A Translation of the New Testament from the original Greek Part 8

AND immediately the chief priests having held a council in the morning, with the elders, and scribes, and the whole sanhedrim, after binding Jesus, led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate. (2)And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? He answering said to him, Thou sayest true. (3)And the chief priests laid many accusations against him. (4)Then Pilate again interrogated him, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they testify against thee. (5)But Jesus notwithstanding made not a word of reply; so that Pilate marvelled.

(6)Now at the feast, he released one prisoner to them, whomsoever they pet.i.tioned for. (7)And there was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made an insurrection with him, and had committed murder in the insurrection. (8)And the mult.i.tude, clamorous, began to pet.i.tion him to do, as he had always done to them. (9)Then Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews? (10)(For he knew that out of envy the chief priests had delivered him up.) (11)Then the chief priests stirred up the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. (12)Then Pilate addressing them, said unto them again, What therefore do you wish that I should do with him whom ye call the king of the Jews? (13)And they cried out again, Crucify him. (14)Then Pilate said unto them, But what criminal act hath he done? And they cried the more vociferously, Crucify him. (15)So Pilate, willing to do what would be satisfactory to the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus to be scourged, in order to be crucified.

(16)Then the soldiers led him to the hall, which is the Praetorium, and called together the whole band. (17)And they invested him with a robe of purple, and platting a crown of thorns, put it about his head, (18)and began to pay their salutations to him, Hail, King of the Jews!

(19)And they struck him on the head with a cane, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees payed him homage. (20)And when they had treated him with mockery, they took off the purple robe from him, and clothed him with his own garments, and led him out to crucify him. (21)And they compel one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was pa.s.sing by, coming out of the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

(22)And they convey him to a place called Golgotha, which is being interpreted, The place of a skull. (23)And they gave him to drink wine medicated with myrrh: but he received it not. (24)And having crucified him, they divided his garments, casting the lot upon them, what each should take. (25)Now it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

(26)And there was an inscription of his crime written over him, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (27)And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and the other on his left. (28)And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, "And he was reckoned among the transgressors."

(29)And they who pa.s.sed along, blasphemed him, shaking their heads, and saying, Aha! thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, (30)save thyself, and come down from the cross. (31)And in the same manner also, the chief priests mocking him, among each other, with the scribes, said, He saved others, himself he cannot save. (32)Thou Messiah, King of Israel, come now down from the cross, that we may see, and believe. Even those who were crucified with him railed on him.

(33)Now when the sixth hour came, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (34)And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani? which is, being interpreted, My G.o.d, my G.o.d, for what cause hast thou abandoned me?

(35)And some of those who stood by, hearing him, said, Behold, he crieth for Elias. (36)Then one ran, and filling a sponge with vinegar, fixed it round a cane, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone, let us see if Elias comes to take him down. (37)Then Jesus, uttering a loud cry, gave up the ghost.

(38)And the vail of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. (39)And the centurion, who stood opposite to him, observing, that with such a cry he gave up the ghost, said, a.s.suredly this was the Son of G.o.d.

(40)Now there were also women looking on at a distance; among whom also was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the small, and the mother of Joses, and Salome. (41)These women followed him when he was in Galilee, and supplied his wants; and many other women who went up with him to Jerusalem.

(42)And when the evening was now come (since it was the preparation, that is the day preceding the sabbath), (43)Joseph, who was from Arimathea, came, a respectable person, a counsellor, and who himself also was expecting the kingdom of G.o.d; taking courage, he went in to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. (44)Then Pilate marvelled that he should be already dead: and calling for the centurion, he asked him, If he had been dead any time. (45)And when he knew it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. (46)And having bought a wrapper of fine linen, and taken him down, he wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a sepulchre, which was hewn out of a rock; and rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre. (47)Now Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.

CHAP. XVI.

AND when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, purchased aromatics, that they might come, and anoint him. (2)And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, as the sun was rising. (3)And said among themselves, Who will roll away for us the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

(4)And looking again, they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was vastly large. (5)And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting at the right hand, clothed in a white robe; and they were greatly terrified. (6)But he saith unto them, Be not affrighted, ye seek Jesus the Nazarean, who was crucified; he is risen, he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (7)But go, tell his disciples, and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he told you. (8)And they going out hastily, fled from the sepulchre, for trembling and astonishment had seized them: and they said not a word to any person, for they were affrighted.

(9)Now being arisen early, on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. (10)She going, told it to those who had been with him, as they were wailing and weeping. (11)And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, gave no credit to her.

(12)Then after this, he was manifested under another form, to two of them as they were walking, and going into the country. (13)And they came back and told the news to the rest; neither did they believe them.

(14)Afterwards he shewed himself to the eleven, as they were sitting at table, and upbraided them for their infidelity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen.

(15)And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16)He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be d.a.m.ned. (17)And these signs shall follow those that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18)they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly potion, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover health.

(19)Then the Lord, after having thus spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of G.o.d. (20)But they going forth preached every where, the Lord working mightily with them, and confirming the word, by attendant miracles.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE.

CHAP. I.

SINCE many have attempted to compose a narrative of facts, confirmed to us by the fullest evidence: (2)exactly as they delivered them to us, who were eve witnesses from the first, and ministers of the word; (3)it seemed right to me also, having obtained accurate knowledge of all things from above, to write to thee in regular order, most excellent Theophilus, (4)to the intent that thou mayest clearly know the certainty of those matters, concerning which thou hast been instructed.

(5)There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abiah: and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth. (6)And they were both righteous before G.o.d, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7)And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were far advanced in years. (8)And it came to pa.s.s, as he discharged his priestly office in the order of his periodical ministration before G.o.d, (9)according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to his lot to burn the incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10)And all the mult.i.tude of people was praying without, at the time of the burning the incense. (11)And an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

(12)And Zacharias was agitated greatly at the sight, and fear fell upon him. (13)But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bring thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (14)And it shall give thee joy and exultation; and many shall rejoice at his birth: (15)for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; and he shall never drink wine, nor any intoxicating liquor; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (16)And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord, their G.o.d. (17)And he shall go forth before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to convert the hearts of fathers with their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people ready for the Lord.

(18)And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife far advanced in her age. (19)And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of G.o.d; and I have been sent to speak to thee, and to proclaim these glad tidings to thee. (20)And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and unable to speak, until that day when these things shall come to pa.s.s, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled at their exact time.

(21)And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. (22)And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he himself made signs to them, and continued deaf and dumb.

(23)And it came to pa.s.s, when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went to his own house. (24)And after those days Elisabeth his wife conceived, and kept herself in retirement five months, saying, (25)Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days in which he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men.

(26)Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from G.o.d into a city of Galilee, the name of which was Nazareth, (27)to a virgin of the house of David, betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28)And the angel coming in to her said, All hail! O thou highly favoured one! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (29)And when she saw him, she was greatly agitated at his address: and reasoned in herself what kind of salutation this could be. (30)And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with G.o.d. (31)And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS. (32)He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord G.o.d will give him the throne of David his father; (33)and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (34)And Mary said, How shall this be, seeing I know not man?

(35)And the angel answering said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; wherefore also the Holy One that shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of G.o.d. (36)And, behold, Elisabeth thy cousin, she also hath conceived in her old age: and this is the fifth month _of pregnancy_ with her who was called barren. (37)For there is nothing impossible with G.o.d. (38)Then said Mary, Behold a servant of the Lord, be it to me according to thy declaration. And the angel departed from her.

(39)Then Mary arose in those days, and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, (40)and entered into the house of Zachariah, and saluted Elisabeth. (41)And it came to pa.s.s, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped for joy in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: (42)and she exclaimed with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (43)And whence is this favour shewn me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (44)For, lo! as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, the babe leaped for joy in my womb. (45)And blessed is she that hath believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things told her from the Lord.

(46)And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (47)and my spirit hath exulted in G.o.d my Saviour: (48)for he hath looked upon the lowly state of his maid-servant: for, lo! henceforth shall all generations p.r.o.nounce me blessed. (49)For the Mighty One hath done great things for me; and holy is his name. (50)And his mercy is upon those who fear him, from generation to generation. (51)He hath displayed strength from his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

(52)He hath cast down potentates from the throne, and hath exalted the lowly. (53)He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. (54)He hath succoured Israel his servant, that he might be mindful of mercy for ever; (55)as he had spoken to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed. (56)And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her home.

(57)Now Elisabeth's time was up that she should be delivered; and she brought a son. (58)And her neighbours and her relations heard, that the Lord had magnified his mercy upon her; and they congratulated her.

(59)And it came to pa.s.s, on the eighth day they came to circ.u.mcise the child; and they called him after the name of his father, Zacharias.

(60)And his mother spake and said, No; but he shall be called John.

(61)And they said to her, There is not one among thy relations, who is called by this name. (62)And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. (63)And desiring a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, John is his name. And they were all surprised. (64)Instantly then his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he burst out in praises to G.o.d. (65)And great awe fell on all those who dwelt around them: and in all the mountainous country of Judea, all these circ.u.mstances were the subject of conversation. (66)And all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, Well! what a child will this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

(67)And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, (68)Blessed be the Lord the G.o.d of Israel; for he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people; (69)and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David: (70)as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been from the beginning: (71)even preservation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (72)to perform mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his own holy covenant: (73)the oath which he sware to Abraham our father, (74)to give us, that we, secure from fear, rescued from the hands of our enemies, should serve him, (75)in righteousness and holiness before him, all the days of our life. (76)And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; (77)to give the knowledge of salvation to his people, by the remission of their sins, (78)through the bowels of mercy of our G.o.d; with which he hath visited us, as the dawn of the morning from on high, (79)to illumine those who sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace. (80)And the child grew, and became mighty in spirit, and was in the deserts until the days of his public exhibition to Israel.

CHAP. II.

NOW it came to pa.s.s in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole land should be registered. (2)(And this first enrolment was made by Cyrenius, _afterwards_ governor of Syria) (3)And all went to be registered, every one to his own city. (4)Then Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David; (5)to be enregistered with Mary, the wife espoused to him, who was big with child. (6)And it came to pa.s.s, while they were there, that her time was up, that she should be delivered.

(7)And she brought forth a son, her first-born, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

(8)And there were shepherds in that country abiding in the open air, and keeping guard over their flock by night. (9)And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were exceedingly affrighted. (10)And the angel said unto them, Be not affrighted: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. (11)Because this day there is born for you a Saviour, which is Messiah, the Lord, in the city of David.

(12)And this shall be a sign for you; Ye shall find the babe in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. (13)And suddenly there appeared with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host, praising G.o.d, and saying, (14)Glory in the highest heavens to G.o.d! and upon earth, peace!

towards men complacence. (15)And it came to pa.s.s, as the angels went from them into heaven, the men, the shepherds, said also to each other, Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath happened, which the Lord hath made known to us. (16)And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe, lying in the manger: (17)and when they saw it, they made a public report of the declaration delivered to them respecting this child. (18)And all who heard it, marvelled at the things told them by the shepherds. (19)But Mary carefully preserved all these declarations, laying them together in her heart, in order to apprehend their meaning. (20)And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising G.o.d for all the things which they had heard and seen, exactly as had been told them.

(21)And when eight days were fulfilled for circ.u.mcising the child, his name also was called JESUS, the name imposed by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(22)And when the days of her purification were accomplished according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (23)as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male child, that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord; (24)and to offer a sacrifice, according to what is prescribed in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

(25)And, behold, there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (26)And it had been divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, till he had seen the Lord's Messiah. (27)And he came by the spirit into the temple; just as the parents were bringing in the child Jesus, that they might do according to what was the custom of the law concerning him; (28)and he took him into his arms, and blessed G.o.d, and said, (29)Now dismiss thy servant, Lord, according to thy word, in peace; (30)for my eyes have seen thy salvation, (31)which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. (32)A light to give revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to thy people Israel.

(33)And Joseph and his mother were amazed at the things spoken concerning him. (34)And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall, and rising again of many in Israel; and for a marked object to be spoken against; (35)(so shall a dart pierce through thy own soul) that the reasonings of many hearts may be laid open,

(36)And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of a.s.ser: she was far advanced in old age, having lived but seven years with a husband, from her virgin state: (37)though she was now a widow, of about eighty-four years, who departed not from the temple, attending the divine service, with fastings and prayers night and day: (38)and at the very same moment coming up, she also in turn confessed the Lord, and spake of him to all who were expecting redemption in Jerusalem.

(39)And when they had finished all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own city Nazareth. (40)And the child grew, and became endued with great powers of spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of G.o.d was upon him.

(41)And his parents went annually to Jerusalem at the feast of the pa.s.sover. (42)And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast. (43)And when they had concluded the days, as they were returning, the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew it not: (44)but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought him among their relations and acquaintances; (45)and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. (46)And it came to pa.s.s after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. (47)And all who heard him, were in a transport of admiration, at his understanding and answers. (48)And when they saw him, they were struck with surprise; and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou behaved to us in this manner? lo! thy father and I have been seeking thee in anguish of heart. (49)And he said unto them, Wherefore did ye seek me? did you not know, that I must be occupied with my Father's affairs? (50)And they understood not the meaning of what he spake to them. (51)And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was in subjection to them: though his mother preserved all these sayings in her heart. (52)And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with G.o.d and men.

CHAP. III.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene: (2)when Annas and Caiaphas were high-priests, the word of G.o.d came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness; (3)and he came into all the country on the confines of Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (4)as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths strait: (5)every valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be levelled, and the crooked ways made strait, and the rough roads smooth: (6)and all flesh shall see the salvation of G.o.d." (7)He said, therefore, to the mult.i.tudes who came out to be baptised by him, Ye broods of vipers, who hath warned you to fly from the approaching wrath? (8)Produce then fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say in yourselves, We have a father, even Abraham; for I say unto you, That G.o.d is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. (9)But now is the ax laid even to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that produceth not good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire.

(10)And the mult.i.tudes asked him, saying, What then shall we do?

(11)And he answering said to them, He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath provisions, let him do in like manner. (12)Then came also the farmers of the taxes to be baptised, and they said unto him, Master, what shall we do? (13)He said unto them, Exact nothing more than is appointed for you. (14)And the military men also asked him, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Extort nothing by force; nor turn informers; and be content with your pay.

(15)Now when the people were in expectation, and many reasoned in their hearts respecting John, whether he were the Messiah, (16)John addressed himself to them all, saying, I indeed baptise you with water; but one mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; (17)whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and collect the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. (18)Thus in many and various discourses exhorting them, he preached the glad tidings of the gospel to the people.

(19)Now Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him, on account of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the other wicked actions which he had done, (20)added this also to all the rest, and shut up John in prison.

(21)Now it came to pa.s.s, at the time when John was baptising all the people, that Jesus also was baptised, and as he prayed, the heaven was opened, (22)and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily form, like a dove, upon him, and a voice came from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.