry. He told the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days. But do not come on the Sabbath."


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The Lord answered him, "You pretenders! Doesn't each of you go to the barn and untie his ox or donkey on the Sabbath day? Then don't you lead it out to give it water?


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This woman is a member of Abraham's family line. But Satan has kept her disabled for 18 long years. Shouldn't she be set free on the Sabbath day from what was keeping her disabled?"


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When Jesus said this, all those who opposed him were put to shame. But the people were delighted. They loved all the wonderful things he was doing.


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It is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a garden. It grew and became a tree. The birds sat in its branches."


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It is like yeast that a woman used. She mixed it into a large amount of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough."


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Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching the people. He was on his way to Jerusalem.


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"Try very hard to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to.


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The owner of the house will get up and close the door. Then you will stand outside knocking and begging. You will say, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you. And I don't know where you come from.'


text:
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you. And I don't know where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil!'


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"You will sob and grind your teeth when you see those who are in God's kingdom. You will see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets there. But you yourselves will be thrown out.


text:
People will come from east and west and north and south. They will take their places at the feast in God's kingdom.


text:
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus. They said to him, "Leave this place. Go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."


text:
He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons. I will heal people today and tomorrow. And on the third day I will reach my goal.'


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In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day. Certainly no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!


text:
"Look, your house is left empty. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "--(Psalm 118:26)


text:
One Sabbath day, Jesus went to eat in the house of a well?known Pharisee. While he was there, he was being carefully watched.


text:
Jesus turned to the Pharisees and the authorities on the law. He asked them, "Is it breaking the Law to heal on the Sabbath?"


text:
He asked them another question. He said, "Suppose one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day. Wouldn't you pull him out right away?"


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He said, "Suppose someone invites you to a wedding feast. Do not take the place of honor. A person more important than you may have been invited.


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If so, the host who invited both of you will come to you. He will say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be filled with shame. You will have to take the least important place.


text:
"But when you are invited, take the lowest place. Then your host will come over to you. He will say, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.


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Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who is brought down will be lifted up."


text:
Then Jesus spoke to his host. "Suppose you give a lunch or a dinner," he said. "Do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, or your relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they may invite you to eat with them. So you will be paid back.


text:
"But when you give a big dinner, invite those who are poor. Also invite those who can't walk, the disabled and the blind.


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Then you will be blessed. Your guests can't pay you back. But you will be paid back when those who are right with God rise from the dead."


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One of the people at the table with Jesus heard him say those things. So he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in God's kingdom."


text:
Then the day of the dinner arrived. He sent his servant to those who had been invited. The servant told them, 'Come. Everything is ready now.'


text:
"But they all had the same idea. They began to make excuses. The first one said, 'I have just bought a field. I have to go and see it. Please excuse me.'


text:
"Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen. I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'


text:
"The servant came back and reported this to his master. "Then the owner of the house became angry. He ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town. Bring in those who are poor. Also bring those who can't walk, the blind and the disabled.'


text:
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads. Go out to the country lanes. Make the people come in. I want my house to be full.


text:
"Anyone who comes to me must hate his father and mother. He must hate his wife and children. He must hate his brothers and sisters. And he must hate even his own life. Unless he does, he can't be my disciple.


text:
"Suppose someone wants to build a tower. Won't he sit down first and figure out how much it will cost? Then he will see whether he has enough money to finish it.


text:
Suppose he starts building and is not able to finish. Then everyone who sees what he has done will laugh at him.


text:
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. And suppose he has 10,000 men, while the other has 20,000 coming against him. Won't he first sit down and think about whether he can win?


text:
"And suppose he decides he can't win. Then he will send some men to ask how peace can be made. He will do this while the other king is still far away.


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It is not good for the soil. And it is not good for the trash pile. It will be thrown out. "Those who have ears should listen."


text:
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were whispering among themselves. They said, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."


text:
He said, "Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Won't he leave the 99 in the open country? Won't he go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it?


text:
and go home. Then he will call his friends and neighbors together. He will say, 'Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep.'


text:
"I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.


text:
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. She will light a lamp and sweep the house. She will search carefully until she finds the coin.


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And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors together. She will say, 'Be joyful with me. I have found my lost coin.'


text:
"I tell you, it is the same in heaven. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin."


text:
The younger son spoke to his father. He said, 'Father, give me my share of the family property.' So the father divided his property between his two sons.


text:
"Not long after that, the younger son packed up all he had. Then he left for a country far away. There he wasted his money on wild living.


text:
He spent everything he had. "Then the whole country ran low on food. So the son didn't have what he needed.


text:
The son wanted to fill his stomach with the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything.


text:
"Then he began to think clearly again. He said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food! But here I am dying from hunger!


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I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven. And I have sinned against you.


text:
So he got up and went to his father. "While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him. He was filled with tender love for his son. He ran to him. He threw his arms around him and kissed him.


text:
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.'


text:
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.


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This son of mine was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.' "So they began to celebrate.


text:
" 'Your brother has come home,' the servant replied. 'Your father has killed the fattest calf. He has done this because your brother is back safe and sound.'


text:
"But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I have always obeyed your orders. You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.


text:
But this son of yours wasted your money with some prostitutes. Now he comes home. And for him you kill the fattest calf!'


text:
But we had to celebrate and be glad. This brother of yours was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.' "


text:
Jesus told his disciples another story. He said, "There was a rich man who had a manager. Some said that the manager was wasting what the rich man owned.


text:
So the rich man told him to come in. He asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Tell me exactly how you have handled what I own. You can't be my manager any longer.'


text:
"The manager said to himself, 'What will I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig. And I'm too ashamed to beg.


text:
I know what I'm going to do. I'll do something so that when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'


text:
"So he called in each person who owed his master something. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe my master?'


text:
" 'I owe 800 gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill. Sit down quickly and change it to 400 gallons.'


text:
"Then he asked the second one, 'And how much do you owe?' " 'I owe 1,000 bushels of wheat,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill and change it to 800 bushels.'


text:
"The manager had not been honest. But the master praised him for being clever. The people of this world are clever in dealing with those who are like themselves. They are more clever than God's people.


text:
"I tell you, use the riches of this world to help others. In that way, you will make friends for yourselves. Then when your riches are gone, you will be welcomed into your eternal home in heaven.


text:
"Suppose you can be trusted with very little. Then you can be trusted with a lot. But suppose you are not honest with very little. Then you will not be honest with a lot.


text:
"Suppose you have not been worthy of trust in handling worldly wealth. Then who will trust you with true riches?


text:
Suppose you have not been worthy of trust in handling someone else's property. Then who will give you property of your own?


text:
"No servant can serve two masters at the same time. He will hate one of them and love the other. Or he will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can't serve God and Money at the same time."


text:
Jesus said to them, "You try to make yourselves look good in the eyes of other people. But God knows your hearts. What is worth a great deal among people is hated by God.


text:
"The teachings of the Law and the Prophets were preached until John came. Since then, the good news of God's kingdom is being preached. And everyone is trying very hard to enter it.


text:
It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest part of a letter to drop out of the Law.


text:
"Anyone who divorces his wife and gets married to another woman commits adultery. Also, the man who gets married to a divorced woman commits adultery.


text:
"Once there was a rich man. He was dressed in purple cloth and fine linen. He lived an easy life every day.


text:
"The time came when the beggar died. The angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.


text:
In hell, the rich man was suffering terribly. He looked up and saw Abraham far away. Lazarus was by his side.


text:
So the rich man called out, 'Father Abraham! Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water. Then he can cool my tongue with it. I am in terrible pain in this fire.'


text:
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember what happened in your lifetime. You received your good things. Lazarus received bad things. Now he is comforted here, and you are in terrible pain.


text:
Besides, a wide space has been placed between us and you. So those who want to go from here to you can't go. And no one can cross over from there to us.'


text:
I have five brothers. Let Lazarus warn them. Then they will not come to this place of terrible suffering.'


text:
"Abraham replied, 'They have the teachings of Moses and the Prophets. Let your brothers listen to them.'


text:
" 'No, father Abraham,' he said. 'But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will turn away from their sins.'


text:
"Abraham said to him, 'They do not listen to Moses and the Prophets. So they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "


text:
Jesus spoke to his disciples. "Things that make people sin are sure to come," he said. "But how terrible it will be for the person who brings them!


text:
Suppose people lead one of these little ones to sin. It would be better for those people to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck.


text:
So watch what you do. "If your brother sins, tell him he is wrong. Then if he turns away from his sins, forgive him.


text:
Suppose he sins against you seven times in one day. And suppose he comes back to you each time and says, 'I'm sorry.' Forgive him."


text:
He replied, "Suppose you have faith as small as a mustard seed. Then you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up. Be planted in the sea.' And it will obey you.


text:
"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. And suppose the servant came in from the field. Would you say to him, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?


