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The 15th
Chapter
Then resorted unto him all the
publicans and sinners, for to hear him. And the Pharisees and
Scribes murmured saying: He received to his company sinners, and
eateth with them. Then put he forth this similitude to them saying:
What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them,
doth not leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that
which is lost until he find him? And when he hath found him, he
putteth him on his shoulders with joy: And as soon as he cometh
home, he calleth together his lovers and neighbours saying unto
them: Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost. I
say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more then over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance. Either what woman having ten *grotes, if she
lose one, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek
diligently, till she find it? And when she hath found it she calleth
her lovers and her neighbours saying: Rejoice with me, for I have
found the grote which I had lost. Likewise I say unto you, joy is
made in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth.
And he said: a certain man had two sons, and the younger of
them said to his father: father, give me my part of the goods that
to me belongeth. And he divided unto them his substance. And not
long after, the younger son gathered all that he had together, and
took his journey into a far country, and there he wasted his goods
with riotous living. And when he had spent all that he had, there
rose a great dearth through out all that same land, and he began to
lack. And he went and clave to a citizen of that same country, which
sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have
filled his belly with the cods that the swine ate: and no man gave
him.
Then he came to him self and said: how many hired servants at
my fathers have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise and
go to my father, and will say unto him: father, I have sinned
against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called
thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and went
to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw
him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed
him. And the son said unto him: father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy
son. But his father said to his servants: bringforth that best
garment and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on
his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let
us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again,
he was lost, and is now found. And they began to be merry. The elder
brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the
house, he heard minstrelsy and dancing, and called one of his
servants, and asked what those things meant. And he said unto him:
thy brother is come, and thy father had killed the fatted calf,
because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and
would not go in. Then came his father out and entreated him. He
answered and said to his father: Lo these many years have I done
thee service, neither brake at any time thy commandment, and yet
gavest thou me never so much as a kid to make merry with my lovers:
but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy goods
with harlots, thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatted calf. And
he said unto him: Son, thou wast ever with me, and all that I have
is thine: it was meet that we should make merry and be glad: for
this thy brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is
found.
*grotes : refers to
grain; oats in Middle Eng
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The 16th
Chapter
And he said also unto his disciples. There was a certain rich
man, which had a steward, that was accused unto him, that he had
wasted his goods. And he called him: and said unto him: How is it,
that I hear this of you? Give accounts of your stewardship: for you
may be no longer steward. The steward said with in him self: what
shall I do? for my master will take away from me the stewardship. I
cannot dig, and to beg, I am ashamed. I *wot what to do, that when I
am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their
houses.
Then called he all his masters debtors, and said unto the
first: how much owest you unto my master? And he said: an hundred
tuns of oil. And he said to him: take your bill, and sit down
quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another: what owe you? And
he said: an hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take your
bill, and write fourscore. And the Lord commended the unjust steward
because he had done wisely. For the children of this world are in
their kind, wiser then the children of light. And I say also unto
you: make you friends of the wicked mammon, that when you shall
depart, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
He that is faithful in that which is least the same is faithful
in much. And he that is unfaithful in the least: is unfaithful also
in much. So then if you have not been faithful in the wicked mammon,
who will believe you in that which is true? And if you have not been
faithful in another mans business: who shall give you your own? No
servant can serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and
love the other, or else he shall lean to the one and despise the
other. you cannot serve God and mammon.
All these things heard the Pharisees also which were covetous,
and they mocked him. And he said unto them: you are they which
justify yourselves before men: but God knows your hearts. For that
which is highly esteemed among men, is abominable in the sight of
God.
The law and the Prophets reigned until the time of John: and
since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man
strives to go in. Sooner shall heaven and earth perish than one
tittle of the law shall perish. Whosoever forsakes his wife and
marries another, breaks matrimony. And every man which marries her
that is divorced from her husband, commits *advoutry also.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and
fine byss, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain
beggar named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores desiring
to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans board.
Nevertheless, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it fortuned
that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams
bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.
And being in hell in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw
Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, and he cried and said:
father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip
the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am
tormented in this flame. But Abraham said unto him: Son, remember
that you in your lifetime, received your pleasure, and contrary wise
Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and you are punished.
Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so
that they which would go from here, now to you cannot: neither may
come from that place to us.
Then he said I pray you therefore father, send him to my
fathers house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them least they
also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him: they
have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them. And he said: no
father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead, they would
repent. He said unto him: If they hear not Moses and the Prophets,
neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.
*wot (know). *advoutry:
prefix "a" meaning not or without, devout: devotion; plain hearted
to God, being devoted to something or some one else. see James 2 for
adultery
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The 17th
Chapter
Then said he to the disciples, it cannot be avoided but that
offenses will come. Nevertheless woe be to him through whom they
come. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and that he were cast into the sea, then that he should offend
one of these little ones. Take heed to your selves. If your brother
trespass against you, rebuke him and if he repent, forgive him. And
though he sin against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a
day turn again to you saying: it repents me, forgive him.
And the Apostles said unto the Lord: increase our faith. And
the Lord said: if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, and
should say unto this sycamine tree, pluck yourself up by the roots,
and plant yourself in the sea: he should obey you.
Who is it of you if he had a servant ploughing or feeding
cattle, that would say unto him when he were come from the field: Go
quickly and sit down to meat: and would not rather say to him, dress
wherewith I may sup, and gird up yourself and serve me, till I have
eaten and drunken: and afterward, eat you, and drink you? does he
thank that servant because he did that which was commanded unto him?
I *trow not. So likewise ye, when you have done all those things
which are commanded you say, we are unprofitable servants. We have
done that which was our duty to do.
And it chanced as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through
Samaria and Galile. And as he entered into a certain town, there met
him ten men that were lepers. Which stood afar off and put forth
their voices and said: Jesu master, have mercy on us. When he saw
them, he said unto them: Go and show yourselves unto the Priests.
And it chanced as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them,
when he saw that he was cleansed, turned back again, and with a loud
voice praised God, and fell down on his face at his feet, and gave
him thanks. And the same was a Samaritan. And Jesus answered and
said: are there not ten cleansed? But where are those nine? There
are not found that returned again, to give God praise save only this
stranger. And he said unto him: arise, and go your way your faith
has made you whole.
When he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God
should come he answered them and said: The kingdom of God comes not
with waiting for. Neither shall men say: Lo here, lo there. For
behold the kingdom of God is with in you.
And he said unto the disciples: The days will come, when you
shall desire to see one day of the son of man, and you shall not see
it. And they shall say to you: See here, See there. Go not after
them, nor follow them, for as the lightning that appears out of the
one part of the heaven: and shines unto the other part of heaven. So
shall the son of man be in his days. But first must he suffer many
things, and be refused of this nation.
As it happened in the time of Noe: So shall it be in the time
of the son of man. They ate, they drank, they married wives and were
married, even unto the same day that Noe went into the Ark: and the
flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it chanced in
the days of Lot. They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they
planted, they built. And even the same day that Lot went out of *Zodom,
it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
After these examples, shall it be in the day when the son of man
shall appear.
At that day he that is on the house top and his stuff in the
house: let him not come down to take it out. And likewise let not
him that is in the fields, turn back again to that he left behind.
Remember Lots wife. Whosoever will go about to save his life, shall
lose it: And whosoever shall lose his life, shall save it. I tell
you in that night, there shall be two in one bed, that one shall be
received and the other shall be forsaken. And they answered, and
said unto him: where Lord? And he said unto them: wheresoever the
body shall be, over there will the eagles resort.
*trow (think) *Zodom
(Sodom),
|
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The 18th
Chapter
And he put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men
ought pray, and not to be weary saying: There was a Judge in a
certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there
was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying:
avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while. But
afterward he said unto himself: though I fear not God nor care for
man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge least at the
last she come and hag on me.
And the Lord said hear what the unrighteous Judge says. And
shall not God avenge his elect, which cry day and night unto him,
you though he defer them? I tell you he will avenge them and that
quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man comes, suppose ye, that
he shall find faith on the earth.
And he put forth this similitude, unto certain which trusted in
them selves that they were perfect, and despised other. Two men went
up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a
publican. The Pharise stood and prayed thus with him self. God I
thank you that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, *advoutrers,
or as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all
that I possess. And the publican stood afar off, and would not lift
up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast saying: God be mercyfull
to me sinner. I tell you this man departed home to his house
justified more other. For every man that exalts himself, shall be
brought low: An he that humbles himself, shall be exalted.
They brought unto him also babes, that he should touch them.
When the disciples saw that, they rebuked them. But Jesus called
them unto him, and said: *Suffer children to come unto me, and
forbid them not. For of such the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto
you: whosoever receives not the kingdom of God as a child, he shall
not enter therein.
And a certain ruler asked him saying: good master: what ought I
to do, to obtain eternal life? Jesus said unto him: Why call you me
good? None is good, save God only. You know the commandments: You
shall not commit *advoutry: you shall not kill: you shall not steal:
you shall not bear false witness: Honour your father and your
mother. And he said: all the kept from my youth. When Jesus heard
that, he said unto him: Yet lack you one thing.
Sell all that you hast, and distribute it unto the poor, and
you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, and follow me. When he
heard that, he was heavy: for he was very rich.
When Jesus saw him mourn, he said: with what difficulty shall
they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God: it is easier
for a camel to go through a needles eye, then for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God. Then said they that heard that: And
who shall then be saved? And he said: Things which are unpossible
with men are possible with God.
Then Peter said: Lo we have left all, and have followed you.
And he said unto them: Verily I say unto you, there is no man that
leaves house, other father and mother, other brethren or wife, or
children for the kingdom of Gods sake, which same shall not receive
much more in this world: and in the world to come, life everlasting.
He took unto him twelve, and said unto them. Behold we go up to
Jerusalem, and all shall be fulfilled that are written by the
Prophets of the son of man. He shall be delivered unto the gentiles,
and shall be mocked, and shall be despitefully entreated, and shall
be spitted on: and when they have scourged him, they will put him to
death, and the third day he shall arise again. But they understood
none of these things. And this saying was hid from them. And they
perceived not the things which were spoken.
And it came to pass, as he was come near unto *Hericho, a
certain blind man sat by the way side begging. And when he heard the
people pass by, he asked what it meant. And they said unto him, that
Jesus of Nazareth passed by. And he cried saying: Jesus the son of
David, have you mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him,
that he should hold his peace. But he cried so much the more, you
son of David have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded
him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him
saying: what will you that I do unto you? And he said: Lord that I
may receive my sight. Jesus said unto him: receive your sight: your
faith has saved you. And immediately he saw, and followed him,
praising God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave laud to
God.
*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or
without, devout: devotion; plain hearted to God, being devoted to
something or some one else. see James 2 for adultery. *Suffer
(allow) *Hericho (Jericho), |
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The 19th
Chapter
And he entered in, and went through *Hericho. And behold, there
was a man named Zacheus, which was a ruler among the Publicans, and
was rich also. And he made means to see Jesus, what he should be:
and could not for the press, because he was of a low stature.
Wherefore he ran before, and climbed up into a wild fig tree, to see
him: for he should come that way. And when Jesus came to the place,
he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him: Zache, come down at
once, for today I must abide at your house. And he came down hastily
and received him joyfully. And when they saw that they all grudged
saying: He is gone in to tarry with a man that is a sinner.
And Zache stood forth and said unto the Lord: behold Lord, the
half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have done any man
wrong, I will restore him four fold. And Jesus said to him: this day
is health come unto this house, for as much as he also is become the
child of Abraham. For the son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost.
As they heard these things, he added thereto a similitude,
because he was near to *Herusalem, and because also they thought
that the kingdom of God should shortly appear. He said therefore: a
certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive him a kingdom,
and then to come again. And he called his ten servants, and
delivered them ten pounds saying unto them: buy and sell till I
come. But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him
saying: We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received
his kingdom, he commanded these servants, to be called to him (to
whom he gave his money) to *wit what every man had done. Then came
the first, saying: Lord, your pound has increased ten pounds. And he
said unto him. Well good servant because you was faithful in a very
little thing, take you authority over ten cities. And the other came
saying: Lord your pound has increased five pounds. And to the same
he said: and be you also ruler over five cities.
And the third came and said: Lord behold here your pound, which
I have kept in a napkin, for I feared you, because you are a strait
man: you take up that you laid not down, and reap that you did not
sow. And he said unto him: Of your own mouth, judge I you you evil
servant. Knew you that I am a strait man taking up that I laid not
down, and reaping that I did not sow? Wherefore then gave not you my
money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine
own with vantage?
And he said to them that stood by: take from him that pound,
and give it him that has ten pounds. And they said unto him Lord he
has ten pounds. I say unto you, that unto all them that have, it
shall be given: and from him that has not, even that he has shall be
taken from him. Moreover those mine enemies, which would not that I
should reign over them bring hither, and slay them before me. And
when he had thus spoken, he proceeded forth before, ascending up to
Jerusalem.
And it fortuned, when he was come near to Bethphage and
Bethany, besides mount Olivete, he sent two of his disciples saying:
Go you in to the town which is over against you. In the which as
soon as you are come, you shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never
man sat. Loose him and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, why
that you loose him: thus say unto him, the Lord has need of him.
They that were sent, went their way and found, even as he had
said unto them. And as they were a loosing the colt, the owners said
unto them: why loose you the colt? And they said: for the Lord has
need of him. And they brought him to Jesus. And they cast their
raiment on the colt, and set Jesus theron. And as he went, they
spread their clothes in the way.
And when he was now come, where he should go down from the
mount Olivete, the whole multitude of the disciples began to
rejoice, and to laud God with a loud voice, for all the miracles
that they had seen, saying: Blessed be the king that comes in the
name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And
some of the Pharisees of the company said unto him: Master rebuke
your disciples. He answered, and said unto them: I tell you if these
should hold their peace, the stones would cry.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept on it
saying: If you had known those things which belong unto your peace,
even at this your time? But now are they hid from your eyes. For the
days shall come upon you, that your enemies shall cast a bank about
you, and compass you round, and keep you in on every side, and make
you even with the ground, with your children which are in you. And
they shall not leave in you one stone upon another, because you knew
not the time of your visitation.
And he went in to the temple, and began to cast out them that
sold therein, and them that bought saying unto them, it is written:
my house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of
thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. The high Priests and the
scribes and the chief of the people went about to destroy him: but
could not find what to do. For all the people stuck by him, and gave
him audience.
*Hericho (Jericho). *Herusalem
(Jerusalem), *wit (know) |
 |
The 20th
Chapter
And it fortuned in one of those days, as he taught the people
in the temple and preached the gospel: the high Priests and the
Scribes came with the elders and spoke unto him saying: Tell us by
what authority you do these things? Either who is he that gave you
this authority? He answered and said unto them: I also will ask you
a question, and answer me. The baptism of John: was it from heaven
or of men? And they thought within themselves saying: if we shall
say from heaven: he will say: why then believed you him not? But and
if we shall say of men, all the people will stone us. For they be
persuaded that John is a Prophet. And they answered that they could
not tell from where it was. And Jesus said unto them: neither tell I
you by what authority I do these things.
Then began he to put forth to the people this similitude. A
certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers, and
went him self into a strange country for a great season. And when
the time was come, he sent a servant to his tenants that they should
give him of the fruits of the vineyard. And the tenants did beat
him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent yet another servant.
And they did beat him, and foul entreated him also, and sent him
away empty. Moreover, he sent the third too, and him they wounded,
and cast out. Then said the lord of the vineyard: what shall I do? I
will send my dear son, him peradventure they will reverence, when
they see him.
But when the farmers saw him, they thought in themselves
saying: this is the heir, come let us kill him, that the inheritance
may be ours. And they cast him out of the vineyard: and killed him.
Now what shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He will come
and destroy those farmers, and will let out his vineyard to other.
When they heard that, they said: God forbid.
And he beheld them and said: what means this then that is
written: The stone that the builders refused, the same is made the
head corner stone? Whosoever stumble at that stone shall be broken:
but on whosoever it fall upon, it will grind him to powder. And the
high priests and the scribes the same hour went about to lay hands
on him, but they feared the people. For they perceived that he had
spoken this similitude against them.
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign
themselves perfect, to take him in his words, and to deliver him
unto the power and authority of the debite. And they asked him
saying: Master, we know that you say and teach right, neither
consider you any mans degree, but teach the way of God truly. Is it
lawful for us to give Cesar tribute or no? He perceived their
craftiness, and said unto them: why tempt you me? Show me a penny.
Whose image and superscription has it? They answered and said:
Cesars. And he said unto them: Give then unto Cesar, that which
belongs unto Cesar: and to God that which pertains to God. And they
could not reprove his saying before the people. But they marvelled
at his answer, and held their peace.
Then came to him certain of the Sadduces which deny that there
is any resurrection. And they asked him saying: Master, Moses wrote
unto us, if any mans brother die having a wife, and the same die
without issue: that then his brother should take his wife, and raise
up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren, and the first
took a wife, and died without children. And the second took the
wife, and he died childless. And the third took her, and in like
wise the residue of the seven, and left no children behind them, and
died. Last of all the woman died also. Now at the resurrection whose
wife of them shall she be? For seven had her to wife.
Jesus answered and said unto them. The children of this world
marry wives, and are married, but they which shall be made worthy to
enjoy that world and the resurrection from death, neither marry
wives neither are married nor yet can die any more. For they are
equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God in as much as they
are the children of the resurrection. And that the dead shall rise
again, even Moses signified besides the bush, when he said: the Lord
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he
is not the God of the dead, but of them which live. For all live in
him. Then certain of the Pharisees answered and said: Master you
have well said. And after that durst they not ask him any question
at all.
Then said he unto them: how say they that Christ is Davids son?
And David him self says in the book of the Psalms: The Lord said
unto my Lord, sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your
footstool. Seeing David calls him Lord: How is he then his son?
Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his
disciples, beware of the Scribes, which desire to go in long
clothing: and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats
in the synagogues and chief rooms at feasts, which devour widows
houses and that under a colour of long praying: the same shall
receive greater damnation.
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Chapters 1-4 |
5-8 |
9-14 |
15-20 |
21-end
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