The Project Gutenberg eBook, W.T. Pentateuch 1530-37 and N.T. 1525-26, translated by William Tyndale
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net ** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook, Details Below ** ** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. **
Title: W.T. Pentateuch 1530-37 and N.T. 1525-26
Translator: William Tyndale
Release Date: January 1, 2004 [eBook #10553]
[Most recently updated January 12, 2006]
Language: English
Character set encoding: Latin1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK W.T. PENTATEUCH 1530-37 AND N.T. 1525-26***
The Pentateuch first translated from Hebrew to English by William Tyndale, published in 1530. This edition has the same wording, but modernized spelling. Words found in {[Braquets]} are variants from either Coverdale 1535 or Matthew's Bible 1537. Copyright (C) 2003 faithofgod.net May be quoted and used freely in all non-lucre, non-commercial Scripture distribution endeavors provided the content is not altered. If you find any transcription error please contact : valente@faithofgod.net
I. The First Book of Moses, called Genesis
IJ. The Second Book of Moses, called Exodus
IIJ. The Third Book of Moses, called Leviticus
IIIJ.The Fourth Book of Moses, called Numbers
V. The Fifth Book of Moses, called Deuteronomy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The First Book of Moses, called Genesis
Chapter .j.
In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The earth was void
and empty, and darkness was upon the deep, and the spirit of god
moved upon the water. Then God said: let there be light and there
was light. And God saw the light that it was good: and divided the
light from the darkness, and called the light day, and the
darkness night: and so of the evening and morning was made the
first day. And God said: let there be a firmament between the
waters, and let it divide the waters asunder. Then God made the
firmament and parted the waters which were under the firmament,
from the waters that were above the firmament: And it was so. And
God called the firmament heaven. And so of the evening and morning
was made the second day. And God said, let the waters that are
under heaven gather them selves unto one place, that the dry land
may appear: And it came so to pass. And God called the dry land
the earth and the gathering together of waters called he the sea.
And God saw that it was good. And God said: let the earth bring
forth herb and grass that sow seed, and fruitful trees that bear
fruit every one in his kind, having their seed in themselves upon
the earth. And it came so to pass: And the earth brought forth
herb and grass sowing seed every one in his kind and trees bearing
fruit and having their seed in them selves, every one in his kind.
And God saw that it was good: and then of the evening and morning
was made the third day. Then said God: let there be lights in the
firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night, that they
may be unto signs, seasons, days and years. And let them be lights
in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth: and so it
was. And God made two great lights: A greater light to rule the
day, and a less light to rule the night, and he made stars also.
And God put them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the
earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light
from darkness. And God saw that it was good: and so of the evening
and morning was made the fourth day. And God said, let the water
bring forth creatures that move and have life, and fowls for to
flee {fly} over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God
created great whales and all manner of creatures that live and
move, which the waters brought forth in their kinds, and all
manner of feathered fowls in their kinds. And God saw that it was
good: and God blessed them saying: Grow and multiply and fill the
waters of the seas, and let the fowls multiply upon the earth. And
so of the evening and morning was made the fifth day. And God
said: let the earth bring forth living creatures in their kinds:
cattle and worms and beasts of the earth in their kinds, and so it
came to pass. And God made the beasts of the earth in their kinds,
and cattle in their kinds, and all manner worms of the earth in
their kinds: and God saw that it was good. And God said: let us
make man in our similitude and after our likeness: that he may
have rule over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls of the air,
and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over all worms that
creep on the earth. And God created man after his likeness, after
the likeness of God created he him: male and female created he
them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them: Grow and
multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over
the fishes of the sea, and over the fowls of the air, and over all
the beasts that move on the earth. And God said: see, I have given
yow all herbs that sow seed which are on all the earth, and all
manner trees that have fruit in them and sow seed: to be meat for
yow and for all beasts of the earth, and unto all fowls of the
air, and unto all that creepeth on the earth where in is life,
that they may have all manner herbs and grass for to eat, and even
so it was. And God beheld all that he had made, and lo they were
exceeding good: and so of the evening and morning was made the
sixth day.
Chapter .ij.
Thus was heaven and earth finished with all their apparel: and in
the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and rested in
the seventh day from all his works which he had made. And God
blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, for in it he rested
from all his works which he had created and made. These are the
generations of heaven and earth when they were created, in the
time when the LORD God created heaven and earth and all the shrubs
of the field before they were in the earth. And all the herbs of
the field before they sprang: for the LORD God had yet sent no
rain upon the earth, neither was there yet any man to till the
earth. But there arose a mist out of the ground and watered all
the face of the earth: Then the LORD God shope man, even of the
mould of the earth and breathed into his face the breath of life.
So man was made a living soul. The LORD God also planted a garden
in Eden from the beginning, and there he set man whom he had
formed. And the LORD God made to spring out of the earth, all
manner trees beautiful to the sight and pleasant to eat, and the
tree of life in the midst {middes} of the garden: and also the
tree of knowledge of good and evil. And there sprong a river out
of Eden to water the garden, and thence divided itself, and grew
into four principal waters. The name of the one is Phison, he it
is that compasseth all the land of Hevila, where gold groweth. And
the gold of that country is precious, there is found bedellion and
a stone called Onyx. The name of the second river is Gihon, which
compasseth all the land of Inde. And the name of the third river
is Hidekell, which runneth on the east side of the Assyrians; And
the fourth river is Euphrates. And the LORD God took Adam and put
him in the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it: And the
LORD God commanded Adam saying: Of all the trees of the garden see
thou eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and bad see that
thou eat not: For even the same day thou eatest of it, thou shalt
surely die. {die the death} And the LORD God said: It is not good
that man should be alone, I will make him an helper to bear him
company: And after that the LORD God had made of the earth all
manner beasts of the field, and all manner fowls of the air, he
brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them. And as Adam
called all manner living beasts: even so are their names. And Adam
gave names unto all manner cattle, and unto the fowls of the air,
and unto all manner beasts of the field. But there was no help
found unto Adam to bear him company. Then the LORD God cast a
slumber on Adam, and he slept. And then he took out one of his
ribs, and in stead thereof he filled up the place with flesh. And
the LORD God made of the rib which he took out of Adam, a woman,
and brought her unto Adam. Then said Adam: This is once bone of my
bones, and flesh of my flesh. This shall be called woman: because
she was taken of the man. For this cause shall a man leave father
and mother and cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.
And they were either of them naked, both Adam and his wife, and
were not ashamed.
Chapter .iij.
But the serpent was subtler than all the beasts of the field which
the LORD God had made, and said unto the woman: Ah sir, {Yee} that
God hath said, {[indeed]} ye shall not eat of all manner trees in
the garden. And the woman said unto the serpent, of the fruit of
the trees in the garden we may eat, but of the fruit of the tree
that {yt} is in the midst {myddes} of the garden (said God) see
that ye eat not, and see that ye touch it not: lest ye die. Then
said the serpent unto the woman: tush ye shall not die: but God
doth know, that whensoever ye should eat of it, your eyes should
be opened and ye should be as God and know both good and evil. And
the woman saw that it was a good tree to eat of and lusty unto the
eyes and a pleasant tree for to make wise. And took of the fruit
of it and ate, and gave unto her husband also with her, and he
ate. And the eyes of both them were opened, that they understood
how that they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together and
made them aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God as he
walked in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam hid himself
and his wife also from the face of the LORD God, among the trees
of the garden. And the LORD God called Adam and said unto him
where art thou? And he answered: Thy voice I heard in the garden,
but I was afraid because I was naked, and therefore hid myself.
And he said: Who told thee that thou wast naked? hast thou eaten
of the tree, of which I bade thee that thou shouldest not eat? And
Adam answered: The woman which thou gavest to bear me company, she
took me of the tree, and I ate. And the LORD God said unto the
woman: Wherefore didst thou so? And the woman answered: The
serpent deceived me and I ate. And the LORD God said unto the
serpent because thou hast so done most cursed be thou of all
cattle and of all beasts of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou
go: and earth shalt thou eat all days of thy life. Moreover I will
put hatred between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and
her seed. And that seed shall tread thee on the head, and thou
shalt tread it {hit} on the heel. And unto the woman he said: I
will surely increase thy sorrow and make thee oft with child, and
with pain shalt thou be delivered: And thy lusts shall pertain
unto thy husband and he shall rule thee. And unto Adam he said:
Forasmuch as thou hast obeyed the voice of thy wife, and hast
eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying: See thou eat
not thereof: cursed be the earth for thy sake. In sorrow shalt
thou eat thereof all days of thy life: And it shall bear thorns
and thistles unto thee. And thou shalt eat the herbs of the field:
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return
unto the earth whence thou wast take: for earth thou art, and unto
earth shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife Heva, because
she was the mother of all that liveth. And the LORD God made Adam
and his wife garments of skins, and put them on them. And the LORD
God said: Lo, Adam is become as it were one of us, in knowledge of
good and evil. But now lest he stretch forth his hand and take
also of the tree of life and eat and live ever. And the LORD God
cast him out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth whence he
was taken. And he cast Adam out, and set at the entering of the
garden Eden, Cherubim with a naked sword moving in and out, to
keep the way to the tree of life.
Chapter .iiij.
And Adam lay with Heva is wife, which conceived and bare Cain, and
said: I have gotten a man of the LORD. And she proceeded forth and
bare his brother Abel: And Abel became a shepherd, and Cain became
a plowman. And it fortuned in process of time, that Cain brought
of the fruit of the earth: an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he
brought also of the firstlings of his sheep and of the fat of
them. And the LORD looked unto Abel and to his offering: but unto
Cain and unto his offering, looked he not. And Cain was wroth
exceedingly, and lowered. And the LORD said unto Cain: why art
thou angry, and why lowerest thou? Wotest thou not if thou dost
well thou shalt receive it? But and if thou dost evil, by and by
thy sin lieth open in the door. Notwithstanding let it be subdued
unto thee, and see thou rule it. And Cain talked with Abel his
brother. And as soon as they were in the fields, Cain fell upon
Abel his brother and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain: where
is Abel thy brother? And he said: I can not tell, am I my
brother's keeper? And he said: What hast thou done? The voice of
thy brother's blood cryeth unto me out of the earth. And now
cursed be thou as pertaining to the earth, which opened her mouth
to receive thy brother's blood of thine hand. For when thou
tillest the ground she shall henceforth not give her power unto
thee. A vagabond and a renegade shalt thou be upon the earth. And
Cain said unto the LORD: my sin is greater, than that it may be
forgiven. Behold thou castest me out this day from off the face of
the earth, and from thy sight must I hide myself, and I must be
wandering and a vagabond upon the earth: Moreover whosoever
findeth me, will kill me. And the LORD said unto him: Not so, but
whosoever slayeth Cain shall be punished sevenfold. And the LORD
put a mark upon Cain that no man that found him should kill him.
And Cain went out from the face of the LORD, and dwelt in the land
Nod, on the east side of Eden. And Cain lay with his wife, which
conceived and bare Henoch. And he was building a city and called
the name of it after the name of his son, Henoch. And Henoch begat
Irad. And Irad begat Mahuiael. And Mahuiael begat Mathusael. And
Mathusael begat Lamech. And Lamech took him two wives: the one was
called Ada, and the other Zilla: And Ada bare Iabal, of whom came
they that dwell in tents and possess cattle. And his brother's
name was Iubal: of him came all that exercise them selves on the
harp and on the organs. And Zilla she also bare Tubalcain a worker
in metal and a father of all that grave in brass and iron. And
Tubalcain's sister was called Naema. Then said Lamech unto his
wives Ada and Zilla: hear my voice ye wives of Lamech and hearken
unto my words, for I have slain a man and wounded myself, and have
slain a young man, and got myself stripes: For Cain shall be
avenged sevenfold: but Lamech seventy times sevenfold. Adam also
lay with his wife yet again, and she bare a son and called his
name Seth For God (said she) hath given me another son for Abel
whom Cain slew. And Seth begat a son and called his name Enos. And
in that time began men to call on the name of the LORD.
Chapter .v.
This is the book of the generation of man, in the day when God
created man and made him after the similitude of God. Male and
female made he them, and called their names man, in the day when
they were created. And when Adam was an hundred and thirty years
old, he begat a son after his likeness and similitude: and called
his name Seth. And the days of Adam after he begat Seth, were
eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the
days of Adam which he lived, were nine hundred and thirty years,
and then he died. And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and
begat Enos. And after he had begot Enos he lived eight hundred and
seven years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of
Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and died. And Enos lived
ninety years, and begat Kenan. And Enos after he begat Kenan,
lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and
daughters: and all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five
years, and then he died. And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat
Mahalaliel. And Kenan after he had begot Mahalaliel, lived eight
hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the
days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years, and then he died.
And Mahalaliel lived sixty five years, and begat Iared. And
Mahalaliel after he had begot Iared lived eight hundred and thirty
years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of
Mahalaliel were eight hundred ninety and five years, and then he
died. And Iared lived an hundred and sixty two years, and begat
Henoch: and Iared lived after he begat Henoch, eight hundred
years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Iared
were nine hundred and sixty two years, and then he died. And
Henoch lived sixty five years, and begat Mathusala. And Henoch
walked with God after he had begot Mathusalah, three hundred
years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Henoch
were three hundred and sixty five years, and then Henoch lived a
godly life, and was no more seen, for God took him away. And
Mathusala lived an hundred and eighty seven years and begat
Lamech: and Mathusala after he had begot Lamech, lived seven
hundred and eighty two years, and begat sons and daughters. And
all the days of Mathusala were nine hundred sixty nine years, and
then he died. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty two years and
begat a son, and called him Noe saying: This same shall comfort
us: as concerning our work and sorrow of our hands which we have
about the earth that the LORD hath cursed. And Lamech lived after
he had begot Noe, five hundred, ninety and five years, and begat
sons and daughters. And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred
seventy seven years, and then he died. And when Noe was five
hundred years old, he begat Sem, Ham and Iapheth.
Chapter .vi.
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply upon the earth and
had begot them daughters, the sons of God saw the daughters of men
that they were fair, and took unto them wives, which they best
liked among them all. And the LORD {LORd} said: My spirit shall
not alway strive with man, for they are flesh. Nevertheless I will
give them yet space, an hundred and twenty years. There were
tyrants in the world in those days. For after that the children of
God had gone in unto the daughters of men and had begotten them
children, the same children were the mightiest of the world and
men of renown. And when the LORD saw that the wickedness of man
was increased upon the earth, and that all the imagination and
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, he repented that
he had made man upon the earth and sorrowed in his heart. And
said: I will destroy mankind which I have made, from off the face
of the earth: both man, beast, worm and fowl of the air, for it
repenteth me that I have made them. But yet Noe found grace in the
sight of the LORD. These are the generations of Noe. Noe was a
righteous man and uncorrupt in his time, and walked with God. And
Noe begat three sons: Sem, Ham and Iapheth. And the earth was
corrupt in the sight of God, and was full of mischief. And God
looked upon the earth, and lo it was corrupt: for all flesh had
corrupted his way upon the earth. Then said God to Noe: the end of
all flesh is come before me, for the earth is full of their
mischief. And lo, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an
ark of pine tree, and make chambers in the ark, and pitch it
within and without with pitch. And of this fashion shalt thou make
it. The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, and the
breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A
window shalt thou make above in the ark. And within a cubit
compass shalt thou finish it. And the door of the ark shalt thou
set in the side of it: and thou shalt make it with three lofts one
above an other. For behold I will bring in a flood of water upon
the earth to destroy all flesh from under heaven, wherein breath
of life is, so that all that is in the earth shall perish. But I
will make mine appointment with thee, that both thou shalt come in
to the ark and thy sons, thy wife and thy sons' wives with thee.
And of all that liveth whatsoever flesh it be, shalt thou bring
into the ark, of every thing a pair, to keep them alive with thee.
And male and female see that they be, of birds in their kind, and
of beasts in their kind, and of all manner of worms of the earth
in their kind: a pair of every thing shall come unto thee to keep
them alive. And take unto thee of all manner of meat that may be
eaten and lay it up in store by thee, that it may be meat both for
thee and for them: and Noe did according to all that God commanded
him.
Chapter .vij.
And the LORD said unto Noe: Go into the ark both thou and all thy
household. For thee have I seen righteous before me in this
generation. Of all clean beasts take unto thee seven of every kind
the male and his female, and of unclean beasts a pair, the male
and his female: likewise of the birds of the air seven of every
kind, male and female to save seed upon all the earth. For seven
days hence will I send rain upon the earth forty days and forty
nights and will destroy all manner of things that I have made,
from off the face of the earth. And Noe did according to all that
the LORD {lorde} commanded him: and Noe was six hundred years old,
when the flood of water came upon the earth: and Noe went and his
sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him, into the ark from
the waters of the flood. And of clean beasts and of beasts that
were unclean and of birds and of all that creepeth upon the earth,
came in by couples of every kind unto Noe into the ark: a male and
a female: even as God commanded Noe. And the seventh day the
waters of the flood came upon the earth. In the six hundredth year
of Noe's life, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the
month, that same day were all the fountains of the great deep
broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, and there fell a
rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights. And the self same
day went Noe, Sem, Ham and Iapheth, Noe's sons, and Noe's wife and
the three wives of his sons with them in to the ark: both they and
all manner of beasts in their kind, and all manner of cattle in
their kind and all manner of worms that creep upon the earth in
their kind, and all manner of birds in their kind, and all manner
of fowls whatsoever had feathers. And they came unto Noe into the
ark by couples, of all flesh that had breath of life in it. And
they that came, came male and female of every flesh according as
God commanded him: and the LORD shut the door upon him. And the
flood came forty days and forty nights upon the earth, and the
water increased and bare up the ark and it was lift up from off
the earth. And the water prevailed and increased exceedingly upon
the earth: and the ark went upon he top of the waters. And the
waters prevailed exceedingly above measure upon the earth, so that
all the high hills which are under all the parts of heaven, were
covered: even fifteen cubits high prevailed the waters, so that
the hills were covered. And all flesh that moved on the earth,
both birds, cattle and beasts perished, with all that crept on the
earth and all men: so that all that had the breath of life in the
nostrils of it thorow out all that was on dry land died. Thus was
destroyed all that was upon the earth, both man, beasts, worms and
fowls of the air so that they were destroyed from the earth: save
Noe was reserved only and they that were with him in the ark. And
the waters prevailed upon the earth, an hundred and fifty days.
Chapter .viij.
And God remembered Noe and all the beasts and all the cattle that
were with him in the ark; And God made a wind to blow upon the
earth, and the waters ceased: and the fountains of the deep and
the windows of heaven were stopped and the rain of heaven was
forbidden, and the waters returned from off the earth and abated
after the end of an hundred and fifty days. And the ark rested
upon the mountains of Ararat, the seventeenth day of the seventh
month. And the waters went away and decreased until the tenth
month. And the first day of the tenth month, the tops of the
mountains appeared. And after the end of forty days, Noe opened
the window of the ark which he had made, and sent forth a raven,
which went out, ever going and coming again, until the waters were
dried up upon the earth. Then sent he forth a dove from him, to
wete whether the waters were fallen from off the earth. And when
the dove could find no resting place for her foot, she returned to
him again unto the ark, for the waters were upon the face of all
the earth. And he put out his hand and took her and pulled her to
him into the ark. And he abode yet seven days mo, and sent out the
dove again out of the ark, and the dove came to him again about
eventide, and behold: there was in her mouth a leaf of an olive
tree which she had plucked, whereby Noe perceived that the waters
were abated upon the earth. And he tarried yet seven other days,
and sent forth the dove, which from thence forth came no more
again to him. And it came to pass, the six hundred and one year
and the first day of the first month, that the waters were dried
up upon the earth. And Noe took off the hatches of the ark and
looked: and behold, the face of the earth was dry. So by the
twenty seventh day of the second month the earth was dry. And God
spake unto Noe saying: Come out of the ark, both thou and thy wife
and thy sons and thy sons' wives with thee. And all the beasts
that are with thee whatsoever flesh it be, both fowl and cattle
and all manner worms that creep on the earth, bring out with thee,
and let them move, grow and multiply upon the earth. And Noe came
out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. And
all the beasts, and all the worms, and all the fowls, and all that
moved upon the earth, came also out of the ark, all of one kind
together. And Noe made an altar unto the LORD, {LORDE} and took of
all manner of clean beasts and all manner of clean fowls, and
offered sacrifice upon the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet
savour and said in his heart: I will henceforth no more curse the
earth for man's sake, for the imagination of man's heart is evil
even from the very youth of him. Moreover I will not destroy from
henceforth all that liveth as I have done. Neither shall sowing
time and harvest, cold, and heat, summer and winter, day and night
cease, as long as the earth endureth.
Chapter .ix.
And God blessed Noe and his sons, and said unto them: Increase and
multiply and fill the earth. The fear also and dread of yow be
upon all beasts of the earth, and upon all fowls of the air, and
upon all that creepeth on the earth, and upon all fishes of the
sea, which are given unto your hands. And all that moveth upon the
earth having life, shall be your meat: Even as the green herbs, so
give I yow all things. Only the flesh with his life which is his
blood, see that ye eat not. For verily the blood of yow wherein
your lives are will I require: Even of the hand of all beasts will
I require it, and of the hand of man and of the hand of every
man's brother, will I require the life of man: so that he which
sheddeth man's blood, shall have his blood shed by man again: for
God made man after his own likeness. See that ye increase, and
wax, and be occupied upon the earth, and multiply therein.
Furthermore God spake unto Noe and to his sons with him saying:
See, I make my bond with you and your seed after you, and with all
living things that is with you: both fowl and cattle, and all
manner beast of the earth that is with yow, of all that cometh out
of the ark what soever beast of the earth it be. I make my bond
with yow, that henceforth all flesh shall not be destroyed with
the waters of any flood, and that henceforth there shall not be a
flood to destroy the earth. And God said: This is the token of my
bond which I make between me and yow, and between all living thing
that is with yow for ever: I will set my bow in the clouds, and it
shall be a sign of the appointment made between me and the earth:
so that when I bring in clouds upon the earth, the bow shall
appear in the clouds. And then will I think upon my testament
which I have made between me and yow, and all that liveth
whatsoever flesh it be. So that henceforth there shall be no more
waters to make a flood to destroy all flesh. The bow shall be in
the clouds, and I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting
testament between God and all that liveth upon the earth,
whatsoever flesh it be. And God said unto Noe: This is the sign of
the testament which I have made between me and all flesh that is
on the earth. The sons of Noe that came out of the ark were: Sem,
Ham, and Iapheth. And Ham he is the father of Canaan. These are
the three sons of Noe, and of these was all the world overspread.
And Noe being an husbandman, went forth and planted a vineyard,
and drank of the wine and was drunk, and lay uncovered in the
middest of his tent. And Ham the father of Canaan saw his father's
privates, {prevytees} and told his two brethren that were without.
And Sem and Iapheth took a mantle, and put it on both their
shoulders and went backward, and covered their father's secrets,
but their faces were backward, so that they saw not their father's
nakedness. As soon as Noe was awaked from his wine and wist what
his youngest son had done unto him, he said: Cursed be Canaan, and
a servant, of all servants be he to his brethren. And he said:
Blessed be the LORD God of Sem, and Canaan be his servant. God
increase Iapheth that he may dwell in the tents of Sem. And Canaan
be their servant. And Noe lived after the flood three hundred and
fifty years: So that all the days of Noe were nine hundred and
fifty years, and then he died.
Chapter .x.
These are the generations of the sons of Noe: of Sem, Ham and
Iapheth, which begat them children after the flood. The sons of
Iapheth were: Gomir, Magog, Madai, Iavan, Tuball, Mesech and
Thyras. And the sons of Gomir were: Ascenas, Riphat and Togarma.
And the sons of Iavan were: Elisa, Tharsis, Cithim, and Dodanim.
Of these came the Isles of the gentiles in their countries, every
man in his speech, kindred and nation. The sons of Ham were: Chus,
Misraim, Phut and Canaan. The sons of Chus: were Seba, Hevila,
Sabta, Raima and Sabtema. And the sons of Raima were: Sheba, and
Dedan. Chus also begot Nimrod, which began to be mighty in the
earth. He was a mighty hunter in the sight of the LORD: Whereof
came the proverb: he is as Nimrod that mighty hunter in the sight
of the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babell, Erech,
Achad, and Chalne in the land of Sinear: Out of that land came
Assur and builded Ninive, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, and
Ressen between Nineve and Calah. That is a great city. And Mizrim
begat Ludim, Enanim, Leabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim and Casluhim:
from whence came the Philistins, and the Caphtherines. Canaan also
begat Zidon his eldest son and Heth, Iebusi, Emori, Girgosi, Hivi,
Arki, Sini, Arvadi, Zemari and Harmati. And afterward sprang the
kindreds of the Cananites. And the coasts of the Cananites were
from Sidon till thou come to Gerara and to Asa, and till thou come
to Sodoma, Gomorra, Adama, Zeboim: even unto Lasa. These were the
children of Ham in their kindreds, tongues, lands and nations. And
Sem the father of all the children of Eber and the eldest brother
of Iapheth, begat children also. And his sons were: Elam Assur,
Arphachsad, Lud and Aram. And the children of Aram were: Ur, Hul,
Gether and Mas. And Arphachsad begat Sala, and Sala begat Eber.
And Eber begat two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his
time the earth was divided. And the name of his brother was
Iaketan. Iaketan begat Almodad, Saleph, Hizarmoneth, Iarah,
Hadoram, Usal, Dikela, Obal, Abimael, Seba, Ophir, Hevila and
Iobab. All these are the sons of Iaketan. And the dwelling of them
was from Mesa until thou come unto Sephara a mountain of the east
land. These are the sons of Sem in their kindreds, languages,
countries and nations. These are the kindreds of the sons of Noe,
in their generations and nations. And of these came the people
that were in the world after the flood.
Chapter .xi.
And all the world was of one tongue and one language. And as they
came from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sinear, and
there they dwelled. And they said one to another: come on, let us
make brick and burn it with fire. So brick was their stone and
slime was their mortar. And they said: Come on, let us build us a
city and a tower, that the top may reach unto heaven. And let us
make us a name, for peradventure we shall be scattered abroad over
all the earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the
tower which the children of Adam had builded. And the LORD said:
See, the people is one and have one tongue among them all: And
this have they begun to do, and will not leave off from all that
they have purposed to do. Come on, let us descend and mingle their
tongue even there, that one understand not what another sayeth.
Thus the LORD scattered them from thence upon all the earth. And
they left off to build the city. Wherefore the name of it is
called Babel, because that the LORD there confounded the tongue of
all the world. And because that the LORD from thence, scattered
them abroad upon all the earth. These are the generations of Sem:
Sem was an hundred year old and begat Arphachsad two years after
the flood. And Sem lived after he had beget Arphachsad five
hundred years and begot sons and daughters. And Arphachsad lived
thirty five years and begat Sala, and lived after he had begot
Sala four hundred years and three and begat sons and daughters.
And Sala was thirty years old and begat Eber, and lived after he
had begot Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and
daughters. When Eber was thirty four years old, he begat Peleg,
and lived after he had begot Peleg, four hundred and thirty years,
and begat sons and daughters. And Peleg when he was thirty years
old begat Regu, and lived after he had begot Regu two hundred and
nine years, and begat sons and daughters. And Regu when he had
lived thirty two years begat Serug, and lived after he had begot
Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.
And when Serug was thirty years old, he begat Nahor, and lived
after he had begot Nahot two hundred years, and begat sons and
daughters. And Nahor when he was twenty nine years old, begat
Terah, and lived after he had begot Terah, an hundred and nineteen
years, and begat sons and daughters. And when Terah was seventy
years old, he begat Abram, Nahor and Haran. And these are the
generations of Terah. Terah begat Abram, Nahor and Haran. And
Haran begat Lot. And Haran died before Terah his father in the
land where he was born, at Ur in Chaldea. And Abram and Nahor took
them wives. Abram's wife was called Sarai. And Nahor's wife Milkah
the daughter of Haran which was father of Milca and of Iisca. But
Sarai was barren and had no child. Then took Terah Abram his son
and Lot his son Haran's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law his son
Abram's wife. And they went with him from Ur in Chaldea, to go
into the land of Chanaan. And they came to Haran and dwelled
there. And when Terah was two hundred year old and five he died in
Haran.
Chapter .xij.
Then the LORD said unto Abram: Get thee out of thy country and
from thy kindred, and out of thy father's house, into a land which
I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a mighty people, and
will bless thee, and make thy name great, that thou mayst be a
blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them
that curse thee. And in thee shall be blessed all the generations
of the earth. And Abram went as the LORD bade him, and Lot went
with him. Abram was seventy five years old, when he went out of
Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son,
with all their goods which they had gotten and souls which they
had begotten in Haran. And they departed to go into the land of
Chanaan. And when they were come into the land of Chanaan, Abram
went forth into the land till he came unto a place called Sichem,
and unto the oak of More. And the Cananites dwelled then in the
land. Then the LORD appeared unto Abram and said: unto thy seed
will I give this land. And he builded an altar there unto the LORD
which appeared to him. Then departed he thence unto a mountain
that lieth on the east side of BETHEL and pitched his tent: BETHEL
being on the west side, and Ay on the east: and he builded there
an altar unto the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD. And
then Abram departed and took his journey southward. After this
there came a dearth in the land. And Abram went down into Egypt to
sojourn there, for the dearth was sore in the land. And when he
was come nye for to enter into Egypt, he said unto Sarai his wife.
Behold, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon. It will
come to pass therefore when the Egyptians see thee, that they will
say: she is his wife. And so shall they slay me and save thee. Say
I pray thee therefore that thou art my sister, that I may fare the
better by reason of thee, and that my soul may live for thy sake.
As soon as he came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw the woman that
she was very fair. And Pharao's lords saw her also, and praised
her unto Pharao: So that she was taken into Pharao's house, which
entreated Abram well for her sake, so that he had sheep, oxen and
he asses, men servants, maid servants, she asses and camels. But
GOD {|The LORDE|} plagued Pharao and his house with great plagues,
because of Sarai Abram's wife. Then Pharao called Abram and said:
Why hast thou thus dealt with me? Wherefore toldest thou me not
that she was thy wife? Why saidest thou that she was thy sister,
and causedest me to take her to my wife? But now lo, there is thy
wife, take her and be walking. Pharao also gave a charge unto his
men over Abram, to lead him out, with his wife and all that he
had.
Chapter .xiij.
Then Abram departed out of Egypt, both he and his wife and all
that he had, and Lot with him unto the south. Abram was very rich
in cattle, silver and gold. And he went on his journey from the
south even unto BETHEL, and unto the place where his tent was at
the first time between BETHEL and Ay, and unto the place of the
altar which he made before. And there called Abram upon the name,
of the LORD. Lot also which went with him had sheep, cattle and
tents: so that the land was not able to receive them that they
might dwell together, for the substance of their riches was so
great, that they could not dwell together. And there fell a strife
between the herdmen of Abram's cattle, and the herdmen of Lot's
cattle. Moreover the Cananites and the Pherisites dwelled at that
time in the land. Then said Abram unto Lot: Let there be no strife
I pray thee between thee and me and between my herdmen and thine,
for we be brethren. Is not all the hole land before thee? Depart I
pray thee from me. If thou wilt take the left hand, I will take
the right: or if thou take the right hand I will take the left.
And Lot lift up his eyes and beheld all the country about Iordan,
which was a plenteous country of water every where, before the
LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorra, even as the garden of the LORD,
and as the land of Egypt till thou come to Zoar. Then Lot chose
all the coasts of Iordan and took his journey from the east. And
so departed the one brother from the other. Abram dwelled in the
land of Canaan: And Lot in the cities of the plain, and tented
till he came to Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinned
exceedingly against the LORD. And the LORD said unto Abram, after
that Lot was departed from him: Lift up thine eyes and look from
the place where thou art, northward, southward, eastward and
westward, for all the land which thou seest will I give unto thee
and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed, as the dust of
the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then
shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise and walk about in the land,
in the length of it and in the breadth for I will give it unto
thee. Then Abram took down his tent, and went and dwelled in the
oak grove of Mamre which is in Ebron and builded there an altar to
the LORD.
Chapter .xiiij.
And it chanced within a while, that Amraphel king of Sinear,
Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Thydeall king
of the nations: made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsa
king of Gomorra. And with Sineab king of Adama, and with Semeaber
king of Zeboim, and with the king of Bela which Bela is called
Zoar. All these came together unto the vale of Siddim, which is
now the salt sea. Twelve years were they subject to king
Kedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year rebelled. Therefore in the
fourteenth year came Kedorlaomer and the kings that were with him,
and smote the Raphaims in Astaroth Karnaim, and the Susims in Ham,
and the Emims in Sabe Kariathaim, and the Horims in their own
mount Seir unto the plain of Pharan, which bordereth upon the
wilderness. And then turned they and came to the well of judgement
which is Cades, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and
also the Amorites that dwell in Hazezon Thamar. Then went out the
king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorra, and the king of Adama and
the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela now called Zoar. And set
their men in array to fight with them in the vale of Siddim, that
is to say, with Kedorlaomer the king of Elam and with Thydeall
king of the Nations, and with Amraphel king of Sinear. And with
Arioch king of Ellasar: four kings against five. And that vale of
Siddim was full of slime pits. And the kings of Sodom and Gomorra
fled, and fell there. And the residue fled to the mountains. And
they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorra and all their
vitailles, and went their way. And they took Lot also Abram's
brother's son and his goods (for he dwelled at Sodom) and
departed. Then came one that had escaped, and told Abram the
Hebrew which dwelt in the oak grove of Mamre the Amorite, brother
of Eschol and Aner: which were confederate with Abram. When Abram
heard that his brother was taken, he harnessed his servants born
in his own house three hundred and eighteen, and followed till
they came at Dan. And set himself and his servants in array, and
fell upon them by night, and smote them, and chased them away unto
Hoba: which lieth on the left hand of Damasco, and brought again
all the goods and also his brother Lot, and his goods, the women
also and the people. And as he returned again from the slaughter
of Kedorlaomer and of the kings that were with him, then came the
king of Sodom against {to meet} him unto the vale of Saue which
now is called king's dale. Then Melchisedech king of Salem brought
forth bread and wine. And he being the priest of the most highest
God, blessed him saying: Blessed be Abram unto the most highest
God, possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God the most
highest, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands. And
Abram gave him tithes of all. Then said the king of Sodom unto
Abram: Give me the souls, and take the goods to thy self. And
Abram answered the king of Sodom: I lift up my hand unto the LORD
God most high possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take
of all that is thine, so much as a thread or a shoe latchet, lest
thou shouldest say I have made Abram rich. Save only that which
the young men have eaten and the parts of the men which went with
me. Aner, Eschol and Mamre. Let them take their parts.
Chapter .xv.
After these deeds, the word of GOD {|the LORDE|} came unto Abram
in a vision saying fear not Abram, I am thy shield, and thy reward
shall be exceeding great. And Abram answered: Lord Iehouah what
wilt thou give me: I go childless, and the cater of mine house,
this Eleasar of Damasco hath a son. And Abram said: See, to me
hast thou given to seed: lo, a lad born in my house shall be mine
heir. And behold, the word of the LORD spake unto Abram saying: He
shall not be thine heir, but one that shall come out of thine own
body shall be thine heir. And he brought him out at the doors and
said: Look up unto heaven and tell the stars, if thou be able to
number them. And said unto him: Even so shall thy seed be. And
Abram believed the LORD, and it was counted to him for
righteousness. And he said unto him: I am the LORD that brought
thee out of Ur in Chaldea to give thee this land to possess it.
And he said: Lord GOD, {LORde God} whereby shall I know that I
shall possess it? And he said unto him: take an heifer of three
years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a three year old
ram, a turtle dove and a young pigeon. And he took all these and
divided them in the midst, and laid every piece, one over against
another. But the fowls divided he not. And the birds fell on the
carcasses, but Abram drove them away. And when the sun was down,
there fell a slumber upon Abram. And lo, fear and great darkness
came upon him. And he said unto Abram: know this of a surety, that
thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that pertaineth not unto
them. And they shall make bondmen of them and entreat them evil
four hundred years. But the nation whom they shall serve, will I
judge. And afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Nevertheless thou shalt go unto thy fathers in peace, and shalt be
buried when thou art of a good age: and in the fourth generation
they shall come hither again, for the wickedness of the Amorites
is not yet full. When the sun was down and it was waxed dark:
behold, there was a smoking furnace and a fire brand that went
between the said pieces. And that same day the LORD made a
covenant with Abram saying: unto thy seed will I give this land,
from the river of Egypt, even unto the great river Euphrates: the
Kenites, the Kenizites, the Cadmonites, the Hethites, the
Pherezites, the Raphaims, the Amorites, the Cananites, the
Gergesites and the Iebusites.
Chapter .xvi.
Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children. But she had an hand maid
an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. Wherefore she said unto Abram:
Behold the LORD hath closed me, that I can not bear. I pray thee
go in unto my maid, peradventure I shall be multiplied by means of
her; And Abram heard the voice of Sarai. Then Sarai Abram's wife
took Hagar her maid the Egyptian (after Abram had dwelled ten
years in the land of Canaan) and gave her to her husband Abram, to
be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived. And
when she saw that she had conceived her mistress was despised in
her sight. Then said Sarai unto Abram: Thou dost me unright, for I
have given my maid into thy bosom: and now because she seeth that
she hath conceived, I am despised in her sight: the LORD judge
between thee and me. Then said Abram to Sarai: behold, thy maid is
in thy hand, do with her as it pleaseth thee. And because Sarai
fared foul with her, she fled from her. And the Angel of the LORD
found her beside a fountain of water in the wilderness: even by a
well in the way to Sur. And he said: Hagar Sarai's maid, whence
comest thou and whither wilt thou go? And she answered: I flee
from my mistress Sarai. And the Angel of the LORD said unto her:
return to thy mistress again, and submit thyself under her hands.
And the angel of the LORD said unto her: I will so increase thy
seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the LORD's
angel said further unto her: see, thou art with child and shalt
bear a son, and shalt call his name Ismael: because the LORD hath
heard thy tribulation. He will be a wild man, and his hand will be
against every man, and every man's hand against him. And yet shall
he dwell fast by all his brethren. And she called the name of the
LORD that spake unto her: thou art the God that lookest on me, for
she said: I have of a surety seen here the back parts of him that
seeth me. Wherefore she called the well, the well of the living
that seeth me which well is between Cades and Bared. And Hagar
bare Abram a son, and Abram called his son's name which Hagar bare
Ismael. And Abram was eighty six years old, when Hagar bare him
Ismael.
Chapter .xvij.
When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to him
saying: I am the almighty God: walk before me and be uncorrupt.
And I will make my bond between thee and me, and will multiply
thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face. And God talked
moreover with him saying: I am, behold my testament is with thee,
that thou shalt be a father of many nations. Therefore shalt thou
no more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham: for a
father of many nations have I made thee, and I will multiply thee
exceedingly, and will make nations of thee: yea and kings shall
spring out of thee. Moreover I will make my bond between me and
thee, and thy seed after thee, in their times to be an everlasting
testament, so that I will be God unto thee and to thy seed after
thee. And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee, the
land wherein thou art a stranger: even all the land of Canaan, for
an everlasting possession, and will be their God. And God said
unto Abraham: See thou keep my testament, both thou and thy seed
after thee in their times: This is my testament which ye shall
keep between me and you and thy seed after thee, that ye
circumcise all your men children. Ye shall circumcise the foreskin
of your flesh, and it shall be a token of the bond betwixt me and
you. And every manchild when it is eight days old, shall be
circumcised among you in your generations, and all servants also
born at home or bought with money though they be strangers and not
of thy seed. The servant born in thy house, and he also that is
bought with money, must needs be circumcised, that my testament
may be in your flesh, for an everlasting bond. If there be any
uncircumcised manchild, that hath not the foreskin of his flesh
cut off, his soul shall perish from his people: because he hath
broken my testament. And God said unto Abraham. Sarai thy wife
shall no more be called Sarai: but Sara shall her name be. For I
will bless her and give thee a son of her and will bless her: so
that people, yea and kings of people shall spring of her. And
Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart:
shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred year old, and
shall Sara that is ninety years old, bear: And Abraham said unto
God. O that Ismael might live in thy sight. Then said God: nay,
Sara thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name
Isaac. And I will make my bond with him, that it shall be an
everlasting bond unto his seed after him. And as concerning Ismael
also, I have heard thy request: lo, I will bless him and increase
him, and multiply him exceedingly. Twelve princes shall he {be}
beget, and I will make a great nation of him. But my bond will I
make with Isaac, which Sara shall bear unto thee: even this time
twelve month. And God left off talking with him, and departed up
from Abraham. And Abraham took Ismael his son and all the servants
born in his house and all that was bought with money as many as
were men children among the men of Abraham's house, and
circumcised the foreskin of their flesh, even the selfsame day, as
God had said unto him. Abraham was ninety years old and nine when
he cut off the foreskin of his flesh. And Ismael his son was
thirteen year old, when the foreskin of his flesh was circumcised.
The self same day was Abraham circumcised and Ismael his son. And
all the men in his house, whether they were born in his house or
bought with money (though they were strangers) were circumcised
with him.
Chapter .xviij.
And the LORD appeared unto him in the oak grove of Mamre as he sat
in his tent door in the heat of the day. And he lift up his eyes
and looked: and lo, three men stood not far from him. And when he
saw them, he ran against {to meet} them from the tent door, and
fell to the ground and said: Lord {LORde} if I have found favour
in thy sight, go not by thy servant. Let a little water be
fetched, and wash your feet, and rest your selves under the tree:
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, to comfort your hearts withal.
And then go your ways, for even therefore are ye come to your
servant. And they answered: Do even so as thou hast said. And
Abraham went a pace into his tent unto Sara and said: make ready
at once three pecks of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. And
Abraham ran unto his beasts and fetched a calf that was tender and
good, and gave it unto a young man which made it ready at once.
And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared,
and set it before them, and stood himself by them under the tree:
and they ate. And they said unto him: Where is Sara thy wife? And
he said: in the tent. And he said: I will come again unto thee as
soon as the fruit can live. And lo: Sara thy wife shall have a
son. That heard Sara, out of the tent door which was behind his
back. Abraham and Sara were both old and well stricken in age, and
it ceased to be with Sara after the manner as it is with wives.
And Sara laughed in her self saying: Now I am waxed old, shall I
give my self to lust, and my lord old also? Then said the LORD
unto Abraha: wherefore doth Sara laugh saying: shall I of a surety
bear a child, now when I am old? is the thing too hard for the
LORD to do? In the time appointed will I return unto thee, as soon
as the fruit can have life. And Sara shall have a son. Then Sara
denied it saying: I laughed not, for she was afraid. But he said:
yes thou laughtest. Then the men stood up from thence and looked
toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
And the LORD said: Can I hide from Abraham that thing which I am
about to do, seeing that Abraham shall be a great and a mighty
people, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
For I know him that he will command his children and his household
after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do after right
and conscience, that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that he hath
promised him. And the LORD said: The cry of Sodom and Gomorra is
great, and their sin is exceeding grievous. I will go down and see
whether they have done altogether according to that cry which is
come unto me or not, that I may know. And the men departed thence
and went to Sodomward. But Abraham stood yet before the LORD, and
drew near and said Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the
wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou
destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous
that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do
after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that
the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee.
Should not the Iudge of all the world do according to right? And
the LORD said: If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered
and said: behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord,
{LORde} and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five
of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of
five? And he said: If I find there forty and five I will not
destroy them. And he spake unto him yet again and said: what if
there be forty found there: And he said: I will not do it for
forty's sake. And he said: O let not my Lord {LORde} be angry,
that I speak. What if there be found thirty there? And he said: I
will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said: Oh, see, I
have begun to speak unto my Lord, {LORde} what if there be twenty
found there? And he said: I will not destroy them for twenty's
sake. And he said: O let not my Lord {LORde} be angry, that I
speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?
And he said: I will not destroy them for ten's sake. And the LORD
went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham. And
Abraham returned unto his place.
Chapter .xix.
And there came two angels to Sodom at even. And Lot sat at the
gate of the city. And Lot saw them, and rose up against {to meet}
them, and he bowed himself to the ground with his face. And he
said: See lords, turn in I pray you in to your servant's house and
tarry all night and wash your feet, and rise up early and go on
your ways. And they said: nay, but we will bide in the streets all
night. And he compelled them exceedingly. And they turned in unto
him and entered into his house, and he made them a feast and did
bake sweet cakes, and they ate. But before they went to rest, the
men of the city of Sodom compassed the house round about both old
and young, all the people from all quarters. And they called unto
Lot and said unto him: where are the men which came into thy house
to night? bring them out unto us that we may do our lust with
them. And Lot went out at doors unto them and shut the door after
him and said: nay for god's {goddes} sake brethren, do not so
wickedly. Behold I have two daughters which have known no man,
them will I bring out unto you: do with them as it seemeth you
good: Only unto these men do nothing, for therefore came they
under the shadow of my roof. And they said: come hither. And they
said: camest thou not in to sojourn, and wilt thou be now a judge?
we will surely deal worse with thee than with them. And as they
preased sore upon Lot and began to break up the door, the men put
forth their hands and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut
to the door. And the men that were at the door of the house, they
smote with blindness both small and great: so that they could not
find the door. And the men said moreover unto Lot: If thou have
yet here any son-in-law or sons or daughters or whatsoever thou
hast in the city, bring it out of this place: for we must destroy
this place, because the cry of them is great before the LORD.
Wherefore he hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out and
spake unto his sons-in-law which should have married his
daughters, and said: stond up and get yow out of this place, for
the LORD will destroy the city. But he seemed as though he had
mocked, unto his sons-in-law. And as the morning arose the angels
caused Lot to speed him saying. Stond up, take thy wife and thy
two daughters and that that is at hand, lest thou perish in the
sin of the city. And as he prolonged the time, the men caught both
him, his wife and his two daughters by the hands, because the LORD
was merciful unto him, and they brought him forth and set him
without the city. When they had brought them out, they said: Save
thy life and look not behind thee neither tarry thou in any place
of the country, but save thyself in the mountain, lest thou
perish. Then said Lot unto them: Oh nay my Lord: {lorde} behold,
inasmuch as thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, now make
thy mercy great which thou shewest unto me in saving my life. For
I can not save myself in the mountains, lest some misfortune fall
upon me and I die. Behold, here is a city by, to flee unto, and it
is a little one, let me save myself therein: is it not a little
one, that my soul may live? And he said to him: see I have
received thy request as concerning this thing, that I will not
overthrow this city for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee,
and save thyself there, for I can do nothing till thou be come in
thither. And therefore the name of the city is called Zoar. And
the sun was upon the earth when Lot was entered into Zoar. Then
the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorra, brimstone and fire from
the LORD out of heaven, and overthrew those cities and all the
region, and all that dwelled in the cities, and that that grew
upon the earth. And Lot's wife looked behind her, and was turned
in to a pillar of salt. Abraham rose up early and got him to the
place where he stood before the LORD, and looked toward Sodom and
Gomorra and toward all the land of that country. And as he looked:
behold, the smoke of the country arose as it had been the smoke of
a furnace. But yet when God destroyed the cities of the region, he
thought upon Abraha: and sent Lot out from the danger of the
overthrowing, when he overthrew the cities where Lot dwelled. And
Lot departed out of Zoar and dwelled in the mountains and his two
daughters with him for he feared to tarry in Zoar: he dwelt
therefore in a cave, both he and his two daughters also. Then said
the elder unto the younger our father is old, and there are no
more men in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all
the world. Come therefore, let us give our father wine to drink,
and let us lie with him that we may save seed of our father. And
they gave their father wine to drink that same night. And the
elder daughter went and lay with her father. And he perceived it
not, neither when she lay down, neither when she rose up. And on
the morrow the elder said unto the younger: behold, yesternight
lay I with my father. Let us give him wine to drink this night
also, and go thou and lie with him, and let us save seed of our
father. And they gave their father wine to drink that night also.
And the younger arose and lay with him. And he perceived it not:
neither when she lay down, neither when she rose up. Thus were
both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the
elder bare a son and called him Moab, which is the father of the
Moabites unto this day. And the younger bare a son and called him
Ben Ammi, which is the father of the children of Ammon unto this
day.
Chapter .xx.
And Abraham departed thence toward the south country and dwelled
between Cades and Sur and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of
Sara his wife, that she was his sister. Then Abimelech king of
Gerar sent and fetched Sara away. And God came to Abimelech by
night in a dream and said to him: See, thou art but a dead man for
the woman's sake which thou hast taken away, for she is a man's
wife. But Abimelech had not yet come nye her, and therefore said:
Lord {lorde} wilt thou slay righteous people? said not he unto me,
that she was his sister? yea and said not she herself that he was
her brother? with a pure heart and innocent hands have I done
this. And God said unto him in a dream. I wot it well that thou
didst it in the pureness of thy heart: And therefore I kept thee
that thou shouldest not sin against me, neither suffered I thee to
come nigh her. Now therefore deliver the man his wife again, for
he is a prophet. And let him pray for thee that thou mayst live.
But and if thou deliver her not again, be sure that thou shalt die
the death, with all that thou hast. Then Abimelech rose up be
times in the morning and called all his servants, and told all
these things in their ears, and the men were sore afraid. And
Abimelech called Abraham and said unto him: What hast thou done
unto us, and what have I offended thee, that thou shouldest bring
on me and on my kingdom so great a sin? thou hast done deeds unto
me that ought not to be done. And Abimelech said moreover unto
Abraham: What sawest thou that moved thee to do this thing? And
Abraham answered. I thought that peradventure the fear of God was
not in this place, and that they should slay me for my wife's
sake: yet in very deed she is my sister, the daughter of my
father, but not of my mother: and became my wife. And after God
caused me to wander out of my father's house, I said unto her:
This kindness shalt thou shew unto me in all places where we come,
that thou say of me, how that I am thy brother. Then took
Abimelech sheep and oxen, menservants and womenservants and gave
them unto Abraham, and delivered him Sara his wife again. And
Abimelech said: behold the land lieth before thee, dwell where it
pleaseth thee best. And unto Sara he said: See I have given thy
brother a thousand pieces of silver, behold he {this thing} shall
be a covering to thine eyes unto all that are with thee and unto
all men and an excuse. And so Abraham prayed unto God, and God
healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidens, so that they bare.
For the LORD had closed to, all the matrices of the house of
Abimelech, because of Sara Abraham's wife.
Chapter .xxj.
The lord visited Sara as he had said and did unto her according as
he had spoken. {promised} And Sara was with child and bare Abraham
a son in his old age even the same season which the Lorde {|God|}
had appointed. And Abraham called his son's name that was born
unto him which Sara bare him Isaac: and Abraham circumcised Isaac
his son when he was eight days old, as God commanded him. And
Abraham was an hundred year old, when his son Isaac was born unto
him. And Sara said: God hath made me a laughing stock: for all
that hear, will laugh at me. She said also: who would have said
unto Abraham, that Sara should have given children suck, or that I
should have borne him a son in his old age: The child grew and was
weaned, and Abraham made a great feast, the same day that Isaac
was weaned. Sara saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian which she had
borne unto Abraham, a mocking. Then she said unto Abraham: put
away this bondmaid and her son: for the son of this bondwoman
shall not be heir with my son Isaac: But the word seemed very
grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son. Then the Lorde
{|God|} said unto Abraham: let it not be grievous unto thee,
because of the lad and of thy bondmaid: But in all that Sara hath
said unto thee, hear her voice, for in Isaac shall thy seed be
called. Moreover of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation,
because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning
and took bread and a bottle with water, and gave it unto Hagar,
putting it on her shoulders with the lad also, and sent her away.
And she departed and wandered up and down in the wilderness of
Berseba. When the water was spent that was in the bottle, she cast
the lad under a bush and went and sat her out of sight a great
way, as it were a bowshot off: For she said: I will not see the
lad die. And she sat down out of sight, and lift up her voice and
wept. And God heard the voice of the child. And the angel of God
called Hagar out of heaven and said unto her: What aileth thee
Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the child where
he lieth. Arise and lift up the lad, and take him in thy hand, for
I will make of him a great people. And God opened her eyes and she
saw a well of water. And she went and filled the bottle with
water, and gave the boy drink. And God was with the lad, and he
grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he
dwelt in the wilderness of Pharan. And his mother got him a wife
out of thee, land of Egypt. And it chanced the same season, that
Abimelech and Phicol his chief captain spake unto Abraham saying:
God is with thee in all that thou doest. Now therefore swear unto
me even here by God, that thou wilt not hurt me nor my children,
nor my children's children. But that thou shalt deal with me and
the country where thou art a stranger, according unto the kindness
that I have shewed thee. Then said Abraham: I will swear. And
Abraham rebuked Abimelech for a well of water, which Abimelech's
servants had taken away. And Abimelech answered I wist not who did
it: Also thou toldest me not, neither heard I of it, but this day.
And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them unto Abimelech. And
they made both of them a bond together. And Abraham set seven
lambs by them selves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham: what mean
these seven lambs which thou hast set by them selves. And he
answered: seven lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a
witness unto me, that I have digged this well: Wherefore the place
is called Berseba, because they sware both of them. Thus made they
a bond together at Berseba. Then Abimelech and Phicol his chief
Captain rose up and turned again unto the land of the Philistines.
And Abraham planted a wood in Berseba, and called there, on the
name of the LORD, the everlasting God: and dwelt in the Philistine
land a long season.
Chapter .xxij.
After these deeds, God did prove Abraham and said unto him:
Abraham. And he answered: here am I. And he said: take thy only
son Isaac whom thou lovest, and get thee unto the land of Moria,
and sacrifice him there for a sacrifice upon one of the mountains
which I will shew thee. Then Abraham rose up early in the morning
and saddled his ass, and took two of his meiny with him, and Isaac
his sonne: and clove wood for the sacrifice, and rose up and got
him to the place which God had appointed him. The third day
Abraham lift up his eyes and saw the place afar off, and said unto
his young men: bide here with the ass. I and the lad will go
yonder and worship and come again unto you. And Abraham took the
wood of the sacrifice and laid it upon Isaac his son, and took
fire in his hand and a knife. And they went both of them together.
Then spake Isaac unto Abraham his father and said: My father? And
he answered here am I my son. And he said: See here is fire and
wood, but where is the sheep for sacrifice? And Abraham said: my
son, God will provide him a sheep for sacrifice. So went they both
together. And when they came unto the place which God shewed him,
Abraham made an altar there and dressed the wood, and bound Isaac
his son and laid him on the altar, above upon the wood. And
Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to have
killed his son. Then the angel of the LORD called unto him from
heaven saying: Abraham, Abraham?. And he answered: here am I. And
he said: lay not thy hands upon the child, neither do anything at
all unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God, in that thou
hast not kept thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his
eyes and looked about: and behold, there was a ram caught by the
horns in a thicket. And he went and took the ram and offered him
up for a sacrifice in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the
name of the place, the LORD will see: wherefore it is a common
saying this day: in the mount will the LORD be seen. And the angel
of the LORD cried unto Abraham from heaven the second time saying:
by myself have I sworn (saith the LORD) because thou hast done
this thing and hast not spared thy only son, that I will bless
thee and multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand
upon the sea side. And thy seed shall possess the gates of his
enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice. So turned Abraham
again unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to
Berseba. And Abraham dwelt at Berseba. And it chanced after these
things, that one told Abraham saying: Behold, Milcha she hath also
born children unto thy brother Nachor: Hus his eldest son and Bus
his brother, and Kemuel the father of the Sirians, and Cesed, and
Haso, and Pildas, and Iedlaph, and Bethuel. And Bethuel begat
Rebecca. These eight did Milcha bear to Nachor Abraham's brother.
And his concubine called Rheuma she bare also Tebah, Gaham, Thaas
and Maacha.
Chapter .xxiij.
Sara was an hundred and twenty seven years old (for so long lived
she) and then died in a head city called Hebron in the land of
Canaan. Then Abraham came to mourn Sara and to weep for her. And
Abraham stood up from the corpse, and talked with the sons of Heth
saying: I am a stranger and a foreigner among yow, give me a
possession to bury in with you, that I may bury my dead out of my
sight. And the children of Heth answered Abraham saying unto him:
Hear us lord, thou art a prince of God among us. In the chiefest
of our sepulchers bury thy dead: None of us shall forbid thee his
sepulchre, that thou shouldest not bury thy dead therein. Abraham
stood up and bowed himself before the people of the land the
children of Heth. And he communed {comoned} with them saying: If
it be your minds that I shall bury my dead out of my sight, hear
me and speak for me to Ephron the son of Zoar: and let him give me
the double cave which he hath in the end of his field, for as much
money as it is worth, let him give it me in the presence of you,
for a possession to bury in. For Ephron dwelled among the children
of Heth. Then Ephron the Hethite answered Abraham in the audience
of the children of Heth and of all that went in at the gates of
his city, saying: Not so, my lord, but hear me: The field give I
thee, and the cave that therein is, give I thee also. And even in
the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee to bury thy
dead in. Then Abraham bowed himself before the people of the land,
and spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the country
saying: I pray thee hear me, I will give silver for the field,
take it of me, and so will I bury my dead there. Ephron answered
Abraham saying unto him: My lord, hearken unto me. The land is
worth four hundredth sicles of silver: But what is that betwixt
thee and me? bury thy dead. And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron and
weighed him the silver which he had said in the audience of the
sons of Heth. Even four hundred silver sicles of current money
among merchants. Thus was the field of Ephron wherein the double
cave is before Mamre: even the field and the cave that is therein
and all the trees of the field which grow in all the borders round
about, made sure unto Abraham for a possession, in the sight of
the children of Heth and of all that went in at the gates of the
city. And then Abraham buried Sara his wife in the double cave of
the field that lieth before Mamre, otherwise called Ebron in the
land of Canaan. And so both the field and the cave that is
therein, was made unto Abraham, a sure possession to bury in, of
the sons of Heth.
Chapter .xxiiij.
Abraham was old and stricken in days, and the LORD had blessed him
in all things. And he said unto his eldest servant of his house
which had the rule over all that he had: Put thy hand under my
thigh that I may make thee swear by the LORD that is God of heaven
and God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son,
of the daughters of the Cananites, among which I dwell. But shalt
go unto my country and to my kindred, and there take a wife unto
my son Isaac. Then said the servant unto him: what and if the
woman will not agree to come with me unto this land, shall I bring
thy son again unto the land which thou camest out of? And Abraham
said unto him: beware of that, that thou bring not my son thither.
The LORD God of heaven which took me from my father's house and
from the land where I was born, and which spake unto me and sware
unto me saying: unto thy seed will I give this land, he shall send
his angel before thee, that thou mayest take a wife unto my son
from thence. Nevertheless if the woman will not agree to come with
thee then shalt thou be without danger of this oath. But above all
things bring not my son thither again. And the servant put his
hand under the thigh of Abraham and sware to him as concerning
that matter. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his
master and departed, and had of all manner goods of his master
with him, and stood up and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of
Nahor. And made his camels to lie down without the city by a
well's side of water, at even: about the time that women come out
to draw water, and he said: LORD God of my master Abraham, send me
good speed this day, and shew mercy unto my master Abraham. Lo I
stond here by the well of water and the daughters of the men of
this city will come out to draw water: Now the damsel to whom I
say, stoop down thy pitcher, and let me drink. If she say: Drink,
and I will give thy camels drink also, the same is she that thou
hast ordained for thy servant Isaac: yea and thereby shall I know
that thou hast shewed mercy on my master. And it came to pass yer
he had left speaking, that Rebecca came out, the daughter of
Bethuel, son to Milkah the wife of Nahor Abraham's brother, and
her pitcher upon her shoulder: The damsel was very fair to look
upon, and yet a maid and unknown of man. And she went down to the
well and filled her pitcher and came up again. Then the servant
ran unto her and said: let me sip a little water of thy pitcher.
And she said: drink my lord. And she hasted and let down her
pitcher upon her arm and gave him drink. And when she had given
him drink, she said: I will draw water for thy camels also, until
they have drunk enough. And she poured out her pitcher into the
trough hastily, and ran again unto the well, to fetch water: and
drew for all his camels. And the fellow wondered at her. But held
his peace, to wete whether the LORD had made his journey
prosperous or not. And as the camels had left drinking, he took an
earing of half a sicle weight, and two bracelets for her hands, of
ten sicles weight of gold, and said unto her: Whose daughter art
thou? tell me: is there room in thy father's house, for us to
lodge in? And she said unto him: I am the daughter of Bethuel the
son of Milkah which she bare unto Nahor: and said moreover unto
him: we have litter and provender enough and also room to lodge
in. And the man bowed himself and worshipped the LORD, and said:
blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham which ceaseth not to
deal mercifully and truly with my master. And {|For the LORDe|}
hath brought me the way to my master's brother's house. And the
damsel ran and told them of her mother's house these things. And
Rebecca had a brother called Laban. And Laban ran out unto the
man, to the well: for as soon as he had seen the earings and the
bracelets upon his sister's hands, and heard the words of Rebecca
his sister saying thus said the man unto me, then he went out unto
the man. And lo, he stood yet with the camels by the well side.
And Laban said: come in thou blessed of the LORD. Wherefore
stondest thou without? I have dressed the house and made room for
the camels. And then the man came in to the house: and he
unbridled the camels: and brought litter and provender for the
camels, and water to wash his feet and their feet that were with
him, and there was meat set before him to eat. But he said: I will
not eat, until I have said mine errand: And he said: say on; And
he said: I am Abraham's servant, and the LORD hath blessed my
master out of measure that he is become great and hath given him
sheep, oxen, silver and gold, menservants, maidservants, camels
and asses. And Sara my master's wife bare him a son, when she was
old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. And my master
made me swear saying: Thou shalt not take a wife to my son, among
the daughters of the Cananites in whose land I dwell. But thou
shalt go unto my father's house and to my kindred, and there take
a wife unto my son. And I said unto my master: What if the wife
will not follow me? And he said unto me: The LORD before whom I
walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy journey that
thou shalt take a wife for my son, of my kindred and of my
father's house. But and if (when thou comest unto my kindred) they
will not give thee one, then shalt thou bear no peril of mine
oath. And I came this day unto the well and said: O LORD, the God
of my master Abraham, if it be so that thou makest my journey
which I go, prosperous: behold, I stond by this well of water, and
when a virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her: give
me a little water of thy pitcher to drink, and she say again to
me: drink thou, and I will also draw water for thy camels: that
same is the wife, whom the LORD hath prepared for my master's son.
And before I had made an end of speaking in mine heart: behold
Rebecca came forth, and her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went
down unto the well and drew. And I said unto her give me drink.
And she made haste, and took down her pitcher from off her, and
said: drink, and I will give thy camels drink also. And I drank,
and she gave the camels drink also. And I asked her saying: whose
daughter art thou? And she answered: the daughter of Bathuel
Nahor's son, whom Milkah bare unto him. And I put the earing upon
her face and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed myself, and
worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham
which had brought me the right way, to take my master's brother's
daughter unto his son. Now therefore if ye will deal mercifully
and truly with my master, tell me: And if not, tell me also: that
I may turn me to the right hand or to the left. Then answered
Laban and Bathuel saying: The thing is proceeded even out of the
LORD, {lorde} we can not therefore say unto thee, either good or
bad: Behold Rebecca before thy face, take her and go, and let her
be thy master's son's wife, even as the LORD hath said. And when
Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself unto the
LORD, flat upon the earth. And the servant took forth jewels of
silver and jewels of gold and raiment, and gave them to Rebecca:
But unto her brother and to her mother, he gave spices. And then
they ate and drank, both he and the men that were with him, and
tarried all night and rose up in the morning. And he said: let me
depart unto my master. But her brother and her mother said: let
the damsel abide with us a while, and it be but even ten days, and
then go thy ways. And he said unto them, hinder me not: for the
LORD {lorde} hath prospered my journey. Send me away that I may go
unto my master. And they said: let us call the damsel, and wit
what she saith to the matter. And they called forth Rebecca and
said unto her: wilt thou go with this man? And she said: Yea. Then
they brought Rebecca their sister on the way and her nurse and
Abraham's servant, and the men that were with him. And they
blessed Rebecca and said unto her: Thou art our sister, grow into
thousand thousands, and thy seed possess the gates of their
enemies. And Rebecca arose and her damsels, and sat them up upon
the camels and went their way after the man. And the servant took
Rebecca and went his way. And Isaac was a coming from the well of
the living and seeing, for he dwelt in the south country, and was
gone out to walk in his meditations before the even tide. And he
lift up his eyes and looked, and behold the camels were coming.
And Rebecca lift up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted
off the camel, and said unto the servant: what man is this that
cometh against us in the field? And the servant said: it is my
master. And then she took her mantle, and put it about her. And
the servant told Isaac all that he had done. Then Isaac brought
her in to his mother Sara's tent, and took Rebecca and she became
his wife, and he loved her: and so was Isaac comforted over his
mother.
Chapter .xxv.
Abraham took him another wife called Ketura, which bare him
Simran, Iacksan, Medan, Midian, Iesback and Suah. And Iacksan
begat Seba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Assurim, Letusim
and Leumim. And the sons of Midian were Epha, Epher, Hanoch, Abida
and Elda. All these were the children of Bethura. {Ketura} But
Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. And unto the sons of his
concubines he gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son
(while he yet lived) eastward, unto the east country. These are
the days of the life of Abraham which he lived: an hundred and
seventy five year and then fell sick and died, in a lusty age
(when he had lived enough) and was put unto his people. And his
sons Isaac and Ismael buried him in the double cave in the field
of Ephron son, of Zoar the Hethite before Mamre. Which field
Abraham bought of the sons of Heth: There was Abraham buried and
Sara his wife. And after the death of Abraham God blessed Isaac
his son, which dwelt by the well of the living and seeing. These
are the generations of Ismael Abraham's son, which Hagar the
Egyptian Sara's handmaid bare unto Abraham. And these are the
names of the sons of Ismael, with their names in their kindreds.
The eldest son of Ismael, Nevatoth, then Redar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Misma, Duma, Masa, Hadar, Thema, Ietur, Naphis and Kedma. These
are the sons of Ismael, and these are their names, in their towns
and castles twelve princes of nations. And these are the years of
the life of Ismael: an hundred and thirty seven years, and then he
fell sick and died, and was laid unto his people. And he dwelt
from Evila unto Sur that is before Egypt, as men go toward the
Assyrians. And he died in the presence of all his brethren. And
these are the generations of Isaac Abraham's son: Abraham begat
Isaac. And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca to wife
the daughter of Bethuel the Sirian of Mesopotamia and sister to
Laban the Sirian. And Isaac made intercession unto the LORD for
his wife: because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of
him, and Rebecca his wife conceived: and the children strove
together within her. Then she said: if it should go so to pass,
what helpeth it that I am with child? And she went and asked the
LORD. And the LORD said unto her there are two manner of people in
thy womb, and two nations shall spring out of thy bowels, and the
one nation shall be mightier than the other and the eldest shall
be servant unto the younger. And when her time was come to be
delivered: behold there were two twins in her womb. And he that
came out first, was red and rough over all as it were an hide: and
they called his name Esau. And afterward his brother came out and
his hand holding Esau by the heel. Wherefore his name was called
Iacob. And Isaac was forty years old when she bare them: and the
boys grew, and Esau became a cunning hunter and a tillman. But
Iacob was a simple man and dwelled in the tents. Isaac loved Esau
because he did eat of his venison, but Rebecca loved Iacob. Iacob
sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty, and said
to Iacob: let me sip of that red pottage, for I am fainty. And
therefore was his name called Edom. And Iacob said: sell me this
day thy birthright. And Esau answered: Lo I am at the point to
die, and what profit shall this birthright do me? And Iacob said,
swear to me then this day. And he swore to him and sold his
birthright unto Iacob. Then Iacob gave Esau bread and pottage of
red rice. And he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. And
so Esau regarded not his birthright.
Chapter .xxvi.
And there fell a dearth in the land, passing the first dearth that
fell in the days of Abraham. Wherefore Isaac went unto Abimelech
king of the Philistines unto Gerar. Then the LORD appeared unto
him and said: go not down into Egypt, but bide in the land which I
say unto thee: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and
will bless thee: for unto thee and unto thy seed I will give all
these countries. And I will perform the oath which I swore unto
Abraham thy father, and will multiply thy seed as the stars of
heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries. And
thorow thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,
because that Abraham hearkened unto my voice and kept mine
ordinances, commandments, statutes and laws. And Isaac dwelled in
Gerar. And the men of the place asked him of his wife, and he said
that she was his sister: for he feared to call her his wife lest
the men of the place should have killed him for her sake, because
she was beautiful to the eye. And it happened after he had been
there long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out
at a window, and saw Isaac sporting with Rebecca his wife. And
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said: see, she is of a surety thy
wife, and why saidest thou that she was thy sister? And Isaac said
unto him: I thought that I might peradventure have died for her
sake. Then said Abimelech: why hast thou done this unto us? one of
the people might lightly have lain by thy wife and so shouldest
thou have brought sin upon us. Then Abimelech charged all his
people saying: he that toucheth this man or his wife, shall surely
die for it. And Isaac sowed in the land, and found in the same
year an hundred bushels: for the LORD blessed him, and the man
waxed mighty, and went forth and grew till he was exceeding great,
that he had possession of sheep, of oxen and a mighty household:
so that the Philistines had envy at him: Insomuch that they
stopped and filled up with earth, all the wells which his father's
servants digged in his father Abraham's time. Then said Abimelech
unto Isaac: get thee from me, for thou art mightier than we a
great deal. Then Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in
the valley Gerar and dwelt there. And Isaac digged again, the
wells of water which they digged in the days of Abraham his father
which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham, and
gave them the same names which his father gave them. As Isaac's
servants digged in the valley, they found a well of springing
{living} water. And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's
herdmen saying: the water is ours. Then called he the well Eseck
because they strove with him. Then digged they another well, and
they strove for that also. Therefore called he it Sitena. And then
he departed thence, and digged another well for the which they
strove not: therefore called he it Rehoboth, saying: the LORD hath
now made us room, and we are increased upon the earth. Afterward
departed he thence and came to Berseba. And the LORD appeared unto
him the same night and said: I am the God of Abraham thy father,
fear not for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy
seed for my servant Abraham's sake. And then he builded an altar
there and called upon the name of the LORD, and there pitched his
tent. And there Isaac's servants digged a well. Then came
Abimelech to him from Gerar and Ahusath his friend and Phicoll his
chief captain. And Isaac said unto them: wherefore come ye to me,
seeing ye hate me and have put me away from you? Then said they:
we saw that the LORD was with thee, and therefore we said that
there should be an oath betwixt us and thee, and that we would
make a bond with thee: that thou shouldest do us no hurt, as we
have not touched thee, and have done unto thee nothing but good,
and send thee away in peace: for thou art now the blessed of the
LORD. And he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. And they
rose up by times in the morning and sware one to another. And
Isaac sent them away. And they departed from him in peace. And the
same day came Isaac's servants, and told him of a well which they
had digged: and said unto him, that they had found water. And he
called it Seba, wherefore the name of the city is called Berseba
unto this day. When Esau was forty years old, he took to wife
Iudith the daughter of Bery an Hethite, and Basmath the daughter
of Elon an Hethite also, which were disobedient unto Isaac and
Rebecca.
Chapter .xxvij.
And it came to pass that Isaac waxed old and his eyes were dim, so
that he could not see. Then called he Esau his eldest son and said
unto him: my son. And he said unto him: here am I. And he said:
behold, I am old and know not the day of my death: Now therefore
take thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and get thee to the
fields, and take me some venison, and make me meat such as I love,
and bring it me and let me eat that my soul may bless thee before
that I die. But Rebecca heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son.
And as soon as Esau was gone to the field to catch venison, and to
bring it, she spake unto Iacob her son saying: Behold I have heard
thy father talking with Esau thy brother and saying: bring me
venison and make me meat, that I may eat and bless thee before the
LORD yer I die. Now therefore my son hear my voice in that which I
command thee: get thee to the flock, and bring me thence two good
kids, and I will make meat of them for thy father, such as he
loveth. And thou shalt bring it to thy father and he shall eat,
that he may bless thee before his death. Then said Iacob to
Rebecca his mother: Behold Esau my brother is rough and I am
smooth. My father shall peradventure feel me, and I shall seem
unto him as though I went about to beguile him, and so shall he
bring a curse upon me and not a blessing: and his mother said unto
him. Upon me be thy curse my son, only hear my voice, and go and
fetch me them. And Iacob went and fetched them and brought them to
his mother. And his mother made meat of them, according as his
father loved. And she went and fetched goodly raiment of her
eldest son Esau which she had in the house with her, and put them
upon Iacob her youngest son, and she put the skins upon his hands
and upon the smooth of his neck. And she put the meat and bread
which she had made in the hand of her son Iacob. And he went in to
his father saying: my father. And he answered: here am I, who art
thou my son? And Iacob said unto his father: I am Esau thy eldest
son, I have done according as thou baddest me, up and sit and eat
of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. But Isaac said unto his
son: How cometh it that thou hast found it so quickly my son? He
answered: The LORD thy God brought it to my hand. Then said Isaac
unto Iacob: come near and let me feel thee my son, whether thou be
my son Esau or not. Then went Iacob to Isaac his father, and he
felt him and said the voice is Iacob's voice, but the hands are
the hands of Esau. And he knew him not, because his hands were
rough as his brother Esau's hands and so he blessed him. And he
asked him, art thou my son Esau? And he said: that I am. Then said
he: bring me and let me eat of my son's venison, that my soul may
bless thee. And he brought him, and he ate. And he brought him
wine also, and he drank. And his father Isaac said unto him: come
near and kiss me my son. And he went to him and kissed him. And he
smelled the savour of his raiment and blessed him, and said See,
the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD
{lorde} hath blessed. God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of
the fatness of the earth and plenty of corn and wine. People be
thy servants and nations bow unto thee. Be lord over thy brethren,
and thy mother's children stoop unto thee. Cursed be he that
curseth thee, and blessed {lessed} be he that blesseth thee. As
soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Iacob, and Iacob was
scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father: then came
Esau his brother from his hunting: and had made also meat, and
brought it in unto his father and said unto him: Arise my father
and eat of thy son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. Then his
father Isaac said unto him: Who art thou? he answered I am thy
eldest son Esau. And Isaac was greatly astonied out of measure,
and said: Where is he then that hath hunted venison and brought it
me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed
him, and he shall be blessed still. When Esau heard the words of
his father, he cried out greatly and bitterly above measure, and
said unto his father: bless me also my father. And he said thy
brother came with subtlety, and hath taken away thy blessing. Then
said he: He may well be called Iacob, for he hath undermined me
now two times, first he took away my birthright: and see, now hath
he taken away my blessing also. And he said, hast thou kept never
a blessing for me? Isaac answered and said unto Esau: behold I
have made him thy lord, {LORde} and all his mother's children have
I made his servants. Moreover with corn and wine have I stablished
him, what can I do unto thee now my son? And Esau said unto his
father: hast thou but that one blessing my father? bless me also
my father: so lifted up Esau his voice and wept. Then Isaac his
father answered and said unto him: Behold thy dwelling place shall
have of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from
above. And with thy sword shalt thou live and shalt be thy
brother's servant; But the time will come, when thou shalt get the
mastery, and lowse his yoke from off thy neck. And Esau hated
Iacob, because of the blessing that his father blessed him withal,
and said in his heart: The days of my father's sorrow are at hand,
for I will slay my brother Iacob. And these words of Esau her
eldest son, were told to Rebecca. And she sent and called Iacob
her youngest son, and said unto him: behold thy brother Esau
threateneth to kill thee: Now therefore my son hear my voice, make
thee ready, and flee to Laban my brother at Haran: And tarry with
him a while, until thy brother's fierceness be swaged, and until
thy brother's wrath turn away from thee, and he forget that which
thou hast done to him. Then will I send and fetch thee away from
thence. Why should I lose you both in one day? And Rebecca spake
to Isaac: I am weary of my life, for fear of the daughters of
Heth. If Iacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such one as
these are, or of the daughters of the land, what lust should I
have to live?
Chapter .xxviij.
Then Isaac called Iacob his son and blessed him, and charged him
and said unto him: see thou take not a wife of the daughters of
Canaan, but arise and get thee to Mesopotamia to the house of
Bethuel thy mother's father: and there take thee a wife of the
daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God almighty bless
thee, increase thee, and multiply thee that thou mayest be a
number of people, and give thee the blessing of Abraham: both to
thee and to thy seed with thee, that thou mayest possess the land
(wherein thou art a stranger) which God gave unto Abraham. Thus
Isaac sent forth Iacob, to go to Mesopotamia unto Laban, son of
Bethuel the Sirien, and brother to Rebecca Iacob's and Esau's
mother. When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Iacob, and sent him
to Mesopotamia, to fetch him a wife thence, and that, as he
blessed him he gave him a charge saying: see thou take not a wife
of the daughters of Canaan: and that Iacob had obeyed his father
and mother, and was gone unto Mesopotamia: and seeing also that
the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father: Then went he
unto Ismael, and took unto the wives which he had, Mahala the
daughter of Ismael Abraham's son, the sister of Nabaioth to be his
wife. Iacob departed from Berseba and went toward Haran, and came
unto a place and tarried there all night, because the son was
down. And took a stone of the place, and put it under his head,
and laid him down in the same place to sleep. And he dreamed: and
behold there stood a ladder upon the earth, and the top of it
reached up to heaven. And see, the angels of God went up and down
upon it, yea and the LORD stood upon it and said: I am the LORD
God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac: The land which
thou sleepest upon will I give thee and thy seed. And thy seed
shall be as the dust of the earth: And thou shalt spread abroad:
west, east, north and south. And thorow thee and thy seed shall
all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. And see I am with thee,
and will be thy keeper in all places whother thou goest, and will
bring thee again into this land: Neither will I leave thee until I
have made good, all that I have promised thee. When Iacob was
awaked out of his sleep, he said: surely the LORD is in this
place, and I was not aware. And he was afraid and said how fearful
is this place? it is none other, but even the house of God and the
gate of heaven. And Iacob stood up early in the morning and took
the stone that he had laid under his head, and pitched it up on
end, and poured oil on the top of it. And he called the name of
the place Bethel, for indeed the name of the city was called Lus
before time. And Iacob vowed a vow, saying: If God will be with me
and will keep me in this journey which I go and will give me bread
to eat, and clothes to put on, so that I come again unto my
father's house in safety: then shall the LORD be my God, and this
stone which I have set up an end, shall be God's {godes} house.
And of all that thou shalt give me, will I give the tenth unto
thee.
Chapter .xxix.
Then Iacob lift up his feet, and went toward the east country. And
as he looked about, behold there was a well in the field, and
three flocks of sheep lay thereby (for at that well were the
flocks watered) and there lay a great stone at the well mouth. And
the manner was to bring the flocks thither, and to roll the stone
from the well's mouth and to water the sheep, and to put the stone
again upon the well's mouth unto his place. And Iacob said unto
them: brethren, whence be ye? And they said: of Haran are we. And
he said unto them: Know ye Laban the son of Nahor. And they said:
We know him. And he said unto them: is he in good health? And they
said: he is in good health: and behold, his daughter Rahel cometh
with the sheep. And he said: lo, it is yet a great while to night,
neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together:
water the sheep and go and feed them. And they said: we may not,
until all the flocks be brought together, and the stone be rolled
from the well's mouth, and so we water our sheep. While he yet
talked with them, Rahel came with her father's sheep, for she kept
them. As soon as Iacob saw Rahel, the daughter of Laban his
mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, he
went and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the
sheep of Laban his mother's brother. And Iacob kissed Rahel, and
lift up his voice and wept: and told her also that he was her
father's brother and Rebecca's son. Then Rahel ran and told her
father. When Laban heard tell of Iacob his sister's son, he ran
against him, and embraced him and kissed him and brought him into
his house. And then Iacob told Laban all the matter. And then
Laban said: well, thou art my bone and my flesh. Abide with me the
space of a month. And afterward Laban said unto Iacob: though thou
be my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell
me what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters, the
eldest called Lea and the youngest Rahel. Lea was tender eyed, but
Rahel was beautiful and well favored. And Iacob loved her well,
and said: I will serve thee seven years for Rahel thy youngest
daughter. And Laban answered: it is better that I give her thee,
than to another man: bide therefore with me. And Iacob served
seven years for Rahel, and they seemed unto him but a few days,
for the love he had to her. And Iacob said unto Laban: give me my
wife, that I may lie with her. For the time appointed me is come.
Then Laban bade all the men of that place, and made a feast. And
when even was come, he took Lea his daughter and brought her to
him and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Lea,
Zilpha his maid, to be her servant. And when the morning was come,
behold it was Lea. Than said he to Laban: wherefore hast thou
played thus with me? did not I serve thee for Rahel, wherefore
then hast thou beguiled me? Laban answered: it is not the manner
of this place, to marry the youngest before the eldest. Pass out
this week, and then shall this also be given thee for the service
which thou shalt serve me yet seven years more. And Iacob did even
so, and passed out that week, and then he gave him Rahel his
daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rahel his daughter, Bilha
his handmaid to be her servant. So lay he by Rahel also, and loved
Rahel more than Lea, and served him yet seven years more. When the
LORD saw that Lea was despised, he made her fruitful: but Rahel
was barren. And Lea conceived and bare a son, and called his name
Ruben, for she said: the LORD hath looked upon my tribulation. And
now my husband will love me. And she conceived again and bare a
son, and said: the LORD hath heard that I am despised, and hath
therefore given me this son also, and she called him Simeon. And
she conceived yet and bare a son, and said: now this once will my
husband keep me company, because I have borne him three sons: and
therefore she called his name Levi. And she conceived yet again,
and bare a son saying: Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she
called his name Iuda, and left bearing.
Chapter .xxx.
When Rahel saw that she bare Iacob no children, she envied her
sister and said unto Iacob: give me children, or else I am but
dead. Then was Iacob wroth with Rahel saying: Am I in God's
{godes} stead which keepeth from thee the fruit of thy womb? Then
she said: here is my maid Bilha: go in unto her, that she may bear
upon my lap, that I may be increased by her. And she gave him
Bilha her handmaid to wife. And Iacob went in unto her: And Bilha
conceived and bare Iacob a son. Then said Rahel: God hath given
sentence on my side, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given
me a son. Therefore called she him Dan. And Bilha Rahel's maid
conceived again, and bare Iacob another son. And Rahel said. God
is turned, and I have made a change with my sister, and have
gotten the upper hand. And she called his name Naphtali. When Lea
saw that she had left bearing, she took Silpha her maid, and gave
her Iacob to wife. And Silpha Lea's maid bare Iacob a son. Then
said Lea: Good luck: and called his name Gad. And Silpha Lea's
maid bare Iacob another son. Then said Lea: happy am I, for the
daughters will call me blessed. And called his name Asser. And
Ruben went out in the wheat harvest and found mandragoras in the
fields, and brought them unto his mother Lea. Then said Rahel to
Lea give me of thy son's mandragoras. And Lea answered: Is it not
enough, that thou hast taken away my husband, but wouldest take
away my son's mandragoras also? Then said Rahel well, let him
sleep with thee this night, for thy son's mandragoras. And when
Iacob came from the fields at even, Lea went out to meet him, and
said: come in to me, for I have bought thee with my son's
mandragoras. And he slept with her that night. And God heard Lea,
that she conceived and bare unto Iacob the fifth son. Then said
Lea: God hath given me my reward, because I gave my maiden to my
husband, and she called him Isachar. And Lea conceived yet again
and bare Iacob the sixth son. Then said she: God hath endued me
with a good dowry. Now will my husband dwell with me, because I
have borne him six sons: and called his name Zabulon. After that
she bare a daughter, and called her Dina. And God remembered
Rahel, heard her, and made her fruitful: so that she conceived and
bare a son, and said God hath taken away my rebuke. And she called
his name Ioseph saying: The LORD {lorde} give me yet another son.
As soon as Rahel had borne Ioseph, Iacob said to Laban: Send me
away that I may go unto mine own place and country, give me my
wives and my children for whom I have served thee, and let me go:
for thou knowest what service I have done thee. Then said Laban
unto him: If I have found favour in thy sight (for I suppose that
the LORD {|God|} hath blessed me for thy sake) appoint what thy
reward shall be, and I will give it thee. But he said unto him,
thou knowest what service I have done thee, and in what taking thy
cattle have been under me: For it was but little that thou hadst
before I came, and now it is increased into a multitude, and the
LORD hath blessed thee for my sake. But now when shall I make
provision for mine own house also? And he said: what shall I give
thee? And Iacob answered: thou shalt give me nothing at all, if
thou wilt do this one thing for me: And then will I turn again and
feed thy sheep and keep them. I will go about all thy sheep this
day, and separate from them all the sheep that are spotted and of
divers colours, and all black sheep among the lambs and the party
and spotted among the kids: And then such shall be my reward. So
shall my righteousness answer for me: when the time cometh that I
shall receive my reward of thee: So that whatsoever is not
speckled and party among the goats and black among the lambs, let
that be theft with me. Then said Laban: Lo, I am content, that it
be according as thou hast said. And he took out that same day the
he goats that were party and of divers colours, and all the goats
that were spotted and party coloured, and all that had white in
them, and all the black among the lambs: and put them in the
keeping of his sons, and set three days' journey betwixt himself
and Iacob. And so Iacob kept the rest of Laban's sheep. Iacob took
rods of green poplar, hazel, and of chestnut trees, and pilled
white streaks in them and made the white appear in the staves: And
he put the staves which he had pilled, even before the sheep, in
the gutters and watering troughs, when the sheep came to drink:
that they should conceive when they came to drink. And the sheep
conceived before the staves, and brought forth streaked, spotted
and party. Then Iacob parted the lambs, and turned the faces of
the sheep toward spotted things, and toward all manner of black
things thorow out the flocks of Laban. And he made him flocks of
his own by them self, which he put not unto the flocks of Laban.
And alway in the first bucking time of the sheep, Iacob put the
staves before the sheep in the gutters, that they might conceive
before the staves: But in the latter bucking time, he put them not
there: so the last brood was Laban's and the first Iacob's. And
the man became exceeding rich and had many sheep, maidservants,
menservants, camels and asses.
Chapter .xxxj.
And Iacob heard the words of Laban's sons how they said: Iacob
hath taken away all that was our father's, and of our father's
goods, hath he gotten all this honour. And Iacob beheld the
countenance of Laban, that it was not toward him as it was in
times past. And the LORD said unto Iacob: turn again into the land
of thy fathers and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee. Then
Iacob sent and called Rahel and Lea to the field unto his sheep,
and said unto them: I see your father's countenance, that it is
not toward me as in times past. Moreover the God of my father hath
been with me. And ye know how that I have served your father with
all my might. And your father hath deceived {disceaved} me and
changed my wages ten times: But God suffered him not to hurt me.
When he said the spotted shall be thy wages, then all the sheep
bare spotted. If he said, the streaked shall be thy reward, then
bare all the sheep streaked: thus hath God taken away your
father's cattle and given them me. For in bucking time, I lifted
up mine eyes and saw in a dream: and behold, the rams that bucked
the sheep were streaked, spotted and party. And the angel of God
spake unto me in a dream saying: Iacob?. And I answered: here am
I. And he said: lift up thine eyes and see how all the rams that
leap upon the sheep are streaked, spotted and party: for I have
seen all that Laban doth unto thee. I am the God of Bethel where
thou anointedest the stone and where thou vowdest a vow unto me.
Now arise and get thee out of this country, and return unto the
land where thou wast born. Then answered Rahel and Lea and said
unto him: we have no part nor inheritance in our father's house:
he counteth us even as strangers, for he hath sold us, and hath
even eaten up the price of us. Moreover all the riches which God
hath taken from our father, that is ours and our children's. Now
therefore whatsoever God hath said unto thee, that do. Then Iacob
rose up and set his sons and wives up upon camels, and carried
away all his cattle and all his substance which he had gotten in
Mesopotamia, for to go to Isaac his father unto the land of Canaan
Laban was gone to shear his sheep, and Rahel had stolen her
father's images. And Iacob went away unknowing to {Iacob stale
away the heart of} Laban the Sirian, and told him not that he
fled. So fled he and all that he had, and made himself ready, and
passed over the rivers, and set his face straight toward the mount
Gilead. Upon the third day after, was it told Laban that Iacob was
fled. Then he took his brethren with him and followed after him
seven days' journey, and overtook him at the mount Gilead. And God
came to Laban the Sirian in a dream by night, and said unto him:
take heed to thyself, that thou speak not to Iacob ought save
good. And Laban overtook Iacob: and Iacob had pitched his tent in
that mount. And Laban with his brethren pitched their tent also
upon the mount Gilead. Then said Laban to Iacob: why hast thou
this done unknowing to me, {done to steal away my heart} and hast
carried away my daughters as though they had been taken captive
with sword? Wherefore wentest thou away secretly unknown to me and
didst not tell me, that I might have brought thee on the way with
mirth, singing, timbrels and harps, and hast not suffered me to
kiss my children and my daughters?. Thou wast a fool to do it, for
I am able to do you evil. But the God of your father spake unto me
yesterday saying take heed that thou speak not to Iacob ought save
good. And now though thou wentest thy way because thou longest
after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
Iacob answered and said to Laba: because I was afraid, and thought
that thou wouldest have taken away thy daughters from me. But with
whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him die here before our
brethren. Seek that thine is by me, and take it to thee: for Iacob
wist not that Rahel had stolen them. Then went Laban into Iacob's
tent, and into Lea's tent, and into two maidens' tents: but found
them not. Then went he out of Lea's tent, and entered into Rahel's
tent. And Rahel took the images, and put them in the camel's
straw, and sat down upon them. And Laban searched all the tent:
but found them not. Then said she to her father: my lord, be not
angry that I can not rise up before thee, for the disease of women
is come upon me. So searched he, but found them not. Iacob was
wroth, and chode with Laban: Iacob also answered and said to him:
what have I trespassed or what have I offended, that thou
followedest after me? Thou hast searched all my stuff, and what
hast thou found of all thy household stuff? put it here before thy
brethren and mine, and let them judge betwixt us both. This twenty
years that I have been with thee, thy sheep and thy goats have not
been barren, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
Whatsoever was torn of beasts I brought it not unto thee, but made
it good myself: of my hand didst thou require it, whether it was
stolen by day or night. Moreover by day the heat consumed me, and
the cold by night, and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have
I been twenty years in thy house, and served thee fourteen years
for thy two daughters, and six years for thy sheep, and thou hast
changed my reward ten times. And except the God of my father, the
God of Abraham, and the God whom Isaac feareth, had been with me:
surely thou hadst sent me away now all empty. But God beheld my
tribulation, and the labour of my, hands: and rebuked thee
yesterday. Laban answered and said unto Iacob: the daughters are
my daughters, and the children are my children, and the sheep are
my sheep, and all that thou seest is mine. And what can I do this
day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they
have born? Now therefore come on, let us make a bond, I and thou
together, and let it be a witness between thee and me. Then took
Iacob a stone and set it up on end, and said unto his brethren,
gather stones. And they took stones, and made an heap, and they
ate there, upon the heap. And Laban called it Zegar Sahadutha, but
Iacob called Gilead. Then said Laban: this heap be witness between
thee and me this day (therefore is it called Gilead) and this toot
hill which the LORD {lorde} seeth (said he) be witness between me
and thee when we are departed one from another: that thou shalt
not vex my daughters neither shalt take other wives unto them.
Here is no man with us: behold, God is witness betwixt thee and
me. And Laban said moreover to Iacob: behold, this heap and this
mark which I have set here, betwixt me and thee: this heap be
witness and also this mark, that I will not come over this heap to
thee, and thou shalt not come over this heap and this mark, to do
any harm. The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor and the God of
their fathers, be judge betwixt us. And Iacob sware by him that
his father Isaac feared. Then Iacob did sacrifice upon the mount,
and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and
tarried all night in the hill. And early in the morning Laban rose
up and kissed his children and his daughters, and blessed them and
departed and went unto his place again.
Chapter .xxxij.
But Iacob went forth on his journey. And the angels of God came
and met him. And when Iacob saw them, he said: this is God's
{godes} host: and called the name of that same place Mahanaim.
Iacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the
land of Seir and the field of Edom. And he commanded them saying:
see that ye speak after this manner to my lord Esau: thy servant,
Iacob sayeth thus; I have sojourned and been a stranger with Laban
unto this time: and have gotten oxen, asses and sheep, menservants
and womenservants, and have sent to shew it my lord, that I may
find grace in thy sight. And the messengers came again to Iacob
saying: we came unto thy brother Esau, and he cometh against thee
and four hundred men with him. Then was Iacob greatly afraid, and
wist not which way to turn himself, and divided the people that
was with him and the sheep, oxen and camels, into two companies,
and said: If Esau come to the one part and smite it, the other may
save itself. And Iacob said: O God of my father Abraham, and God
of my father Isaac: LORD, which saidest unto me, return unto thy
country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee. I am
not worthy of the least of all the mercies and truth which thou
hast shewed unto thy servant. For with my staff came I over this
Iordan, and now have I gotten two droves. Deliver me from the
hands of my brother Esau, for I fear him: lest he will come and
smite the mother with the children. Thou saidest that thou
wouldest surely do me good, and wouldest make my seed as the sand
of the sea which can not be numbered for multitude. And he tarried
there that same night, and took of that which came to hand, a
present, unto Esau his brother: Two hundred she goats and twenty
he goats: two hundred sheep and twenty rams: thirty milch camels
with their colts: forty kine and ten bulls: twenty she asses and
ten foals and delivered them unto his servants, every drove by
them selves, and said unto them: go forth before me and put a
space betwixt every drove. And he commanded the foremost, saying:
When Esau my brother meeteth thee and asketh thee saying: whose
servant art thou and whither goest thou, and whose are these that
go before thee: thou shalt say, they be thy servant Iacob's, and
are a present sent unto my lord Esau, and behold, he himself
cometh after us. And so commanded he the second, and even so the
third, and likewise all that followed the droves saying, of this
manner see that ye speak unto Esau when ye meet him, and say
moreover. Behold thy servant Iacob cometh after us, for he said. I
will pease his wrath with the present that goeth before me and
afterward I will see him myself, so peradventure he will receive
me to grace. So went the present before him and he tarried all
that night in the tent, and rose up the same night and took his
two wives and his two maidens and his eleven sons, and went over
the ford Iabok. And he took them and sent them over the river, and
sent over that he had and tarried behind himself alone. And there
wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he
saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the
thigh, and the sinew of Iacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with
him. And he said: let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said: I
will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him:
what is thy name? He answered: Iacob. And he said: thou shalt be
called Iacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God
and with men and hast prevailed. And Iacob asked him saying, tell
me thy name. And he said, wherefore dost thou ask after my name?
and he blessed him there. And Iacob called the name of the place
Pheniel, for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life
reserved. And as he went over Peniel, the sun rose upon him, and
he halted upon his thigh: wherefore the children of Israel eat not
of the sinew that shrank under the thigh, unto this day: because
that he smote Iacob under the thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Chapter .xxxiij.
Iacob lift up his eyes and saw his brother Esau come, and with him
four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Lea and unto
Rahel and unto the two maidens. And he put the maidens and their
children foremost, and Lea and her children after, and Rahel and
Ioseph hindermost. And he went before them and fell on the ground
seven times, until he came unto his brother. Esau ran against {to
meet} him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him,
and they wept. And he lift up his eyes and saw the wives and their
children, and said: what are these which thou there hast? And he
said: they are the children which God hath given thy servant. Then
came the maidens forth, and did their obeisance. Lea also and her
children came and did their obeisance. And last of all came Ioseph
and Rahel and did their obeisance. And he said: what meanest thou
with all the droves which I met? And he answered: to find grace in
the sight of my lord. And Esau said: I have enough my brother,
keep that thou hast unto thyself. Iacob answered: oh nay but if I
have found grace in thy sight, receive my present of my hand: for
I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God:
wherefore receive me to grace and take my blessing that I have
brought thee, for God hath given it me freely. And I have enough
of all things. And so he compelled him to take it. And he said:
let us take our journey and go, and I will go in thy company. And
he said unto him: my lord knoweth that I have tender children,
ewes and kine with young, under mine hand, which if men should
overdrive but even one day, the whole flock would die. Let my lord
therefore go before his servant and I will drive fair and softly,
according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children, be
able to endure: until I come to my lord unto Seir. And Esau said:
let me yet leave some of my folk with thee. And he said: what
needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. So Esau
went his way again that same day unto Seir. And Iacob took his
journey toward Sucoth, and built him an house, and made booths for
his cattle: whereof the name of the place is called Sucoth. And
Iacob went to Salem {came peaceably in} to the city of Sichem in
the land of Canaan, after that he was come from Mesopotamia, and
pitched before the city, and bought a parcel of ground where he
pitched his tent, of the children of Hemor Sichem's father, for an
hundred lambs; And he made there an altar, and there called upon
the mighty God of Israel.
Chapter .xxxiiij.
Dina the daughter of Lea which she bare unto Iacob, went out to
see the daughters of the land. And Sichem the son of Hemor the
Hevite lord of the country, saw her, and took her, and lay with
her, and forced her: and his heart lay unto Dina the daughter of
Iacob. And he loved the damsel and spake kindly unto her, and
spake unto his father Hemor saying, get me this maiden unto my
wife. And Iacob heard that he had defiled Dina his daughter, but
his sons were with the cattle in the field, and therefore he held
his peace, until they were come. Then Hemor the father of Sichem
went out unto Iacob, to commune with him. And the sons of Iacob
came out of the field as soon as they heard it, for it grieved
them, and they were not a little wroth, because he had wrought
folly in Israel, in that he had lain with Iacob's daughter, which
thing ought not to be done. And Hemor communed with them saying:
the soul of my son Sichem longeth for your daughter: give her him
to wife, and make marriages with us: give your daughters unto us,
and take our daughters unto you, and dwell with us, and the land
shall be at your pleasure, dwell and do your business, and have
your possessions therein. And Sichem said unto her father and her
brethren: let me find grace in your eyes, and whatsoever ye
appoint me, that will I give. Ask freely of me both the dowry and
gifts, and I will give according as ye say unto me, and give me
the damsel to wife. Then the sons of Iacob answered to Sichem and
Hemor his father deceitfully, because he had defiled Dina their
sister. And they said unto them, we can not do this thing, that we
should give our sister to one that is uncircumcised, for that were
a shame unto us. Only in this will we consent unto you: If ye will
be as we be, that all the men children among you be circumcised,
then will we give our daughter to you and take yours to us, and
will dwell with you and be one people. But and if ye will not
hearken unto us to be circumcised, than will we take our daughter
and go our ways. And their words pleased Hemor and Sichem his son.
And the young man deferred not for to do the thing, because he had
a lust to Iacob's daughter: he was also most set by of all that
were in his father's house. Then Hemor and Sichem went unto the
gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city
saying: These men are peaceable with us, and will dwell in the
land and do their occupation therein; And in the land is room
enough for them, let us take their daughters to wives and give
them ours: only herein will they consent unto us for to dwell with
us and to be one people: if all the men children that are among us
be circumcised as they are. Their goods and their substance and
all their cattle are ours, only let us consent unto them, that
they may dwell with us. And unto Hemor and Sichem his son
hearkened all that went out at the gate of his city. And all the
men children were circumcised whatsoever went out at the gates of
his city. And the third day when it was painful to them, two of
the sons of Iacob, Simeon and Levi Dina's brethren, took either of
them his sword and went into the city boldly, and slew all that
was male, and slew also Hemor and Sichem his son with the edge of
the sword, and took Dina their sister out of Sichem's house, and
went their way. Then came the sons of Iacob upon the deed, and
spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister: and took
their sheep, oxen, asses and whatsoever was in the city and also
in the fields. And all their goods, all their children and their
wives took they captive, and made havoc of all that was in the
houses. And Iacob said to Simeon and Levi: ye have troubled me and
made me stink unto the inhabiters of the land, both to the
Cananites and also unto the Pherezites. And I am few in number.
Wherefore they shall gather them selves together against me and
slay me, and so shall I and my house be destroyed. And they
answered: should they deal with our sister as with an whore?
Chapter .xxxv.
And God said unto Iacob, arise and get thee up to Bethel, and
dwell there. And make there an altar unto God that appeared unto
thee, when thou fleddest from Esau thy brother. Then said Iacob
unto his household and to all that were with him, put away the
strange gods that are among you and make your selves clean, and
change your garments, and let us arise and go up to Bethel, that I
may make an altar there, unto God which heard me in the day of my
tribulation and was with me in the way which I went. And they gave
unto Iacob all the strange gods which were under their hands, and
all their earings which were in their ears, and Iacob hid them
under an oak at Sichem. And they departed. And the fear of God
fell upon the cities that were round about them, that they durst
not follow after the sons of Iacob. So came Iacob to Lus in the
land of Canaan, otherwise called Bethel, with all the people that
was with him. And he builded there an altar, and called the place
Elbethel: because that God {|the LORDe|} appeared unto him there,
when he fled from his brother. Then died Debora Rebecca's nurse,
and was buried beneath Bethel under an oak. And the name of it was
called the oak of lamentation. And God appeared unto Iacob again
after he came out of Mesopotamia, and blessed him and said unto
him: Thy name is Iacob. Notwithstanding thou shalt be no more
called Iacob, but Israel shall be thy name. And so was his name
called Israel. And God said unto him: I am God allmighty, grow and
multiply: for people and a multitude of people shall spring of
thee, yea and kings shall come out of thy loins. And the land
which I gave Abraham and Isaac, will I give unto thee, and unto
thy seed after thee will I give it also. And God departed from him
in the place where he talked with him. And Iacob set up a mark in
the place where he talked with him: even a pillar of stone, and
poured drink offering thereon and poured also oil thereon, and
called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. And
they departed from Bethel, and when he was but a field brede from
Ephrath, Rahel began to travail. And in travailing she was in
peril. And as she was in pains of her labour, the midwife said
unto her: fear not, for thou shalt have this son also. Then as her
soul was departing, that she must die: she called his name Ben
Oni. But his father called him Ben Iamin. and thus died Rahel and
was buried in the way to Ephrath which now is called Bethlehem.
And Iacob set up a pillar upon her grave, which is called Rahel's
grave pillar unto this day. And Israel went thence and pitched up
his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it chanced as Israel dwelt
in that land, that Ruben went and lay with Bilha his father's
concubine, and it came to Israel's ear. The sons of Iacob were
twelve in number. The sons of Lea: Ruben, Iacob's eldest son, and
Simeon, Levi, Iuda, Isachar, and Zabulon. The sons of Rahel:
Ioseph and Ben Iamin. The sons of Bilha Rahel's maid: Dan and
Nephtali. The sons of Zilpha Lea's maid Gad and Asser. These are
the sons which were born him in Mesopotamia. Then Iacob went unto
Isaac his father to Mamre a principal city, otherwise called
Hebron: where Abraham and Isaac sojourned as strangers. And the
days of Isaac were an hundred and eighty years: and then fell he
sick and died, and was put unto his people being old and full of
days. And his sons Esau and Iacob buried him.
Chapter .xxxvi.
These are the generations of Esau which is called Edom. Esau took
his wives of the daughters of Canaan Ada the daughter of Elon an
Hethite, and Ahalibama the daughter of Ana, which Ana was the son
of Zibeon an Hevite; And Basmath Ismael's daughter and sister of
Nebaioth. And Ada bare unto Esau, Eliphas: and Basmath bare
Reguel: And Ahalibama bare Ieus, Iaelam and Korah. These are the
sons of Esau which were born him in the land of Canaan. And Esau
took his wives, his sons and daughters and all the souls of his
house: his goods and all his cattle and all his substance which he
had got in the land of Canaan, and went into a country away from
his brother Iacob: for their riches was so much, that they could
not dwell together, and that the land wherein they were strangers,
could not receive them: because of their cattle. Thus dwelt Esau
in mount Seir, which Esau is called Edom. These are the
generations of Esau father of the Edomites in mount Seir, and
these are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphas the son of Ada the
wife of Esau, and Reguel the son of Basmath the wife of Esau also.
And the sons of Eliphas were: Theman, Omar, Zepho, Gaetham and
Kenas. And Thimna was concubine to Eliphas Esau's son, and bare
unto Eliphas, Amalek. And these, be the sons of Ada Esau's wife.
And these are the sons of Reguel: Nahath, Serah, Samma and Misa:
these were the sons of Basmath Esau's wife. And these were the
sons of Ahalibama Esau's wife the daughter of Ana son of Zebeon,
which she bare unto Esau: Ieus, Iaelam and Korah. These were dukes
of the sons of Esau. The children of Eliphas the first son of Esau
were these: duke Theman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenas, duke
Korah, duke Gaetham and duke Amaleck: these are the dukes that
came of Eliphas in the land of Edom, and these were the sons of
Ada. These were the children of Reguel Esau's sonne: duke Nahath,
duke Serah, duke Samma, duke Misa. These are the dukes that came
of Reguel in the land of Edom, and these were the sons of Basmath
Esau's wife. These were the children of Ahalibama Esau's wife:
duke Ieus, duke Gaelam, duke Korah these dukes came of Ahalibama
the daughter of Ana Esau's wife. These are the children of Esau,
and these are the dukes of them: which Esau is called Edom: These
are the children of Seir the Horite, the inhabiter of the land:
Lothan, Sobal, Zibeon, Ana, Dison, Eser and Disan. These are the
dukes of the Horites the children of Seir in the land of Edom. And
the children of Lothan were: Hori and Hemam. And Lothan's sister
was called Thimna. The children of Sobal were these: Alvan,
Manahath, Ebal, Sepho and Onam. These were the children of Zibeon.
Aia and Ana, this was that Ana that found the mules in the
wilderness, as he fed his father Zibeon's asses. The children of
Ana were these. Dison and Ahalibama the daughter of Ana. These are
the children of Dison. Hemdan, Esban, Iethran, and Cheran. The
children of Ezer were these, Bilhan, Seavan and Akan. The children
of Disan were: Ur and Aran. These are the dukes that came of Hori:
duke Lothan, duke Sobal, duke Zibeon, duke Ana, duke Dison, duke
Ezer, duke Disan. These be the dukes that came of Hori in their
dukedoms in the land of Seir. These are the kings that reigned in
the land of Edom before there reigned any king among the children
of Israel. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edomea, and the name of
his city was Dinhaba. And when Bela died, Iobab the son of Serah
out of Bezara, reigned in his stead. When Iobab was dead, Husam of
the land of Themany reigned in his stead. And after the death of
Husam, Hadad the son of Bedad which slew the Madianites in the
field of the Moabites, reigned in his stead, and the name of his
city was Avith. When Hadad was dead, Samla of Masreka reigned in
his stead. When Samla was dead, Saul of the river Rehoboth reigned
in his stead. When Saul was dead, Baal Hanan the son of Achbor
reigned in his stead. And after the death of Baal Hanan the son of
Achbor, Hadad reigned in his stead, and the name of his city was
Pagu. And his wife's name Mehetabeel the daughter of Matred the
daughter of Mesaab. These are the names of the dukes that came of
Esau, in their kindreds, places and names: Duke Thimma, duke Alua,
duke Ietheth, duke Ahalibama, duke Ela, duke Pinon, duke Kenas,
duke Theman, duke Mibzar, duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These be the
dukes of Edomea in their habitations, in the land of their
possessions. This Esau is the father of the Edomites.
Chapter .xxxvij.
And Iacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger,
that is to say in the land of Canaan. And these are the
generations of Iacob: when Ioseph was seventeen years old, he kept
sheep with his brethren, and the lad was with the sons of Bilha
and of Zilpha his father's wives. And he brought unto their father
an evil saying that was of them. And Israel loved Ioseph more than
all his children, because he begat him in his old age, and he made
him a coat of many colours. When his brethren saw that their
father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him and
could not speak one kind word unto him. Moreover Ioseph dreamed a
dream and told it his brethren: wherefore they hated him yet the
more. And he said unto them hear I pray yow this dream which I
have dreamed: Behold we were making sheaves in the field: and lo,
my sheaf arose and stood upright, and yours stood round about and
made obeisance to my sheaf. Then said his brethren unto him: what,
shalt thou be our king or shalt thou reign over us? And they hated
him yet the more, because of his dream and of his words. And he
dreamed yet another dream and told it his brethren saying: behold,
I have had one dream more: me thought the sonne and the moon and
eleven stars made obeisance to me. And when he had told it unto
his father and his brethren, his father rebuked him and said unto
him: what meaneth this dream which thou hast dreamed: shall I and
thy mother and thy brethren come and fall on the ground before
thee? And his brethren hated him, but his father noted the saying.
His brethren went to keep their father's sheep in Sichem, and
Israel said unto Ioseph: do not thy brethren keep in Sichem? come
that I may send thee to them. And he answered here am I. And he
said unto him: go and see whether it be well with thy brethren and
the sheep, and bring me word again: And sent him out of the vale
of Hebron, for to go to Sichem. And a certain man found him
wandering out of his way in the field, and asked him what he
sought. And he answered: I seek my brethren, tell me I pray thee
where they keep sheep. And the man said, they are departed hence,
for I heard them say, let us go unto Dothan. Thus went Ioseph
after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And when they saw
him afar off before he came at them, they took counsel {councell}
against him, for to slay him, and said one to another: Behold this
dreamer cometh, come now and let us slay him and cast him into
some pit, and let us say that sonne wicked beast hath devoured
him, and let us see what his dreams will come to. When Ruben heard
that, he went about to rid him out of their hands and said, let us
not kill him. And Ruben said moreover unto them, shed not his
blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and
lay no hands upon him: for he would have rid him out of their
hands and delivered him to his father again. And as soon as Ioseph
was come unto his brethren, they stripped him out, of his gay coat
that was upon him, and they took him and cast him into a pit. But
the pit was empty and had no water therein. And they sat them down
to eat bread. And as they lift up their eyes and looked about,
there came a company of Ismaelites from Gilead, and their camels
laden with spicery, balm, and myrrh, and were going down into
Egypt. Then said Iuda to his brethren, what availeth it that we
slay our brother, and keep his blood secret? come on, let us sell
him to the Ismaelites, and let not our hands be defiled upon him:
for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were
content. Then as the Madianites merchant men passed by, they drew
Ioseph out of the pit and sold him unto the Ismaelites for twenty
pieces of silver. And they brought him into Egypt. And when Ruben
came again unto the pit and found not Ioseph there, he rent his
clothes and went again unto his brethren saying: the lad is not
yonder, and whither shall I go? And they took Ioseph's coat and
killed a goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. And they sent
that gay coat and caused it to be brought unto their father and
said: This have we found: see, whether it be thy son's coat or no.
And he knew it saying: it is my son's coat: a wicked beast hath
devoured him, and Ioseph is rent in pieces. And Iacob rent his
clothes, and put sack cloth about his loins, and sorrowed for his
son a long season. Then came all his sons and all his daughters to
comfort him. And he would not be comforted, but said: I will go
down into the grave unto my son, mourning. And thus his father
wept for him. And the Madianites sold him in Egypt unto Putiphar a
lord of Pharao's: and his chief marshal.
Chapter .xxxviij.
And it fortuned at that time that Iudas went from his brethren and
gat him to a man called Hira of Odollam, and there he saw the
daughter of a man called Sua a Cananite. And he took her and went
in unto her. And she conceived and bare a son and called his name
Er. And she conceived again and bare a son and called him Onan.
And she conceived the third time and bare a son, whom she called
Sela: and he was at Chesib when she bare him. And Iudas gave Er
his eldest son, a wife whose name was Thamar. But this Er Iuda's
eldest son was wicked in the sight of the LORD, wherefore the LORD
slew him. Then said Iudas unto Onan: go in to thy brother's wife
and marry her, and stir up seed unto thy brother. And when Onan
perceived that the seed should not be his: therefore when he went
in to his brother's wife, he spilled it on the ground, because he
would not give seed unto his brother. And the thing which he did,
displeased the LORD, wherefore he slew him also. Then said Iuda to
Thamar his daughter-in-law: remain a widow at thy father's house,
till Sela my son be grown: for he feared lest he should have died
also, as his brethren did. Thus went Thamar and dwelt in her
father's house. And in process of time, the daughter of Sua Iuda's
wife died. Then Iudas when he had left mourning, went unto his
sheep shearers to Thimnath with his friend Hira of Odollam. And
one told Thamar saying: behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to
Thimnath, to shear his sheep. And she put her widow's garments off
from her and covered her with a cloak, and disguised herself: And
sat her down at the entering of Enaim which is by the high way's
side to Thimnath, for because she saw that Sela was grown, and she
was not given unto him to wife. When Iuda saw her he thought it
had been an whore, because she had covered her face. And turned to
her unto the way and said, come I pray thee, let me lie with thee,
for he knew not that it was his daughter-in-law. And she said what
wilt thou give me, for to lie with me? Then said he, I will send
thee a kid from the flock. She answered: Then give me a pledge
till thou send it. Then said he, what pledge shall I give thee?
And she said: thy signet, thy necklace, and thy staff that is in
thy hand. And he gave it her and lay by her, and she was with
child by him. And she gat her up and went and put her mantle from
her, and put on her widow's raiment again. And Iudas sent the kid
by his neighbour of Odollam, for to fetch out his pledge again
from the wife's hand. But he found her not. Then asked he the men
of the same place saying: where is the whore that sat at Enaim in
the way? And they said: there was no whore here. And he came to
Iuda again saying: I can not find her, and also the men of the
place said: that there was no whore there. And Iuda said: let her
take it to her, lest we be shamed: for I sent the kid and thou
couldest not find her. And it came to pass that after three
months, one told Iuda saying: Thamar thy daughter-in-law hath
played the whore, and with playing the whore is become great with
child. And Iuda said: bring her forth and let her be brent. And
when they brought her forth, she sent to her father-in-law saying:
by the man unto whom these things pertain, am I with child. And
said also: look whose are this seal, necklace, and staff. And Iuda
knew them saying: she is more righteous than I, because I gave her
not to Sela my son. But he lay with her no more. When time was
come that she should be delivered, behold there was two twins in
her womb. And as she travailed, the one put out his hand and the
midwife took and bound a red thread about it saying: this will
come out first. But he plucked his hand back again, and his
brother came out. And she said: wherefore hast thou rent a rent
upon thee? and called him Pharez. And afterward came out his
brother that had the red thread about his hand, which was called
Zarah.
Chapter .xxxix.
Ioseph was brought unto Egypt, and Putiphar a lord of Pharao's:
and his chief marshal an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites
which brought him thither. And the LORD was with Ioseph, and he
was a lucky fellow and continued in the house of his master the
Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that
the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand: Wherefore he
found grace in his master's sight, and served him. And his master
made him ruler of his house, and put all that he had in his hand.
And as soon as he had made him ruler over his house and over all
that he had, the LORD blessed this Egyptian's house for Ioseph's
sake, and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had: both
in the house and also in the fields. And therefore he left all
that he had in Ioseph's hand, and looked upon nothing that was
with him, save only on the bread which he ate. And Ioseph was a
goodly person and a well favored. And it fortuned after this, that
his master's wife cast her eyes upon Ioseph and said come lie with
me. But he denied and said to her: Behold, my master woteth not
what he hath in the house with me, but hath committed all that he
hath to my hand. He himself is not greater in the house than I,
and hath kept nothing from me, but only thee because thou art his
wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, for to sin against
God? And after this manner spake she to Ioseph day by day: but he
hearkened not unto her, to sleep near her or to be in her company.
And it fortuned about the same season, that Ioseph entered into
the house, to do his business: and there was none of the household
by, in the house. And she caught him by the garment saying: come
sleep with me. And he left his garment in her hand and fled and
got him out. When she saw that he had left his garment in her
hand, and was fled out, she called unto the men of the house, and
told them saying: See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to do
us shame: for he came in to me, for to have slept with me. But I
cried with a loud voice. And when he heard, that I lift up my
voice and cried, he left his garment with me and fled away and got
him out. And she laid up his garment by her, until her lord came
home. And she told him according to these words saying. This
Hebrews' servant which thou hast brought unto us came in to me to
do me shame. But as soon as I lift up my voice and cried, he left
his garment with me and fled out. When his master heard the words
of his wife which she told him saying: after this manner did thy
servant to me, he waxed wroth. And he took Ioseph and put him in
prison: even in the place where the king's prisoners lay bound.
And there continued he in prison, but the LORD was with Ioseph and
shewed him mercy, and got him favour in the sight of the keeper of
the prison which committed to Ioseph's hand all the prisoners that
were in the prison house. And whatsoever was done there, that did
he. And the keeper of the prison looked unto nothing that was
under his hand, because the LORD was with him, and because that
whatsoever he did, the LORD made it come luckily to pass.
Chapter .xl.
And it chanced after this, that the chief butler of the king of
Egypt and his chief baker had offended their lord the king of
Egypt. And Pharao was angry with them and put them in ward in his
chief marshal's house: even in the prison where Ioseph was bound.
And the chief marshal gave Ioseph a charge with them, and he
served them. And they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed
either of them in one night: both the butler and the baker of the
king of Egypt which were bound in the prison house, either of them
his dream, and each man's dream of a sundry interpretation. When
Ioseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them:
behold, they were sad. And he asked them saying, wherefore look ye
so sadly today? They answered him, we have dreamed a dream, and
have no man to declare it. And Ioseph said unto them. Interpreting
belongeth to God, but tell me yet. And the chief butler told his
dream to Ioseph and said unto him: In my dream me thought there
stood a vine before me, and in the vine were three branches, and
it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth: and the
grapes thereof waxed ripe. And I had Pharao's cup in my hand, and
took of the grapes and wrung them into Pharao's cup, and delivered
Pharao's cup into his hand. And Ioseph said unto him, this is the
interpretation of it. The three branches are three days: for
within three days shall Pharao lift up thine head, and restore
thee unto thine office again, and thou shalt deliver Pharao's cup
into his hand, after the old manner, even as thou didst when thou
wast his butler. But think on me with thee, when thou art in good
case, and shew mercy unto me. And make mention of me to Pharao,
and help to bring me out of this house: for I was stolen out of
the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing at all
wherefore they should have put me into this dungeon. When the
chief baker saw that he had well interpreted it, he said unto
Ioseph, me thought also in my dream, that I had three wicker
baskets on my head? And in the uppermost basket, of all manner
bakemeats for Pharao. And the birds ate them out of the basket
upon my head. Ioseph answered and said: this is the interpretation
thereof. The three baskets are three days, for this day three days
shall Pharao take thy head from thee, and shall hang thee on a
tree, and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. And it came
to pass the third day which was Pharao's birthday, that he made a
feast unto all his servants. And he lifted up the head of the
chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And
restored the chief butler unto his butlership again, and he
reached the cup into Pharao's hand, and hanged the chief baker:
even as Ioseph had interpreted unto them. Notwithstanding the
chief butler remembered not Ioseph, but forgot him.
Chapter .xlj.
And it fortuned at two years' end, that Pharao dreamed, and
thought that he stood by a river's side, and that there came out
of the river seven goodly kine and fat fleshed, and fed in a
meadow. And him thought that seven other kine came up after them
out of the river evil favored and lean fleshed and stood by the
other upon the brink of the river. And the evil favored and lean
fleshed kine: ate up the seven well favored and fat kine: and he
awoke therewith. And he slept again and dreamed the second time,
that seven ears of corn grew upon one stalk rank and goodly. And
that seven thin ears blasted with the wind, sprang up after them:
and that the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full
ears. And then Pharao awaked: and see, here is his dream. When the
morning came, his spirit was troubled; And he sent and called for
all the soothsayers of Egypt and all the wise men thereof, and
told them his dream: but there was none of them that could
interpret it unto Pharao. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharao
saying. I do remember my fault this day. Pharao was angry with his
servants, and put in ward in the chief marshal's house both me and
the chief baker. And we dreamed both of us in one night and each
man's dream of a sundry interpretation. And there was with us a
young man, an Hebrew born, servant unto the chief marshal. And we
told him, and he declared our dreams to us according to either of
our dreams. And as he declared them unto us, even so it came to
pass. I was restored to mine office again, and he was hanged. Then
Pharao sent and called Ioseph. And they made him haste out of
prison. And he shaved himself and changed his raiment, and went in
to Pharao. And Pharao said unto Ioseph: I have dreamed a dream and
no man can interpretate it, but I have heard say of thee that as
soon as thou hearest a dream, thou dost interpretate it. And
Ioseph answered Pharao saying: God shall give Pharao an answer of
peace without me. Pharao said unto Ioseph: in my dream me thought
I stood by a river's side, and there came out of the river seven
fat fleshed and well favored kine, and fed in the meadow. And then
seven other kine came up after them, poor and very evil favored
and lean fleshed: so that I never saw their like in all the land
of Egypt in evil favoredness. And the seven lean and evil favored
kine ate up the first seven fat kine. And when they had eaten them
up, a man could not perceive that they had eaten them: for they
were still as evil favored as they were at the beginning. And I
awoke. And I saw again in my dream seven ears spring out of one
stalk full and good, and seven other ears withered, thin and
blasted with wind, spring up after them. And the thin ears
devoured the seven good ears. And I have told it unto the
soothsayers, but no man can tell me what it meaneth. Then Ioseph
said unto Pharao: both Pharao's dreams are one. And God doth shew
Pharao what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven
years: and the seven good ears are seven years also, and is but
one dream. Likewise, the seven thin and evil favored kine that
came out after them, are seven years: and the seven empty and
blasted ears shall be seven years of hunger. This is that which I
said unto Pharao, that God doth shew Pharao what he is about to
do. Behold there shall come seven year of great plenteousness
throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them
seven years of hunger. So that all the plenteousness shall be
forgotten in the land of Egypt. And the hunger shall consume the
land: so that the plenteousness shall not be once a seen in the
land by reason of that hunger that shall come after, for it shall
be exceeding great. And as concerning that the dream was doubled
unto Pharao the second time, it betokeneth that the thing is
certainly prepared of God, and that God will shortly bring it to
pass. Now therefore let Pharao provide for a man of understanding
and wisdom, and set him over the land of Egypt. And let Pharao
make officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the
land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years and let them gather all
the food of these good years that come, and lay up corn under the
power of Pharao: that there may be food in the cities, and there
let them keep it: that there may be food in store in the land,
against the seven years of hunger which shall come in the land of
Egypt, and that the land perish not thorow hunger. And the saying
pleased Pharao and all his servants. Then said Pharao unto his
servants: where shall we find such a man as this is, that hath the
spirit of God in him? wherefore Pharao said unto Ioseph: forasmuch
as God hath shewed thee all this, there is no man of understanding
nor of wisdom like unto thee. Thou therefore shalt be over my
house, and according to thy word shall all my people obey: only in
the king's seat will I be above thee. And he said unto Ioseph:
behold, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And he took
off his ring from his finger, and put it upon Ioseph's finger, and
arrayed him in raiment of byss, and put a golden chain about his
neck and set him upon the best chariot that he had save one. And
they cried before him Abrech, and that Pharao had made him ruler
over all the land of Egypt. And Pharao said unto Ioseph: I am
Pharao, without thy will, shall no man lift up either his hand or
foot in all the land of Egypt. And he called Ioseph's name
Zaphnath Paenea. And he gave him to wife Asnath the daughter of
Potiphar priest of On. Then went Ioseph abroad in the land of
Egypt. And he was thirty years old when he stood before Pharao
king of Egypt. And then Ioseph departed from Pharao, and went
thorow out all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years
they made sheaves and gathered up all the food of the seven
plenteous years which were in the land of Egypt and put it into
the cities. And he put the food of the fields that grew round
about every city: even in the same. And Ioseph laid up corn in
store, like unto the sand of the sea in multitude out of measure,
until he left numbering: For it was without number. And unto
Ioseph were born two sons before the years of hunger came, which
Asnath the daughter of Potiphar priest of On, bare unto him. And
he called the name of the first son Manasse, for God (said he)
hath made me forget all my labour and all my father's household.
The second called he Ephraim, for God (said he) hath caused me to
grow in the land of my trouble. And when the seven years of
plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended, then came
the seven years of dearth, according as Ioseph had said. And the
dearth was in all lands: but in the land of Egypt was there yet
food. When now all the land of Egypt began to hunger, then cried
the people to Pharao for bread. And Pharao said unto all Egypt: go
unto Ioseph, and what he saith to you that do. And when the dearth
was thorow out all the land, Ioseph opened all that was in the
cities, and sold unto the Egyptians. And hunger waxed sore in the
land of Egypt. And all countries came to Egypt to Ioseph for to
buy corn: because that the hunger was so sore in all lands.
Chapter .xlij.
When Iacob saw that there was corn to be sold in Egypt, he said
unto his sons: why are ye negligent? behold, I have heard that
there is corn to be sold in Egypt. Get you thither and buy us corn
from thence, that we may live and not die. So went Ioseph's ten
brethren down to buy corn in Egypt, for Ben Iamin Ioseph's brother
would not Iacob send with his other brethren: for he said: some
misfortune might happen him. And the sons of Israel came to buy
corn among other that came, for there was dearth also in the land
of Canaan. And Ioseph was governor in the land, and sold corn to
all the people of the land. And his brethren came, and fell flat
on the ground before him. When Ioseph saw his brethren, he knew
them: But made strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them
saying: Whence come ye? and they said: out of the land of Canaan,
to buy vitaille. Ioseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
And Ioseph remembered his dreams which he dreamed of them, and
said unto them: ye are spies, and to see where the land is weak is
your coming. And they said unto him: nay, my lord: but to buy
vitaille thy servants are come. We are all one man's sons, and
mean truly, and thy servants are no spies. And he said unto them:
nay verily, but even to see where the land is weak is your coming.
And they said: we thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of
one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is yet with our
father, and one no man woteth where he is. Ioseph said unto them,
that is it that I said unto you, that ye are surely spies. Here by
ye shall be proved. For by the life of Pharao, ye shall not go
hence, until your youngest brother be come hither. Send therefore
one of you and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be in
prison in the mean season. And thereby shall your words be proved,
whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharao,
ye are but spies. And he put them in ward three days. And Ioseph
said unto the third day: This do and live, for I fear God. {Gode}
If ye mean no hurt, let one of your brethren be bound in the
prison, and go ye and bring the necessary food unto your
households, and bring your youngest brother unto me: that your
words may be believed, and that ye die not; And they did so. Then
they said one to another: we have verily sinned against our
brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought
us, and would not hear him: therefore is this trouble come upon
us. Ruben answered them saying: said I not unto you that ye should
not sin against the lad? but ye would not hear; And now verily
see, his blood is required. They were not aware that Ioseph
understood them, for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he
turned from them and wept, and then turned to them again and
communed with them, and took out Simeon from among them and bound
him before their eyes, and commanded to fill their sacks with
corn, and to put every man's money in his sack, and to give them
vitaille to spend by the way. And so it was done to them. And they
laded their asses with the corn and departed thence. And as one of
them opened his sack, for to give his ass provender in the Inn, he
spied his money in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his
brethren: my money is restored me again, and is even in my sack's
mouth. Then their hearts failed them, and were astonied and said
one to another: how cometh it that God dealeth thus with us? And
they came unto Iacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and
told him all that had happened them saying: The lord of the land
spake roughly to us, and took us for spies to search the country.
And we said unto him: we mean truly and are no spies. We be twelve
brethren sons of our father, one is away, and the youngest is now
with our father in the land of Canaan. And the lord of the country
said unto us: hereby shall I know if ye mean truly: leave one of
your brethren here with me, and take food necessary for your
households and get you away, and bring your youngest brother unto
me; And thereby shall I know that ye are no spies, but mean truly:
So will I deliver you your brother again, and ye shall occupy in
the land. And as they emptied their sacks, behold: every man's
bundle of money was in his sack. And when both they and their
father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Iacob their
father said unto them: Me have ye robbed of my children: Ioseph is
away, and Simeon is away, and ye will take Ben Iamin away. All
these things fall upon me. Ruben answered his father saying: Slay
my two sons, if I bring him not to thee again. Deliver him
therefore to my hand, and I will bring him to thee again: And he
said: my son shall not go down with you. For his brother is dead,
and he is left alone. Moreover some misfortune might happen upon
him by the way which ye go. And so should ye bring my gray head
with sorrow unto the grave.
Chapter .xliij.
And the dearth waxed sore in the land. And when they had eaten up
that corn which they brought out of the land of Egypt, their
father said unto them: go again and buy us a little food. Then
said Iuda unto him: the man did testify unto us saying: look that
ye see not my face except your brother be with you. Therefore if
thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go and buy the food.
But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go: for the man said
unto us: look that ye see not my face, except your brother be with
you. And Israel said: wherefore dealt ye so cruelly with me, as to
tell the man that ye had yet another brother? And they said: The
man asked us of our kindred saying: is your father yet alive? have
ye not another brother? And we told him according to these words.
How could we know that he would bid us bring our brother down with
us? Then said Iuda unto Israel his father: Send the lad with me,
and we will rise and go, that we may live and not die: both we,
thou and also our children. I will be surety for him, and of my
hands require him. If I bring him not to thee and set him before
thine eyes, then let me bear the blame for ever. For except we had
made this tarrying: by this we had been there twice and come
again. Then their father Israel said unto them: if it must needs
be so now: then do thus, take of the best fruits of the land in
your vessels, and bring the man a present, a courtesy balm, and a
courtesy of honey, spices and myrrh, dates and almonds. And take
as much money more with you. And the money that was brought again
in your sacks, take it again with you in your hands, peradventure
it was some oversight. Take also your brother with you, and arise
and go again to the man. And God almighty give you mercy in the
sight of the man and send you your other brother and also Ben
Iamin, and I will be as a man robbed of his children. Thus took
they the present and twice so much more money with them, and Ben
Iamin. And rose up, went down to Egypt, and presented themself to
Ioseph. When Ioseph saw Ben Iamin with them, he said to the ruler
of his house: bring these men home, and slay and make ready: for
they shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Ioseph bade,
and brought them in to Ioseph's house. When they were brought to
Ioseph's house, they were afraid, and said: because of the money
that came in our sacks' mouths at the first time, are we brought,
to pick a quarrel with us and to lay some thing to our charge: to
bring us in bondage and our asses also. Therefore came they to the
man that was the ruler over Ioseph's house, and communed with him
at the door and said: Sir, we came hither at the first time to buy
food, and as we came to an inn and opened our sacks: behold, every
man's money was in his sack with full weight: But we have brought
it again with us, and other money have we brought also in our
hands, to buy food, but we can not tell who put our money in our
sacks. And he said: be of good cheer, fear not: Your God and the
God of your fathers hath put you that treasure in your sacks, for
I had your money. And he brought Simeon out to them and led them
into Ioseph's house, and gave them water to wash their feet, and
gave their asses provender: And they made ready their present
against Ioseph came at noon, for they heard say that they should
dine there. When Ioseph came home, they brought the present into
the house to him, which they had in their hands, and fell flat on
the ground before him. And he welcomed them courteously saying: is
your father that old man which ye told me of, in good health? and
is he yet alive? they answered: thy servant our father is in good
health, and is yet alive. And they bowed them selves and fell to
the ground. And he lift up his eyes and beheld his brother Ben
Iamin his mother's son, and said: is this your youngest brother of
whom ye said unto me? And said: God be merciful unto thee my son.
And Ioseph made haste (for his heart did melt upon his brother)
and sought for to weep, and entered into his chamber, for to weep
there. And he washed his face and came out and refrained himself,
and bade set bread on the table. And they prepared for him by
himself, and for them by them selves, and for the Egyptians which
ate with him by them selves, because the Egyptians may not eat
bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination unto the
Egyptians. And they sat before him: the eldest according unto his
age, and the youngest according unto his youth. And the men
marvelled among them selves. And they brought rewards unto them
from before him: but Ben Iamin's part was five times so much as
any of theirs. And they ate and they drank, and were drunk with
him.
Chapter .xliiij.
And he commanded the ruler of his house saying: fill the men's
sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's
money in his bag mouth, and put my silver cup in the sack's mouth
of the youngest and his corn money also. And he did as Ioseph had
said. And in the morning as soon as it was light, the men were let
go with their asses. And when they were out of the city and not
yet far away, Ioseph said unto the ruler of his house: up and
follow after the men and overtake them, and say unto them:
wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? is that not the cup of
which my lord drinketh, and doth he not prophesy therein? ye have
evil done that ye have done. And he overtook them and said the
same words unto them. And they answered him: wherefore saith my
lord such words? God forbid that thy servants should do so.
Behold, the money which we found in our sack's mouths, we brought
again unto thee, out of the land of Canaa: how then should we
steal out of my lord's house, either silver or gold? with
whosoever of thy servants it be found let him die, and let us also
be my lord's bondmen. And he said: Now therefore according unto
your words, he with whom it is found, shall be my servant: but ye,
shall be harmless. And at once every man took down his sack to the
ground, and every man opened his sack. And he searched, and began
at the eldest and left at the youngest. And the cup was found in
Ben Iamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every
man his ass and went again unto the city. And Iuda and his
brethren came to Ioseph's house, for he was yet there, and they
fell before him on the ground. And Ioseph said unto them: what
deed is this which ye have done? wist ye not that such a man as I
can prophesy? Then said Iuda: what shall we say unto my lord, what
shall we speak or what excuse can we make? God hath found out the
wickedness of thy servants. Behold, both we and he with whom the
cup is found, are thy servants. And he answered: God forbid that I
should do so, the man with whom the cup is found, he shall be my
servant: but go ye in peace unto your father. Then Iuda went unto
him and said: oh my lord, let thy servant speak a word in my
lord's audience, {ear} and be not wroth with thy servant: for thou
art even as Pharao. My lord asked his servant saying: have ye a
father or a brother? And we answered my lord, we have a father
that is old, and a young lad which he begat in his age: and the
brother of the said lad is dead, and he is all that is left of
that mother. And his father loveth him. Then said my lord unto his
servants bring him unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him. And
we answered my lord, that the lad could not go from his father,
for if he should leave his father, he were but a dead man. Then
saidest thou unto thy servants: except your youngest brother come
with you, look that ye see my face no more. And when we came unto
thy servant our father, we shewed him what my lord had said. And
when our father said unto us, go again and buy us a little food:
we said, that we could not go. Nevertheless if our youngest
brother go with us then will we go, for we may not see the man's
face, except our youngest brother be with us. Then said thy
servant our father unto us. Ye know that my wife bare me two sons.
And the one went out from me and it is said of a surety that he is
torn in pieces of wild beasts, and I saw him not since. If ye
shall take this also away from me and some misfortune happen upon
him, then shall ye bring my gray head with sorrow unto the grave.
Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, if the lad be
not with me: seeing that his life hangeth by the lad's life, then
as soon as he seeth that the lad is not come, he will die. So
shall we thy servants bring the gray head of thy servant our
father with sorrow unto the grave. For I thy servant became surety
for the lad unto my father and said: if I bring him not unto thee
again. I will bear the blame all my life long. Now therefore let
me thy servant bide here for the lad, and be my lord's bondman:
and let the lad go home with his brethren. For how can I go unto
my father, and the lad not with me: lest I should see the
wretchedness that shall come on my father.
Chapter .xlv.
And Ioseph could no longer refrain before all them that stood
about him, but commanded that they should go all out from him, and
that there should be no man with him, while he uttered himself
unto his brethren. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians and
the house of Pharao heard it. And he said unto his brethren: I am
Ioseph: doth my father yet live? But his brethren could not answer
him, for they were abashed at his presence. And Ioseph said unto
his brethren: come near to me, and they came near. And he said: I
am Ioseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt. And now be not
grieved therewith, neither let it seem a cruel thing in your eyes,
that ye sold me hither. For God did send me before you to save
life. For this is the second year of dearth in the land, and five
more are behind in which there shall neither be earing nor
harvest. Wherefore God sent me before you to make provision, that
ye might continue in the earth and to save your lives by a great
deliverance. So now it was not ye that sent me hither, but God:
and he hath made me father unto Pharao and lord over all his
house, and ruler in all the land of Egypt. Haste you and go to my
father and tell him, this sayeth thy son Ioseph: God hath made me
lord over all Egypt. Come down unto me and tarry not. And thou
shalt dwell in the land of Gosan and be by me: both thou and thy
children, and thy children's children: and thy sheep, and beasts
and all that thou hast. There will I make provision for thee: for
there remain yet five years of dearth, lest thou and thy household
and all that thou hast perish. Behold, your eyes do see, and the
eyes also of my brother Ben Iamin, that I speak to you by mouth.
Therefore tell my father of all my honour which I have in Egypt
and of all that ye have seen, and make haste and bring in father
hither. And he fell on his brother Ben Iamin's neck and wept, and
Ben Iamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren
and wept upon them. And after that, his brethren talked with him.
And when the tidings was come unto Pharao's house that Ioseph's
brethren were come, it pleased Pharao well and all his servants.
And Pharao spake unto Ioseph: say unto thy brethren, this do ye:
lade your beasts and get you hence. And when ye be come unto the
land of Canaan, take your father and your households and come unto
me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and ye
shall eat the fat of the land. And commanded also. This do ye:
take chariots with you out of the land of Egypt, for your children
and for your wives: and bring your father and come. Also, regard
not your stuff, for the goods of all the land of Egypt shall be
yours. And the children of Israel did even so. And Ioseph gave
them chariots at the commandment of Pharao, and gave them vitaille
also to spend by the way. And he gave unto each of them change of
raiment: but unto Ben Iamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver
and five changes of raiment. And unto his father he sent after the
same manner: ten he asses laden with goods out of Egypt, and ten
she asses laden with corn, bread and meat: to serve his father by
the way. So sent he his brethren away, and they departed. And he
said unto them: see that ye fall not out by the way. And they
departed from Egypt and came into the land of Canaan unto Iacob
their father, and told him saying. Ioseph is yet alive and is
governor over all the land of Egypt. And Iacob's heart wavered,
for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of
Ioseph which he had said unto them. But when he saw the chariots
which Ioseph had sent to carry him, then his spirits revived. And
Israel said: I have enough, if Ioseph my son be yet alive: I will
go and see him, yer that I die.
Chapter .xlvi.
Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came unto
Berseba and offered offerings unto the God of his father Isaac.
And God said unto Israel in a vision by night, and called unto
him: Iacob, Iacob. And he answered: here am I. And he said: I am
that mighty God of thy father, fear not to go down into Egypt. For
I will make of thee there a great people. I will go down with thee
into Egypt, and I will also bring thee up again, and Ioseph shall
put his hand upon thine eyes. And Iacob rose up from Berseba. And
the sons of Israel carried Iacob their father, and their children
and their wives in the chariots which Pharao had sent to carry
him. And they took their cattle and the goods which they had
gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt: both Iacob and
all his seed with him, his sons and his sons' sons with him: his
daughters and his sons daughters and all his seed brought he with
him into Egypt. These are the names of the children of Israel
which came into Egypt, both Iacob and his sons: Ruben Iacob's
first son. The children of Ruben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and
Charmi. The children of Simeon: Iemuel, Iami, Ohad, Iachin, Zohar
and Saul the son of a Cananitish woman. The children of Levi:
Gerson, Kahath and Merari. The children of Iuda: Er, Onan, Sela,
Pharez and Zerah, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The
children of Pharez, Hezron, and Hamul. The children of Isachar:
Tola, Phua, Iob and Semnon. The children of Zabulon: Sered, Elon
and Iaheleel. These be the children of Lea which she bare unto
Iacob in Mesopotamia with his daughter Dina. All these souls of
his sons and daughters make thirty and six. {.xxx. and .iij.} The
children of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Suni, Ezbon, Eri Arodi and Areli.
The children of Asser: Iemna, Iesua, Iesui, Bria and Serah their
sister. And the children of Bria were Heber and Malchiel. These
are the children of Silpha whom Laban gave to Lea his daughter.
And these she bare unto Iacob in number sixteen souls. The
children of Rahel Iacob's wife: Ioseph and Ben Iamin. And unto
Ioseph in the land of Egypt were borne: Manasses and Ephraim which
Asnath the daughter of Putiphar priest of On bare unto him. The
children of Ben Iamin: Bela, Becher, Asbel, Gera, Naeman, Ehi,
Ros, Mupim, Hupim and Ard. These are the children of Rahel which
were born unto Iacob: fourteen souls altogether. The children of
Dan: Husim. The children Nepthali: Iahezeel, Guni, Iezer and
Sillem. These are the sons of Bilha which Laban gave unto Rahel
his daughter, and she bare these unto Iacob, altogether seven
souls. All the souls that came with Iacob into Egypt which came
out of his loins (beside his son's wives) were all together sixty
and six souls. And the sons of Ioseph, which were born him in
Egypt were: two souls. So that all the souls of the house of Iacob
which came into Egypt are seventy. And he sent Iuda before him
unto Ioseph that the way might be shewed him unto Gosan, and they
came into the land of Gosan. And Ioseph made ready his chariot and
went against {to meet} Israel his father unto Gosan, and presented
himself unto him, and fell on his neck and wept upon his neck a
good while. And Israel said unto Ioseph: Now I am content to die,
insomuch I have seen thee, that thou art yet alive. And Ioseph
said unto his brethren and unto his father's house: I will go and
shew Pharao and tell him: that my brethren and my father's house
which were in the land of Canaan are come unto me, and how they
are shepherds (for they were men of cattle) and they have brought
their sheep and their oxen and all that they have with them. If
Pharao call you and ask you what your occupation is, say: thy
servants have been occupied about cattle, from our childhood unto
this time: both we and our fathers, that ye may dwell in the land
of Gosan. For an abomination unto the Egyptians are all that feed
sheep. {For the Egyptians abhor all shepherds.}
Chapter .xlvij.
And Ioseph went and told Pharao and said: my father and my
brethren their sheep and their beasts and all that they have, are
come out of the land of Canaan and are in the land of Gosan. And
Ioseph took a part of his brethren: even five of them, and
presented them unto Pharao. And Pharao said unto his brethren:
what is your occupation? And they said unto Pharao: feeders of
sheep {shepherds} are thy servants, both we and also our fathers.
They said moreover unto Pharao: for to sojourn in the land are we
come, for thy servants have no pasture for their sheep so sore is
the famishment in the land of Canaan. Now therefore let thy
servants dwell in the land of Gosan. And Pharao said unto Ioseph:
thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee. The land of Egypt
is open before thee: In the best place of the land make both thy
father and thy brethren dwell: And even in the land of Gosan let
them dwell. Moreover if thou know any men of activity among them,
make them rulers over my cattle. And Ioseph brought in Iacob his
father and set him before Pharao. And Iacob blessed Pharao. And
Pharao asked Iacob, how old art thou? And Iacob said unto Pharao:
the days of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years. Few and
evil have the days of my life been, and have not attained unto the
years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimages.
And Iacob blessed Pharao and went out from him. And Ioseph
prepared dwellings for his father and his brethren, and gave them
possessions in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land: even in
the land of Rameses, as Pharao commanded. And Ioseph made
provision for his father, his brethren and all his father's
household, as young children are fed with bread. There was no
bread in all the land, for the dearth was exceeding sore: so that
the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan, were famished by the
reason of the dearth. And Ioseph brought together all the money
that was found in the land of Egypt and of Canaan, for the corn
which they bought: and he laid up the money in Pharao's house.
When money failed in the land of Egypt and of Canaan, all the
Egyptians came unto Ioseph and said: give us sustenance: wherefore
sufferest thou us to die before thee: for our money is spent. Then
said Ioseph: bring your cattle, and I will give yow for your
cattle, if ye be without money. And they brought their cattle unto
Ioseph. And he gave them bread for horses and sheep, and oxen and
asses: so he fed them with bread for all their cattle that year.
When that year was ended, they came unto him the next year and
said unto him: we will not hide it from my lord, how that we have
neither money nor cattle for my lord: there is no more left for my
lord, but even our bodies and our lands. Wherefore lettest thou us
die before thine eyes, and the land to go to nought? buy us and
our lands for bread: and let both us and our lands be bond to
Pharao. Give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the
land go not to waste. And Ioseph bought all the land of Egypt for
Pharao. For the Egyptians sold every man his land because the
dearth was sore upon them: and so the land became Pharao's. And he
appointed the people unto the cities, from one side of Egypt unto
the other: only the land of the Priests bought he not. For there
was an ordinance made by Pharao for the priests, that they should
eat that which was appointed unto them: which Pharao had given
them wherefore they sold not their lands. Then Ioseph said unto
the folk: behold I have bought you this day and your lands for
Pharao. Take there seed and go sow the land. And of the increase,
ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharao, and four parts shall be
your own, for seed to sow the field: and for you, and them of your
households, and for your children, to eat. And they answered: Thou
hast saved our lives. Let us find grace in the sight of my lord,
and let us be Pharao's servants. And Ioseph made it a law over the
land of Egypt unto this day: that men must give Pharao the fifth
part, except the land of the priests only, which was not bond unto
Pharao. And Israel dwelt in Egypt: even in the country of Gosan.
And they had their possessions therein, and they grew and
multiplied exceedingly. Moreover Iacob lived in the land of Egypt
seventeen years, so that the hole age of Iacob was an hundred and
forty seven years. When the time drew nye, that Israel must die:
he sent for his son Ioseph and said unto him: If I have found
grace in thy sight, put thy hand under my thigh and deal
mercifully and truly with me, that thou bury me not in Egypt: but
let me lie by my fathers, and carry me out of Egypt, and bury me
in their burial. And he answered: I will do as thou hast said. And
he said: swear unto me: and he sware unto him. And then Israel
bowed him unto the bed's head.
Chapter .xlviij.
After these deeds, tidings were brought unto Ioseph, that his
father was sick. And he took with him his two sons, Manasse and
Ephraim. Then was it said unto Iacob: behold, thy son Ioseph
cometh unto thee. And Israel took his strength unto him, and sat
up on the bed, and said unto Ioseph: God all mighty appeared unto
me at Lus in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, and said unto me:
behold, I will make thee grow and will multiply thee, and will
make a great number of people of thee, and will give this land
unto thee and unto thy seed after thee unto an everlasting
possession. Now therefore thy two sons Manasse and Ephraim which
were born unto thee before I came to thee, into Egypt, shall be
mine: even as Ruben and Simeon shall they be unto me. And the
children which thou gettest after them, shall be thine own: but
shall be called with the names of their brethren in their
inheritances. And after I came from Mesopotamia, Rahel died upon
my hand in the land of Canaan, by the way: when I had but a
field's brede to go unto Ephrat. And I buried her there in the way
to Ephrat which is now called Bethlehem. And Israel beheld
Ioseph's sons and said: what are these? And Ioseph said unto his
father: they are my sons, which God hath given me here. And he
said: bring them to me, and let me bless them. And the eyes of
Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought
them to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said
unto Ioseph: I had not thought to have seen thy face, and yet lo,
God hath shewed it me and also thy seed. And Ioseph took them away
from his lap, and they fell on the ground before him. Then took
Ioseph them both: Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left
hand and Manasse in his left hand, toward Israel's right hand, and
brought them unto him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and
laid it upon Ephraim's head which was the younger, and his left
hand upon Manasse's head, crossing his hands, for Manasse was the
elder. And he blessed Ioseph saying: God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac did walk, and the God which hath fed me all my
life long unto this day; And the angel which hath delivered me
from all evil, bless these lads: that they may be called after my
name, and after my father Abraham and Isaac, and that they may
grow and multiply upon the earth. When Ioseph saw that his father
laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him.
And he lift up his father's hand, to have removed it from
Ephraim's head unto Manasse's head, and said unto his father: Not
so my father, for this is the eldest. Put thy right hand upon his
head. And his father would not, but said: I know it well my son, I
know it well. He shall be also a people and shall be great. But of
a troth his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed
shall be full of people. And he blessed them saying: At the
example of these, the Israelites shall bless and say: God make
thee as Ephraim and as Manasse. Thus set he Ephraim before
Manasse. And Israel said unto Ioseph: behold, I die. And God shall
be with you and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
Moreover I give unto thee, a portion of land above thy brethren
which I gat out of the hands of the Amorites with my sword and
with my bow.
Chapter .xlix.
And Iacob called for his sons and said: come together, that I may
tell you what shall happen you in the last days. Gather you
together and hear ye sons of Iacob, and hearken unto Israel your
father. Ruben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the
beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power.
As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the
chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then
defiledest thou my couch with going up. The brethren Simeon and
Levi, wicked instruments are their weapons. Into their secrets
come not my soul, and unto their congregation be my honour not
coupled: for in their wrath they slew a man, and in their self
will they houghed an ox. Cursed be their wrath for it was strong,
and their fierceness for it was cruel. I will therefore divide
them in Iacob, and scatter them in Israel. Iuda, thy brethren
shall praise thee, and thine hand shall be in the neck of thine
enemies, and thy father's children shall stoop unto thee. Iuda is
a lion's whelp. From spoil my son thou art come on high: {an hye}
he laid him down and couched himself as a lion, and as a lioness.
Who dare stir him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Iuda, nor
a ruler from between his legs, until Silo come, unto whom the
people shall hearken. He shall bind his foal unto the vine, and
his ass's colt unto the vine branch, and shall wash his garment in
wine and his mantle in the blood of grapes: his eyes are roudier
than wine, and his teeth whiter then milk. Zabulon shall dwell in
the haven of the sea and in the port of ships, and shall reach
unto Sidon. Isachar is a strong ass, he couched him down between
two borders, and saw that rest was good and the land that it was
pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant
unto tribute. Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of
Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, and an adder in the
path, and bite the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall
backward. After thy saving look I, LORD. Gad, men of war shall
invade him. And he shall turn them to flight. Of Asser cometh fat
bread, and he shall give pleasures for a king. Nephtali is a swift
hind, and giveth goodly words. That flourishing child Ioseph, that
flourishing child and goodly unto the eye: the daughters come
forth to bear rule. {ran upon the wall.} The shooters have envied
him and chide with him and hated him, and yet his bow bode fast,
and his arms and his hands were strong, by the hands of the mighty
God of Iacob: out of him shall come an herdman, a stone in Israel.
Thy father's God shall help thee, and the almighty shall bless
thee with blessings from heaven above, and with blessings of the
water that lieth under, and with blessings of the breasts and of
the womb. The blessings of thy father were strong: even as the
blessings of my elders, after the desire of the highest {hiest} in
the world, and these blessings shall fall on the head of Ioseph,
and on the top of the head of him that was separated from his
brethren. Ben Iamin is a ravishing wolf. In the morning he shall
devour his prey, and at night he shall divide his spoil. All these
are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is that which their
father spake unto them when he blessed them, every man with a
several blessing. And he charged them and said unto them. I shall
be put unto my people: see that ye bury me with my fathers, in the
cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hethite, in the double
cave that is in the field before Mamre in the land of Canaan.
Which field Abraham bought of Ephron the Hethite for a possession
to bury in. There they buried Abraham and Sara his wife, there
they buried Isaac and Rebecca his wife. And there I buried Lea:
which field and the cave that is therein, was bought of the
children of Heth. When Iacob had commanded all that he would unto
his sons, he plucked up his feet upon the bed and died, and was
put unto his people;
Chapter .l.
And Ioseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and
kissed him. And Ioseph commanded his servants that were
Physicians, to embalm his father, and the Physicians embalmed
Israel forty days long, for so long doth the embalming last, and
the Egyptians bewept him seventy days. And when the days of
weeping were ended, Ioseph spake unto the house of Pharao saying:
If I have found favour in your eyes, speak unto Pharao and tell
him, how that my father made me swear and said: lo, I die, see
that thou bury me in my grave which I have made me in the land of
Canaan. Now therefore let me go and bury my father, and then will
I come again. And Pharao said, go and bury thy father, according
as he made thee swear. And Ioseph went up to bury his father, and
with him went all the servants of Pharao that were the elders of
his house, and all the elders of Egypt, and all the house of
Ioseph and his brethren and his father's house: only their
children and their sheep and their cattle left they behind them in
the land of Gosan. And there went with him also Chariots and
horsemen: so that they were an exceeding great company. And when
they came to the field of Atad beyond Iordan, there they made
great and exceeding sore lamentation. And he mourned for his
father seven days. When the inhabiters of the land the Cananites
saw the mourning in the field of Atad, they said: this is a great
mourning which the Egyptians make. Wherefore the name of the place
is called Abel mizraim, which place lieth beyond Iordan. And his
sons did unto him according as he had commanded them. And his sons
carried him into the land of Canaan and buried him in the double
cave which Abraham had bought with the field to be a place to bury
in, of Ephron the Hethite before Mamre. And Ioseph returned to
Egypt again and his brethren, and all that went up with him to
bury his father, as soon as he had buried him. When Ioseph's
brethren saw that their father was dead, they said: Ioseph might
fortune to hate us and reward us again all the evil which we did
unto him. They did therefore a commandment unto Ioseph saying: thy
father charged before his death saying: This wise say unto Ioseph,
forgive I pray thee the trespass of thy brethren and their sin,
for they rewarded thee evil. Now therefore we pray thee, forgive
the trespass of the servants of thy father's God. And Ioseph wept
when they spake unto him. And his brethren came and fell before
him and said: behold we be thy servants. And Ioseph said unto
them: fear not, for am not I under God? Ye thought evil unto me:
but God turned it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day,
even to save much people alive. Fear not therefore, for I will
care for you and for your children, and he spake kindly unto them.
Ioseph dwelt in Egypt and his father's house also, and lived an
hundred and ten years. And Ioseph saw Ephraim's children, even
unto the third generation. And unto Machir the son of Manasse were
children born, and sat on Ioseph's knees. And Ioseph said unto his
brethren: I die; And God will surely visit you and bring you out
of this land, unto the land which he sware unto Abraham, Isaac and
Iacob. And Ioseph took an oath of the children of Israel and said:
God will not fail but visit you: see therefore that ye carry my
bones hence. And so Ioseph died, when he was an hundred and ten
years old. And they embalmed him and put him in a chest in Egypt.
The end of the first book of Moses.
The Second Book of Moses, called Exodus
Chapter .j.
These are the names of the children of Israel, which came to Egypt
with Iacob, every man with his household: Ruben, Simeon, Levi,
Iuda, Isachar, Zabulon, Ben Iamin, Dan, Nephtali, Gad and Aser.
All the souls that came out of the loins of Iacob, were seventy,
and Ioseph was in Egypt already. When Ioseph was dead and all his
brethren and all that generation: the children of Israel grew,
increased, multiplied and waxed exceeding mighty: so that the land
was full of them. Then there rose up a new king in Egypt which
knew not Ioseph. And he said unto his folk: behold the people of
the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come on, let
us play wisely with them: lest they multiply, and then (if there
chance any war) they join them selves unto our enemies and fight
against us, and so get them out of the land. And he set
taskmasters over them, to keep them under with burthens. And they
built unto Pharao treasure cities: Phiton and Raamses. But the
more they vexed them, the more they multiplied and grew: so that
they abhorred the children of Israel. And the Egyptians held the
children of Israel in bondage without mercy, and made their lives
bitter unto them with cruel labour in clay and brick, and all
manner work in the fields, and in all manner of service, which
they caused them to work cruelly. And the king of Egypt said unto
the midwives of the Hebrews' women, of which the one's name was
Sephora and the other Phua: when ye midwife the women of the
Hebrews and see in the birth time that it is a boy, kill it. But
if it be a maid, let it live. Notwithstanding the midwives feared
God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them: but saved
the men children. Then the king of Egypt called for the midwives
and said unto them: why have ye dealt on this manner and have
saved the men children? And the midwives answered Pharao, that the
Hebrews' women were not as the women of Egypt: but were sturdy
women, and were delivered yer the midwives came at them. And God
therefore dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied
and waxed very mighty. And because the midwives feared God, he
made them houses. Then Pharao charged all his people saying: All
the men children that are born, cast into the river and save the
maid children alive.
Chapter .ij.
And there went a man of the house of Levi and took a daughter of
Levi. And the wife conceived and bare a son. And when she saw that
it was a proper child, she hid him three months long. And when she
could no longer hide him, she took a basket of bulrushes and
daubed it with slime and pitch, and laid the child therein, and
put it in the flags by the river's brink. And his sister stood
afar off, to wete what would come of it. And the daughter of
Pharao came down to the river to wash herself, and her maidens
walked along by the river's side. And when she saw the basket
among the flags, she sent one of her maids and caused it to be
fetched. And when she had opened it she saw the child, and behold,
the babe wept. And she had compassion on it and said: it is one of
the Hebrew's children. Then said his sister unto Pharao's
daughter: shall I go and call unto thee a nurse of the Hebrew's
women, to nurse the child? And the maid ran and called the child's
mother. Then Pharao's daughter said unto her. Take this child away
and nurse it for me, and I will reward thee for thy labour. And
the woman took the child and nursed it up. And when the child was
grown, she brought it unto Pharao's daughter, and it was made her
son, and she called it Moses, because (said she) I took him out of
the water. And it happened in these days when Moses was waxed
great, that he went out unto his brethren and looked on their
burthens, and spied an Egyptian smiting one of his brethren an
Hebrew. And he looked round about: and when he saw that there was
no man by, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. And he
went out another day: and behold, two Hebrews strove together. And
he said unto him that did the wrong: wherefore smitest thou thine
neighbour? And he answered: who hath made thee a ruler or a judge
over us? Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian?
Then Moses feared and said: of a surety the thing is known. And
Pharao heard of it and went about to slay Moses: but he fled from
Pharao and dwelt in the land of Madian, and he sat down by a
well's side. The priest of Madian had seven daughters which came
and drew water and filled the troughs, for to water their father's
sheep. And the shepherds came and drove them away: But Moses stood
up and helped them and watered their sheep. And when they came to
Raguel their father, he said: how happeneth it that ye are come so
soon today? And they answered: there was an Egyptian that
delivered us from the shepherds, and so drew us water and watered
the sheep. And he said unto his daughters: where is he? why have
ye left the man? Go call him that he may eat bread. And Moses was
content to dwell with the man. And he gave Moses Zephora his
daughter which bare a son, and he called him Gerson: for he said.
I have been a stranger in a strange land. [And she bare yet
another son, whom he called Elieser saying: the God of my father
is mine helper, and hath rid me out of the hands of Pharao.] And
it chanced in process of time, that the king of Egypt died, and
the children of Israel sighed by the reason of labour, and cried.
And their complaint came up unto God from the labour. And God
remembered his promise with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob. And God
looked upon the children of Israel and knew them.
Chapter .iij.
Moses kept the sheep of Iethro his father-in-law priest of Madian,
and he drove the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to
the mountain of God, Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared
unto him in a flame of fire out of a bush. And he perceived that
the bush burned with fire, and consumed not. Then Moses said: I
will go hence and see this great sight, how it cometh that the
bush burneth not. And when the LORD saw that he came for to see,
he called unto him out of the bush and said: Moses Moses; And he
answered: here am I. And he said: come not hither, but put thy
shoes off thy feet: for the place whereon thou stondest is holy
ground. And he said: I am the God of thy father, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob. And Moses hid his
face, for he was afraid to look upon God. Then the LORD said: I
have surely seen the trouble of my people which are in Egypt, and
have heard their cry, which they have of their taskmasters. For I
know their sorrow, and am come down to deliver them out of the
hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land unto a
good land and a large, and unto a land that floweth with milk and
honey: even unto the place of the Cananites, Hethites, Amorites,
Pherezites, Hevites, and of the Iebusites. Now therefore behold,
the complaint of the children of Israel is come unto me and I have
also seen the oppression, wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
But come, I will send thee unto Pharao, that thou mayst bring my
people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto
God: what, am I to go to Pharao and to bring the children of
Israel out of Egypt? And he said: I will be with thee. And this
shall be a token unto thee that I have sent thee: after that thou
hast brought the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this
mountain. Then said Moses unto God: when I come unto the children
of Israel and say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me
unto you, and they say unto me, what is his name, what answer
shall I give them? Then said God unto Moses: I will be what I will
be: and he said, this shalt thou say unto the children of Israel:
I will be did send me to you. And God spake further unto Moses:
thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: the LORD God of
your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Iacob hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is
my memorial thorowout all generations. Go therefore and gather the
elders of Israel together and say unto them: the LORD God of your
fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of
Iacob, appeared unto me and said: I have been and seen both you
and that which is done to you in Egypt. And I have said it, that I
will bring you out of the tribulation of Egypt unto the land of
the Cananites, Hethites, Amorites, Pherezites, Hevites and
Iebusites: even a land that floweth with milk and honey. If it
come to pass that they hear thy voice, then go, both thou and the
elders of Israel unto the king of Egypt, and say unto him: The
LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: Let us go therefore
three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice
unto the LORD our God. Notwithstanding I am sure that the king of
Egypt will not let you go, except it be with a mighty hand: yea
and I will therefore stretch out mine hand, and smite Egypt with
all my wonders which I will do therein. And after that he will let
you go. And I will get this people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians: so that when ye go, ye shall not go empty: but every
wife shall borrow of her neighbouress and of her that sojourneth
in her house, jewels of silver and of gold and raiment. And ye
shall put them on your sons and daughters, and shall rob the
Egyptians.
Chapter .iiij.
Moses answered and said: See, they will not believe me nor hearken
unto my voice: but will say, the LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
Then the LORD said unto him: what is that in thine hand? and he
said, a rod. And he said, cast it on the ground, and it turned
unto a serpent. And Moses ran away from it. And the LORD said unto
Moses: put forth thine hand and take it by the tail. And he put
forth his hand and caught it, and it became a rod again in his
hand, that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob hath
appeared unto thee. And the LORD said furthermore unto him: thrust
thine hand into thy bosom. And he thrust his hand into his bosom
and took it out. And behold, his hand was leprous even as snow.
And he said: put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his
hand into his bosom again, and plucked it out of his bosom, and
behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. If they will not
believe thee neither hear the voice of the first token: yet will
they believe the voice of the second token. But and if they will
not believe the two signs neither hearken unto thy voice, then
take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land. And
the water which thou takest out of the river shall turn to blood
upon the dry land. And Moses said unto the LORD: Oh my Lord. {the
Lorde: oh my Lorde.} I am not eloquent, no not in times past and
namely since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow
mouthed and slow tongued. And the LORD said unto him: who hath
made man's mouth, or who hath made the dumb or the deaf, the
seeing or the blind? have not I the LORD? Go therefore and I will
be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said:
Oh my Lord, {Lorde} {|LORDE|} send I pray thee whom thou wilt. And
the LORD was angry with Moses and said: I know Aaron thy brother
the Levite that he can speak. And moreover behold, he cometh out
against {to meet} thee, and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in
his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him and put the words in his
mouth, and I will be with thy mouth and with his mouth, and will
teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the
people: he shall be thy mouth, and thou shalt be his God: and take
this rod in thy hand, wherewith thou shalt do miracles. And Moses
went and returned to Iethro his father-in-law again and said unto
him: let me go (I pray thee) and turn again unto my brethren which
are in Egypt, that I may see whether they be yet alive. And Iethro
said to Moses: go in peace. And the LORD said unto Moses in
Madian: return again into Egypt for they are dead which went about
to kill thee. And Moses took his wife and his sons and put them on
an ass, and went again to Egypt, and took the rod of God in his
hand. And the LORD said unto Moses: when thou art come into Egypt
again, see that thou do all the wonders before Pharao which I have
put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart, so that he shall not
let the people go. And tell Pharao, thus sayeth the LORD: Israel
is mine eldest son, and therefore sayeth unto thee: let my son go,
that he may serve me. If thou wilt not let him go: behold, I will
slay thine eldest son. And it chanced by the way in the inn, that
the LORD met him and would have killed him. Then Zepora took a
stone and circumcised her son, and fell at his feet, and said: a
bloody husband art thou unto me. And he let him go. She said a
bloody husband, because of the circumcision. Then said the LORD
unto Aaron: go meet Moses in the wilderness. And he went and met
him in the mount of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all
the words of the LORD which he had sent by him, and all the tokens
which he had charged him withal. So went Moses and Aaron and
gathered all the elders of the children of Israel. And Aaron told
all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the
miracles in the sight of the people, and the people believed. And
when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel
and had looked upon their tribulation, they bowed them selves, and
worshipped.
Chapter .v.
Then Moses and Aaron went and told Pharao, thus sayeth the LORD
God of Israel. Let my people go, that they may keep holy day unto
me in the wilderness. And Pharao answered: what fellow is the
LORD, that I should hear his voice for to let Israel go? I know
not the LORD, neither will let Israel go. And they said: the God
of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go (we pray thee) three
days' journey into the desert, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD
our God: lest he smite us either with pestilence or with sword.
Then said the king of Egypt unto them: wherefore do ye, Moses and
Aaron, let the people from their work, get you unto your labour.
And Pharao said furthermore: behold, there is much people in the
land, and ye make them play and let their work stond. And Pharao
commanded the same day unto the taskmasters over the people and
unto the officers saying: see that ye give the people no more
straw to make brick withal, as ye did in time past: let them go
and gather them straw them selves, and the number of bricks which
they were wont to make in time past, lay unto their charge also,
and minish nothing thereof. For they be idle and therefore cry
saying: let us go and do sacrifice unto our God. They must have
more work laid upon them, that they may labour therein, and then
will they not turn them selves to false words. Then went the
taskmasters of the people and the officers out and told the people
saying: Thus sayeth Pharao: I will give you no more straw, but go
your selves and gather you straw where ye can find it, yet shall
none of your labour be minished. Then the people scattered abroad
thorowout all the land of Egypt for to gather them stubble to be
instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them forward saying:
fulfil your work day by day, even as when straw was given you. And
the officers of the children of Israel which Pharao's taskmasters
had set over them, were beaten. And it was said unto them:
wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both
yesterday and today, as well as in times past? Then went the
officers of the children of Israel and complained unto Pharao
saying: wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? there is no
straw given unto thy servants, and yet they say unto us: make
brick. And lo, thy servants are beaten, and thy people is foul
entreated. And he answered: idle are ye idle, and therefore ye
say: let us go and do sacrifice unto the LORD. Go therefore and
work, for there shall no straw be given you, and yet see that ye
deliver the hole tale of brick. When the officers of the children
of Israel saw themself in shrewd case (in that he said ye shall
minish nothing of your daily making of brick) then they met Moses
and Aaron stonding in their way as they came out from Pharao, and
said unto them: The LORD look unto you and judge, for ye have made
the savour of us stink in the sight of Pharao and of his servants,
and have put a sword into their hands to slay us. Moses returned
unto the LORD {Lorde} {|LORDE|} and said: Lord {|LORDE|} wherefore
dealest thou cruelly with this people: and wherefore hast thou
sent me? For since I came to Pharao to speak in thy name, he hath
fared foul with this folk, and yet thou hast not delivered thy
people at all;
Chapter .vi.
Then the LORD said unto Moses. Now shalt thou see what I will do
unto Pharao, for with a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with
a mighty hand shall he drive them out of his land. And God spake
unto Moses saying unto him: I am the LORD, and I appeared unto
Abraham, Isaac and Iacob an almighty God: but in my name Iehouah
was I not known unto them. Moreover I made an appointment with
them to give them the land of Canaa: the land of their pilgrimage
wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of
the children of Israel, because the Egyptians keep them in
bondage, and have remembered my promise. Wherefore say unto the
children of Israel: I am the LORD, and will bring you out from
under the burdens of the Egyptians, and will rid you out of their
bondage, and will deliver you with a stretched out arm and with
great judgements. And I will take you for my people and will be to
you a God. And ye shall know that I am the LORD your God which
brings you out from under the burthens of the Egyptians. And I
will bring you unto the land over the which I did lift up my hand
to give it unto Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and will give it unto
you for a possession: even I the LORD. And Moses told the children
of Israel even so: But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish
of spirit and for cruel bondage. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: Go and bid Pharao king of Egypt, that he let the children
of Israel go out of his land. And Moses spake before the LORD
saying: behold, the children of Israel hearken not unto me, how
then shall Pharao hear me: seeing that I have uncircumcised lips.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge
unto the children of Israel and unto Pharao king of Egypt: to
bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. These be
the heads of their father's houses. The children of Ruben the
eldest son of Israel are these: Hanoh, Pallu, Hezron, Charmi,
these be the householders of Ruben. The children of Simeon are
these: Gemuel, Iamin, Ohad, Iachin, Zohar, and Saul the son of a
Cananitish wife: these are the kindreds of Simeon. These are the
names of the children of Levi in their generations: Gerson, Kahath
and Merari. And Levi lived an hundred and thirty seven years. The
sons of Gerson: Libni and Semei in their kindreds. The children of
Kahath: Amram, Iesear, Hebron and Usiel. And Kahath lived an
hundred and thirty three years. The children of Merari are these:
Maheli and Musi: these are the kindreds of Levi in their
generations. And Amram took Iochebed his niece to wife which bare
him Aaron and Moses. And Amram lived an hundred and thirty seven
years. The children of Iezear: Korah, Nepheg and Sichri. The
children of Usiel: Misael, Elzaphan and Sithri. And Aaron took
Elizaba daughter of Aminadab and sister of Nahason, to wife: which
bare him Nadab, Abehu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The children of Korah:
Assir, Elkana and Abiassaph: these are the kindreds of the
Korahites. And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters
of Putuel to wife: which bare him Pinehas: these be the principal
fathers of the Levites in their kindreds. These are that Aaron and
Moses to whom the LORD said: carry the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt, with their armies. These are that Moses and
Aaron which spake to Pharao king of Egypt, that they might bring
the children of Israel out of Egypt. And in the day when the LORD
spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt, he spake unto him saying, I
am the LORD, see that thou speak unto Pharao the king of Egypt all
that I say unto thee. And Moses answered before the LORD: I am of
uncircumcised lips, how shall Pharao then give me audience?
Chapter .vij.
And the LORD said unto Moses: behold, I have made thee Pharao's
God, and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak
all that I command thee and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto
Pharao: that he send the children of Israel out of his land. But I
will harden Pharao's heart, that I may multiply my miracles and my
wonders in the land of Egypt. And yet Pharao shall not hearken
unto you, that I may set mine hand upon Egypt and bring out mine
armies, even my people the children of Israel out of the land of
Egypt, with great judgements. And the Egyptians shall know that I
am the LORD when I have stretched forth my hand upon Egypt, and
have brought out the children of Israel from among them. Moses and
Aaron did as the LORD commanded them. And Moses was eighty years
old and Aaron eighty three when they spake unto Pharao. And the
LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: when Pharao speaketh unto
you and sayeth: shew a wonder, then shalt thou say unto Aaron,
take the rod and cast it before Pharao, and it shall turn to a
serpent. Then went Moses and Aaron in unto Pharao, and did even as
the LORD had commanded. And Aaron cast forth his rod before Pharao
and before his servants, and it turned to a serpent. Then Pharao
called for the wise men, and enchanters of Egypt did in like
manner with their sorcery. And they cast down every man his rod,
and they turned to serpents: but Aaron's rod ate up their rods:
and yet for all that Pharao's heart was hardened, so that he
hearkened not unto them, even as the LORD had said. Then said the
LORD unto Moses: Pharao's heart is hardened, and he refuseth to
let the people go. Get thee unto Pharao in the morning, for he
will come unto the water, and stond {stode} thou upon the river's
brink against he come, and the rod which turned to a serpent take
in thine hand. And say unto him: the LORD God of the Hebrews hath
sent me unto thee saying: let my people go, that they may serve me
in the wilderness: but hitherto thou wouldest not hear. Wherefore
thus sayeth the LORD: hereby thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Behold, I will smite with the staff that is in mine hand upon the
waters that are in the river, and they shall turn to blood. And
the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall
stink: so that it shall grieve the Egyptians to drink of the water
of the river. And the LORD spake unto Moses, say unto Aaron: take
thy staff and stretch out thine hand over the waters of Egypt,
over their streams, rivers, ponds and all pools of water, that
they may be blood, and that there may be blood in all the land of
Egypt: both in vessels of wood and also of stone. And Moses and
Aaron did even as the LORD commanded. And he lift up the staff and
smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharao
and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in
the river, turned into blood. And the fish that was in the river
died, and the river stank: so that the Egyptians could not drink
of the water of the river. And there was blood thorowout all the
land of Egypt. And the enchanters of Egypt did likewise with their
enchantments, so that Pharao's heart was hardened and did not
regard them as the LORD had said. And Pharao turned himself and
went into his house, and set not his heart thereunto. And the
Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink, for
they could not drink of the water of the river. And it continued a
week after that the LORD had smote the river.
Chapter .viij.
The LORD spake unto Moses: Go unto Pharao and tell him, thus
sayeth the LORD: let my people go, that they may serve me. If thou
wilt not let them go: behold I will smite all thy land with frogs.
And the river shall scrale with frogs, and they shall come up and
go into thine house and into thy chamber where thou sleepest and
upon thy bed, and into the houses of thy servants, and upon thy
people, and into thine ovens, and upon thy vitailles which thou
hast in store. And the frogs shall come upon thee and on thy
people and upon all thy servants. And the LORD spake unto Moses,
say unto Aaron: stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the
streams, rivers, and ponds. And bring up frogs upon the land of
Egypt. And Aaron stretched his hand over the water of Egypt, and
the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the sorcerers
did likewise with their sorcery, and the frogs came up upon the
land of Egypt. Then Pharao called for Moses and Aaron and said,
pray ye unto the LORD that he may take away the frogs from me and
from my people, and I will let the people go, that they may
sacrifice unto the LORD. And Moses said unto Pharao: Appoint thou
the time unto me, when I shall pray for thee and thy servants and
thy people, to drive away the frogs from thee and thy house, so
that they shall remain but in the river only. And he said
tomorrow. And he said: even as thou hast said, that thou mayst
know that there is none like unto the LORD our God. And the frogs
shall depart from thee and from thine houses, and from thy
servants and from thy people, and shall remain in the river only.
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharao, and Moses cried unto the
LORD upon the appointment of frogs which he had made unto Pharao.
And the LORD did according to the saying of Moses. And the frogs
died out of the houses, courts and fields. And they gathered them
together upon heaps: so that the land stank of them. But when
Pharao saw that he had rest given him, he hardened his heart and
hearkened not unto them, as the LORD had said. And the LORD said
unto Moses: Say unto Aaron: stretch out thy rod and smite the dust
of the land that it may turn to lice in all the land of Egypt. And
they did so. And Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and
smote the dust of the earth, and it turned to lice both in man and
beast, so that all the dust of the land turned to lice, thorowout
all the land of Egypt. And the enchanters assayed likewise with
their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. And
the lice were both upon man and beast. Then said the enchanters
unto Pharao: it is the finger of God. Neverthelater Pharao's heart
was hardened and he regarded them not, as the LORD had said. And
the LORD said unto Moses: rise up early in the morning and stond
before Pharao, for he will come unto the water: and say unto him,
thus sayeth the LORD: let my people go, that they may serve me. If
thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send all manner
flies both upon thee and thy servants, and thy people, and into
thy houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of
flies, and the ground whereon they are. But I will separate the
same day the land of Gosan where my people are, so that there
shall no flies be there: that thou mayest know that I am the LORD
upon the earth. And I will put a division between my people and
thine. And even tomorrow shall this miracle be done. And the LORD
did even so: and there came noisome flies into the house of
Pharao, and into his servants' houses and into all the land of
Egypt: so that the land was marred with flies. Then Pharao sent
for Moses and Aaron and said: Go and do sacrifice unto your God in
the land. And Moses answered: it is not mete so to do. For we must
offer unto the LORD our God, that which is an abomination unto the
Egyptians: behold shall we sacrifice that which is an abomination
unto the Egyptians before their eyes, and shall they not stone us?
we will therefore go three days' journey into the desert and
sacrifice unto the LORD our God as he hath commanded us. And
Pharao said: I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice unto the
LORD your God in the wilderness: only go not far away, and see
that ye pray for me. And Moses said: behold, I will go out from
thee and pray unto the LORD, and the flies shall depart from
Pharao and from his servants and from his people tomorrow. But let
Pharao from henceforth deceive no more, that he would not let the
people go to sacrifice unto the LORD. And Moses went out from
Pharao and prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD did as Moses had
said, and took away the flies from Pharao and from his servants
and from his people, so that there remained not one. But for all
that, Pharao hardened his heart even then also and would not let
the people go.
Chapter .ix.
And the LORD said unto Moses: go unto Pharao and tell him, thus
sayeth the LORD God of the Hebrews: send out my people that they
may serve me. If thou wilt not let them go but wilt hold them
still: behold, the hand of the LORD shall be upon thy cattle which
thou hast in the field, upon horses, asses, camels, oxen, and
sheep, with a mighty great murrain. But the LORD shall make a
division between the beasts of the Israelites, and the beasts of
the Egyptians: so that there shall nothing die of all that
pertaineth to the children of Israel. And the LORD appointed a
time saying: tomorrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
And the LORD did the thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of
Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not
one. And Pharao sent to wete: but there was not one of the cattle
of the Israelites dead. Notwithstanding the heart of Pharao
hardened, and he would not let the people go. And the LORD said
unto Moses and Aaron: take your hands full of ashes out of the
furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it up into the air in the sight of
Pharao, and it shall turn to dust in all the land of Egypt, and
shall make swelling sores with blains both on man and beast in all
the land of Egypt. And they took ashes out of the furnace, and
stood before Pharao, and Moses sprinkled it up into the air: And
there brake out sores with blains both in man and beast: so that
the sorcerers could not stond before Moses, by the reason of
botches on the enchanters and upon all the Egyptians. But the LORD
hardened the heart of Pharao, that he hearkened not unto them, as
the LORD had said unto Moses. And the LORD said unto Moses: rise
up early in the morning and stond before Pharao and tell him, thus
sayeth the LORD God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, that they
may serve me, or else I will at this time send all my plagues upon
thine heart and upon thy servants and on thy people, that you
mayst know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I
will stretch out my hand and will smite thee and thy people with
pestilence: so that thou shalt perish from the earth. Yet in very
deed for this cause have I stirred thee up, for to shew my power
in thee, and to declare my name thorowout all the world. If it be
so that thou stoppest my people, that thou wilt not let them go:
behold, tomorrow this time, I will send down a mighty great hail:
even such one as was not in Egypt since it was grounded unto this
time. Send therefore and fetch home thy beasts and all that thou
hast in the field. For upon all the men and beasts which are found
in the field and not brought home, shall the hail fall, and they
shall die. And as many as feared the word of the LORD among the
servants of Pharao made their servants and their beasts flee to
house: and they that regarded not the word of the LORD, left their
servants and their beasts in the field. And the LORD said unto
Moses: stretch forth thine hand unto heaven, that there may be
hail in all the land of Egypt: upon man and beast, and upon all
the herbs of the field in the field of Egypt. And Moses stretched
out his rod unto heaven, and the LORD thundered and hailed, so
that the fire ran along upon the ground. And the LORD so hailed in
the land of Egypt, that there was hail and fire mingled with the
hail, so grievous, that there was none such in all the land of
Egypt, since people inhabited it. And the hail smote in the land
of Egypt all that was in the field both man and beast. And the
hail smote all the herbs of the field and broke all the trees of
the field: only in the land of Gosan where the children of Israel
were, was there no hail. And Pharao sent and called for Moses and
Aaron, and said unto them: I have now sinned, the LORD is
righteous and I and my people are wicked. Pray ye unto the LORD,
that the thunder of God and hail may cease, and I will let you go,
and ye shall tarry no longer. And Moses said unto him: as soon as
I am out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD,
and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail:
that thou mayst know, how that the earth is the LORD's. But I know
that thou and thy servants yet fear not the LORD God. The flax and
the barley were smitten, for the barley was shot up and the flax
was bolled: but the wheat and the rye were not smitten, for they
were late sown. And Moses went out of the city from Pharao and
spread abroad his hands unto the LORD, and the thunder and hail
ceased, neither rained it any more upon the earth. When Pharao saw
that the rain and the hail and thunder were ceased, he sinned
again and hardened his heart: both he and his servants. So was the
heart of Pharao hardened, that he would not let the children of
Israel go, as the LORD had said by Moses.
Chapter .x.
The LORD said unto Moses: go unto Pharao, nevertheless I have
hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I might
shew these my signs amongst them, and that thou tell in the
audience of thy son and of thy son's son, the pageants which I
have played in Egypt, and the miracles which I have done among
them: that ye may know how that I am the LORD. Then Moses and
Aaron went in unto Pharao, and said unto him: Thus sayeth the LORD
God of the Hebrews: how long shall it be, or thou wilt submit
thyself unto me? Let my people go that they may serve me. If thou
wilt not let my people go: behold, tomorrow will I bring
grasshoppers into thy land, and they shall cover the face of the
earth that it can not be seen, and they shall eat the residue
which remaineth unto you and escaped the hail, and they shall eat
all your green trees upon the field, and they shall fill thy
houses and all thy servants' houses, and the houses of all the
Egyptians after such a manner: as neither thy fathers nor thy
fathers fathers have seen, since the time they were upon the earth
unto this day. And he turned himself about, and went out from
Pharao. And Pharao's servants said unto him: How long shall this
fellow thus plague us? {How long shall we be thus evilly
entreated?} Let the men go that they may serve the LORD their God,
or else wilt thou see Egypt first destroyed? And then Moses and
Aaron were brought again unto Pharao, and he said unto them: Go
and serve the LORD your God but who are they that shall go? And
Moses answered: we must go with young and old: yea and with our
sons and with our daughters, and with our sheep and oxen must we
go. For we must hold a feast unto the LORD. And he said unto them:
shall it be so? The LORD be with you, should I let you go, and
your children also? Take heed, for ye have some mischief in hand.
Nay not so: but go ye that are men and serve the LORD, for that
was your desire. And they thrust them out of Pharao's presence.
And the LORD said unto Moses: Stretch out thine hand over the land
of Egypt for grasshoppers, that they come upon the land of Egypt
and eat all the herbs of the land, and all that the hail left
untouched. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of
Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land, all that
day and all night. And in the morning the east wind brought the
grasshoppers, and the grasshoppers went up over all the land of
Egypt and lighted in all quarters of Egypt very grievously: so
that before them were there no such grasshoppers, neither after
them shall be. And they covered all the face of the earth, so that
the land was dark therewith. And they ate all the herbs of the
land and all the fruits of the trees which the hail had left: so
that there was no green thing left in the trees and herbs of the
field thorow all the land of Egypt. Then Pharao called for Moses
and Aaron in haste and said: I have sinned against the LORD your
God and against you. Forgive me yet my sin only this once, and
pray unto the LORD your God that he may take away from me this
death only. And he went out from Pharao and prayed unto the LORD,
and the LORD turned the wind into a mighty strong west wind, and
it took away the grasshoppers and cast them into the reed sea: so
that there was not one grasshopper left in all the coasts of
Egypt. But the LORD hardened Pharao's heart, so that he would not
let the children of Israel go. And the LORD said unto Moses:
Stretch out thy hand unto heaven, and let there be darkness upon
the land of Egypt: even that they may feel the darkness. And Moses
stretched forth his hand unto heaven, and there was a dark mist
{thick darkness} upon all the land of Egypt three days long, so
that no man saw another, neither rose up from the place where he
was by the space of three days, but all the children of Israel had
light where they dwelled. Then Pharao called for Moses and said:
go and serve the LORD, only let your sheep, and your oxen abide,
but let your children go with you. And Moses answered: thou must
give us also offerings and burnt offerings for to sacrifice unto
the LORD our God. Our cattle therefore shall go with us, and there
shall not one hoof be left behind, for thereof must we take to
serve the LORD our God. Moreover we can not know wherewith we
shall serve the LORD, until we come thither. But the LORD hardened
Pharao's heart, so that he would not let them go. And Pharao said
unto him: get thee from me and take heed to thyself that thou see
my face no more. For whensoever thou comest in my sight, thou
shalt die. And Moses said: Let it be as thou hast said: I will see
thy face no more.
Chapter .xi.
And the LORD said unto Moses: yet will I bring one plague more
upon Pharao and upon Egypt, and after that he will let you go
hence. And when he letteth you go, he shall utterly drive you
hence. But bid the people that every man borrow of his neighbour
and every woman of her neighbouress: jewels of silver and jewels
of gold. And the LORD gat the people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians. Moreover Moses was very great in the land of Egypt:
both in the sight of Pharao, and also in the sight of the people.
And Moses said: thus sayeth the LORD. About midnight will I go out
among the Egyptians, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt
shall die: even from the firstborn of Pharao that sitteth on his
seat, unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is in the mill,
and all the firstborn of the cattle. And there shall be a great
cry thorowout all the land of Egypt: so that there was never none
like nor shall be. And among all the children of Israel shall not
a dog move his tongue, nor yet man or beast: that ye may know, how
the LORD putteth a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and fall
before me and say: get thee out and all the people that are under
thee, and then will I depart. And he went out from Pharao in a
great anger. And the LORD said unto Moses: Pharao shall not regard
you, that many wonders may be wrought in the land of Egypt. And
Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharao. But the LORD
hardened Pharao's heart, so that he would not let the children of
Israel go out of his land.
Chapter .xij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt
saying: This month shall be your chief month: even the first month
of the year shall it be unto you. Speak ye unto all the fellowship
of Israel saying: that they take the tenth day of this month to
every household, a sheep. If the household be too few for a sheep,
then let him and his neighbour that is next unto this house, take
according to the number of souls, and count unto a sheep according
to every man's eating. A sheep without spot and a male of one year
old shall it be, and from among the lambs and the goats shall ye
take it. And ye shall keep him in ward, until the fourteenth day
of the same month. And every man of the multitude of Israel shall
kill him about even. And they shall take of the blood and strike
on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses,
wherein they eat him. And they shall eat the flesh the same night,
roast with fire, and with unleavened bread, and with sour herbs
they shall eat it. See that ye eat not thereof sodden in water,
but roast with fire: both head, feet, and purtenance together. And
see that ye let nothing of it remain unto the morning: if ought
remain burn it with fire. Of this manner shall ye eat it: with
your loins girded, and shoes on your feet, and your staves in your
hands. And ye shall eat it in haste, for it is the LORD's
passover, for I will go about in the land of Egypt this same
night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both
of man and beast, and upon all the gods of Egypt will I the LORD
do execution. And the blood shall be unto you a token upon the
houses wherein ye are, for when I see the blood, I will pass over
you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I
smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you a
remembrance, and ye shall keep it holy unto the LORD: even
thorowout your generations after you shall ye keep it holy day,
that it be a custom for ever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened
bread, so that even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of
your houses. For whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first
day until the seventh day, that soul shall be plucked out from
Israel. The first day shall be a holy feast unto you, and the
seventh also. There shall be no manner of work done in them, save
about that only which every man must eat: that only may ye do. And
see that ye keep you to unleavened bread. For upon that same day I
will bring your armies out of the land of Egypt, therefore ye
shall observe this day and all your children after you, that it be
a custom for ever. The first month and the fourteenth day of the
month at even, ye shall eat sweet bread unto the twenty first day
of the month at even again. Seven days see that there be no
leavened bread found in your houses. For whosoever eateth leavened
bread, that soul shall be rooted out from the multitude of Israel:
whether he be a stranger or born in the land. Therefore see that
ye eat no leavened bread, but in all your habitations eat sweet
bread. And Moses called for the elders of Israel and said unto
them: choose out and take to every household a sheep, and kill
passover. And take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that
is in the basin, and strike it upon the upper post and on the two
side posts, and see that none of you go out at the door of his
house until the morning. For the LORD will go about and smite
Egypt. And when he seeth the blood upon the upper door post and on
the two side posts, he will pass over the door and will not suffer
the destroyer to come into your house to plague you. Therefore see
that thou observe this thing, that it be an ordinance to thee, and
thy sons for ever. And when ye be come into the land which the
LORD will give you according as he hath promised, see that ye keep
this service. And when your children ask you what manner of
service is this ye do. Ye shall say: it is the sacrifice of the
LORD's passover, which passed over the houses of the children of
Israel in Egypt, as he smote the Egyptians and saved our houses.
Then the people bowed them selves and worshipped. And the children
of Israel went and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.
And at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of
Egypt: from the firstborn of Pharao that sat on his seat, unto the
firstborn of the captive that was in prison, and all firstborn of
the cattle. Then Pharao arose the same night and all his servants
and all the Egyptians, and there was a great crying thorowout
Egypt, for there was no house where there was not one dead. And he
called unto Moses and Aaron by night saying: Rise up, and get you
out from among my people: both ye and also the children of Israel,
and go and serve the LORD as ye have said. And take your sheep and
your oxen with you as ye have said, and depart and bless me also.
And the Egyptians were fierce upon the people and made haste to
send them out of the land: for they said: we be all dead men. And
the people took the dough before it was soured which they had in
store, and bound it in cloths, and put it upon their shoulders.
And the children of Israel did according to the saying of Moses:
and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of
gold, and raiment. And the LORD gat the people favour in the sight
of the Egyptians: and so they borrowed and robbed the Egyptians.
Thus took the children of Israel their journey from Rameses to
Sucoth six hundred thousand men of foot, beside children. And much
common people went also with them, and sheep, and oxen, and cattle
exceeding much. And they baked sweet cakes of the dough which they
brought out of Egypt, for it was not soured: because they were
thrust out of Egypt and could not tarry, neither had they prepared
them any other provision of meat. And the time of the dwelling of
the children of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred
and thirty years. And when the four hundred and thirty years were
expired, even the self same day departed all the hosts of the LORD
out of the land of Egypt. This is a night to be observed to the
LORD, because he brought them out of the land of Egypt. This is a
night of the LORD, to be kept of all the children of Israel and of
their generations after them. And the LORD said unto Moses and
Aaron: this is the manner of passover: there shall no stranger eat
thereof, but all the servants that are bought for money shall ye
circumcise, and then let them eat thereof. A stranger and a hired
servant shall not eat thereof. In one house shall it be eaten. Ye
shall carry none of the flesh out at the doors: moreover, see that
ye break not a bone thereof. All the multitude of the children of
Israel shall observe it. If a stranger dwell among you, and will
hold Passover unto the LORD, let him circumcise all that be males,
and then let him come and observe it, and be taken as one that is
born in the land. No uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One
manner of law shall be unto them that are born in the land, and
unto the strangers that dwell among you. And all the children of
Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron. And even the
self same day did the LORD bring the children of Israel out of the
land of Egypt with their armies.
Chapter .xiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Sanctify unto me all the
firstborn that open all manner matrices among the children of
Israel, as well of men as of beasts: for they are mine. And Moses
said unto the people: think on this day in which ye came out of
Egypt and out of the house of bondage: for with a mighty hand the
LORD brought you out from thence. See therefore that ye eat no
leavened bread. This day come ye out of Egypt in the month of
Abib. When the LORD hath brought thee in to the land of the
Cananites, Hethites, Amorites, Hevites and Iebusites, which he
sware unto thy fathers that he would give thee: a land wherein
milk and honey floweth, then see that thou keep this service in
this same month. Seven days thou shalt eat sweet bread, and the
seventh day shall be feastful unto the LORD. Therefore thou shalt
eat sweet bread seven days, and see that there be no leavened
bread seen nor yet leaven among you in all your quarters. And thou
shalt shew thy son at that time saying: this is done, because of
that which the LORD did unto me when I came out of Egypt.
Therefore it shall be a sign unto thee upon thine hand and a
remembrance between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy
mouth. For with a strong hand the LORD brought thee out of Egypt,
see thou keep therefore this ordinance in his season from year to
year. Moreover when the LORD hath brought thee into the land of
the Cananites, as he hath sworn unto thee and to thy fathers, and
hath given it thee, then thou shalt appoint unto the LORD all that
openeth the matrice, and all the firstborn among the beasts which
thou hast if they be males. And all the firstborn of the asses,
thou shalt redeem with a sheep: if thou redeem him not, then break
his neck. But all the firstborn among thy children shalt thou buy
out. And when thy son asketh thee in time to come saying: what is
this? thou shalt say unto him: with a mighty hand and LORD brought
us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And when Pharao was
loth to let us go, the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of
Egypt: as well the firstborn of men as of beasts. And therefore I
sacrifice unto the LORD all the males that open the matrice, but
all the firstborn of my children I must redeem. And this shall be
as a token in thine hand, and as a thing hanged up between thine
eyes: because the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
When Pharao had let the people go, God carried them not thorow the
land of the Philistines, though it were a nye way. For God said:
the people might haply repent when they see war, and so turn again
to Egypt: therefore God led thee about thorow the wilderness that
bordereth on the red sea. The children of Israel went harnessed
out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Ioseph with
him: for he made the children of Israel swear saying: God will
surely visit you, take my bones therefore away hence with you. And
they took their journey from Sucoth: and pitched their tents in
Etham in the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them
by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way: and by night
in a pillar of fire to give them light: that they might go both by
day and night. And the pillar of the cloud never departed by day
nor the pillar of fire by night out of the people's sight.
Chapter .xiiij.
Then the LORD spake unto Moses saying: bid the children of Israel
that they turn and pitch their tents before the entering of Hiroth
between Migdol and the sea toward Baal Zephon: even before that
shall ye pitch upon the sea. For Pharao will say of the children
of Israel: they are tangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut
them in. And I will harden his heart, that he shall follow after
them, that I may get me honour upon Pharao and upon all his host,
that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did even
so. And when it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled,
then Pharao's heart and all his servants turned unto the people
and said: why have we this done, that we have let Israel go out of
our service? and he made ready his chariots and took his people
with him and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots
of Egypt and captains upon all his people. For the LORD hardened
the heart of Pharao king of Egypt, that he followed after the
children of Israel which for all that went out thorow an high
hand. And the Egyptians followed after them and overtook them
where they pitched by the sea, with all the horsses and chariots
of Pharao and with his horsemen and his host: even fast by the
entering of Hiroth before Baal Zephon. And Pharao drew nye, and
when the children of Israel lift up their eyes and saw how the
Egyptians followed after them, they were sore afraid and cried out
unto the LORD. Then said they unto Moses: were there no graves for
us in Egypt, but thou must bring us away for to die in the
wilderness? wherefore hast thou served us thus, for to carry us
out of Egypt? Did not we tell thee this in Egypt saying, let us be
in rest and serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to
have served the Egyptians, than for to die in the wilderness. And
Moses said unto the people: fear ye not but stond still and behold
how the LORD shall save you this day: For as ye see the Egyptians
this day, shall ye see them no more for ever till the world's end.
The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace. The
LORD said unto Moses: wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto
the children of Israel that they go forward. But lift thou up thy
rod and stretch out thy hand over the sea and divide it asunder,
that the children of Israel may go on dry ground thorow the
middest thereof. And behold I will harden the hearts of the
Egyptians that they may follow you. And I will get me honour upon
Pharao and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon his
horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I
have gotten me honour upon Pharao, upon his chariots and upon his
horsemen. And the angel of God which went before the host of
Israel, removed and went behind them. And the clouden pillar that
was before them removed and stood behind them and went between the
host of the Egyptians and the host of Israel. It was a dark cloud,
and gave light by night: so that all the night long the one could
not come at the other. When now Moses stretched forth his hand
over the sea, the LORD carried away the sea with a strong east
wind that blew all night, and made the sea dry land and the water
divided itself. And the children of Israel went in thorow the
middest of the sea upon the dry ground. And the water was a wall
unto them, both on their right hand and on their left hand. And
the Egyptians followed and went in after them to the middest of
the sea, with all Pharao's horses, and his chariots and his
horsemen. And in the morning watch, the LORD looked unto the host
of the Egyptians out of the fiery and cloudy pillar, and troubled
their host and smote off their chariot wheels and cast them down
to the ground. Then said the Egyptians: Let us flee from Israel,
for the LORD fighteth for them against us. Then said the LORD unto
Moses: stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the water may
come again upon the Egyptians upon their chariots and horsemen.
Then stretched forth Moses his hand over the sea, and it came
again to his course early in the morning, and the Egyptians fled
against it. Thus the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the middest
of the sea, and the water returned and covered the chariots and
the horsemen: so that of all the host of Pharao that came into the
sea after them, there remained not one. But the children of Israel
went upon dry land in the middest of the sea, and the water was a
wall unto them: both on the right hand of them and also on the
left. Thus the LORD delivered Israel the self same day out of the
hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the
sea side. And when Israel saw that mighty hand which the LORD had
shewed upon the Egyptians, they feared the LORD: and believed both
the LORD and also his servant Moses.
Chapter .xv.
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the LORD
and said: Let us sing unto the LORD, for he is become glorious,
the horse and him that rode upon him hath he overthrown in the
sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my
salvation. He is my God and I will glorify him, he is my father's
God and I will lift him up on high. {an hie} The LORD is a man of
war, Iehouah is his name: Pharao's chariots and his host hath he
cast into the sea. His jolly captains are drowned in the redde
{reed} sea, the deep waters have covered them: they sank to the
bottom as a stone. Thine hand LORD is glorious in power, thine
hand LORD hath all to dashed the enemy. And with thy great glory
thou hast destroyed thine adversaries, thou sentest forth thy
wrath and it consumed them, even as stubble. With the breath of
thine anger the water gathered together and the floods stood still
as a rock, and the deep water congealed together in the middest of
the sea. The enemy said: I will follow and overtake them, and will
divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my
sword, and mine hand shall destroy them. Thou blewest with thy
breath and the sea covered them, and they sank as lead in the
mighty waters. Who is like unto thee o LORD among gods: who is
like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that
shewest wonders? Thou stretchedest out thy right hand, and in the
earth swallowed them. And thou carriedest with thy mercy this
people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy
strength unto thy holy habitation. The nations heard, and were
afraid, pangs came upon the Philistines. Then the dukes of the
Edomites were amazed, and trembling came upon the mightiest of the
Moabites, and all the inhabiters of Canaan waxed faint hearted.
Let fear and dread fall upon them thorow the greatness of thine
arm, and let them be as still as a stone, while thy people pass
thorow o LORD, while the people pass thorow, which thou hast
gotten. Bring them in and plant them in the mountains of thine
inheritance, the place LORD {Lorde} which thou hast made for to
dwell in, the sanctuary Lord, which thy hands have prepared. The
LORD reign ever and allway. For Pharao went in on horseback with
his chariots and horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought the
waters of the sea upon them. And the children of Israel went on
dry land thorow the middest of the sea. And Miriam a prophetess
the sister of Aaron took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women
came out after her with timbrels in a dance. And Miriam sang
before them: sing ye unto the LORD, for he is become glorious
indeed: the horse and his rider hath he overthrown in the sea.
Moses brought Israel from the redde {reed} sea, and they went out
into the wilderness of Sur. And they went three days long in the
wilderness, and could find no water. At the last they came to
Mara: but they could not drink of the waters for bitterness, for
they were bitter. Therefore the name of the place was called Mara.
Then the people murmured against Moses, saying: what shall we
drink? And Moses cried unto the LORD, and he shewed him a tree:
{tre} and he cast it into the water, and they waxed sweet. There
he made them an ordinance and a law, and there he tempted them and
said: If ye will hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God, and
will do that which is right in his sight and will give an ear unto
his commandments, and keep all his ordinances: then will I put
none of these diseases upon thee which I brought upon the
Egyptians, for I am the LORD thy surgeon. And they came to Elim
where were twelve wells of water and seventy date trees, and they
pitched there by the water.
Chapter .xvi.
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the whole company
of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which
lieth between Elim and Sinai: the fifteenth day of the second
month after that they were come out of the land of Egypt. And the
hole multitude of the children of Israel murmured against Moses
and Aaron in the wilderness, and said unto them: would to God we
had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat
by the flesh pots, and ate bread our bellies' full for ye have
brought us out into this wilderness to kill this hole multitude
for hunger. Then said the LORD unto Moses: behold, I will rain
bread from heaven down to you, and let the people go out, and
gather day by day, that I may prove them whether they will walk in
my law or no. The sixth day let them prepare that which they will
bring in, and let it be twice as much as they gather in daily. And
Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel: at even ye
shall know that it is the LORD, which brought you out of the land
of Egypt, and in the morning ye shall see the glory of the LORD:
because he hath heard your grudgings against the LORD: for what
are we that ye should murmur against us? And moreover spake Moses:
At evening the LORD will give you flesh to eat, and in the morning
bread enough, because the LORD hath heard your murmur which ye
murmur against him: for what are we? your murmuring is not against
us, but against the LORD. And Moses spake unto Aaron: Say unto all
the company of the children of Israel, come forth before the LORD,
for he hath heard your grudgings. And as Aaron spake unto the hole
multitude of the children of Israel, they looked toward the
wilderness: and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in a cloud.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: I have heard the murmuring
of the children of Israel, tell them therefore and say that at
evening they shall eat flesh, and in the morning they shall be
filled with bread, and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
And at evening the quails came and covered the ground where they
lay. And in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when
the dew was fallen: behold, it lay upon the ground in the
wilderness, small and round and thin as the hoar frost on the
ground. When the children of Israel saw it, they said one to
another: what is this? for they wist not what it was; And Moses
said: this is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. This
is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, that ye gather every
man enough for him to eat: a gomer full for a man according to the
number of you, and gather every man for them which are in his
tent. And the children of Israel did even so, and gathered some
more some less, and did mete it with a gomer. And unto him that
had gathered much remained nothing over, and unto him that had
gathered little was there no lack: but every man had gathered
sufficient for his eating. And Moses said unto them: See that no
man let ought remain of it till the morning. Notwithstonding they
hearkened not unto Moses: but some of the left of it until the
mornynge, and it waxed full of worms and stank, and Moses was
angry with them. And they gathered it all mornings: every man as
much as sufficed for his eating, for as soon as the heat of the
sonne came it melted. And the sixth day they gathered twice so
much bread, two gomers for one man, and the rulers of the
multitude came and told Moses. And he said unto them: this is that
which the LORD hath said: tomorrow is the Sabbath of the holy rest
of the LORD: bake that which ye will bake and fetch that ye will
fetch, and that which remaineth lay up for you, and keep it till
the morning. And they laid it up till the morning as Moses bade,
and it stank not, neither was there any worms therein. And Moses
said: that eat this day: for today it is the LORD's Sabbath: today
ye shall find none in the field. Six days ye shall gather it, for
the seventh is the Sabbath: there shall be none therein.
Notwithstanding there went out of the people in the seventh day
for to gather: but they found none. Then the LORD said unto Moses:
how long shall it be, yer ye will keep my commandments and laws?
See because the LORD hath given you a Sabbath, therefore he giveth
you the sixth day bread for two days. Bide therefore every man at
home, and let no man go out of his place the seventh day. And the
people rested the seventh day. And the house of Israel called it
Man. And it was like unto Coriander seed and white, and the taste
of it was like unto wafers made with honey. And Moses said: this
is that which the LORD commandeth: fill a gomer of it, that it may
be kept for your children after you: that they may see the bread
wherewith he fed you in wilderness, when he had brought you out of
the land of Egypt. And Moses spake unto Aaron: take a cruse and
put a gomer full of Man therein, and lay it up before the LORD to
be kept for your children after you, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And Aaron laid it up before the testimony there to be kept. And
the children of Israel ate man forty years until they came unto a
land inhabited. And so they ate Man, even until they came unto the
borders of the land of Canaan, and a gomer is the tenth part of an
Epha.
Chapter .xvij.
And all the company of the children of Israel went on their
journeys from the wilderness of Sin at the commandment of the
LORD, and pitched in Raphidim: where was no water for the people
to drink. And the people chode with Moses and said: give us water
to drink. And Moses said unto them: why chide ye with me, and
wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? There the people thirsted for
water, and murmured against Moses and said: wherefore hast thou
brought us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our
cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the LORD saying, what
shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And
the LORD said unto Moses: go before the people, and take with thee
of the elders of Israel: and thy rod wherewith thou smotest the
river, take in thine hand and go. Behold, I will stond there
before thee upon a rock in Horeb: and thou shalt smite the rock,
and there shall come water out thereof, that the people may drink.
And Moses did even so before the elders of Israel. And he called
the name of the place: Massa and Meriba: because of the chiding of
the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD saying:
is the LORD among us or not? Then came Amalek and fought with
Israel in Raphidim. And Moses said unto Iosua: choose out men and
go fight with Amelech. Tomorrow I will stond on the top of the
hill and the rod of God in mine hand. And Iosua did as Moses bade
him, and fought with the Amalekites. And Moses, Aaron and Hur went
up to the top of the hill. And when Moses held up his hand, Israel
had the better. And when he let his hand down, Amelech had the
better. When Moses' hands were weary, they took a stone and put it
under him, and he sat down there on. And Aaron and Hur stayed up
his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other
side. And his hands were steady until the son was down. And Iosua
discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of his sword. And
the LORD said unto Moses: write this for a remembrance in a book
and tell it unto Iosua, for I will put out the remembrance of
Amalek from under heaven. And Moses made an altar and called the
name of it Iehouah Nissi, {The LORD is he that exalteth, or
worketh miracles for me.} for he said: the hand is on the seat of
the LORD, that the LORD will have war with Amalek thorowout all
generations.
Chapter .xviij.
Iethro the priest of Madian Moses' father-in-law heard of all that
God had done unto Moses and to Israel his people, how that the
LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. And he took Zippora Moses'
wife, after she was sent back, and her two sons, of which the one
was called Gerson, for he said: I have been an alien {alient} in a
strange land. And the other was called Eliesar: for the God of my
father was mine help and delivered me from the sword of Pharao.
And Iethro Moses' father-in-law came with his two sons and his
wife unto Moses into the wilderness: where he had pitched his tent
by the mount of God. And he sent word to Moses: I thy father-in-
law Iethro am come to thee, and thy wife also, and her two sons
with her. And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and did
obeisance and kissed him, and they saluted each other and came
into the tent. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD
had done unto Pharao and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and
all the travail that had happened them by the way, and how the
LORD had delivered them. And Iethro rejoiced over all the good
which the LORD had done to Israel, and because he had delivered
them out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Iethro said: blessed be
the LORD which hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians
and out of the hand of Pharao, which hath delivered his people
from under the power of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is
greater than all gods, for because that they dealt proudly with
them. And Iethro Moses' father-in-law offered burnt offerings and
sacrifices unto God. And Aaron and all the elders of Israel came
to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God. And it chanced
on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people
stood about Moses from morning unto evening. When his father-in-
law saw all that he did unto the people, he said: what is this
that thou doest unto the people? why sittest thou thyself and
lettest all the people stond about thee from morning unto even?
And Moses said unto his father-in-law: because the people came
unto me to seek counsel, {councell} of God. For when they have a
matter, they come unto me, and I must judge between every man and
his neighbour, and must shew them the ordinances of God and his
laws. And his father-in-law said unto him: it is not well that
thou doest. Thou doest unwisely and also this people that is with
thee: because the thing is too grievous for thee, and thou art not
able to do it thy self alone. But hear my voice, and I will give
thee counsel, {councell} and God shall be with thee. Be thou unto
the people to Godward, and bring the causes unto God and provide
them ordinances and laws, and shew them the way wherein they must
walk and the works that they must do. Moreover seek out among all
the people, men of activity which fear God, and men that are true
and hate covetousness: and make them heads over the people,
captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty, and over ten.
And let them judge the people at all seasons: If there be any
great matter, let them bring that unto thee, and let them judge
all small causes them selves, and ease thy self, and let them bear
with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, then thou shalt be able to
endure that which God chargeth thee with all, and all this people
shall go to their places quietly. And Moses heard the voice of his
father-in-law, and did all that he had said, and chose active men
out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, captains
over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty and over ten. And they
judged the people at all seasons, and brought the hard causes unto
Moses: and judged all small matters them selves. And then Moses
let his father-in-law depart, and he went in to his own land.
Chapter .xix.
The third month after the children of Israel were gone out of
Egypt: the same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. For
they were departed from Raphidim, and were come to the desert of
Sinai and had pitched their tents in the wilderness. And there
Israel pitched before the mount. And Moses went up unto God. And
the LORD called to him out of the mountain saying: thus say unto
the house of Iacob, and tell the children of Israel: Ye have seen
what I did unto the Egyptians and how I took you up upon Eagles'
wings, and have brought you unto myself. Now therefore if ye will
hear my voice and keep mine appointment: ye shall be mine own
above all nations, for all the earth is mine. Ye shall be unto me
a kingdom of priests and an holy people: these are the words which
thou shalt say unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and
called for the elders of Israel, and laid before them all these
words which the LORD had commanded him. And the people answered
all together and said: All that the LORD hath said, we will do.
And Moses brought the words of the people unto the LORD. And the
LORD said unto Moses: Lo, I will come unto thee in a thick cloud,
that the people may hear when I talk with thee, and also believe
thee for ever. And Moses shewed the words of the people unto the
LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses: Go unto the people and
sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes:
that they may be ready against the third day. For the third day
the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount
Sinai. And set marks round about the people and say: beware that
ye go not up into the mount, and that ye twich not the borders of
it, for whosoever twicheth the mount, shall surely die. There
shall not an hand twich it, but that he shall either be stoned or
else shot thorow: whether it be beast or man, it shall not live,
when the horn bloweth: then let them come up in to the mountain.
And Moses went down from the mount unto the people and sanctified
them, and they washed their clothes: And he said unto the people:
be ready against the third day, and see that ye come not at your
wives. And the third day in the morning there was thunder, and
lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the
horn waxed exceeding loud, and all the people that was in the host
was afraid. And Moses brought the people out of the tents to meet
with God, and they stood under the hill. And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke: because the LORD descended down upon it in
fire. And the smoke thereof ascended up, as it had been the smoke
of a kiln, and all the mount was exceeding fearful. And the voice
of the horn blew and waxed louder, and louder. Moses spake, and
God answered him and that with a voice. And the LORD came down
upon mount Sinai, even in the top of the hill, and called Moses up
into the top of the hill. And Moses went up. And the LORD said
unto Moses: go down and charge the people that they prease not up
unto the LORD for to see him, and so many of them perish. And let
the priests also which come to the LORD's presence, sanctify them
selves: lest the LORD smite them. Then Moses said unto the LORD:
the people can not come up in to mount Sinai, for thou chargedest
us saying: set marks about the hill and sanctify it. And the LORD
said unto him: away, and get thee down: and come up both thou and
Aaron with thee. But let not the priests and the people presume
for to come up unto the LORD: lest he smite them. And Moses went
down unto the people and told them.
Chapter .xx.
And God spake all these words and said: I am the LORD thy God,
which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt and out of the
house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods in my sight.
Thou shalt make thee no graven image, neither any similitude that
is in heaven above, either in the earth beneath, or in the water
that is beneath the earth. See that thou neither bow thyself unto
them neither serve them: for I the LORD thy God, am a jealous God,
and visit the sin of the fathers upon the children unto the third
and fourth generation of them that hate me: and yet shew mercy
unto thousands among them that love me and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain, for the
LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day that thou sanctify it. Six days mayst
thou labour and do all that thou hast to do: but the seventh day
is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt do no manner
work: neither thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, neither thy
manservant nor thy maidservant, neither thy cattle neither yet the
stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made
both heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is and
rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day
and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days
may be long in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou
shalt not kill. Thou shalt not break wedlock. Thou shalt not
steal. Thou shalt bear no false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house: neither shalt covet
thy neighbour's wife, his manservant, his maid, his ox, his ass or
ought that is his. And all the people saw the thunder and the
lightning and the noise of the horn, and how the mountain smoked.
And when the people saw it, they removed and stood afar off and
said unto Moses: talk thou with us and we will hear, but let not
God talk with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people fear
not, for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be among
you that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses went
into the thick cloud where God was. And the LORD said unto Moses:
thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel: Ye have seen how
that I have talked with you from out of heaven. Ye shall not make
therefore with me gods of silver nor gods of gold: in no wise
shall ye do it. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me and
thereon offer thy burnt offerings and thy peace offerings, and thy
sheep and thine oxen. And in all places where I shall put the
remembrance of my name, thither I will come unto thee and bless
thee. But and if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, see thou
make it not of hewed stone, for if thou lift up thy tool upon it,
thou shalt pollute it. Moreover thou shalt not go up with steps
unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not shewed thereon.
Chapter .xxj.
These are the laws which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy a
servant that is an Hebrew, six years he shall serve, and the
seventh he shall go out free paying nothing. If he came alone, he
shall go out alone: If he came married, his wife shall go out with
him. And if his master have given him a wife and she have borne
him sons or daughters: then the wife and her children shall be her
master's and he shall go out alone. But and if the servant say I
love my master and my wife and my children, I will not go out
free. Then let his master bring him unto the Gods and set him to
the door or the doorpost, and bore his ear thorow with an nawl,
and let him be his servant forever. If a man sell his daughter to
be a servant: she shall not go out as the menservants do. If she
please not her master, so that he hath given her to no man to
wife, then shall he let her go free: to sell her unto a strange
nation shall he have no power, because he despised her. If he have
promised her unto his son to wife, he shall deal with her as men
do with their daughters. If he take him another wife, yet her
food, raiment and duty of marriage shall he not minish. If he do
not these three unto her, then shall she go out free and pay no
money. He that smiteth a man that he die, shall be slain for it.
If a man lay not await but God deliver him into his hand, then I
will point thee a place whither he shall flee. If a man come
presumptuously upon his neighbour and slay him with guile, thou
shalt take him from mine altar that he die. And he that smiteth
his father or his mother, shall die for it. He that stealeth a man
and selleth him (if it be proved upon him) shall be slain for it.
And he that curseth his father or mother, shall be put to death
for it. If men strive together and one smite another with a stone
or with his fist, so that he die not, but lieth in bed: if he rise
again and walk without upon his staff, then shall he that smote
him go quite: save only he shall bear his charges while he lay in
bed and pay for his healing. If a man smite his servant or his
maid with a staff that they die under his hand, it shall be
avenged. But and if they continue a day or two, it shall not be
avenged for they are his money. When men strive and smite a woman
with child so that her fruit depart from her and yet no misfortune
followeth: then shall he be merced, according as the woman's
husband will lay to his charge, and he shall pay as the daysmen
appoint him. But and if any misfortune follow, then shall he pay
life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot
for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound and stripe for
stripe. If a man smite his servant or his maid in the eye and put
it out, he shall let them go free for the eye's sake. Also if he
smite out his servant's or his maid's tooth, he shall let them go
out free for the tooth's sake. If an ox gore a man or a woman that
they die, then the ox shall be stoned, and his flesh shall not be
eaten: and his master shall go quite. If the ox were wont to run
at men in time past and it hath been told his master, and he hath
not kept him, but that he hath killed a man or a woman: then the
ox shall be stoned and his master shall die also. If he be set to
a sum of money, then he shall give for the deliverance of his
life, according to all that is put unto him. And whether he hath
gored a son or a daughter, he shall be served after the same
manner. But if it be a servant or a maid that the ox hath gored,
then he shall give unto their master the sum of thirty sicles, and
the ox shall be stoned. If a man open a well or dig a pit and
cover it not, but that an ox or an ass fall therein, the owner of
the pit shall make it good and give money unto their master, and
the dead beast shall be his. If one man's ox hurt another's that
he die: then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money, and
the dead ox also they shall divide. But and if it be known that
the ox hath used to push in time's past, then because his master
hath not kept him, he shall pay ox for ox, and the dead shall be
his own.
Chapter .xxij.
If a man steal an ox or sheep and kill it or sell it, he shall
restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a
thief be found breaking up and be smitten that he die, there shall
no blood be shed for him: except the sonne be up when he is found,
then there shall be blood shed for him. A thief shall make
restitution: If he have not wherewith, he shall be sold for his
theft. If the theft be found in his hand alive (whether it be ox,
ass or sheep) he shall restore double. If a man do hurt field or
vineyard, so that he put in his beast to feed in another man's
field: of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own
vineyard, shall he make restitution. If fire break out and catch
in the thorns, so that the stacks {stoukes} of corn or the
stonding corn or field be consumed therewith: he that kindled the
fire shall make restitution. If a man deliver his neighbour money
or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of his house: If the thief
be found, he shall pay double. If the thief be not found, then the
goodman of the house shall be brought unto the gods and swear,
whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's good. And in all
manner of trespass, whether it be ox, ass, sheep, raiment or any
manner lost thing which another challengeth to be his, the cause
of both parties shall come before the gods. And whom the gods
condemn: the same shall pay double unto his neighbour. If a man
deliver unto his neighbour to keep, ass, ox, sheep or whatsoever
beast it be and it die or be hurt or driven away and no man see
it: then shall an oath of the LORD go between them, whether he
have put his hand unto his neighbour's good, and the owner of it
shall take the oath, and the other shall not make it good. If it
be stolen from him, then he shall make restitution unto the owner:
If it be torn with wild beasts, then let him bring record of the
tearing: and he shall not make it good. When a man borroweth ought
of his neighbour if it be hurt or else die, and if the owner
thereof be not by, he shall make it good: If the owner thereof be
by, he shall not make it good, namely if it be an hired thing and
came for hire. If a man beguile a maid that is not betrothed and
lie with her, he shall endote her and take her to his wife: If her
father refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according
to the dowry of virgins. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Whosoever lieth with a beast, shall be slain for it. He that
offereth unto any gods save unto the LORD only, let him die
without redemption. Vex not a stranger neither oppress him for ye
were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall trouble no widow nor
fatherless child: If ye shall trouble them: they shall cry unto
me, and I will surely hear their cry and then will my wrath wax
hot and I will kill you with sword, and your wives shall be widows
and your children fatherless. If thou lend money to any of my
people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be as an usurer unto
him, neither shalt oppress him with usury. If thou take thy
neighbour's raiment to pledge, see that thou deliver it unto him
again by that the sonne go down. For that is his coverlet only:
even the raiment for his skin wherein he sleepeth: or else he will
cry unto me and I will hear him, for I am merciful. Thou shalt not
rail upon the gods, neither curse the ruler of thy people. Thy
fruits (whether they be dry or moist) see thou keep not back. Thy
firstborn son thou shalt give me: likewise shalt thou do of thine
oxen and of thy sheep. Seven days it shall be with the dam, and
the eighth day thou shalt give it me. Ye shall be holy people unto
me, and therefore shall ye eat no flesh that is torn of beasts in
the field. But shall cast it to dogs.
Chapter .xxiij.
Thou shalt not accept a vain tale, neither shalt put thine hand
with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not
follow a multitude to do evil: neither answer in a matter of plea
that thou wouldest to follow many turn aside from the truth,
neither shalt thou paint a poor man's cause. When thou meetest
thine enemy's ox or ass going astray, thou shalt bring them to him
again. If thou see thine enemy's ass sink under his burthen, thou
shalt not pass by and let him alone: but shalt help him to lift
him up again. Thou shalt not hinder the right of the poor that are
among you in their suit. Keep thee far from a false matter, and
the Innocent and righteous see thou slay not, for I will not
justify the wicked. Thou shalt take no gifts, for gifts blind the
seeing and pervert the words of the righteous. Thou shalt not
oppress a stranger, for I know the heart of stranger, because ye
were strangers in Egypt. Six years thou shalt sow thy land and
gather in the fruits thereof: and the seventh year thou shalt let
it rest and lie still, that the poor of thy people may eat, and
what they leave, the beasts of the field shall eat: In like manner
thou shalt do with thy vineyard and thine olive trees. Six days
thou shalt do thy work and the seventh day thou shalt keep holy
day, that thine ox and thine ass may rest and the son of thy maid
and the stranger may be refreshed. And in all things that I have
said unto you be circumspect. And make no rehearsal of the names
of strange gods, neither let any man hear them out of your mouths.
Three feasts thou shalt hold unto me in a year. Thou shalt keep
the feast of sweet bread, that thou eat unleavened bread seven
days long as I commanded thee in the time appointed of the month
of Abib, for in that month thou camest out of Egypt: and see that
no man appear before me empty. And the feast of Harvest, when thou
reapest the first fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in
the field. And the feast of ingathering, in the end of the year:
when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three
times in a year shall all thy men children appear before the Lord
Iehouah. Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with
leavened bread: neither shall the fat of my feast remain until the
morning. The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring
into the house of the LORD thy God thou shalt also not seethe a
kid in his mother's milk. Behold, I send mine angel before thee,
to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I
have prepared. Beware of him and hear his voice and anger him not:
for he will not spare your misdeeds, yea and my name is in him.
But and if thou shalt hearken unto his voice and keep all that I
shall tell thee, then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies and an
adversary unto thine adversaries. When mine angel goeth before
thee and hath brought thee in unto the Amorites, Hethites,
Pherezites, Cananites, Hevites and Iebusites, and I shall have
destroyed them, see thou worship not their gods neither serve
them, neither do after the works of them, but overthrow them and
break down the places of them. And see that ye serve the LORD your
God, and he shall bless thy bread and thy water, and I will take
all sicknesses away from among you. Moreover there shall be no
woman childless or unfruitful in thy land, and the number of thy
days I will fulfill. I will send my fear before thee and will kill
all the people whither thou shalt go. And I will make all thine
enemies turn their backs unto thee, and I will send hornets before
thee, and they shall drive out the Hevites, the Cananites and the
Hethites before thee. I will not cast them out in one year, lest
the land grow to a wilderness: and the beasts of the field
multiply upon thee. But a little and a little I will drive them
out before thee, until thou be increased that thou mayst inherit
the land. And I will make thy coasts from the red sea unto the sea
of the Philistines and from the desert unto the river. I will
deliver the inhabiters of the land into thine hand, and thou shalt
drive them out before thee. And thou shalt make none appointment
with them nor with their gods. Neither shall they dwell in thy
land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their
gods, it will surely be thy decay.
Chapter .xxiiij.
And he said unto Moses: come unto the LORD: both thou and Aaron,
Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel, and worship
afar off. And Moses went himself alone unto the LORD, but they
came not nye, neither came the people up with him. And Moses came
and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the laws.
And all the people answered with one voice and said: all the words
which the LORD hath said, will we do. Then Moses wrote all the
words of the LORD and rose up early and made an altar under the
hill, and twelve pillars according to the number of the twelve
tribes of Israel, and sent young men of the children of Israel to
sacrifice burnt offerings and to offer peace offerings of oxen
unto the LORD. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in
basins, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. And he took
the book of the appointment and read it in the audience of the
people. And they said: All that the LORD hath said, we will do and
hear. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and
said: behold, this is the blood of the appointment which the LORD
hath made with you upon all these words. Then went Moses and
Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel up, and
saw the God of Israel, and under his feet as it were a brick work
of Saphir and as it were the fashion of heaven when is clear, and
upon the nobles of the children of Israel he set not his hand. And
when they had seen God they ate and drank. And the LORD said unto
Moses: come up to me in to the hill and be there, and I will give
thee tables of stone and a law and commandments, which I have
written to teach them. Then Moses rose up and his minister Iosua,
and Moses went up into the hill of God, and said unto the elders:
tarry ye here until we come again unto you: And behold here is
Aaron and Hur with you. If any man have any matters to do, let him
come to them. When Moses was come up into the mount, a cloud
covered the hill, and the glory of the LORD abode upon mount
Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And the seventh day he
called unto Moses out of the cloud. And the fashion of the glory
of the LORD was like consuming fire on the top of the hill in the
sight of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the mountain.
And Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Chapter .xxv.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel that they give me an heave offering, and of every man that
giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take it. And this is
the heave offering which ye shall take of them: gold, silver and
brass: and Iacinth colour, scarlet, purple, byss and goat's hair:
ram's skins that are red, and the skins of taxus and sethim wood,
oil for lights, and spices for anointing oil and for sweet cense:
Onyx stones and set stones for the Ephod and for the breastlap.
And they shall make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
And as I have shewed {And i shall shew} thee the fashion of the
habitation and of all the ornaments thereof, even so see that ye
make it in all things. And they shall make an ark of sethim wood
two cubits and an half long, a cubit and an half broad and a cubit
and an half high. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold: both
within and without, and shalt make an high {hye} upon it a crown
of gold round about. And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it
and put them in the four corners thereof, two rings on the one
side of it and two on the other. And thou shalt make staves of
sethim wood and cover them with gold, and put the staves in the
rings along by the sides of the ark, to bear it withal. And the
staves shall abide in the rings of the ark, and shall not be taken
away. And thou shalt put in the ark, the witness which I shall
give thee. And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold two
cubits and an half long and a cubit and an half broad. And make
two cherubins of thick gold on the two ends of the mercy seat: and
set the one cherub on the one end and the other on the other end
of the mercy seat: so see that thou make them on the two ends
thereof. And the cherubins shall stretch their wings abroad over
on high, {an hye} and cover the mercy seat with their wings, and
their faces shall look one to another: even to the mercy seat
ward, shall the faces of the cherubins be. And thou shalt put the
mercy seat above upon the ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the
witness which I will give thee. There I will meet thee and will
commune {common} with thee from upon the mercy seat from between
the two cherubins which are upon the ark of witness, of all things
which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Thou shalt also make a table of sethim wood of two cubits long and
one cubit broad and a cubit and an half high. And cover it with
pure gold and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And make
unto that an hoop of four fingers broad, round about. And make a
golden crown also to the hoop round about. And make for it four
rings of gold and put them in the corners that are on the four
feet thereof: even hard under the hoop shall the rings be, to put
in staves to bear the table withal. And thou shalt make staves of
sethim wood and overlay them with gold, that the table may be
borne with them. And thou shalt make his dishes, spoons, pots and
flatpieces to pour out withal, of fine gold. And thou shalt set
upon the table, shewbread before me alway. And thou shalt make a
candlestick of pure thick gold with his shaft, branches, bowls,
knops and flowers proceeding thereout. Six branches shall proceed
out of the sides of the candlestick, three out of the one side and
three out of the other. And there shall be three cups like unto
almonds with knops and flowers upon every one of the six branches
that proceed out of the candlestick: and in the candlestick self
four cups like unto almonds with their knops and flowers: that
there be a knop under every two branches of the six that proceed
out of the candlestick. And the knops and the branches shall be
altogether, one piece of pure thick gold. And thou shalt make
seven lamps and put them an high {hye} there on, to give light
unto the other side that is over against it: with snuffers and
firepans of pure gold. An hundred pound weight of fine gold shall
make it with all the apparel. And see that thou make them after
the fashion that was shewed thee in the mount.
Chapter .xxvi.
And thou shalt make an habitation with ten curtains of twined
byss, Iacinth, scarlet and purple, and shalt make them with
cherubins of broidered work. The length of a curtain shall be
twenty eight cubits, and the breadth four and they shall be all of
one measure: five curtains shall be coupled together one to
another: and the other five likewise shall be coupled together one
to another. Then shalt thou make loops of Iacinth colour, along by
the edge of the one curtain even in the selvedge of the coupling
curtain. And likewise shalt thou make in the edge of the utmost
curtain that is coupled therewith on the other side. Fifty loops
shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty in the edge of the
other that is coupled therewith on the other side: so that the
loops be one over against another. And thou shalt make fifty
buttons of gold, and couple the curtain together with the buttons:
that it may be an habitation. And thou shalt make eleven curtains
of goat's hair, to be a tent to cover the habitation. The length
of a curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth four and they
shall be all eleven of one measure. And thou shalt couple five by
them selves, and the other six by them selves, and shalt double
the sixth in the forefront of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make
fifty loops in the edge of the utmost curtain on the one side:
even in the coupling curtain, and as many in the edge of the
coupling curtain on the other side. And thou shalt make fifty
buttons of brass and put them on the loops, and couple the tent
together withal: that there may be one tabernacle. {covering} And
the remnant that resteth in the curtains of the tent: even the
breadth of half a curtain that resteth, shall be left on the back
sides of the habitation: a cubit on the one side and a cubit on
the other side, of that, that remaineth in the length of the
curtains of the tabernacle, which shall remain of either side of
the habitation to cover it withal. And thou shalt make another
covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red: and yet another
above all of taxus' skins. And thou shalt make boards for the
habitation of sethim wood to stond upright: ten cubits long shall
every board be, and a cubit and an half broad. Two feet shall one
board have to couple them together withal, and so thou shalt make
unto all the boards of the habitation. And thou shalt make twenty
boards for the habitation on the south side, and thou shalt make
forty sockets of silver and put them under the twenty boards: two
sockets under every board, for their two feet. In like manner in
the north side of the habitation there shall be twenty boards and
forty sockets of silver: two sockets under every board. And for
the west end of the habitation, shalt thou make six boards, and
two boards more for the two west corners of the habitation: so
that these two boards be coupled together beneath and likewise
above with clamps. And so shall it be in both the corners. And so
there shall be eight boards in all, and sixteen sockets of silver:
two sockets under every board. And thou shalt make bars of sethim
wood five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, and
five for the other side, and five for the boards of the west end.
And the middle bar shall go along thorow the midst {mydddes} of
the boards and bar them together from the one end unto the other.
And thou shalt cover the boards with gold and make golden rings
for them to put the bars thorow, and shalt cover the bars with
gold also. And rear up the habitation according to the fashion
thereof that was shewed thee in the mount. And thou shalt make a
vail of Iacinth, of scarlet, purple and twined byss, and shalt
make it of broidered work and full of cherubins. And hang it upon
four pillars of sethim wood covered with gold and that their knops
be covered with gold also, and stond upon four sockets of silver.
And thou shalt hang up the vail with rings, and shall bring in
within the vail, the ark of witness. And the vail shall divide the
holy from the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon
the ark of witness in the holiest place. And thou shalt put the
table without the vail and candlestick over against the table,
upon the south side of the habitation. And put the table on the
north side. And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the
tabernacle: of Iacinth, of scarlet, of purple and of twined byss,
wrought with needle work. And thou shalt make for the hanging,
five pillars of sethim wood, and cover both them and their knops
with gold, and shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.
Chapter .xxvij.
And thou shalt make an altar of sethim wood: five cubits long and
five cubits broad, that it be foursquare, and three cubits high.
And make it horns proceeding out in the four corners of it, and
cover it with brass. And make his ashpans, shovels, basins,
fleshhooks, firepans and all the apparel thereof, of brass: after
the fashion of a net, and put upon the net four rings: even in the
four corners of it, and put it beneath under the compass of the
altar, and let the net reach unto the one half of the altar; And
make staves for the altar of sethim wood, and cover them with
brass, and let them be put in rings along by the sides of the
altar, to bear it withal. And make the altar hollow with boards:
even as it was shewed thee in the mount, so let them make it. And
thou shalt make a court unto the habitation, which shall have in
the south side hangings of twined byss, being an hundred cubits
long, and twenty pillars thereof with their twenty sockets of
brass: but the knops of the pillars and their hoops shall be
silver. In like wise on the north side there shall be hangings of
an hundred cubits long and twenty pillars with their sockets of
brass, and the knops and the hoops of silver. And in the breadth
of the court westward, there shall be hangings of fifty cubits
long, and ten pillars with their ten sockets. And in the breadth
of the court eastward toward the rising of the son, shall be
hangings of fifty cubits. Hangings of fifteen cubits in the one
side of it with three pillars, and three sockets: and likewise on
the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits with three
pillars and three sockets. And in the gate of the court shall be a
vail of twenty cubits: of jacinth, scarlet, purple and twined byss
wrought with needle work, and four pillars with their four
sockets. All the pillars round about the court shall be hooped
with silver, and their knops of silver, and their sockets of
brass. The length of the court, shall be an hundred cubits, and
the breadth fifty, and the height five, and the hangings shall be
of twined byss and the sockets of brass. And all the vessels of
the habitation to all manner service and the pins thereof: yea and
the pins also of the court, shall be brass. And command the
children of Israel that they give the pure oil olive beaten for
the lights to pour alway into the lamps. In the tabernacle of
witness without the vail which is before the witness, shall Aaron
and his sons dress it both even and morning before the LORD: And
it shall be a duty for ever unto your generations after you: to be
given of the children of Israel.
Chapter .xxviij.
And take thou unto thee, Aaron thy brother and his sons with him,
from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me:
both Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And
thou shalt make holy raiment for Aaron thy brother, both
honourable and glorious. Moreover speak unto all that are wise
hearted, which I have filled with the spirit of wisdom: that they
make Aaron's raiment to consecrate him with, that he may minister
unto me. These are the garments which they shall make: a
breastlap, Ephod, a tunicle, a strait coat, a mitre and a girdle.
And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his
sons, that he may minister unto me. And they shall take thereto,
gold, jacinth, scarlet, purple and byss. And they shall make the
Ephod of gold, jacinth, scarlet, purple and white twined byss with
broidered work. The two sides shall come together, closed up in
the edges thereof. And the girdle of the Ephod shall be of the
same workmanship and of the same stuff: even of gold, jacinth,
scarlet, purple and twined byss. And thou shalt take two onyx
stones and grave in them the names of the children of Israel: fix
in the one stone, and the other fix in the other stone: according
to the order of their birth. After the work of a stone graver,
even as signets are graven, shalt thou grave the two stones with
the names of the children of Israel, and shalt make them to be set
in ouches of gold. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the two
shoulders of the Ephod, and they shall be stones of remembrance
unto the children of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names
before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a remembrance. And thou
shalt make hooks of gold and two chains of fine gold: link work
and wreathed, and fasten the wreathed chains to the hooks. And
thou shalt make the breastlap of ensample {judgement} with
broidered work: even after the work of the Ephod shalt thou make
it: of gold, jacinth, scarlet, purple and twined byss shalt thou
make it. Foursquare it shall be and double, an hand breadth long
and an hand breadth broad. And thou shalt fill it with four rows
of stones. In the first row shall be a Sardius, a Topas and
Smaragdus. The second row, a Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond. The
third: Ligurius, an Achat and Amethyst. The fourth: a Turcois Onyx
and Iasper. And they shall be set in gold in their enclosures. And
the stones shall be graven as signets be graven: with the names of
the children of Israel, even with twelve names every one with his
name according to the twelve tribes. And thou shalt make upon the
breastlap two fastening chains of pure gold and wreathen work. And
thou shalt make likewise upon the breastlap two rings of gold and
put them on the edges of the breastlap, and put the two wreathen
chains of gold in the two rings which are in the edges of the
breastlap. And the two ends of the two chains thou shalt fasten in
the two rings, and put them upon the shoulders of the Ephod: on
the foreside of it. And thou shalt yet make two rings of gold, and
put them in the two edges of the breastlap even in the borders
thereof toward the inside of the Ephod that is over against it.
And yet two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and put them on
the two sides of the Ephod, beneath over against the breastlap,
alow where the sides are joined together upon the broidered girdle
of the Ephod. And they shall bind the breastlap by his rings unto
the rings of the Ephod with a lace of jacinth, that it may lie
close unto the broidered girdle of the Ephod, that the breastlap
be not lowsed from the Ephod. And Aaron shall bear the names of
the children Israel in the breastlap of ensample upon his heart,
when he goeth into the holy place, for a remembrance before the
LORD alway. And thou shalt put in the breastlap of ensample light
and perfectness: that they be even upon Aaron's heart when he
goeth in before the LORD and Aaron shall bear the example of the
children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD alway. And thou
shalt make the tunicle unto the Ephod, altogether of Iacinth. And
there shall be an hole for the head in the midst of it, and let
there be a bond of woven work round about the collar of it: as it
were the collar of a partlet, that it rend not. And beneath upon
the hem, thou shalt make pomegranates of Iacincth, of scarlet, and
of purple round about the hem, and bells of gold between them
round about: that there be ever a golden bell and a pomegranate, a
golden bell and a pomegranate round about upon the hem of the
tunicle. And Aaron shall have it upon him when he ministereth,
that the sound may be heard when he goeth into the holy place
before the LORD and when he cometh out, that he die not. And thou
shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave thereon (as signets are
graven) The holiness of the LORD, and put it on a lace of Iacincth
and tie it unto the mitre, upon the forefront of it, that it be
upon Aaron's forehead: that Aaron bear the sin of the holy things
which the children of Israel have hallowed in all their holy
gifts. And it shall be always upon Aaron's forehead, that they may
be accepted before the LORD. And thou shalt make an alb of byss,
and thou shalt make a mitre of byss and a girdle of needle work.
And thou shalt make for Aaron's sons also coats, girdles and
bonnets honourable and glorious, and thou shalt put them upon
Aaron thy brother and on his sons with him and shalt anoint them
and fill their hands and consecrate them, that they may minister
unto me. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their
privates: {privities} from the loins unto the thighs shall they
reach. And they shall be upon Aaron and his sons, when they go
into the tabernacle of witness, or when they go unto the altar to
minister in holiness, that they bear no sin and so die. And it
shall be a law for ever unto Aaron and his seed after him.
Chapter .xxix.
This is the thing that thou shalt do unto them when thou hallowest
them to be my priests. Take one ox and two rams that are without
blemish, and unleavened bread and cakes of sweet bread tempered
with oil and wafers of sweet bread anointed with oil (of wheaten
flour shalt thou make them) and put them in a maund and bring them
in the maund with the oil and the two rams. And bring Aaron and
his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of witness, and wash them
with water, and take the garments, and put upon Aaron: the strait
coat, and the tunicle of the Ephod, and the Ephod and the
breastlap: and girth them to him with the broidered girdle of the
Ephod. And put the mitre upon his head and put the holy crown upon
the mitre. Then take the anointing oil and pour it upon his head
and anoint him. And bring his sons and put albes upon them, and
girth them with girdles: as well Aaron as his sons. And put the
bonnets on them that the priest's office may be theirs for a
perpetual law. And fill the hands of Aaron and of his sons, and
bring the ox before the tabernacle of witness. And let Aaron and
his sons put their hands upon his head and kill him before the
LORD in the door of the tabernacle of witness. And take of the
blood of the ox and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy
finger and pour all the blood upon the bottom of the altar, and
take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is
on the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is upon them:
and burn them upon the altar. But the flesh of the ox and his skin
and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire, without the host. For it
is a sin offering. Then take one of the rams, and let Aaron and
his sons put their hands upon the head of the ram, and cause him
to be slain, and take of his blood, and sprinkle it round about
upon the altar, and cut the ram in pieces and wash the inwards of
him and his legs, and put them unto the pieces and unto his head,
and burn the whole ram upon the altar. For it is a burnt offering
unto the LORD, and a sweet savour of the LORD's sacrifice. And
take the other ram and let Aaron and his sons, put their hands
upon his head and let him then be killed. And take of his blood
and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and of his sons,
and upon the thumb of their right hands, and upon the great toe of
their right feet and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round
about. Then take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the
anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron and his vestments, and
upon his sons and upon their garments also. Then is he and his
clothes holy and his sons and their clothes holy also. Then take
the fat of the ram and his rump and the fat that covereth the
inwards and the caul of the liver and, the two kidneys, and the
fat that is upon them and the right shoulder (for that ram is a
full offering) and a simnel of bread and a cake of oiled bread and
a wafer out of the basket of sweet bread that is before the LORD,
and put all upon the hands of Aaron and on the hands of his sons:
and wave them in and out a wave offering unto the LORD. Then take
it from off their hands and burn it upon the altar: even upon the
burnt offering, to be a savour of sweetness before the LORD. For
it is a sacrifice unto the LORD. Then take the breast of the ram
that is Aaron's full offering and wave it a wave offering before
the LORD, and let that be thy part. And sanctify the breast of the
wave offering and the shoulder of the heave offering which is
waved and heaved up of the ram which is the full offering of Aaron
and of his sons. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' duty for
ever, of the children of Israel, for it is an heave offering. And
the heave offering shall be the LORD's duty of the children of
Israel: even of the sacrifice of their peace offerings which they
heave unto the LORD. And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his
sons' after him, to anoint them therein, and to fill their hands
therein. And that son that is priest in his stead after him, shall
put them on seven days: that he go into the tabernacle of witness,
to minister in the holy place. Then take the ram that is the full
offering and seethe his flesh in an holy place. And Aaron and his
sons shall eat the flesh of him, and the bread that is in the
basket: even in the door of the tabernacle of witness. And they
shall eat them, because the atonement was made therewith to fill
their hands and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat
thereof, because they are holy. If ought of the flesh of the full
offerings, or of the bread remain unto the morning, thou shalt
burn it with fire: for it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
And see thou do unto Aaron and his sons, even so in all things as
I have commanded thee: that thou fill their hands seven days and
offer every day an ox for a sin offering for to reconcile with
all. And thou shalt hallow the altar when thou reconcilest it, and
shalt anoint it to sanctify it. Seven days thou shalt reconcile
the altar and sanctify it, that it may be an altar most holy: so
that no man may twich it but they that be consecrate. This is that
which thou shalt offer upon the altar: two lambs of one year old
day by day for ever, the one thou shalt offer in the morning and
the other at even. And unto the one lamb take a tenth deal of
flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil, and
the fourth part of an hin of wine, for a drink offering. And the
other lamb thou shalt offer at even and shalt do thereto according
to the meat offering and drink offering in the morning, to be an
odour of a sweet savour of the sacrifice of the LORD. And it shall
be a continual burnt offering among your children after you, in
the door of the tabernacle of witness before the LORD, where I
will meet you to speak unto you there. There I will meet with the
children of Israel, and will be sanctified in mine honour. And I
will sanctify the tabernacle of witness and the altar: and I will
sanctify also both Aaron and his sons to be my priests. And
moreover I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be
their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God that
brought them out of the land of Egypt for to dwell among them:
even I the LORD their God.
Chapter .xxx.
And thou shalt make an altar to burn cense therein, of sethim
wood: a cubit long, and a cubit broad, even foursquare shall it be
and two cubits, high: with horns proceeding out of it, and thou
shalt overlay it with fine gold both the roof and the walls round
about, and his horns also, and shalt make unto it a crown of gold
round about, and two golden rings on either side, even under the
crown, to put staves therein for to bear it withal. And thou shalt
make the staves of sethim wood and cover them with gold. And thou
shalt put it before the vail that hangeth before the ark of
witness, and before the mercy seat that is before the witness,
where I will meet thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet cense
every morning when he dresseth the lamps: and likewise at even
when he setteth up the lamps he shall burn cense perpetually
before the LORD thorowout your generations. Ye shall put no
strange cense thereon, neither burnt sacrifice nor meat offering,
neither pour any drink offering thereon. And Aaron shall reconcile
his horns once in a year, with the blood of the sin offering of
reconciling: even once in the year shall he reconcile it thorow
your generations. And so is it most holy unto the LORD. And the
LORD spake unto Moses saying: when thou takest the sum of the
children of Israel and tellest them, they shall give every man a
reconciling of his soul unto the LORD, that there be no plague
among them when thou tellest them. And thus much shall every man
give that goeth in the number: half a sicle, after the holy sicle:
a sicle is twenty geras: and an half sicle shall be the heave
offering unto the LORD. And all that are numbered of them that are
twenty years old and above shall give an heave offering unto the
LORD. The rich shall not pass, and the poor shall not go under
half a sicle, when they give an heave offering unto the LORD for
the atonement of their souls. And thou shalt take the reconciling
money of the children of Israel and shalt put it unto the use of
the tabernacle of witness, and it shall be a memorial of the
children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for their
souls. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: thou shalt make a
laver of brass and his foot also of brass to wash withal, and
shalt put it between the tabernacle of witness and the altar and
put water therein: that Aaron and his sons may wash both their
hands and their feet thereout, when they go into the tabernacle of
witness, or when they go unto the altar to minister and to burn
the LORD's offering, lest they die. And it shall be an ordinance
for ever unto him and his seed among your children after you. And
the LORD spake unto Moses saying: take principal spices: of pure
myrrh five hundred sicles, of sweet cinnamon half so much, two
hundred and fifty sicles: of sweet calamite, two hundred and
fifty. Of cassia, two hundred and fifty after the holy sicle, and
of oil olive an hin. And make of them holy anointing oil even an
oil compound after the craft of the apothecary. And anoint the
tabernacle of witness therewith, and the ark of witness, and the
table with all his apparel, and the candlestick with all his
ordinance, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt
sacrifice and all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. And
sacrify them that they may be most holy: so that no man twich them
but they that be hallowed. And anoint Aaron and his sons and
consecrate them to minister unto me. And thou shalt speak unto the
children of Israel saying: this shall be an holy anointing oil
unto me, thorowout your generations. No man's flesh shall be
anointed therewith: neither shall ye make any other after the
making of it for it is holy, see therefore that ye take it for
holy: Whosoever maketh like that, or whosoever putteth any of it
upon a stranger, shall perish from among his people. And the LORD
said unto Moses: take unto thee sweet spices: stacte, onycha,
sweet galbanum and pure frankincense, of each like much: and make
cense of them compounded after the craft of the apothecary,
mingled together, that it may be made pure and holy. And beat it
to powder and put it before the witness in the tabernacle of
witness, where I will meet thee, but let it be unto you holy. And
see that ye make none after the making of that, but let it be unto
you holy for the LORD. And whosoever shall make like unto that, to
smell thereto, shall perish from among his people.
Chapter .xxxj.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: behold, I have called by
name, Bezaleel the son of Uri son to Hur of the tribe of Iuda. And
I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom,
understanding and knowledge: even in all manner work, to find out
subtle feats, to work in gold, silver and brass and with the craft
to grave stones, to set and to carve in timber, and to work in all
manner workmanship. And behold, I have given him to be his
companion Ahaliab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, and in
the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom to make
all that I have commanded thee: the tabernacle of witness, and the
ark of witness, and the mercyseat that is there upon, all the
ornaments of the tabernacle, and the table with his ordinance, and
the pure candlestick with all his apparel, and the altar of
incense, and the altar of burnt offerings with all his vessels,
and the laver with his foot, and the vestments to minister in, and
the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his
sons to minister in, and the anointing oil and the sweet cense for
the sanctuary: according to all as I have commanded thee shall
they do. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the
children of Israel and say: in any wise see that ye keep my
Sabbath, for it shall be a sign between me and you in your
generations for to know, that I the LORD do sanctify you. Keep my
Sabbath therefore, that it be an holy thing unto you. He that
defileth it, shall be slain therefore. For whosoever worketh
therein, the same soul shall be rooted out from among his people.
Six days shall men work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the
holy rest of the LORD: so that whosoever doeth any work in the
Sabbath day, shall die for it. Wherefore let the children of
Israel keep the Sabbath, that they observe it thorowout their
generations, that it be an appointment for ever. For it shall be a
sign between me, and the children of Israel for ever. For in six
days the LORD made heaven and earth, and the seventh day he rested
and was refreshed. And when he {|the LORDe|} had made an end of
communing with Moses upon the mount Sinai, he gave him two tables
of witness: which were of stone and written with the finger of
God.
Chapter .xxxij.
And when the people saw that it was long or Moses came down out of
the mountain, they gathered them selves together and came unto
Aaron and said unto him: Up and make us a god to go before us: for
of this Moses the fellow that brought us out of the land of Egypt,
we wote not what is become. And Aaron said unto them: pluck off
the golden earings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons
and of your daughters: and bring them unto me. And all the people
plucked off the golden earings that were in their ears, and
brought them unto Aaron. And he received them of their hands and
fashioned it with a graver and made it a calf of molten metal. And
they said: This is thy God, O Israel, which brought thee out of
the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw that, he made an altar
before it, and made a proclamation saying tomorrow shall be holy
day unto the LORD. And they rose up in the morning and offered
burnt offerings, and brought offerings of atonement also. And then
they sat them down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play.
Then the LORD said unto Moses: go get thee down, for thy people
which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have marred all
they are turned at once out of the way which I commanded them, and
have made them a calf of molten metal, and have worshipped it and
have offered thereto and have said: This is thy God thou Israel,
which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD
said unto Moses: behold, I see this people, that it is a
stiffnecked people, and now therefore suffer me that my wrath may
wax hot upon them, and that I may consume them: and then will I
make of thee a mighty people. Then Moses besought the LORD his God
and said: O LORD, why should thy wrath wax hot upon thy people
which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt with great power
and with a mighty hand? wherefore should the Egyptians speak and
say: For a mischief did he bring them out: even for to slay them
in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth.
Turn from thy fierce wrath, and have compassion over the
wickedness of thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel thy
servants, to whom thou sworest by thine own self and saidest unto
them: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all
this land which I have said, I will give unto your seed: and they
shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD refrained himself from
that evil, which he said he would do unto his people. And Moses
turned his back and went down from the hill, and the two tables of
witness in his hand: which were written on both the leaves and
were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God
graven upon the tables. And when Iosua heard the noise of the
people as they shouted, he said unto Moses: there is a noise of
war in the host. And he said: it is not the cry of them that have
the mastery, nor of them that have the worse: but I do hear the
noise of singing. And as soon as he came nye unto the host and saw
the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the
tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot. And
the took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and
stamped it unto powder and strowed it in the water, and made the
children of Israel drink. And then Moses said unto Aaron: what did
this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon
them? And Aaron said: let not the wrath of my lord wax fierce,
thou knowest the people that they are even set on mischief: they
said unto me: make us a god to go before us, for we wote not what
is become of Moses the fellow that brought us out of the land of
Egypt. And I said unto them: let them that have gold, take and
bring it me: and I cast it into the fire, and thereof came out
this calf. When Moses saw that the people were naked (for Aaron
had made them naked unto their shame when they made insurrection)
he went and stood in the gate of the host and said: If any man
pertain unto the LORD, let him come to me. And all the sons of
Levi gathered them selves together and came unto him. And he said
unto them, thus sayeth the LORD of Israel: put every man his sword
by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate thorowout the
host: and slay every man his brother, every man his friend and
every man his neighbour. And the children of Levi did as Moses had
said. And there were slain of the people the same day, about three
thousand men. Then Moses said: fill your hands unto the LORD this
day, every man upon his son and upon his brother: to bring upon
you a blessing this day. And on the morrow, Moses said unto the
people: Ye have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up unto the
LORD, to wit whether I can make an atonement for your sin. And
Moses went again unto the LORD and said: Oh, this people have
sinned a great sin and have made them a god of gold: Yet forgive
them their sin I pray thee: If not wipe me out of thy book which
thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses: I will put him
out of my book that hath sinned against me. But go and bring the
people unto the land which I said unto thee: behold, mine angel
shall go before thee. Neverthelater in the day when I visit, I
will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD plagued the people,
because they made the calf which Aaron made.
Chapter .xxxiij.
And the LORD said unto Moses: depart and go hence: both thou and
the people which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, unto
the land which I swore unto Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, saying: unto
thy seed I will give it. And I will send an angel before thee, and
will cast out the Cananites, the Amorites, the Hethites, the
Pherezites, the Hevites, and the Iebusites: that thou mayst go in
to a land that floweth with milk and honey. But I will not go
among you myself, for ye are a stiffnecked people: lest I consume
you by the way. And when the people heard this evil tidings, they
sorrowed: and no man did put on his best raiment. And the LORD
spake unto Moses, say unto the children of Israel: ye are a
stiffnecked people: I must come once suddenly upon you, and make
an end of you. But now put your goodly raiment from you, that I
may wete what to do unto you. And the children of Israel laid
their goodly raiment from them even under the mount Horeb. And
Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it without the host, afar
off from the host, and called it the tabernacle of witness. And
all that would ask any question of the LORD, went out unto the
tabernacle of witness which was without the host. And when Moses
went out unto the tabernacle, all the people rose up and stood
every man in his tent door and looked after Moses, until he was
gone in to the tabernacle. And as soon as Moses was entered into
the tabernacle, the clouden pillar descended and stood in the door
of the tabernacle, and he talked with Moses. And when all the
people saw the clouden pillar stond in the tabernacle door, they
rose up and worshipped: every man in his tent door. And the LORD
spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
And when Moses turned again in to the host, the lad Iosua his
servant the son of Nun departed not out of the tabernacle. And
Moses said unto the LORD: see, thou saidest unto me: lead this
people forth, but thou shewest me not whom thou wilt send with me.
And hast said moreover: I know thee by name and thou hast also
found grace in my sight: Now therefore, if I have found favour in
thy sight, then shew me thy way and let me know thee: that I may
find grace in thy sight. And look on this also, how that this
nation is thy people. And he said: my presence shall go with thee,
and I will give thee rest. And he said: If thy presence go not
with me, carry us not hence, for how shall it be known now that
both I and thy people have found favour in thy sight, but in that
thou goest with us: that both I and thy people have a preeminence
before all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the
LORD said unto Moses: I will do this also that thou hast said, for
thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he
said: I beseech thee, shew me thy glory: And he said: I will make
all my good go before thee, and I will be called in this name
Iehouah before thee, and will shew mercy to whom I shew mercy, and
will have compassion on whom I have compassion. And he said
furthermore: thou mayst not see my face, for there shall no man
see me and live. And the LORD said: behold, there is a place by
me, and thou shalt stond upon a rock, and while my glory goeth
forth I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will put mine
hand upon thee while I pass by. And then I will take away mine
hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be
seen.
Chapter .xxxiiij.
And the LORD said unto Moses: hew the two tables of stone like
unto the first that I may write in them the words which were in
the first two tables, which thou brakest. And be ready against the
morning that thou mayst come up early unto the mount of Sinai and
stond {stode} me there upon the top of the mount. But let no man
come up with thee, neither let any man be seen thorowout all the
mount, neither let sheep nor oxen feed before the hill. And Moses
hewed two tables of stone like unto the first and rose up early in
the morning and went up unto the mount of Sinai as the LORD
commanded him: and took in his hand the two tables of stone. And
the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there: and he
called upon the name of the LORD. And when the LORD walked before
him, he cried: LORD LORD God full of compassion and mercy, which
art not lightly angry but abundant in mercy and truth, and keepest
mercy in store for thousands, and forgivest wickedness, trespass
and sin (for there is no man innocent before thee) and visitest
the wickedness of the fathers upon the children and upon
children's children, even unto the third and fourth generation.
And Moses bowed himself to the earth quickly, and worshipped and
said: If I have found grace in thy sight o Lord, then let my Lord
go with us (for it is a stubborn people) and have mercy upon our
wickedness and our sin, and let us be thine enheritance. And he
said: behold, I make an appointment before all this people, that I
will do marvels: such as have not been done in all the world,
neither among any nation. And all the people among which thou art,
shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I
will do with thee: keep all that I command thee this day, and
behold: I will cast out before thee: the Amorites, Cananites,
Hethites, Pherezites, Hevites and Iebusites. Take heed to thyself,
that thou make no compact with the inhabiters of the land whither
thou goest lest it be cause of ruin among you. But overthrow their
altars and break their pillars, and cut down their groves, for
thou shalt worship no strange god. For the LORD is called jealous,
because he is a jealous God: lest if thou make any agreement with
the inhabiters of the land, when they go a whoring after their
gods and do sacrifice unto their gods, they call thee and thou eat
of their sacrifice: And thou take of their daughters unto thy
sons, and when their daughters go a whoring after their gods, they
make thy sons go a whoring after their gods also. Thou shalt make
thee no gods of metal. The feast of sweet bread shalt thou keep,
and seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread (as I commanded
thee) in the time appointed in the month of Abib: for in the month
of Abib thou camest out of Egypt. All that breaketh up the matrice
shall be mine, and all that breaketh the matrice among thy cattle,
if it be male: whether it be ox or sheep. But the first of the ass
thou shalt buy out with a sheep, or if thou redeem him not: see
thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou must needs
redeem. And see that no man appear before me empty. Six days thou
shalt work, and the seventh thou shalt rest: both from earing and
reaping. Thou shalt observe the feast of weeks with the first
fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the
year's end. Thrice in a year shall all your men children appear
before the Lord Iehouah God of Israel: for I will cast out the
nations before thee and will enlarge thy coasts, so that no man
shall desire thy land, while thou goest up to appear before the
face of the LORD thy God, thrice in the year. Thou shalt not offer
the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread: neither shall ought
of the sacrifice of the feast of Passover, be left unto the
morning. The first of the first fruits of thy land, thou shalt
bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. And see, that thou
seethe not a kid in his mother's milk. And the LORD said unto
Moses: write these words, for upon these words I have made a
covenant with thee and with the children of Israel. And he was
there with the LORD forty days and forty nights, and neither ate
bread nor drank water. And he wrote in the tables the words of the
covenant: even ten verses. And Moses came down from mount Sinai
and the two tables of witness in his hand, and yet he wist not
that the skin of his face shone with beams of his communing with
him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel looked upon
Moses and saw that the skin of his face shone with beams, they
were afraid to come nye him. But he called them to him, and then
Aaron and all the chief of the company came unto him, and Moses
talked with them. And at the last all the children of Israel came
unto him, and he commanded them all that the LORD had said unto
him in mount Sinai. And as soon as he had made an end of communing
with them, he put a covering upon his face. But when he went
before the LORD to speak with him, he took the covering off until
he came out. And he came out and spake unto the children of Israel
that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the
face of Moses, that the skin of his face shone with beams: but
Moses put a covering upon his face, until he went in, to commune
with him.
Chapter .xxxv.
And Moses gathered all the company of the children of Israel
together, and said unto them: these are the things which the LORD
hath commanded to do: Six days ye shall work, but the seventh day
shall be unto you the holy Sabbath of the LORD's rest: so that
whosoever doth any work therein, shall die. Moreover ye shall
kindle no fire thorowout all your habitations upon the Sabbath
day. And Moses spake unto all the multitude of the children of
Israel saying: this is the thing which the LORD commanded saying:
Give from among you an heave offering, unto the LORD. All that are
willing in their hearts, shall bring heave offerings unto the
LORD: gold, silver, brass: Iacinth, scarlet, purple, byss and
goats' hair: rams' skins red and taxus' skins and Sethim wood: and
oil for lights and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet
cense: and Onyx stones and stones to be set for the Ephod and for
the breastlap. And let all them that are wise hearted among you,
come and make all that the LORD hath commanded: the habitation and
the tent thereof with his covering and his rings, boards, bars,
pillars and sockets: the ark and the staves thereof with the mercy
seat and the vail that covereth it: the table and his staves with
all that pertaineth thereto and the shewbread: the candlestick of
light with his apparel and his lamps and the oil for the lights:
the cense altar and his staves, the anointing oil and the sweet
cense and the hanging before the tabernacle door: the altar of
burnt sacrifices and his brazen gridiron that longeth thereto with
his staves and all his ordinance and the laver and his foot: the
hangings of the court with his pillars and their sockets, and the
hanging to the door of the court: the pins of the habitation and
the pins of the court with their boards: the ministering garments
to minister with in holiness, and the holy vestments of Aaron the
priest and the vestments of his sons to minister in. And all the
company of the children of Israel departed from the presence of
Moses. And they went (as many as their hearts couraged them and as
many as their spirits made them willing) and brought heave
offerings unto the LORD, to the making of the tabernacle of
witness and for all his uses and for the holy vestments. And the
men came with the women (even as many as were willing hearted) and
brought bracelets, earings, rings and girdles and all manner
Iewels of gold. And all the men that waved wave offerings of gold
unto the LORD and every man with whom was found Iacinth, scarlet,
purple, byss or goats' hair or red skins of rams' or taxus' skins,
brought it. And all that hove up gold or brass, brought an heave
offering unto the LORD. And all men with whom was found sethim
wood meet for any manner work or service, brought it. And all the
women that were wise hearted to work with their hands, span, and
brought the spun work, both of Iacinth, scarlet, purple and byss.
And all the women that excelled in wisdom of heart, span the
goats' hair. And the lords brought Onyx stones and setstones for
the Ephod, and for the breastlap, and spice and oil: both for the
lights and for the anointing oil and for the sweet cense. And the
children of Israel brought willing offerings unto the LORD, both
men and women: as many as their hearts made them willing to bring,
for all manner works which the LORD had commanded to make by the
hand of Moses. And Moses said unto the children of Israel: behold,
the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri the son of
Hur of the tribe of Iuda, and hath filled him with the spirit of
God, with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, even in all manner
work, and to find out curious works, to work in gold, silver and
brass: and with graving of stones to set, and with carving in
wood, and to work in all manner of subtle works. And he hath put
in his heart the grace to teach: both him and Ahaliab the son of
Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan hath he filled with wisdom of heart,
to work all manner of graven work: they are also broiderers and
workers with needle, in Iacinth, scarlet, purple and byss, and are
weavers that can make all manner work, and can devise subtle
works.
Chapter .xxxvi.
And Bezaleel wrought and Ahaliab and all wise hearted men to whom
the LORD had given wisdom and understanding, to know how to work
all manner work for the holy service, in all that the LORD
commanded. And Moses called for Bezaleel, Ahaliab and all the wise
hearted men in whose hearts the LORD had put wisdom, even as many
as their hearts couraged to come unto the work to work it. And
they received of Moses all the heave offerings which the children
of Israel had brought for the work of the holy service to make it
withal. And they brought beside that, willing offerings every
morning. And all the wise men that wrought all the holy work, came
every man from his work which they made, and spake unto Moses
saying: the people bring too much and above that is enough to
serve for the work which the LORD hath commanded to make. And then
Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed
thorowout the host saying: see that neither man nor woman prepare
any more work for the holy heave offering, and so the people were
forbidden to bring: for the stuff they had, was sufficient for
them unto all the work, to make it and too much. And all the wise
hearted men among them that wrought in the work of the habitation
made: even ten curtains of twined byss, Iacinth, scarlet and
purple, and made them full of Cherubins with broidered work. The
length of one curtain was twenty eight cubits and the breadth four
and were all of one size. And they coupled five curtains by them
selves, and other five by them selves. And they made fifty loops
of Iacinth along by the edge of the utmost curtain, even in the
selvedge of the coupling curtain: and likewise they made on the
side of the utmost coupling curtain on, the other side, fifty
loops they made in the one curtain, and fifty in the edge of the
coupling curtain on the other side: so that the loops were one
over against another. And they made fifty rings of gold, and
coupled the curtains one to another with the rings: and so was it
made a dwelling place. And they made eleven curtains of goats'
hair to be a tent over the tabernacle thirty cubits long apiece
and four cubits broad, and they all eleven of one sise, and they
coupled five by them selves, and six by them selves, and they made
fifty loops along by the border of the utmost coupling courtain on
the one side, and fifty in the edge of the coupling curtain on the
other side. And they made fifty rings of brass to couple the tent
together that it might be one. And they made a covering unto the
tent of rams' skins red, and yet another of taxus' skins above
all. And they made boards for the dwelling place of sethim wood
that stood upright, every board ten cubits long and a cubit and an
half broad. And they made two feet to every board of the dwelling
place joining one to another. And they made twenty boards for the
south side of the habitation, and forty sockets of silver under
the twenty boards, two sockets under every board, even for the two
feet of them. And for the other side of the dwelling toward the
north, they made other twenty boards with forty sockets of silver
two sockets under every board. And behind in the end of the
tabernacle toward the west, they made six boards and two other
boards for the corners of the habitation behind, and they were
joined close both beneath and also above with clamps, and thus
they did to both the corners: so they were in all eight boards and
sixteen sockets, under every board two sockets. And they made bars
of Sethim wood five for the boards of the one side of the
habitation and five for the other, and five for the boards of the
west end of the habitation. And they made the middle bar to shoot
thorow the boards: even from the one end to the other, and
overlaid the boards with gold, and made them rings of gold to
thrust the bars thorow, and covered the bars with gold. And they
made an hanging of Iacinth, of scarlet, purple and twined byss
with Cherubins of broidered work. And made thereunto four pillars
of Sethim wood and overlaid them with gold. Their knops were also
of gold, and they cast for them four sockets of silver. And they
made an hanging for the tabernacle door: of Iacinth, scarlet,
purple and twined byss of needle work, and the pillars of it were
five with their knops, and overlaid the heads of them and the
hoops with gold, with their five sockets of brass.
Chapter .xxxvij.
And Bezaleel made the ark of sethim wood two cubits and an half
long and a cubit and a half broad, and a cubit and a half high:
and overlaid it with fine gold both within and without, and made a
crown of gold to it round about, and cast for it four rings of
gold for the four corners of it: two rings for the one side and
two for the other, and made staves of Sethim wood, and covered
them with gold, and put the staves in the rings along by the side
of the ark to bear it withal. And he made the mercyseat of pure
gold two cubits and a half long and one cubit and a half broad,
and made two Cherubins of thick gold upon the two ends of the
mercy seat: One Cherub on the one end, and another Cherub on the
other end of the mercyseat. And the Cherubins spread out their
wings above on high, {an hye} and covered the mercyseat therewith.
And their faces were one to another: even to the mercyseat ward,
were the faces of the Cherubins. And he made the table of sethim
wood two cubits long and a cubit broad, and a cubit and an half
high, and overlaid it with fine gold, and made thereto a crown of
gold round about, and made thereto an hoop of an hand breadth
round about, and made unto the hoop a crown of gold round about,
and cast for it four rings of gold and put the rings in the four
corners by the feet: even under the hoop to put staves in to bear
the table withal. And he made staves of Sethim wood and covered
them with gold to bear the table withal, and made the vessels that
were on the table of pure gold, the dishes, spoons, flat pieces
and pots to pour withal. And he made the candlestick of pure thick
gold: both the candlestick and his shaft: with branches, bowls,
knops and flowers proceeding out of it. Six branches proceeding
out of the sides thereof, three out of the one side and three out
of the other. And on every branch were three cups like unto
almonds, with knops and flowers thorowout the six branches that
proceeded out of the candlestick. And upon the candlestick self,
were four cups after the fashion of almonds with knops and
flowers: under every two branches a knop. And the knops and the
branches proceeded out of it, and were all one piece of pure thick
gold. And he made seven lamps thereto, and the snuffers thereof,
and firepans of pure gold. An hundred weight of pure gold, made
both it and all that belonged thereto. And he made the cense altar
of Sethim wood of a cubit long and a cubit broad: even four
square, and two cubits high with horns proceeding out of it. And
he covered it with pure gold both the top and the sides round
about and the horns of it, and made unto it a crown of gold round
about. And he made two rings of gold unto it, even under the crown
upon either side of it, to put staves in for to bear it withal:
and made staves of Sethim wood, and overlaid them with gold. And
he made the holy anointing oil and the sweet pure incense after
the apothecary's craft.
Chapter .xxxviij.
And he made the burnt offering altar of Sethim wood, five cubits
long and five cubits broad: even four square, and three cubits
high. And he made horns in the four corners of it proceeding out
of it, and overlaid it with brass. And he made all the vessels of
the altar: the cauldrons, shovels, basins, fleshhooks and coalpans
all of brass. And he made a brazen gridiron of network unto the
altar round about alow beneath, under the compass of the altar: so
that it reached unto half the altar, and cast four rings of brass
for the four ends of the gridiron to put staves in. And he made
staves of sethim wood and covered them with brass, and put the
staves in the rings along by the altar side to bear it withal, and
made the altar hollow with boards. And he made the laver of brass
and the foot of it also of brass, in the sight of them that did
watch before the door of the tabernacle of witness. And he made
the court with hangings of twined byss of an hundred cubits long
upon the south side, and twenty pillars with twenty sockets of
brass: but the knops of the pillars, and the hoops were silver.
And on the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits long
with twenty pillars and twenty sockets of brass, but the knops and
the hoops of the pillars were of silver. And on the west side,
were hangings of fifty cubits long, and ten pillars with their ten
sockets, and the knops and the hoops of the pillars were silver.
And on the east side toward the son rising, were hangings of fifty
cubits: the hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen
cubits long, and their pillars three with their three sockets. And
of the other side of the court gate, were hangings also of fifteen
cubits long, and their pillars three with three sockets. Now all
the hangings of the court round about, were of twined byss, and
the sockets of the pillars were brass: but the knops and the hoops
of the pillars were silver, and the heads were overlaid with
silver, and all the pillars of the court were hooped about with
silver. And the hanging of the gate of the court was needlework:
of jacinth, scarlet, purple, and twined byss twenty cubits long
and five in the breadth, according to the hangings of the court.
And the pillars were four with four sockets of brass, and the
knops of silver, and the heads overlaid with silver and hooped
about with silver, and all the pins of the tabernacle and of the
court round about were brass. This is the sum of the habitation of
witness, which was counted at the commandment of Moses: and was
the office of the Levites by the hand of Ithamar son to Aaron the
priest. And Bezaleel son of Uri son to Hur of the tribe of Iuda,
made all that the LORD commanded Moses, and with him Ahaliab son
of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, a cunning graver and a worker of
needle work in jacinth, scarlet, purple and byss. All the gold
that was occupied upon all the work of the holy place (which was
the gold of the wave offering) was, twenty nine hundred weight and
seven hundred and thirty sicles, according to the holy sicle. And
the sum of silver that came of the multitude, was five score
hundred weight and a thousand seven hundred and seventy five
sicles of the holy sicle. Every man offering half a sicle after
the weight of the holy sicle among them that went to be numbered
from twenty years old and above, among six hundred thousand and
three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. And the five score
hundred weight of silver went to the casting of the sockets of the
sanctuary and the sockets of the vail: an hundred sockets of the
five score hundred weight, an hundred weight to every socket. And
the thousand seven hundred and seventy five sicles, made knops to
the pillars and overlaid the heads and hooped them. And the brass
of the wave offering was seventy hundred weight and two thousand,
and four hundred sicles. And therewith he made the sockets to the
door of the tabernacle of witness, and the brazen altar, and the
brazen gridiron that longeth thereto, and all the vessels of the
altar, and the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets
of the court gate, and all the pins of the habitation, and all the
pins of the court round about.
Chapter .xxxix.
And of the jacinth, scarlet, purple and twined byss, they made the
vestments of ministration to do service {[in]} in that holy place,
and made the holy garments that pertained to Aaron, as the LORD
commanded Moses. And they made the Ephod of gold, jacinth,
scarlet, purple, and twined byss. And they did beat the gold into
thin plates, and cut it into wires: to work it in the jacinth,
scarlet, purple, and the byss, with broidered work. And they made
the sides come together, and closed them up by the two edges. And
the broidering of the girdle that was upon it, was of the same
stuff and after the same work of gold, jacinth, scarlet, purple
and twined byss, as the LORD commanded Moses. And they wrought
Onyx stones closed in ouches of gold and graved as signets are
graven with the names of the children of Israel, and put them on
the shoulders of the Ephod that they should be a remembrance of
the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses. And they made
the brestlap of cunning work, after the work of the Ephod: even of
gold, Iacinct, scarlet, purple and twined byss And they made it
four square and double, an hand breadth long and an hand breadth
broad. And they filled it with four rows of stones (the first row:
Sardios, a Topas and Smaragdus: the second row: a Ruby, a Sapphire
and a Diamond. The third row: Ligurius, an Achat and an Amethyst.
The fourth row: a Turquoise, an onyx and a Iasper) closed in
ouches of gold in their inclosures. And the twelve stones were
graven as signets with the names of the children of Israel: every
stone with his name, according to the twelve tribes. And they made
upon the breastlap, two fastening chains of wreathen work and pure
gold. And they made two hooks of gold and two gold rings, and put
the two rings upon the two corners of the breastlap. And they put
the two chains of gold in the two rings, in the corners of the
breastlap. And the two ends of the two chains they fastened in the
two hooks, and put them on the shoulders of the Ephod upon the
forefront of it. And they made two other rings of gold and put
them on the two other corners of the breastlap along upon the edge
of it, toward the inside of the Ephod that is over against it. And
they made yet two other gold rings, and put them on the two sides
of the Ephod, beneath on the fore side of it: even where the sides
go together, above upon the broidering of the Ephod, and they
strained the breastlap by his rings unto the rings of the Ephod,
with laces of jacinth, that it might lie fast upon the broidering
of the Ephod, and should not be lowsed from of the Ephod: as the
LORD commanded Moses. And he made the tunicle unto the Ephod of
woven work and all together of jacinth, and the head of the
tunicle was in the middest of it as the collar of a partlet, with
a band round about the collar, that it should not rent. And they
made beneath upon the hem of the tunicle: pomegranates of jacinth,
scarlet, purple, and twined byss. And they made little bells of
pure gold, and put them among the pomegranates round about upon
the edge of the tunicle, a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a
pomegranate round about the hems of the tunicle to minister in, as
the LORD commanded Moses. And they made coats of byss of woven
work for Aaron and his sons, and a mitre of byss, and goodly
bonnets of byss, and linen breeches of twined byss, and a girdle
of twined byss, jacinth, scarlet and purple: even of needle work,
as the LORD commanded Moses. And they made the plate of the holy
crown of fine gold, and wrote upon it with graven work: the
holiness of the LORD, and tied it to a lace of jacinth to fasten
it on high {an hye} upon the mitre, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Thus was all the work of the habitation of the tabernacle of
witness, finished. And the children of Israel did, according to
all that the LORD had commanded Moses. And they brought the
habitation unto Moses: the tent and all his apparel thereof: the
buttons, boards, bars, pillars and sockets: and the covering of
rams' skins red, and the covering of taxus' skins, and the hanging
vail, and the ark of witness with the staves thereof, and the
mercyseat: the table and all the ordinance thereof, and the
shewbread, and the pure candlestick, and the lamps prepared
thereunto with all the vessels thereof, and the oil for lights,
and the golden altar, and the anointing oil and the sweet cense,
and the hanging of the tabernacle door, and the brasen altar, and
the gridiron of brass longing thereunto with his bars and all his
vessels, and the laver with his foot, and the hangings of the
court with his pillars and sockets, and the hanging to the court
gate, his boards and pins, and all the ordinance that serveth to
the habitation of the tabernacle of witness, and the ministering
vestments to serve in the holy place, and the holy vestments of
Aaron the priest and his sons' raiments to minister in: according
to all that the LORD commanded Moses: even so the children of
Israel made all the work. And Moses beheld all the work: and see,
they had done it even as the LORD commanded: and then Moses
blessed them.
Chapter .xl.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: In the first day of the
first month shalt thou set up the habitation of the tabernacle of
witness, and put therein the ark of witness, and cover the ark
with the vail, and bring in the table and apparel it, and bring in
the candlestick and put on his lamps, and set the cense altar of
gold before the ark of witness, and put the hanging of the door
unto the habitation. And set the burnt offering altar before the
door of the tabernacle of witness, and set the laver between the
tabernacle of witness, and the altar, and put water therein, and
make the court round about, and set up the hanging of the court
gate. And take the anointing oil and anoint the habitation and all
that is therein, and hallow it and all that belong thereto: that
it may be holy. And anoint the altar of the burnt offerings and
all his vessels, and sanctify the altar that it may be most holy.
And anoint also the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. Then
bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of
witness, and wash them with water. And put upon Aaron the holy
vestments. And anoint him and sanctify him that he may minister
unto me, that their anointing may be an everlasting priesthood
unto them thorowout their generations. And Moses did according to
all that the LORD commanded him. Thus was the tabernacle reared up
the first month in the second year. And Moses reared up the
tabernacle and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards and put
in their bars, and reared up the pillars, and spread abroad the
tent over the habitation and put the covering of the tent on high
{an hye} above it: as the LORD commanded Moses. And he took and
put the testimony in the ark, and set the staves to the ark and
put the mercy seat on high {an hye} upon the ark, and brought the
ark into the habitation and hanged up the vail and covered the ark
of witness, as the LORD commanded Moses. And he put the table in
the tabernacle of witness in the north side of the habitation
without the vail, and set the bread in order before the LORD, even
as the LORD had commanded Moses. And he put the candlestick in the
tabernacle of witness over against the table in the south side of
the habitation, and set up the lamps before the LORD: as the LORD
commanded Moses. And he put the golden altar in the tabernacle of
witness before the vail, and brent sweet cense there on as the
LORD commanded Moses. And set up the hanging in the door of the
habitation, and set the burnt offering altar before the door of
the tabernacle of witness, and offered burnt offerings and meat
offerings there on as the LORD commanded Moses. And he set the
laver between the tabernacle of witness and the altar, and poured
water therein to wash with all. And both Moses Aaron and his sons
washed their hands and their feet thereat: both when they went
into the tabernacle of witness, or when they went to the altar, as
the LORD commanded Moses. And he reared up the court round about
the habitation and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court
gate: and so Moses finished the work. And the cloud covered the
tabernacle of witness, and the glory of the LORD filled the
habitation: so that Moses could not enter into the tabernacle of
witness, because the cloud abode therein, and the glory of the
LORD filled the habitation. When the cloud was taken up from off
the habitation, the children of Israel took their journeys as oft
as they journeyed. And if the cloud departed not, they journeyed
not till it departed: for the cloud of the LORD was upon the
habitation by day, and fire by night: in the sight of all the
house of Israel in all their journeys.
The end of the second book of Moses.
The Third Book of Moses, called Leviticus
Chapter .j.
And the LORD called Moses, and spake unto him out of the
tabernacle of witness saying: Speak unto the children of Israel,
and say unto them: Whosoever of you shall bring a gift unto the
LORD, shall bring it of the cattle: even of the oxen and of the
sheep. If he bring a burntoffering of the oxen he shall offer a
male without blemish, and shall bring him to the door of the
tabernacle of witness, that he may be accepted before the LORD.
And let him put his hand upon the head of the burntsacrifice, and
favour shall be given him to make an atonement for him, and let
him kill the ox before the LORD. And let the priests Aaron's sons
bring the blood and let them sprinkle it round about upon the
altar that is before the door of the tabernacle of witness. And
let the burntofferings be stripped and hewed in pieces. And then
let the sons of Aaron the priest put fire upon the altar, and put
wood upon the fire, and let them lay the pieces with the head and
the fat, upon the wood that is on the fire in the altar. But the
inwards and the legs they shall wash in water, and the priest
shall burn altogether upon the altar, that it be a burnt
sacrifice, and an offering of a sweet odour unto the LORD. If he
will offer a burnt sacrifice of the sheep whether it be of the
lambs or of the goats: he shall offer a male without blemish. And
let him kill it on the north side of the altar, before the LORD.
And let the priests Aaron's sons sprinkle the blood of it, round
about upon the altar. And let it be cut in pieces: even with his
head and his fat, and let the priest put them upon the wood that
lieth upon the fire in the altar. But let him wash the inwards and
the legs with water, and then bring altogether and burn it upon
the altar: that is a burntoffering and a sacrifice of sweet savour
unto the LORD. If he will offer a burntoffering of the fowls
{|[unto the LORD]|} he shall offer either of the turtle doves or
of the young pigeons. And the priest shall bring it unto the
altar, and wring the neck asunder of it, and burn it on the altar,
and let the blood run out upon the sides of the altar, and pluck
away his crop and his feathers, and cast them beside the altar on
the east part upon the heap of ashes, and break his wings, but
pluck them not asunder. And then let the priest burn it upon the
altar, even upon the wood that lieth upon the fire, a burnt
sacrifice and an offering of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Chapter .ij.
If any soul will offer a meatoffering unto the LORD, his offering
shall be fine flour, and he shall pour thereto oil, and put
frankincense thereon, and shall bring it unto Aaron's sons the
priests. And one of them shall take thereout his handful of the
flour, and of the oil with all the frankincense, and burn it for a
memorial upon the altar: an offering of a sweet savour unto the
LORD. And the remnant of the meatoffering shall be Aaron's and his
sons, as a thing most holy of the sacrifices of the LORD. If any
man bring a meatoffering that is baken in the oven, let him bring
sweet cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers
anointed with oil. If thy meatoffering be baken in the frying pan,
then it shall be of sweet flour mingled with oil. And thou shalt
mince it small, and pour oil thereon: and so is it a meatoffering.
If thy meatoffering be a thing broiled upon the gridiron, of flour
mingled with oil it shall be. And thou shalt bring the
meatoffering that is made of these things unto the LORD, and shalt
deliver it unto the priest, and he shall bring it unto the altar,
and shall heave up part of the meatoffering for a memorial, and
shall burn it upon the altar: an offering of a sweet savour unto
the LORD. And that which is left of the meatoffering shall be
Aaron's and his sons, as a thing that is most holy of the
offerings of the LORD. All the meatofferings which ye shall bring
unto the LORD, shall be made without leaven. For ye shall neither
burn leaven nor honey in any offering of the LORD: Notwithstanding
ye shall bring the firstlings of them unto the LORD: But they
shall not come upon the altar to make a sweet savour. All thy
meatofferings thou shalt salt with salt: neither shalt thou suffer
the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy
meatoffering: but upon all thine offerings thou shalt bring salt.
If thou offer a meatoffering of the first ripe fruits unto the
LORD, then take of that which is yet green, and dry it by the fire
and beat it small, and so offer the meatoffering of thy first ripe
fruits. And then pour oil thereto, and put frankincense thereon:
and so it is a meatoffering. And the priest shall burn part of the
beaten corn and part of that oil, with all the frankincense, for a
remembrance. That is an offering unto the LORD.
Chapter .iij.
If any man bring a peaceoffering of the oxen: whether it be male
or female, he shall bring such as is without blemish, before the
LORD, and let him put his hand upon the head of his offering, and
kill it before the door of the tabernacle of witness. And Aaron's
sons the priests, shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round
about. And they shall offer of the peaceoffering to be a sacrifice
unto the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat
that is upon the inwards: and the two kidneys with the fat that
lieth upon the loins: and the caul that is on the liver, they
shall take away with the kidneys. And Aaron's sons shall burn them
upon the altar with the burntsacrifice which is upon the wood on
the fire. That is a sacrifice of a sweet favour unto the LORD. If
a man bring a peaceoffering unto the LORD from of the flock:
whether it be male, or female, it shall be without blemish. If he
offer a lamb, he shall bring it before the LORD, and put his hand
upon his offering's head, and kill it in the door of the
tabernacle of witness, and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood
thereof round about the altar. And of the peaceoffering they shall
bring a sacrifice unto the LORD: the fat thereof and the rump
altogether, which they shall take off hard by the back bone: and
the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is upon the
inwards and the two kidneys with the fat that lieth upon them and
upon the loins, and the caul that is upon the liver he shall take
away with the kidneys. And the priest shall burn them upon the
altar to feed the LORD's offering withall. If the offering be a
goat, he shall bring it before the LORD and put his hand upon the
head of it and kill it before the tabernacle of witness, and the
sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar
round about. And he shall bring thereof his offering unto the
LORD's sacrifice: the fat that covereth the inwards and all the
fat that is upon the inwards and the two kidneys and the fat that
lieth upon them and upon the loins, and the caul that is upon the
liver he shall take away with the kidneys. And the priest shall
burn them upon the alter to feed the LORD's sacrifice with all and
to make a sweet savour. And thus shall all the fat be the LORD's,
and it shall be a law forever among your generations after you in
your dwelling places: that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Chapter .iiij.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel and say: when a soul sinneth thorow ignorance, and hath
done any of those things which the LORD hath forbidden in his
commandments to be done: If the priest that is anointed sin and
make the people to do amiss, he shall bring for his sin which he
hath done: an ox without blemish unto the LORD for a sinoffering.
And he shall bring the ox unto the door of the tabernacle of
witness before the LORD, and shall put his hand upon the ox's head
and kill him before the LORD. And the priest that is anointed
shall take of the ox's blood, and bring it into the tabernacle of
witness, and shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle
thereof seven times before the LORD: even before the hanging of
the holy place. And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns
of the altar of sweet cense before the LORD which is in the
tabernacle of witness, and shall pour all the blood of the ox upon
the bottom of the altar of burntofferings which is by the door of
the tabernacle of witness. And he shall take away all the fat of
the ox that is the sinoffering: the fat that covereth the inwards
and all the fat that is about them, and the two kidneys with the
fat that lieth upon them and upon the loins, and the caul upon the
liver let them take away also with the kidneys: as it was taken
from the ox of the peaceoffering, and let the priest burn them
upon the altar of burntofferings. But the skin of the ox and all
his flesh with his head, his legs, his inwards with his dung,
shall he carry altogether out of the host unto a clean place: even
where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on wood with fire:
even upon the heap of ashes. If the whole commonalty of the
children of Israel sin thorow ignorance, and the thing be hid from
their eyes: so that they have committed any of these things which
the LORD hath forbidden to be done in his commandments and have
offended, and the sin which they have sinned be afterward known,
then shall they offer an ox for a sinoffering and shall bring him
before the tabernacle of witness, and the elders of the multitude
shall put their hands upon his head before the LORD. And the
priest that is anointed shall bring of his blood into the
tabernacle of witness, and shall dip his finger in the blood, and
sprinkle it seven times before the LORD: even before the vail. And
shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before
the LORD in the tabernacle of witness, and shall pour all the
blood upon the bottom of the altar of burntofferings which is by
the door of the tabernacle of witness, and shall take all his fat
from him and burn it upon the altar, and shall do with his ox as
he did with the sinoffering ox. And the priest shall make an
atonement for them, and so it shall be forgiven them. And he shall
bring the ox without the host, and burn him as he burned the
first, so is this the sinoffering of the commonalty. When a lord
sinneth and committeth thorow ignorance any of these things which
the LORD his God hath forbidden to be done in his commandments and
hath so offended: when his sin is shewed unto him which he hath
sinned, he shall bring for his offering an hegoat without blemish
and lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it in the place
where the burntofferings are killed before the LORD: this is a
sinoffering. Then let the priest take of the blood of the
sinoffering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the
burntoffering altar, and pour his blood upon the bottom of the
burntoffering altar and burn all his fat upon the altar, as he
doth the fat of the peaceofferings. And the priest shall make an
atonement for him as concerning his sin, and so it shall be
forgiven him. If one of the common people of the land sin thorow
ignorance and commit any of the things which the LORD hath
forbidden, in his commandments to be done and so hath trespassed,
when his sin which he hath sinned is come to his knowledge, he
shall bring for his offering, a she goat without blemish for his
sin which he hath sinned, and lay his hand upon the head of the
sinoffering, and slay it in the place of burntofferings. And the
priest shall take of the blood with his finger, and put it upon
the horns of the burntoffering altar, and pour all the blood upon
the bottom of the altar, and shall take away all his fat as the
fat of the peaceofferings is taken away. And the priest shall burn
it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD, and the priest
shall make an atonement for him and it shall be forgiven him. If
he bring a sheep {lamb} and offer it for a sinoffering, he shall
bring a ewe {female} without blemish, and lay his hand upon the
head of the sinoffering, and slay it in the place where the
burntofferings are slain. And the priest shall take of the blood
of the sinoffering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of
the burntoffering altar, and shall pour all the blood thereof unto
the bottom of the altar. And he shall take away all the fat
thereof, as the fat of the sheep of the peaceofferings was taken
away. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar for the LORD's
{lordes} sacrifice, and the priest shall make an atonement for his
sin, and it shall be forgiven him.
Chapter .v.
When a soul hath sinned and heard the voice of cursing and is a
witness: whether he hath seen or known of it if he have not
uttered it, he shall bear his sin. Either when a man toucheth any
unclean thing: whether it be the carrion of an unclean beast or of
unclean cattle or unclean worm and is not ware of it, he is also
unclean and hath offended. Either when he toucheth any uncleanness
of man (whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man is defiled with
all) and is not ware of it and afterward cometh to the knowledge
of it, he is a trespasser. Either when a soul sweareth: so that he
pronounceth with his lips to do evil or to do good (whatsoever it
be that a man pronounceth with an oath) and the thing be out of
his mind and afterward cometh to the knowledge of it, then he hath
offended in one of these. Then when he hath sinned in one of these
things, he shall confess that wherein that he hath sinned, and
shall bring his trespassoffering unto the LORD for his sin which
he hath sinned. A female from the flock, whether it be an ewe
{lamb} or a she goat, for a sinoffering. And the priest shall make
an atonement for him for his sin. But if he be not able to bring a
sheep, then let him bring for his trespass which he hath sinned,
two turtle doves or two young pigeons unto the LORD, one for a
sinoffering and another for a burntoffering. And he shall bring
them unto the priest, which shall offer the sinoffering first and
wring the neck asunder of it, but pluck it not clean off. And let
him sprinkle of the blood of the sinoffering upon the side of the
altar, and let the rest of the blood bleed upon the bottom of the
altar, and then it is a sinoffering. And let him offer the second
for a burntoffering as the manner is: and so shall the priest make
an atonement for him for the sin which he hath sinned, and it
shall be forgiven him. And yet if he be not able to bring two
turtle doves or two young pigeons, then let him bring his offering
for his sin: the tenth part of an Epha of fine flour for a
sinoffering, but put none oil thereto neither put any frankincense
thereon, for it is a sinoffering. And let him bring it to the
priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it and burn it
upon the altar for a remembrance to be a sacrifice for the LORD:
that is a sinoffering. And let the priest make an atonement for
him for his sin (whatsoever of these he hath sinned) and it shall
be forgiven. And the remnant shall be the priest's, as it is in
the meatoffering. And the LORD communed with Moses saying: when a
soul trespasseth and sinneth thorow ignorance in any of the holy
things of the LORD, he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD,
a ram without blemish out of the flock valued at two sicles after
the holy sicle, {[of the sanctuary,]} for a trespassoffering. And
he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy
thing, and put the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto the
priest. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the
ram of the trespassoffering, and it shall be forgiven him. When a
soul sinneth and committeth any of these things which are
forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD: though he
wist it not, he hath yet offended and is in sin, and shall bring a
ram without blemish out of the flock that is esteemed to be worth
a sinoffering, unto the priest. And the priest shall make an
atonement for him for the ignorance which he did, and was not
ware, and it shall be forgiven him. This is a trespassoffering,
for he trespassed against the LORD.
Chapter .vi.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: when a soul sinneth and
trespasseth against the LORD, and denied unto his neighbour that
which was taken him to keep, or that was put under his hand, or
that which he hath violently taken away, or that which he hath
deceived his neighbour of with subtlety, or hath found that which
was lost and denieth it, and sweareth falsely, in whatsoever thing
it be that a man doth and sinneth therein; Then when he hath
sinned or trespassed, he shall restore again that he took
violently away, or the wrong which he did, or that which was
delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, or
whatsoever it be about which he hath sworn falsely, he shall
restore it again in the whole sum, and shall add the fifth part
more thereto and give it unto him to whom it pertaineth, the same
day that he offereth for his trespass, and shall bring for his
trespassoffering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the
flock, that is esteemed worth a trespassoffering unto the priest.
And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD,
and it shall be forgiven him in whatsoever thing it be that a man
doth and trespasseth therein. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: Command Aaron and his sons saying: this is the law of the
burntoffering. The burntoffering shall be upon the hearth of the
altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall
burn therein. And the priest shall put on his linen alb and his
linen breeches upon his flesh, and take away the ashes which the
fire of the burntsacrifice in the altar hath made, and put them
beside the altar, and then put off his raiment and put on other
and carry the ashes out without the host unto a clean place. The
fire that is upon the altar shall burn therein and not go out. And
the priest shall put wood on the fire every morning, and put the
burntsacrifice upon it, and he shall burn thereon the fat of the
peaceofferings. The fire shall ever burn upon the altar, and never
go out. This is the law of the meatoffering: Aaron's sons shall
bring it before the LORD, unto the altar: and one of them shall
take his handful of the flour of the meatoffering and of the oil
with all the frankincense which is thereon, and shall burn it unto
a remembrance upon the altar to be a sweet savour of the memorial
of it unto the LORD. And the rest thereof, Aaron and his sons
shall eat: unleavened it shall be eaten in the holy place: even in
the court of the tabernacle of witness they shall eat it. Their
part which I have given them of my sacrifice, shall not be baken
with leaven, for it is most holy, as is the sinoffering, and
trespass offering. All the males among the children of Aaron,
shall eat of it: and it shall be a duty for ever unto your
generations of the sacrifices of the LORD, neither shall any man
twitch it, but he that is hallowed. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: this is the offering of Aaron and of his sons which he
shall offer unto the LORD in the day when they are anointed: the
tenth part of an Epha of flour, which is a daily meatoffering
perpetually: half in the morning and half at night: and in the
frying pan it shall be made with oil. And when it is fried, thou
shalt bring it in as a baken meatoffering minced small, and shalt
offer it for a sweet savour unto the LORD. And that priest of his
sons that is anointed in his stead, shall offer it: and it shall
be the LORD's {lordes} duty for ever, and it shall be burnt
altogether. For all the meatofferings of the priests shall be
burnt altogether, and shall not be eaten. And the LORD talked with
Moses saying: speak unto Aaron and unto his sons and say: This is
the law of the sinoffering. In the place where the burntoffering
is killed, shall the sinoffering be killed also before the LORD,
for it is most holy. The priest that offereth it shall eat it in
the holy place: even in the court of the tabernacle of witness. No
man shall touch the flesh thereof, save he that is hallowed. And
if any raiment be sprinkled therewith, it shall be washed in an
holy place, and the earthen pot that it is sodden in shall be
broken. If it be sodden in brass, then the pot shall be scoured
and plunged {rinsed} in the water. All the males among the
children of Aaron {the priests} shall eat thereof, for it is most
holy. Notwithstanding no sinoffering that hath his blood brought
into the tabernacle of witness to reconcile with all in the holy
place, shall be eaten: but shall be burnt in the fire.
Chapter .vij.
This is the law of the trespassoffering which is most holy. In the
place where the burntoffering is killed, the trespassoffering
shall be killed also: and his blood shall be sprinkled round about
upon the altar. And all the fat thereof shall be offered: the rump
and the fat that covered the inwards, and the two kidneys with the
fat that lieth on them and upon the loins: and the caul on the
liver shall be taken away with the kidneys: And the priest shall
burn them upon the altar, to be an offering unto the LORD: this is
a trespass offering. All the males among the priests shall eat
thereof in the holy place, for it is most holy. As the sinoffering
is, so is the trespass offering, one law serveth for both: and it
shall be the priests that reconcileth therewith. And the priest
that offered a man's burntoffering, shall have the skin of the
burntoffering which he hath offered. And all the meatofferings
that are baken in the oven, and all that is dressed upon the
gridiron and in the frying pan, shall be the priests that offereth
them. And all the meatofferings that are mingled with oil or dry,
shall pertain unto all the sons of Aaron, and one shall have as
much as another. This is the law of the peaceofferings which shall
be offered unto the LORD. If he offer to give thanks, he shall
bring unto his thankoffering: sweet cakes mingled with oil and
sweet wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil of fine
flour fried, and he shall bring his offering upon cakes made of
leavened bread unto the thankoffering of his peaceofferings, and
of them all he shall offer one to be an heave offering unto the
LORD, and it shall be the priests that sprinkleth the blood of the
peaceofferings. And the flesh of the thankoffering of his
peaceofferings shall be eaten the same day that it is offered, and
there shall none of it be laid up until the morning. If it be a
vow or a freewill offering that he bringeth, the same day that he
offereth it, it shall be eaten, and that which remaineth may be
eaten on the morrow: but as much of the offered flesh as remaineth
unto the third day shall be burned with fire. For if any of the
flesh of the peaceofferings be eaten the third day then shall he
that offered it obtain no favour, neither shall it be reckoned
unto him: but shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of
it shall bear the sin thereof. The flesh that twicheth any unclean
thing shall not be eaten, but burnt with fire: and all that be
clean in their flesh, may eat flesh. If any soul eat of the flesh
of the peaceofferings, that pertain unto the LORD, and his
uncleanness yet upon him, the same soul shall perish from among
his people. Moreover if a soul twich any unclean thing, whether it
be the uncleanness of man or of any unclean beast or any
abomination that is unclean: and then eat of the flesh of the
peaceofferings which pertain unto the LORD, that soul shall perish
from his people. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto
the children of Israel and say: Ye shall eat no manner fat of
oxen, sheep or goats: neverthelater the fat of the beast that
dieth alone and the fat of that which is torn with wild beasts,
may be occupied in all manner uses: but ye shall in no wise eat of
it. For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast of which men bring
an offering unto the LORD, that soul that eateth it shall perish
from his people. Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood,
wheresoever ye dwell, whether it be of fowl or of beast.
Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood the same
soul shall perish from his people. And the LORD talked with Moses
saying: speak unto the children of Israel and say: He that
offereth his peaceoffering unto the LORD, shall bring his gift
unto the LORD of his peaceofferings: his own hands shall bring the
offering of the LORD: even the fat upon the breast he shall bring
with the breast to wave it a waveoffering before the LORD. And the
priest shall burn the fat upon the altar, and the breast shall be
Aaron's and his sons. And the right shoulder they shall give unto
the priest, to be an heave offering, of their peaceofferings. And
the same that offereth the blood of the peaceofferings and the
fat, among the sons of Aaron, shall have the right shoulder unto
his part, for the wavebreast and the heaveshoulder I have taken of
the children of Israel, even of their peaceofferings, and have
given it unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons: to be a duty for
ever of the children of Israel. This is the anointing of Aaron and
of the sacrifices of the LORD, in the day when they were offered
to be priests unto the LORD, which the LORD commanded to be given
them in the day when he anointed them, of the children of Israel,
and to be a duty for ever among their generations. This is the law
of burntofferings, of meatofferings, of sinofferings, of
trespassofferings, of fullofferings, of peaceofferings, which the
LORD commanded Moses in the mount of Sinai, in the day when he
commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings unto the
LORD in the wilderness of Sinai.
Chapter .viij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: take Aaron and his sons with
him, and the vestures and the anointing oil, and an ox for a
sinoffering and two rams and a basket of sweet bread: and gather
all the community together unto the door of the tabernacle of
witness. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and the people
gathered them selves together unto the door of the tabernacle of
witness. And Moses said unto the people: this is the thing which
the LORD commanded to do. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons,
and washed them with water, and put upon him the alb and gird him
with a girdle, and put upon him the tunicle, and put the Ephod
thereon, and girded him with the broidered girdle of the Ephod,
and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastlap thereon,
and put in the breastlap light and perfectness. And he put the
mitre upon his head, and put upon the mitre even upon the
forefront of it, the golden plate of the holy crown, as the LORD
commanded Moses. And Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the
habitation and all that was therein and sanctified them, and
sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the
altar and all his vessels, and the laver with his foot, to
sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's
head, and anointed him to sanctify him. And he brought Aaron's
sons and put albs upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put
bonnets upon their heads: as the LORD commanded Moses. And the
sinoffering was brought. And Aaron and his sons put their hands
upon the head of the ox of the sinoffering. And when it was slain,
Moses took of the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar
round about with his finger and purified it, and poured the blood
unto the bottom of the altar and sanctified it and reconciled it.
And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards and the caul
that was on the liver and the two kidneys with their fat and
burned it upon the altar. But the ox, the hide, his flesh and his
dung, he burnt with fire without the host, as the LORD commanded
Moses. And he brought the ram of the burntoffering, and Aaron and
his sons put their hands upon the head of the ram, and it was
killed. And Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about,
and cut the ram in pieces and burnt the head, the pieces and the
fat, and washed the inwards and the legs in water, and burn the
ram every whit upon the altar. That was a burnt sacrifice of a
sweet savour, and an offering unto the LORD, as the LORD commanded
Moses. And he brought the other ram that was the fulloffering, and
Aaron and his sons put their hands upon the head of the ram: And
when it was slain, Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon
the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right
hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. Then were Aaron's
sons brought, and Moses put of the blood on the tip of the right
ear of them, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon
the great toes of their right feet, and sprinkled the blood upon
the altar round about. And he took the fat and the rump and all
the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul of the liver, and
the two kidneys with their fat and their right shoulder. And out
of the basket of sweet bread that was before the LORD, he took one
sweet cake of oiled bread and one wafer, and put them on the fat
and upon the right shoulder, and put altogether upon Aaron's hands
and upon his sons' hands, and waved it a waveoffering before the
LORD. And then Moses took them from of their hands again, and
burnt them upon the altar, even upon the burntoffering: These are
the fullofferings of a sweet savour and a sacrifice unto the LORD.
And Moses took the breast and waved it a waveoffering before the
LORD, of the ram of the fullofferings: and it was Moses' part, as
the LORD commanded Moses. And Moses took of the anointing oil and
of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron
and upon his vestments and upon his sons and on their vestments
with him, and sanctified Aaron and his vestures and his sons and
his sons' vestures also. Then Moses said unto Aaron and his sons:
boil the flesh in the door of the tabernacle of witness, and there
eat it with the bread that is in the basket of fullofferings, as
the Lord commanded saying: Aaron and his sons shall eat it: and
that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread, burn with
fire. And see that ye depart not from the door of the tabernacle
of witness seven days long: until the days of your fullofferings
be at an end. For seven days must your hands be filled, as they
were this day: even so the LORD hath commanded to do, to reconcile
you with all. See therefore that ye abide in the door of the
tabernacle of witness day and night seven days long: and keep the
watch of the LORD that ye die not: for so I am commanded. And
Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the
hand of Moses.
Chapter .ix.
And the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders
of Israel, and said unto Aaron: take a calf for a sinoffering, and
a ram for a burntoffering: both without blemish, and bring them
before the LORD. And unto the children of Israel he spake saying:
take ye an he goat for a sinoffering, and a calf and a lamb both
two of a year old, and without blemish for a burnt sacrifice, and
an ox and a ram for peaceofferings, to offer before the LORD, and
a meatoffering mingled with oil, for today the LORD will appear
unto you. And they brought that which Moses commanded unto the
tabernacle of witness, and all the people came and stood before
the LORD. And Moses said: this is the thing which the LORD
commanded that ye should do: and then the glory of the LORD shall
appear unto you. And Moses said unto Aaron: go unto the altar and
offer thy sinoffering, and make an atonement for thee and for the
people: and then offer the offering of the people and reconcile
them also, as the LORD commanded Moses. And Aaron went unto the
altar, and slew the calf that was his sinoffering. And the sons of
Aaron brought the blood unto him, and he dipped his finger in the
blood and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured the blood
unto the bottom of the altar. And the fat and the two kidneys with
the caul of the liver of the sinoffering, he burnt upon the altar,
as the LORD commanded Moses: but the flesh and the hide, he burnt
with fire without the host. Afterward he slew the burntoffering,
and Aaron's sons brought the blood unto him, and he sprinkled it
round about upon the altar. And they brought the burntoffering
unto him in pieces and the head also, and he burnt it upon the
altar, and did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them also
upon the burntoffering in the altar. And then he brought the
people's offering and took the goat that was the people's
sinoffering, and slew it and offered it for a sinoffering: as he
did the first. And then brought the burntoffering and offered it
as the manner was, and brought the meatoffering and filled his
hand thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, besides the burnt
sacrifice in the morning. Then he slew the ox and the ram that
were the people's peaceofferings, and Aaron's sons brought the
blood unto him, and he sprinkled it upon the altar round about,
and took the fat of the ox and of the ram: the rump and the fat
that covereth the inwards and the kidneys and the caul of the
liver: and put them upon the breasts and burnt it upon the altar:
but the breasts and the right shoulders Aaron waved before the
LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. And Aaron lift up his hand over
the people and blessed them, and came down from offering of
sinofferings, burntofferings and peaceofferings. Then Moses and
Aaron went into the tabernacle of witness and came out again and
blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all
the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and
consumed upon the altar: the burntoffering and the fat. And all
the people saw it and shouted, and fell on their faces.
Chapter .x.
And Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron took either of them his
censor, and put fire therein, and put cense upon, and brought
strange fire before the LORD: which he commanded them not, and
there went a fire out from the LORD, and consumed them, and they
died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron: this is it that
the LORD spake saying: I will be sanctified in them that come nye
me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held
his peace. And Moses called Misael and Elisaphan the sons of Uriel
the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them: go to and carry your
brethren from the holy place out of the host. And they went to
them and carried them in their albs out of the host, as Moses
bade. And Moses said unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and Ithamar his
eldest sons: uncover not your head neither rent your clothes, lest
ye die and wrath come upon all the people, let your brethren the
hole house of Israel, beweep the burning which the LORD hath
burnt. But go ye not out from the door of the tabernacle of
witness, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon
you. And they did as Moses bade. And the LORD spake unto Aaron
saying: drink no wine nor strong drink, neither thou nor thy sons
with thee: when ye go into the tabernacle of witness, lest ye die.
And let it be a law forever unto your children after you: that ye
may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean
and clean, and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the
ordinances which the LORD hath commanded them by the hands of
Moses. And Moses said unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and Ithamar his
sons that were left: take the meatoffering that remaineth of the
sacrifices of the LORD, and eat it without leaven beside the
altar, for it is most holy: eat it therefore in the holy place,
because it is thy duty and thy sons' duty of the sacrifice of the
LORD: for so I am commanded. And the wavebreast and heaveshoulder
eat in a clean place: both thou and thy sons and thy daughters
with thee. For it is thy duty, and thy sons' duty with thee, of
the peaceofferings of the children of Israel. For the
heaveshoulder and the wavebreast which they bring with the
sacrifices of the fat, to wave it before the LORD, shall be thine
and thy sons' with thee, and be a law for ever, as the LORD hath
commanded. And Moses sought for the goat that was the sinoffering,
and see, it was burnt. And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar
the sons of Aaron, which were left alive saying: wherefore have ye
not eaten the sinoffering in the holy place, seeing it is most
holy: and forasmuch as it is given you to bear the sin of the
people, and make agreement for them before the LORD? Behold, the
blood of it was not brought in within the holy place, therefore
should ye have eaten it in the holy place as I commanded. And
Aaron said unto Moses: behold, this day have they offered their
sinoffering and their burntoffering before the LORD, and it is
chanced me after this manner. If I should eat of the sinoffering
today, would the LORD be content with all? And when Moses heard
that, he was content.
Chapter .xi.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: speak unto the
children of Israel and say: these are the beasts which ye shall
eat among all the beasts that are on the earth: whatsoever hath
hoof and divideth it into two claws and cheweth cud among the
beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless, these shall ye not eat of
them that chew cud and have hoofs. The camel, for he cheweth cud
but he divideth not the hoof into two claws, therefore he shall be
unclean unto you. And the cony, for he cheweth the cud but
divideth not the hoof into two claws, therefore he is unclean to
you. And the hare, for he likewise cheweth the cud, but divideth
not the hoof into two claws, he is therefore unclean to you. And
the swine, for though he divide the hoof into two claws, yet he
cheweth not the cud and therefore is unclean to you. Of their
flesh see that ye eat not, and their carcasses see that ye twich
not for they are unclean to you. These shall ye eat of all that
are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters,
seas and rivers, that shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and
scales in the seas and rivers of all that move and live in the
waters, shall ye abhor. See that ye eat not of their flesh, and
also that ye abhor their carcasses: for all that have no fins nor
scales in the waters, shall be abomination unto you. These are the
fowls which ye shall abhor and which shall not be eaten, for they
are an abomination. The eagle, the goshawk, the cormorant, the
kite, the vulture and all his kind and all kind of ravens, the
ostrich, the nightcrow, the cuckoo, the sparrowhawk, and all the
kind: the little owl, the stork, the great owl, the back, the
pelican, the pye, the heron, the jay with the kind, the lapwing
and the swallow. And all fowls that creep and go upon all fours
shall be an abomination unto you. Yet these may ye eat of all the
fowls that move and go upon four feet: even those that have no
knees above upon their feet to leap withal upon the earth, even
these of them ye may eat: the arb and all his kind: the Soleam
with all his kind: the Hargol and all the kind, and the Hagab and
all his kind. All other fowls that move and have four feet, shall
be abomination unto you. In such ye shall be unclean whosoever
touch the carcass of the shall be unclean unto the even, and
whosoever beareth the carcass of them, shall wash his clothes and
shall be unclean until even. Among all manner beasts, they that
have hoofs and divide them not into two claws or that chew not the
cud, shall be unclean unto you: and all that twicheth them shall
be unclean. And all that goeth upon his hands among all manner
beasts that go on all fours, are unclean unto you: and as many as
twich their carcasses, shall be unclean until the evening. And he
that beareth the carcass of them, shall wash his clothes and be
unclean until the even, for such are unclean unto you. And these
are also unclean to you among the things that creep upon the
earth: the weasel, the mouse, the toad and all his kind, the
hedgehog, stellio, the lizard, the snail and the mole: These are
unclean to you among all that move, and all that twich them when
they be dead, shall be unclean until the evening. And whatsoever
any of the dead carcasses of them fall upon, shall be unclean:
whatsoever vessel of wood it be, or raiment, or skin, or bag or
whatsoever thing it be that any work is wrought with all. And they
shall be plunged in the water and be unclean until the even, and
then they shall be clean again. All manner of earthen vessel
whereinto any of them falleth, is unclean with all that therein
is: and ye shall break it. All manner meat that is eaten, if any
such water come upon it, it shall be unclean. And all manner drink
that is drunk in all manner such vessels, shall be unclean. And
whether it be oven or kettle, it shall be broken. For they are
unclean and shall be unclean unto you: Neverthelater, yet the
fountains and wells and ponds of water, shall be clean still. But
whosoever twicheth their carcasses, shall be unclean. If the dead
carcass of any such fall upon any seed used to sow, it shall yet
be clean still: but and if any water be poured upon the seed and
afterward the dead carcass of them fall thereon, then it shall be
unclean unto you. If any beast of which ye eat die, he that
twicheth the dead carcass shall be unclean until the evening. And
he that eateth of any such dead carcass, shall wash his clothes
and remain unclean until the evening. And he also that beareth the
carcass of it, shall wash his clothes and be unclean until even.
All that crawleth upon the earth, is an abomination and shall not
be eaten. And whatsoever goeth upon the breast, and whatsoever
goeth upon four or more feet among all that crawleth upon the
earth, of that see ye eat not: for they are abominable. Make not
your souls abominable. Make not your souls abominable with nothing
that creepeth, neither make your souls unclean with them: that ye
should be defiled thereby. For I am the LORD your God, be
sanctified therefore that ye may be holy, for I am holy: and
defile not your souls with any manner thing that creepeth upon the
earth. For I am the LORD that brought you out of the land of Egypt
to be your God: be holy therefore, for I am holy. This is the law
of beast and fowl and of all manner thing that liveth and moveth
in the water and of all things that creep upon the earth, that ye
may put difference between unclean and clean, and between the
beasts that are eaten and the beasts that are not eaten.
Chapter .xij.
And the LORD spake Unto Moses and said: speak unto the children of
Israel and say: when a woman hath conceived and hath borne a man
child, she shall be unclean seven days: even in like manner as
when she is put apart in time of her natural disease. And in the
eighth day the flesh of the child's foreskin shall be cut away.
And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying thirty three
days, she shall twitch no hallowed thing nor come in to the
sanctuary, until the time of her purifying be out. If she bear a
maidchild, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as when she hath
her natural disease. And she shall continue in the blood of her
purifying sixty six days. And when the days of her purifying are
out: whether it be a son or a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of
one year old for a burntoffering and a young pigeon or a
turtledove for a sinoffering unto the door of the tabernacle of
witness unto the priest: which shall offer them before the LORD,
and make an atonement for her, and so she shall be purged of her
issue of blood. This is the law of her that hath borne a child,
whether it be male or female. But and if she be not able to bring
a sheep, then let her bring two turtles or two young pigeons: the
one for the burntoffering, and the other for the sinoffering. And
the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be
clean.
Chapter .xiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying: when there
appeareth a rising in any man's flesh either a scab or a
glistering white: as though the plague of leprosy were in the skin
of his flesh, then let him be brought unto Aaron the priest or
unto one of his sons the priests, and let the priest look on the
sore that is in the skin of his flesh. If the hair in the sore be
turned unto white, and the sore also seem to be lower than the
skin of his flesh, then it is surely a leprosy, and let the priest
look on him and make him unclean. If there be but a white pleck in
the skin of his flesh, and seem not to be lower than the other
skin nor the hair thereof is turned unto white: then let the
priest shut him up seven days. And let the priest look upon him
the seventh day: if the sore seem to him to abide still and to go
no further in the skin, then let the priest shut him up yet seven
days more. {mo} And let the priest look on him again the seventh
day. Then if the sore be waxed blackish, and is not grown abroad
in the skin, let the priest make him clean, for it is but a scurf.
And let him wash his clothes, and then he is clean. But and if the
scab grow in the skin after that he is seen of the priest again.
If the priest see that the scab be grown abroad in the skin, let
him make him unclean: for it is surely a leprosy. If the plague of
leprosy be in a man, let him be brought unto the priest, and let
the priest see him. If the rising appear white in the skin, and
have also made the hair white, and there be raw flesh in the sore
also: then it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh. And the
priest shall make him unclean, and shall not shut him up for he is
unclean. If a leprosy break out in the skin and cover all the skin
from the head to the foot over all wheresoever the priest looketh,
then let the priest look upon him. If the leprosy have covered all
his flesh, let him make {judge} the disease clean: for inasmuch as
he is altogether white he is therefore clean. But and if there be
raw flesh on him when he is seen, then he shall be unclean.
Therefore when the priest seeth the raw flesh, let him make him
unclean. For inasmuch as his flesh is raw, he is unclean and it is
surely a true leprosy. But and if the raw flesh depart again and
change unto white, then let him come to the priest and let the
priest see him: If the sore be changed unto white, let the priest
make {judge} the disease clean, and then he is clean. When there
is a beal in the skin of any man's flesh and is healed and after
in the place of the beal there appear a white rising either a
shining white somewhat reddish, let him be seen of the priest. If
when the priest seeth him it appear lower than the other skin and
the hair thereof be changed unto white, let the priest make
{judge} him unclean: for it is a very leprosy, that is broken out
in the place of the beal. But and if when the priest looketh on it
there be no white hairs therein neither the scab lower than the
other skin and be somewhat blackish, then the priest shall shut
him apart seven days. If it spread abroad in the mean season, then
let the priest make {judge} him unclean: for it is a leprosy. But
and if the glistering white abide still in one place and go no
further, then it is but the print of the beal, and the priest
shall make {judge} him clean. When the skin of any man's flesh is
burnt with fire that it be raw and there appear in the burning a
glistering white that is somewhat reddish or altogether white, let
the priest look upon it. If the hair in that brightness be changed
to white and it also appear lower than the other skin, then it is
a leprosy that is broken out in the place of the burning. And the
priest shall make {judge} him unclean, for it is a leprosy. But
and if (when the priest looketh on it) he see that there is no
white hair in the brightness, and that it is no lower than the
other skin, and that it is also blackish, then let the priest shut
him up seven days. And if (when the priest looketh on him the
seventh day) it be grown abroad in the skin, let him make {judge}
him unclean: for it is a leprosy. But and if that brightness abide
still in one place and go no further in the skin and be blackish,
then it is but a rising in the place of the burning, and the
priest shall make him clean: for it is but the print of the
burning only. When either man or woman hath a breaking out upon
the head or the beard, let the priest see it. And if it appear
lower than the other skin, and there be therein golden hairs and
thin, let the priest make {judge} him unclean, for it is a
breaking out of leprosy upon the head or beard. If (when the
priest looketh on the breaking out) he see that it is no lower
than the other skin and that there are black hairs therein, let
him shut him up seven days. And let the priest look on the disease
the seventh day: and if the breaking out be gone no further
neither be any golden hairs therein neither the scab be lower than
the other skin, then let him be shaven, but let him not shave the
scab, and let the priest shut him up seven days more. And let the
priest look on the breaking out the seventh day again: If the
breaking out be gone no further in the skin nor more lower than
the other skin, then let the priest make {judge} him clean, and
let him wash his clothes and then he is clean. If the breaking out
grow in the skin after that he is once made {judged} clean, let
the priest see him. If it be grown abroad indeed in the skin, let
the priest seek no further for any golden hairs, for he is
unclean. But and if he see that the scab stond still, and that
there is black hair grown up therein, then the scab is healed and
he is clean: and the priest shall make {judge} him clean. If there
be found in the skin of the flesh of man or woman a glistering
white, let the priest see it. If there appear in their flesh a
glistering white somewhat blackish, then it is but freckles grown
up in the skin: and he is clean. If a man's hair fall off his
head, then he is headbald and clean. If his hair fall before in
his forehead, then he is foreheadbald and clean. If there be in
the bald head or bald forehead a reddish white scab, then there is
leprosy sprung up in his bald head or bald forehead. And let the
priest see it: and if the rising of the sore be reddish white in
his bald head or forehead after the manner of a leprosy in the
skin of the flesh, then he is a leper and unclean: and the priest
shall make {judge} him unclean, for the plague of his head. And
the leper in whom the plague is, shall have his clothes rent and
his head bare and his mouth muffled and shall be called unclean.
And as long as the disease lasteth upon him, he shall be unclean:
for he is unclean, and shall therefore dwell alone, and even
without the host shall his habitation be. When the plague of
leprosy is in a cloth: whether it be linen or woollen, yea and
whether it be in the warp or woof of the linen or of the woollen:
either in a skin or any thing made of skin, if the disease be pale
or somewhat reddish in the cloth or skin: whether it be in the
warp or the woof or any thing that is made of skin, then it is a
very leprosy, and must be shewed unto the priest. And when the
priest seeth the plague, let him shut it up seven days, and let
him look on the plague the seventh day. If it be increased in the
cloth: whether it be in the warp or woof or in a skin or in
anything that is made of skin, then the plague is a fretting
leprosy, and it is unclean: And that cloth shall be burnt, either
warp or woof, whether it be woollen or linen or any thing that is
made of skin wherein the plague is, for it is a fretting leprosy,
and shall be burnt in the fire. If the priest see that the plague
hath fretten no further in the cloth: either in the warp or woof
or in whatsoever thing of skin it be, then let the priest command
then to wash the thing wherein the plague is, and let him shut it
up seven days more. And let the priest look on it again after that
the plague is washed. If the plague have not changed his fashion
though it be spread no further abroad, it is yet unclean. And see
that ye burn it in the fire, for it is fretten inward: whether in
part or in all together. But and if the priest see that it is
somewhat blackish after that it is washed, let him rent it out of
the cloth, or out of the skin or out of the warp or woof. But and
if it appear any more in the cloth either in the warp or in the
woof or in anything made of skin, then it is a waxing plague. And
see that ye burn that with fire, wherein the plague is. Moreover
the cloth either warp or woof or whatsoever thing of skin it be
which thou hast washed and the plague be departed from it, shall
be washed once again: and then it is clean. This is the law of the
plague of leprosy in a cloth whether it be woollen or linen:
either whether it be in the warp or woof, or in anything made of
skins, to make {judge} it clean or unclean.
Chapter .xiiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: this is the law of a leper
when he shall be cleansed: He shall be brought unto the priest,
and the priest shall go out without the host and look upon him. If
the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper, then shall the
priest command that there be brought for him that shall be
cleansed two living birds that are clean, and cypress {cedar}
wood, and a piece of purple cloth and hyssop. And the priest shall
command that one of the birds be killed over {in} an earthen
vessel of running water. And the priest shall take the living bird
and the cypress {cedar} wood and the purple and the hyssop, and
shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the slain bird,
and in the running water and sprinkle it upon him that must be
cleansed of his leprosy seven times and cleanse him, and shall let
the living bird go free into the fields. And he that is cleansed
shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair, and wash
himself in water, and then he is clean. And after that he shall
come into the host, but shall tarry without his tent seven days.
When the seventh day is come, he shall shave off all his hair both
upon his head and his beard and on his brows: and even all the
hair that is on him, shall be shaven off. And he shall wash his
clothes and his flesh in water, and then he shall be clean. And
when the eighth day is come, let him take two lambs without
blemish and a ewe lamb of a year old without blemish, and three
tenth deals of fine flour for a meatoffering mingled with oil, and
a log of oil. Then let the priest that maketh him clean, bring the
man that is made clean with those things before the LORD unto the
door of the tabernacle of witness. And let the priest take one of
the lambs and offer him for a trespassoffering, and the log of
oil: and wave them before the LORD. And then let him slay the lamb
in the place where the sinoffering and the burntoffering are
slain: even in the holy place. For as the sinoffering is, even so
is the trespassoffering the priest's: for it is most holy. Then
let the priest take of the blood of the trespassoffering, and put
it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is cleansed, and upon
the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right
foot. Then let the priest take of the log of oil, and pour it into
the palm of his left hand and dip his right finger in the oil that
is in the palm of his left hand, and let him sprinkle it with his
finger seven times before the LORD. And of the rest of the oil
that is in his hand, shall the priest put upon the tip of the
right ear of him that is cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right
hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: even upon the
blood of the trespass offering. And the remnant of the oil that is
in the priest's hand, he shall pour upon the head of him that is
cleansed: and so shall be priest make an atonement for him before
the LORD. Then let the priest offer the sinoffering, and make an
atonement for him that is cleansed for his uncleanness. And then
let the burntoffering be slain, and let the priest put both the
burntoffering and the meatoffering upon the altar; and make an
atonement for him, and then he shall be clean. If he be poor and
can not get so much, then let him bring one lamb for a
trespassoffering to wave it and to make an atonement for him, and
a tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meatoffering,
and a log of oil, and two turtle doves or two young pigeons which
he is able to get, and let the one be a sinoffering and the other
a burntoffering. And let him bring them the eighth day for his
cleansing unto the priest to the door of the tabernacle of witness
before the LORD. And let the priest take the lamb that is the
trespassoffering and the log of oil, and wave them before the
LORD. And when the lamb of the trespassoffering is killed, the
priest shall take of the blood of the trespass offering, and put
it upon the tip of his right ear that is cleansed, and upon the
thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And the priest shall pour of the oil into his right hand, and
shall sprinkle with his finger of the oil that is in his left hand
seven times before the LORD. And the priest shall put of the oil
that is in his hand, upon the tip of the right ear of him that is
cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great
toe of his right foot: even in the place where the blood of the
trespassoffering was put. And the rest of the oil that is in his
hand, he shall pour upon the head of him that is cleansed: to make
an atonement for him before the LORD. And he shall offer one of
the turtle doves or of the young pigeons, such as he can get: the
one for a sin offering and the other for a burntoffering upon the
altar. And so shall the priest make an atonement for him that is
cleansed before the LORD. This is the law of him that hath the
plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which
pertaineth to his cleansing. And the LORD spake unto Moses and
Aaron saying: when ye be come unto the land of Canaan which I give
you to possess: if I put the plague of leprosy in any house of the
land of your possession, let him that owneth the house go and tell
the priest saying: me think that there is as it were a leprosy in
the house. And the priest shall command them to rid all things out
of the house, before the priest go in to see the plague: that he
make not all that is in the house unclean, and then the priest
shall go in and see the house. If the priest see that the plague
is in the walls of the house, and that there be hollow streaks
pale or red which seem to be lower than the other parts of the
wall, then let the priest go out at the house doors, and shut up
the house for seven days. And let the priest come again the
seventh day and see it: if the plague be increased in the walls of
the house, let the priest command them to take away the stones in
which the plague is, and let them cast them in a foul place
without the city, and scrape the house within round about, and
pour out the dust without the city in a foul place. And let them
take other stones and put them in the places of those stones, and
other mortar, and plaster the house withal. If now the plague come
again and break out in the house, after that they have taken away
the stones and scraped the house, and after that the house is
plastered anew: let the priest come and see it. And if then he
perceive that the plague hath eaten further in the house, then it
is a fretting leprosy that is in the house, and it is unclean.
Then they shall break down the house: both stones, timber and all
the mortar of the house, and carry it out of the city unto a foul
place. Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it
is shut up, shall be unclean until night. And he that sleepeth in
the house shall wash his clothes, and he also that eateth in the
house shall wash his clothes. But and if the priest come and see
that the plague hath spread no further in the house after that it
is new plastered, then let him make it clean for the plague is
healed. And let him take to cleanse the house withal: two birds,
cypress wood, and purple cloth and hyssop. And let him kill one of
the birds over {in} an earthen vessel of {with} running water: and
take the cypress {cedar} wood, the hyssop, the purple and the
living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in
the running water, and sprinkle upon the house seven times, and
cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running
water, and with the living bird, and with the cypress wood, and
the hyssop, and the purple cloth. And he shall let the living bird
flee out of the town into the wild fields, and so make an
atonement for the house, and it shall be clean. This is the law of
all manner plague of leprosy and breaking out, and of the leprosy
of cloth and house: and of risings, scabs and glistering white, to
teach when a thing is unclean or clean. This is the law of
leprosy.
Chapter .xv.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: Speak unto the
children of Israel and say unto them: every man that hath a
running issue in his flesh, is unclean by the reason of his issue.
And hereby shall it be known when he is unclean. If his flesh run,
or if his flesh congeal by the reason of his issue, then he is
unclean. Every couch whereon he lieth and every thing whereon he
sitteth shall be unclean. He that twicheth his couch, shall wash
his clothes and bathe himself with water, and be unclean until the
even. He that sitteth on that whereon he sat, shall wash his
clothes and bathe himself with water and be unclean until the
evening. And he that twicheth his flesh shall wash his clothes and
bathe himself in water and be unclean unto the evening. If any
such spit upon him that is clean, he must wash his clothes and
bathe himself in water and be unclean until even. And whatsoever
saddle that he rideth upon, shall be unclean. And whosoever
twicheth anything that was under him, shall be unclean unto the
evening. And he that beareth any such things shall wash his
clothes, and bathe himself in water and be unclean unto the even,
and whosoever he twicheth (if he have not first washed his hands
in water) must wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and
be unclean unto the evening. And if he twich a vessel of earth, it
shall be broken: and all vessels of wood shall be rinsed in the
water. When he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue, let
him number seven days after he is clean, and wash his clothes, and
bathe his flesh in running water, and then he is clean. And the
eighth day let him take two turtle doves or two young pigeons, and
come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of witness,
and give them unto the priest. And the priest shall offer them:
the one for a sinoffering, and the other for a burntoffering: and
make an atonement for him before the LORD, as concerning his
issue. If any man's seed depart from him in his sleep, he shall
wash his flesh in water and be unclean until evening. And all the
clothes or furs whereon such seed chanceth shall be washed with
water and be unclean unto the evening. And if a woman lie with
such a one, they shall wash them selves with water and be unclean
until even. When a woman's natural course of blood runneth, she
shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever twicheth her shall be
unclean unto the evening. And all that she lieth {[or sitteth]}
upon as long as she is put apart shall be unclean. And whosoever
twicheth her couch shall wash his clothes and bathe himself with
water and be unclean unto the evening. And whosoever twicheth
anything that she sat upon, shall wash his clothes and wash
himself also in water, and be unclean unto the even: so that
whether he twich her couch or anything whereon she hath sitten, he
shall be unclean unto the evening. And if a man lie with her in
the mean time, he shall be put apart as well as she and shall be
unclean seven days, and all his couch wherein he sleepeth shall be
unclean. When a woman's blood runneth long time: whether out of
the time of her natural course: as long as her uncleanness
runneth, she shall be unclean after the manner as when she is put
apart. All her couches whereon she lieth (as long as her issue
lasteth) shall be unto her as her couch when she is put apart. And
whatsoever she sitteth upon, shall be unclean, as is her
uncleanness when she is put apart. And whosoever twicheth them,
shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in
water and be unclean unto evening. And when {But if} she is
cleansed {be clean} of her issue, let her count her seven days,
after that she is clean. And the eighth day let her take two
turtles or two young pigeons and bring them unto the priest unto
the door of the tabernacle of witness. And the priest shall offer
the one for a sinoffering, and the other for a burntoffering: and
so make an atonement for her before the LORD, as concerning her
unclean issue. Make the children of Israel to keep them selves
from their uncleanness, that they die not in their uncleanness:
when they have defiled my habitation that is among them. This is
the law of him that hath a running sore, and of him whose seed
runneth from him in his sleep and is defiled therewith, and of her
that hath an issue of blood as long as she is put apart, and of
whosoever hath a running sore whether it be man or woman, and of
him that sleepeth with her that is unclean.
Chapter .xvi.
And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of
Aaron, when they had offered before the LORD and died: And he said
unto Moses: speak unto Aaron thy brother that he go not at all
times into the holy place, that is whithin the vail that hangeth
before the mercy seat which is upon the ark that he die not. For I
will appear in a cloud upon the mercy seat. But of this manner
shall Aaron go in into the holy place: with a young ox {bullock}
for a sinoffering, and a ram for a burntoffering. And he shall put
the holy linen alb upon him, and shall have a linen breech upon
his flesh, and shall gird him with a linen girdle, and put the
linen mitre upon his head: for they are holy raiments. And he
shall wash his flesh with water, and put them on. And he shall
take of the multitude of the children of Israel two goats for a
sinoffering and a ram for a burntoffering. And Aaron shall offer
the ox for his sinoffering and make an atonement for him and for
his house. And he shall take the two goats and present them before
the LORD in the door of the tabernacle of witness. And Aaron cast
lots over the two goats: one lot for the LORD, and another for a
scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's
lot fell, and offer him for a sinoffering. But the goat on which
the lot fell to scape, he shall set alive before the LORD to
reconcile with and to let him go free into the wilderness. And
Aaron shall bring the ox of his sinoffering, and reconcile for
himself and for his household, and kill him. And then he shall
take a censer full of burning coals out of the altar that is
before the LORD, and his handful of sweet cense beaten small, and
bring them within the vail and put the cense upon the fire before
the LORD: that the cloud of the cense may cover the mercy seat
that is upon the witness, that he die not. And he shall take of
the blood of the ox and sprinkle it with his finger before the
mercy seat eastward: even seven times. Then shall he kill the goat
that is the people's sinoffering, and bring his blood within the
vail, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the ox,
and let him sprinkle it toward the mercy seat, and before the
mercy seat: and reconcile the holy place from the uncleanness of
the children of Israel, and from their trespasses and all their
sins. And so let him do also unto the tabernacle of witness that
dwelleth with them, even among their uncleannesses. And there
shall be nobody in the tabernacle of witness, when he goeth in to
make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out again. And
he shall make an atonement for himself and for his household, and
for all the multitude of Israel. Then he shall go out unto the
altar that stondeth before the LORD, and reconcile it, and shall
take of the blood of the ox and of the blood of the goat, and put
it upon the horns of the altar round about, and sprinkle of the
blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and
hallow it from the uncleannesses of the children of Israel. And
when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the
tabernacle of witness and the altar, let him bring the live goat
and let Aaron put both his hands upon the head of the live goat,
and confess over him all the misdeeds of the children of Israel,
and all their trespasses, and all their sins: and let him put them
upon the head of the goat and send him away by the hands of one
that is acquainted in the wilderness. And the goat shall bear upon
him all their misdeeds unto the wilderness, and he shall let the
goat go free in the wilderness. And let Aaron go in to the
tabernacle of witness and put off the line clothes which he put on
when he went in into the holy place, and leave them there. And let
him wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his
own raiment, and then come out and offer his burntoffering and the
burntoffering of the people, and make an atonement for himself and
for the people, and the fat of the sinoffering let him burn upon
the altar. And let him that carried forth the scapegoat, wash his
clothes and bathe his flesh in water, and then come into the host
again. And the ox of the sinoffering and the goat of the
sinoffering (whose blood was brought in to make an atonement in
the holy place) let one carry out without the host and burn with
fire: both their skins, their flesh and their dung. And let him
that burneth them, wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water,
and then come into the host again. And it {this} shall be an
ordinance for ever unto you. And even in the tenth day of the
seventh month, ye shall humble your souls and shall do no work at
all: whether it be one of your selves or a stranger that
sojourneth among you, for that day shall an atonement be made for
you to cleanse you from all your sins before the LORD, and ye
shall be clean. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye
shall humble your souls, and it shall be an ordinance for ever.
And the priest that is anointed and whose hand was filled to
minister in his father's stead, shall make the atonement and shall
put on the holy linen {[clothes and holy]} vestments, and
reconcile the holy sanctuary and the tabernacle of witness and the
altar, and shall make an atonement also for the priests and for
all the people of the congregation. And this shall be an
everlasting ordinance unto you to make an atonement for the
children of Israel for all their sins once a year: and it was done
even as the LORD commanded Moses.
Chapter .xvij.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: speak unto Aaron and unto
his sons and unto all the children of Israel and say unto them,
this is the thing which the LORD charged saying: whatsoever he be
of the house of Israel that killeth an ox, lamb or goat in the
host or out of the host and bringeth them not unto the door of the
tabernacle of witness, to offer an offering unto the LORD before
the dwelling place of the LORD, blood shall be imputed unto that
man, as though he had shed blood, and that man shall perish from
among his people. Wherefore let the children of Israel bring their
offerings they offer in the wide field, unto the LORD: even unto
the door of the tabernacle of witness and unto the priest, and
offer them for peaceofferings unto the LORD. And the priest shall
sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD in the door of the
tabernacle of witness, and burn the fat to be a sweet savour unto
the LORD. And let them no more offer their offerings unto devils,
after whom they go an whoring. And this shall be an ordinance for
ever unto you thorowout your generations. And thou shalt say unto
them: whatsoever man it be of the house of Israel or of the
strangers that sojourn among you that offereth a burntoffering or
any other offering, and bringeth it not unto the door of the
tabernacle of witness to offer unto the LORD, that fellow shall
perish from among his people. And whatsoever man it be of the
house of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn among you that
eateth any manner of blood, I will set my face against that soul
that eateth blood, and will destroy him from among his people, for
the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it unto
you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls, for blood
shall make an atonement for the soul. And therefore I said unto
the children of Israel: see that no soul of you eat blood, nor yet
any stranger that sojourneth among you. Whatsoever man it be of
the children of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn among you
that hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he
shall pour out the blood and cover it with earth. For the life of
all flesh is in the blood, therefore I said unto the children of
Israel, ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh, for the life
of all flesh is in his blood, and whosoever therefore eateth it
shall perish. And whatsoever soul it be that eateth that which
died alone or that which was torn with wild beasts: whether it be
one of your selves or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes and
bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean unto the even, and
then is he clean. But and if he wash them not nor wash his flesh
he shall bear his sin.
Chapter .xviij.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. Wherefore after
the doings of the land of Egypt wherein ye dwelt, see that ye do
not: neither after the doings of the land of Canaan, whether I
will bring you, neither walk ye in their ordinances, but do after
my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: for I am
the LORD your God. Keep therefore mine ordinances, and my
judgments which if a man do he shall live thereby: for I am the
LORD. See that ye go to none of your nyest kindred for to uncover
their secrets, for I am the LORD. The secrets of thy father and
thy mother, see thou unhele not: she is thy mother, therefore
shalt thou not discover her secrets. The secrets of thy father's
wife shalt thou not discover, for they are thy father's secrets.
Thou shalt not discover the privity of thy sister, the daughter of
thy father or of thy mother: whether she be born at home or
without. Thou shalt not discover the secrets of thy son's daughter
or thy daughter's daughter, for that is thine own privity: Thou
shalt not discover the secrets of thy father's wife's daughter,
which she bare to thy father, for she is thy sister: thou shalt
therefore not discover her secrets. Thou shalt not uncover the
secrets of thy father's sister, for she is thy father's next kin.
{kinswoman.} Thou shalt not discover the secrets of thy mother's
sister, for she is thy mother's next kin. {kinswoman.} Thou shalt
not open {uncover} the secrets of thy father's brother: that is
thou shalt not go in to his wife, for she is thine aunt. Thou
shalt not discover {privities} the secrets of thy daughter-in-law
she is thy son's wife: therefore uncover not her secrets. Thou
shalt not unhele the secrets of thy brother's wife, for that is
thy brother's privity. Thou shalt not discover the privates of the
wife and her daughter also, neither shalt thou take her son's
daughter or her daughter's daughter to uncover their secrets, they
are her next kin, it were therefore wickedness. Thou shalt not
take a wife and her sister thereto, to vex her that thou wouldest
open her secrets as long as she liveth. Thou shalt not go unto a
woman to open her secrets, {uncover her privity} as long as she is
put apart for her uncleanness. Thou shalt not lie with thy
neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. Thou shalt not give
of thy seed to offer it unto Moloch, that thou defile not the name
of thy God, for I am the LORD. Thou shalt not lie with mankind as
with womankind, for that is abomination. Thou shalt lie with no
manner of beast to defile thyself therewith, neither shall any
woman stond before a beast to lie down thereto, for that is
abomination. Defile not your selves in any of these things, for
with all these things are these nations defiled which I cast out
before you: and the land is defiled, and I will visit the
wickedness thereof upon it. And the land shall spew out her
inhabiters. Keep ye therefore mine ordinances and judgements, and
see that ye commit none of these abominations: neither any of you
nor any stranger that sojourneth among you (for all these
abominations have the men of the land done which were there before
you, and the land is defiled) lest that the land spew you out when
ye have defiled it, as it spewed out the nations that were there
before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations,
the same souls that commit them shall perish from among their
people. Therefore see that ye keep mine ordinances, that ye commit
none of these abominable customs which were committed before you:
that ye defile not your selves therewith for I am the LORD your
God.
Chapter .xix.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto all the multitude
of the children of Israel, and say unto them. Be holy for I the
LORD your God am holy. See that ye fear every man his father and
his mother, and that ye keep my Sabbaths, for I am the LORD your
God. Ye shall not turn unto idols nor make you gods of metal: I am
the LORD your God. When ye offer your peaceofferings unto the
LORD, ye shall offer them that ye may be accepted. And it shall be
eaten the same day ye offer it and on the morrow, but whatsoever
is left on the third day shall be burnt in the fire. If it be
eaten the third day, it shall be unclean and not accepted. And he
that eateth it shall bear his sin, because he hath defiled the
hallowed things of the LORD, and that soul shall perish from among
his people. When ye reap down the ripe corn of your land, ye shall
not reap down the utmost borders of your fields, neither shalt
thou gather that which is left behind in thy harvest. Thou shalt
not pluck in all thy vineyard clean, neither gather in the grapes
that are overscaped. But thou shalt leave them for the poor and
stranger. I am the LORD your God. Ye shall not steal neither lie,
neither deal falsely one with another. Ye shall not swear by my
name falsely: that thou defilest not the name of thy God, I am the
LORD. Thou shalt not beguile thy neighbour with cavillations,
neither rob him violently, neither shall the workman's labour
abide with thee until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf,
neither put a stumbling block before the blind: but shalt fear thy
God. I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement.
Thou shalt not favour the poor nor honour the mighty, but shalt
judge thy neighbour righteously. Thou shalt not go up and down a
privy accuser among thy people, neither shalt thou help to shed
the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy
brother in thine heart but shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour:
that thou bear not sin for his sake. Thou shalt not avenge thyself
nor bear hate in thy mind against the children of thy people, but
shalt love thy neighbour even as thyself. I am the LORD. Keep mine
ordinances. Let none of thy cattle gender with a contrary kind,
neither sow thy field with mingled seed, neither shalt thou put on
any garment of linen and woollen. If a man have to do with a woman
that is bond and hath been meddled with all of another man which
neither is bought nor freedom given her, there shall be a pain
upon it: but they shall not die, because she was not made free.
And he shall bring for his trespassoffering unto the LORD: even
unto the door of the tabernacle of witness, a ram for a trespass
offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the
ram of the trespassoffering before the LORD, for his sin which he
hath done: and it shall be forgiven him, as concerning the sin
which he hath done. And when ye come to the land and have planted
all manner of trees whereof men eat, ye shall hold them
uncircumcised as concerning their fruit: even three years shall
they be uncircumcised unto you and shall not be eaten of, and the
fourth year all the fruit of them shall be holy and acceptable to
the LORD. And the fifth year may ye eat of the fruit of them, and
gather in the increase of them: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall
eat nothing with the blood, ye shall use no witchcraft, nor
observe dismal days, ye shall not round the locks of your heads,
neither shalt thou mar the tufts of thy beard. Ye shall not rent
your flesh for any soul's sake, nor print any marks upon you: I am
the LORD. Thou shalt not pollute thy daughter, that thou wouldest
maintain her to be an whore: lest the land fall to whoredom, and
wax full of wickedness. See that ye keep my Sabbaths and fear my
sanctuary: I am the LORD. Turn not to them that work with spirits,
neither regard them that observe dismal days: that ye be not
defiled by them, for I am the LORD your God. Thou shalt rise up
before the hoarhead, and reverence the face of the old man and
dread thy God, for I am the LORD. If a stranger sojourn by thee in
your land, see that ye vex him not: But let the stranger that
dwelleth with you, be as one of your selves, and love him as thy
self, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD
your God. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement neither in
meteyard, weight or measure. But ye shall have true balances, true
weights, a true Epha and a true hin. I am the LORD your God which
brought you out of the land of Egypt, that ye should observe all
mine ordinances and judgments and that ye should keep them: I am
the LORD.
Chapter .xx.
And the LORD talked with Moses saying: tell the children of
Israel, whosoever he be of the children of Israel or of the
strangers that dwell in Israel, that giveth of his seed unto
Moloch he shall die for it: the people of the land shall stone him
with stones. And I will set my face upon that fellow, and will
destroy him from among his people: because he hath given of his
seed unto Moloch, for to defile my sanctuary and to pollute mine
holy name. And though that the people of the land hide their eyes
from that fellow, when he giveth of his seed unto Moloch, so that
they kill him not: yet I will put my face upon that man and upon
his household, {generation} and will destroy him and all that go a
whoring with him and commit whoredom with Moloch from among their
people. If any soul turn unto them that work with spirits or
makers of dismal days {turn him to enchanters or expounders of
tokens} and go a whoring after them, I will put my face upon that
soul and will destroy him from among his people. Sanctify your
selves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. And see
that ye keep mine ordinances and do them. For I am the LORD which
sanctify you. Whosoever curseth his father or mother, shall die
for it, his blood on his head, because he hath cursed his father
or mother. He that breaketh wedlock with another man's wife shall
die for it, because he hath broke wedlock with his neighbour's
wife, and so shall she likewise. If a man lie with his father's
wife and uncover his father's secrets, they shall both die for it,
their blood be upon their heads. If a man lie with his daughter-
in-law they shall die both of them: they have wrought abomination,
their blood upon their heads. If a man lie with the mankind after
the manner as with womankind, they have both committed an
abomination and shall die for it. Their blood be upon their heads.
If a man take a wife and her mother thereto, it is wickedness. Men
shall burn with fire both him and them, that there be no
wickedness among you. If a man lie with a beast he shall die, and
ye shall slay the beast. If a woman go unto a beast and lie down
thereto: thou shalt kill the woman and the beast also they shall
die, and their blood be upon their heads. If a man take his
sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and see
her secrets, and she see his secrets also: it is a wicked thing.
Therefore let them perish in the sight of their people; he hath
seen his sister's secretness, he shall therefore bear his sin. If
a man lie with a woman in time of her natural disease and unheal
{uncover} her secrets and uncover {open} her fountain, and she
also open the fountain of her blood, they shall both perish from
among their people. Thou shalt not uncover the secrets of thy
mother's sister nor of thy father's sisters, for he that doth so,
uncovereth his next kin: and they shall bear their misdoing. If a
man lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's
secrets: they shall bear their sin, and shall die childless. If a
man take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing, he hath
uncovered his brother's secrets, they shall be childless
therefore. See that ye keep therefore all mine ordinances and all
my judgements, and that ye do them: that the land whither I bring
you to dwell therein, spew you not out. And see that ye walk not
in the manners of the nations which I cast out before you: For
they committed all these things, and I abhorred them. But I have
said unto you that ye shall enjoy their land, and that I will give
it unto you to possess it: even a land that floweth with milk and
honey. I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other
nations: that ye should put difference between clean beasts and
unclean, and between unclean fowls and them that are clean. Make
not your souls therefore abominable with beasts and fowls, and
with all manner thing that creepeth upon the ground, which I have
separated unto you to hold them unclean. Be holy unto me, for I
the LORD am holy and have severed you from other nations: that ye
should be mine. If there be man or woman that worketh with a
spirit or a maker of dismal days, {expoundeth tokens} they shall
die for it. Men shall stone them with stones, and their blood
shall be upon them.
Chapter .xxj.
And the LORD said unto Moses: speak unto the priests the sons of
Aaron and say unto them: A priest shall defile himself at the
death of none of his people, but upon his kin that is nye unto
him: as his mother, father, son, daughter and brother: and on his
sister as long as she is a maid and dwelleth nye him and was never
given to man: on her he may defile himself. But he shall not make
himself unclean upon a ruler of his people to pollute himself
withal. They shall make them no baldness upon their heads or shave
off the locks of their beards, nor make any marks in their flesh.
They shall be holy unto their God, and not pollute the name of
their God, for the sacrifices of the LORD and the bread of their
God they do offer: therefore they must be holy. They shall take no
wife that is an whore, or polluted, or put from her husband: for a
priest is holy unto his God. Sanctify him therefore, for he
offereth up the bread of God: he shall therefore be holy unto
thee, for I the LORD which sanctify you, am holy. If a priest's
daughter fall to play the whore, she polluteth her father:
therefore she shall be burnt with fire. He that is the high priest
among his brethren upon whose head the anointing oil was poured
and whose hand was filled to put on the vestments, shall not
uncover his head nor rent his clothes, neither shall go to any
dead body nor make himself unclean: no not on his father or
mother, neither shall go out of the sanctuary, that he pollute not
the holy place of his God, for the crown of the anointing oil of
God, is upon him. I am the LORD. He shall take a maiden unto his
wife: but no widow nor divorced nor polluted whore. But he shall
take a maiden of his own people to wife, that he defile not his
seed upon his people. For I am the LORD which sanctify him. And
the LORD spake unto Moses saying, speak unto Aaron and say: No man
of thy seed in their generations that hath any deformity upon him,
shall prease for to offer the bread of his God: For none that hath
any blemish shall come near: whether he be blind, lame,
snoutnosed, or that hath any monstrous member, or broken footed,
or broken handed, or crook backed, or perleyed, or goggle eyed, or
mangy or skald, or hath his stones broken. No man that is deformed
of the seed of Aaron the priest, shall come nye to offer the
sacrifices of the LORD. If he have a deformity, he shall not prese
to offer the bread of his God. Notwithstanding he shall eat of the
bread of his God: even as well of the most holy, as of the holy:
but shall not go in unto the vail nor come nye the altar, because
he is deformed, that he pollute not my sanctuary, for I am the
LORD that sanctify them. And Moses told it unto Aaron and to his
sons, and unto all the children of Israel.
Chapter .xxij.
And the LORD communed with Moses saying: bid Aaron and his sons
that they abstain from the hallowed things of the children of
Israel which they have hallowed unto me, that they pollute not
mine holy name: for I am the LORD. Say unto them: whosoever he be
of all your seed among your generation after you, that goeth unto
the hallowed things which the children of Israel shall have
hallowed unto the LORD, his uncleanness shall be upon him: and
that soul shall perish from out of my sight. I am the LORD. None
of the seed of Aaron that is a leper or that hath a running sore,
shall eat of the hallowed things until he be clean. And whosoever
twitcheth any unclean soul or man whose seed runneth from him by
night, or whosoever twicheth any worm that is unclean to him, or
man that is unclean to him, whatsoever uncleanness he hath: the
same soul that hath twiched any such thing, shall be unclean until
even, and shall not eat of the hallowed things until he have
washed his flesh with water. And then when the son is down he
shall be clean and shall afterward eat of the hallowed things: for
they are his food. Of a beast that dieth alone or is rent with
wild beasts, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am
the LORD. But let them keep therefore mine ordinance, lest they
lade sin upon them and die therein when they have defiled them
selves: for I am the LORD which sanctify them. There shall no
stranger eat of the hallowed things, neither a guest of the
priests, or an hired servant. But if the priest buy any fowl with
money he may eat of it, and he also that is born in his house may
eat of his bread. If the priest's daughter be married unto a
stranger, she may not eat of the hallowed heave offerings.
Notwithstanding if the priest's daughter be a widow or divorced
and have no child but is returned unto her father's house again,
she shall eat of her father's bread as well as she did in her
youth. But there shall no stranger eat thereof. If a man eat of
the hallowed things unwittingly, he shall put the fifth part
thereunto, and make good unto the priest the hallowed thing. And
let the priests see, that they defile not the hallowed things of
the children of Israel which they have offered unto the LORD, lest
they lade them selves with misdoing and trespass in eating their
hallowed things, for I am the LORD which hallow them. And the LORD
spake unto Moses saying: speak unto Aaron and his sons and unto
all the children of Israel and say unto them, whatsoever he be of
the house of Israel or stranger in Israel that will offer his
offering: whatsoever vow or freewill offering it be which they
will offer unto the LORD for a burntoffering to reconcile them
selves, it must be a male without blemish of the oxen, sheep or
goats, let them offer nothing that is deformed for they shall get
no favour therewith. If a man will offer a peaceoffering unto the
LORD and separate a vow or a freewill offering of the oxen or the
flock, it must be without deformity, that it may be accepted.
There may be no blemish therein: whether it be blind, broken,
wounded or have a wen, or be mangy or scabbed; see that ye offer
no such unto the LORD, nor put an offering of any such upon the
altar unto the LORD. An ox or a sheep that hath any member out of
proportion, mayst thou offer for a freewill offering: but in a vow
it shall not be accepted. Thou shalt not offer unto the LORD that
which hath his stones bruised, broken, plucked out or cut away,
neither shalt make any such in your land, neither of a stranger's
hand shall ye offer an offering to your God of any such. For they
mar all in that they have deformities in them, and therefore can
not be accepted for you. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying:
when an ox, a sheep or a goat is brought forth, it shall be seven
days under the dam. And from the eighth day forth, it shall be
accepted unto a gift in the sacrifice of the LORD. And whether it
be ox or sheep, ye shall not kill it, and her young: both in one
day. When ye will offer a thankoffering unto the LORD, ye shall so
offer it that ye may be accepted. And the same day it must be
eaten up, so that ye leave none of it until the morrow. For I am
the LORD, keep now my commandments and do them, for I am the LORD.
And pollute not my holy name, that I may be hallowed among the
children of Israel. For I am the LORD which hallow you, and
brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: for I am the
LORD.
Chapter .xxiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them: These are the feasts of the LORD which
ye shall call holy feasts. Six days ye shall work, and the seventh
is the Sabbath of rest an holy feast: so that ye may do no work
therein, for it is the Sabbath of the LORD, wheresoever ye dwell.
These are the feasts of the LORD which ye shall proclaim holy in
their seasons. The fourteenth day of the first month at evening is
the LORD's Passover. And the fifteenth day of the same month is
the feast of sweet bread unto the LORD, seven days ye must eat
unleavened bread. The first day shall be an holy feast unto you,
so that ye may do no laborious work therein. But ye shall offer
sacrifices unto the LORD seven days, and the seventh day also
shall be an holy feast, so that ye may do no laborious work
therein. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the
children of Israel and say unto them: when ye be come into the
land which I give unto you and reap down your harvest, ye shall
bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest,
and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for
you: and even the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave
it. And ye shall offer the day when he waveth the sheaf, a lamb
without blemish of a year old for a burntoffering unto the LORD:
and the meatoffering thereof, two tenth deals of fine flour
mingled with oil to be a sacrifice unto the LORD of a sweet
savour: and the drink offering thereto, the fourth deal of an hin
of wine. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor
frumenty of new corn: until the self same day that ye have brought
an offering unto your God. And this shall be a law for ever unto
your children after you, wheresoever ye dwell. And ye shall count
from the morrow after the Sabbath: even from the day that ye
brought the sheaf of the waveoffering, seven weeks complete: even
unto the morrow after the seventh week ye shall number fifty days.
And then ye shall bring a new meatoffering unto the LORD. And ye
shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves made of two
tenth deals of fine flour leavened and baken, for first fruits
unto the LORD. And ye shall bring with the bread seven lambs
without deformity of one year of age, and one young ox, and two
rams, which shall serve for burntofferings unto the LORD, with
meatofferings and drink offerings longing to the same, to be a
sacrifice of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And ye shall offer an
he goat for a sinoffering: and two lambs of one year old for
peaceofferings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of
the first fruits before the LORD, and with the two lambs. And they
shall be holy unto the LORD, and be the priest's. And ye shall
make a proclamation the same day that it be an holy feast unto
you, and ye shall do no laborious work therein. And it shall be a
law for ever thorowout all your habitations unto your children
after you. When ye reap down your harvest, thou shalt not make
clean riddance of thy field, neither shalt thou make any
aftergathering of thy harvest: but shalt leave them unto the poor
and the stranger. I am the LORD your God. And the LORD spake unto
Moses saying: speak unto the children of Israel and say: The first
day of the seventh month shall be a rest of remembrance unto you,
to blow horns in an holy feast it shall be, and ye shall do no
laborious work therein, and ye shall offer sacrifice unto the
LORD. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: also the tenth day of
the self seventh month, is a day of atonement, and shall be on
holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble your souls and offer
sacrifice unto the LORD. Moreover ye shall do no work the same
day, for it is a day of atonement to make an atonement for you
before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that humbleth
not himself that day, he shall be destroyed from among his people.
And whatsoever soul do any manner work that day, the same I will
destroy from among his people. See that ye do no manner work
therefore. And it shall be a law for ever unto your generations
after you in all your dwellings. A Sabbath of rest it shall be
unto you, and ye shall humble your souls. The ninth day of the
month at evening and so forth from evening to evening again, ye
shall keep your Sabbath. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying:
speak unto the children of Israel and say: the fifteenth day of
the same seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles seven
days unto the LORD. The first day shall be an holy feast, so that
ye shall do no laborious work therein. Seven days ye shall offer
sacrifice unto the LORD, and the eighth day shall be an holy feast
unto you, and ye shall offer sacrifice unto the LORD. It is the
end of the feast, and ye shall do no laborious work therein. These
are the feasts of the LORD which ye shall proclaim holy feasts,
for to offer sacrifice unto the LORD, burntofferings,
meatofferings, and drinkofferings every day: beside the Sabbaths
of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and all your vows, and all
your freewill offerings which ye shall give unto the LORD.
Moreover in the fifteenth day of the seventh month after that ye
have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep holy day
unto the LORD seven days long. The first day shall be a day of
rest, and the eighth day shall be a day of rest. And ye shall take
you the first day, the fruits of goodly trees and the branches of
palm trees and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the
brook, and shall rejoice before the LORD seven days. And ye shall
keep it holy day unto the LORD seven days in the year. And it
shall be a law for ever unto your children after you, that ye keep
that feast in the seventh month. And ye shall dwell in booths
seven days: even all that are Israelites born, shall dwell in
booths, that your children after you may know how that I made the
children of Israel dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the
land of Egypt: for I am the LORD your God. And Moses told all the
feasts of the LORD unto the children of Israel.
Chapter .xxiiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: command the children of
Israel that they bring unto thee, pure oil olive beaten for lights
to pour into the lamps always, without the vail of testimony
{witness} within the tabernacle of witness. And Aaron shall dress
them both evening and morning before the LORD always. And if shall
be a law for ever among your children after you. And he shall
dress the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD
perpetually. And thou shalt take fine flour and bake twelve
wastels thereof, two tenth deals shall every wastel be. And make
two rows of them, six on a row upon the pure table before the
LORD, and put pure frankincense upon the rows. And it shall be
bread of remembrance, and an offering to the LORD. Every Sabbath
he shall put them in rows before the LORD evermore, given of the
children of Israel, that it be an everlasting covenant. And they
shall be Aaron's and his sons, and they shall eat them in the holy
place. For they are most holy unto him of the offerings of the
LORD, and shall be a duty for ever. And the son of an Israelitish
wife whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of
Israel. And this son of the Israelitish wife and a man of Israel,
strove together in the host. And the Israelitish woman's son
blasphemed the name and cursed, and they brought him unto Moses.
And his mother's name was Selamith, the daughter of Dibri of the
tribe of Dan: and they put him in ward, that Moses should declare
unto them what the LORD said thereto. And the LORD spake unto
Moses saying, bring him that cursed {blasphemed} without the host,
and let all that heard him, put their hands upon his head, and let
all the multitude stone him. And speak unto the children of Israel
saying: Whosoever curseth his God, shall bear his sin: And he that
blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall die for it: all the
multitude shall stone him to death. And the stranger as well as
the Israelite if he curse the name, shall die for it. He that
killeth any man, shall die for it, but he that killeth a beast
shall pay for it, beast for beast. If a man maim his neighbour, as
he hath done, so shall it be done to him again: broke for broke,
eye for eye and tooth for tooth: even as he hath maimed a man, so
shall he be maimed again. So now he that killeth a beast, shall
pay for it: but he that killeth a man, shall die for it. Ye shall
have one manner of law among you: even for the stranger as well as
for one of your selves, for I am the LORD your God. And Moses told
the children of Israel, that they should bring him that had
cursed, out of the host, and stone him with stones. And the
children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Chapter .xxv.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai saying, speak unto
the children of Israel and say unto them: When ye be come in to
the land which I give you, let the land rest a Sabbath unto the
LORD. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt
cut thy vines and gather in thy fruits. But the seventh year shall
be a Sabbath of rest unto the land. The LORD's Sabbath it shall
be, and thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor cut thy vines. The
corn that groweth by itself thou shalt not reap, neither gather
the grapes that grow without thy dressing: but it shall be a
Sabbath of rest unto the land. Nevertheless the Sabbath of the
land shall be meat for you: even for thee and thy servant and for
thy maid and for thy hired servant and for the stranger that
dwelleth with thee: and for thy cattle and for the beasts that are
in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat. Then number
seven weeks of years, that is, seven times seven years: and the
space of the seven weeks of years will be unto thee forty nine
years. And then thou shalt make an horn blow: even in the tenth
day of the seventh month, which is the day of atonement. And then
shall ye make the horn blow, even thorowout all your land. And ye
shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty thorowout the
land unto all the inhabiters thereof. It shall be a year of horns
blowing unto you and ye shall return: every man unto his
possession and every man unto his kindred again. A year of horns
blowing shall that fiftieth year be unto you. Ye shall not sow
neither reap the corn that groweth by itself, nor gather the
grapes that grow without thy labour. For it is a year of horns
blowing and shall be holy unto you: how be it, yet ye shall eat of
the increase of the field. And in this year of horns blowing ye
shall return, every man unto his possession again. When thou
sellest ought unto thy neighbour or buyest of thy neighbour's
hand, ye shall not oppress one another: but according to the
number of years after the trompet year, thou shalt buy of thy
neighbour, and according unto the number of fruit years, he shall
sell unto thee. According unto the multitude of years, thou shalt
increase the price thereof and according to the fewness of years,
thou shalt minish the price: for the number of fruit he shall sell
unto thee. And see that no man oppress his neighbour, but fear thy
God. For I am the LORD your God. Wherefore do after mine
ordinances and keep my laws and do them, that ye may dwell in the
land in safety. And the land shall give her fruit, and ye shall
eat your fill and dwell therein in safety. If ye shall say, what
shall we eat the seventh year inasmuch as we shall not sow nor
gather in our increase?. I will send my blessing upon you in the
sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years: and ye
shall sow the eighth year and eat of old fruit until the ninth
year, and even until her fruits come, ye shall eat of old store.
Wherefore the land shall not be sold for ever, because that the
land is mine, and ye but strangers and sojourners with me: and ye
shall thorowout all the land of your possession, let the land go
home free again. When thy brother is waxed poor and hath sold away
of his possession: if any of his kin come to redeem it, he shall
buy out that which his brother sold. And though he have no man to
redeem it for him, yet if his hand can get sufficient to buy it
out again, then let him count how long it hath been sold, and
deliver the rest unto him to whom he sold it, and so he shall
return unto his possession again. But and if his hand can not get
sufficient to restore it to him again, then that which is sold
shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it, until the
horn year: {jubilee} and in the horn year {of Jubilee} it shall
come out, and he shall return unto his possession again. If a man
sell a dwelling house in a walled city, he may buy it out again
any time within a whole year after it is sold: and that shall be
the space in which he may redeem it again. But and if it be not
bought out again within the space of a full year, then the house
in the walled city shall be stablished for ever unto him that
bought it and to his successors after him and shall not go out in
the trompet year. {of jubilee} But the houses in villages which
have no walls round about them, shall be counted like unto the
fields of the country, and may be bought out again at any season,
and shall go out free in the trompet year. {of jubilee}
Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites and the houses in the
cities of their possessions the Levites may redeem at all seasons.
And if a man purchase ought of the Levites: whether it be house or
city that they possess, the bargain shall go out in the trompet
year {of jubilee} for the houses of the cities of the Levites, are
their possessions among the children of Israel. But the fields
that lie round about their cities, shall not be bought: for they
are their possessions for ever. If thy brother be waxed poor and
fallen in decay with thee, receive him as a stranger or a
sojourner, and let him live by thee. And thou shalt take none
usury of him, nor yet vantage. But shalt fear thy God, that thy
brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not lend him thy money upon
usury, nor lend him of thy food to have advantage by it for I am
the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to
give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. If thy brother
that dwelleth by thee wax poor and sell himself unto thee, thou
shalt not let him labour as a bondservant doeth: but as an hired
servant and as a sojourner he shall be with thee, and shall serve
thee unto the trompet year, {of jubilee} and then shall he depart
from thee: both he and his children with him, and shall return
unto his own kindred again and unto the possessions of his
fathers; for they are my servants which I brought out of the land
of Egypt, and shall not be sold as bondmen. See therefore that
thou reign not over him cruelly, but fear thy God. If thou wilt
have bondservants and maidens, thou shalt buy them of the heathen
that are round about you, and of the children of the strangers
that are sojourners among you, and of their generations that are
with you, which they begat in your land. And ye shall possess them
and give them unto your children after you, to possess them for
ever: and they shall be your bond men. But over your brethren the
children of Israel, ye shall not reign one over another cruelly.
When a stranger and a sojourner waxeth rich by thee, and thy
brother that dwelleth by him waxeth poor and sell himself unto the
stranger that dwelleth by thee or to any of the stranger's kin:
after that he is sold he may be redeemed again: one of his
brethren may buy him out: whether it be his uncle or his uncle's
son, or any that is nye of kin unto him of his kindred: either if
his hand can get so much he may be loosed. And he shall reckon
with him that bought him, from the year that he was sold in unto
the trompet year, and the price of his buying shall be according
unto the number of years, and he shall be with him as a hired
servant. If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he
shall give again for his deliverance, of the money that he was
sold for. If there remain but few years unto the trompet year, he
shall so count with him, and according unto his years give him
again for his redemption, and shall be with him year by year as an
hired servant, and the other shall not reign cruelly over him in
thy sight. If he be not bought free in the meantime, then he shall
go out in the trompet year and his children with him; for the
children of Israel are my servants which I brought out of the land
of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Chapter .xxvi.
Ye shall make you no idols, nor graven image, neither rear you up
any pillar, neither ye shall set up any image of stone in your
land to bow your selves thereto: for I am the LORD your God; keep
my Sabbaths and fear my sanctuary. For I am the LORD. If ye shall
walk in mine ordinances and keep my commandments and do them, then
I will send you rain in the right season and your land shall yield
her increase and the trees of the field shall give their fruit.
And the threshing shall reach unto wine harvest, and the wine
harvest shall reach unto sowing time, and ye shall eat your bread
in plenteousness, and shall dwell in your land peaceably. And I
will send peace in your land, that ye shall sleep, and no man
shall make you afraid. And I will rid evil beasts out of your
land, and there shall no sword go thorowout your land. And ye
shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you upon the
sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of
you shall put ten thousand to flight, and your enemies shall fall
before you upon the sword. And I will turn unto you and increase
you and multiply you, and set up my testament with you. And ye
shall eat old store, and cast out the old for plenteousness of the
new. I will make my dwelling place among you, and my soul shall
not loathe you. And I will walk among you and will be your God,
and ye shall be my people. For I am the LORD your God, which
brought you out of the land of the Egyptians, that ye should not
be their bondmen, and I brake the bows of your yokes, and made you
go up right. But and if ye will not hearken unto me, nor will do
all these my commandments, or if ye shall despise mine ordinances
either if your souls refuse my laws, so that ye will not do all my
commandments, but shall break mine appointment: then I will do
this again unto you: I will visit you with vexations, swelling and
fevers, that shall make your eyes dazzle, and with sorrows of
heart. And ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall
eat it. And I will set my face against you and ye shall fall
before your enemies, and they that hate you shall reign over you,
and ye shall flee when no man followeth you. And if ye will not
yet for all this hearken unto me, then will I punish you seven
times more for your sins, and will break the pride of your
strength. For I will make the heaven over you as hard as iron, and
your land as hard as brass. And so your labour shall be spent in
vain. For your land shall not give her increase, neither the trees
of the land shall give their fruits. And if ye walk contrary unto
me and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more
plagues upon you according to your sins. I will send in wild
beasts upon you, which shall rob you of your children and destroy
your cattle, and make you so few in number that your high ways
shall grow unto a wilderness. And if ye will not be learned yet
for all this but shall walk contrary unto me, then will I also
walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for
your sins. I will send a sword upon you, that shall avenge my
testament with you. And when ye are fled unto your cities, I will
send the pestilence among you, ye shall be delivered into the
hands of your enemies. And when I have broken the staff of your
bread: that ten wives shall bake your bread in one oven and men
shall deliver you your bread again by weight, then shall ye eat
and shall not be satisfied. And if ye will not yet for all this
hearken unto me, but shall walk contrary unto me, then I will walk
contrary unto you also wrathfully, and will also chastise you
seven times for your sins: so that ye shall eat the flesh of your
sons and the flesh of your daughters. And I will destroy your
altars built upon high hills, and overthrow your images, and cast
your carcasses upon the bodies of your idols, and my soul shall
abhor you. And I will make your cities desolate, and bring your
sanctuaries unto nought, and will not smell the savours of your
sweet odours. And I will bring the land unto a wilderness: so that
your enemies which dwell therein shall wonder at it. And I will
straw you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you,
and your land shall be waste, and your cities desolate. Then the
land shall rejoice in her Sabbaths, as long as it lieth void and
ye in your enemies' land: even then shall the land keep holy day
and rejoice in her Sabbaths. And as long as it lieth void it shall
rest, for that it could not rest in your Sabbaths, when ye dwelt
therein. And upon them that are left alive of you, I will send a
faintness into their hearts in the land of their enemies: so that
the sound of a leaf that falleth, shall chase them and they shall
flee as though they fled a sword, and shall fall no man following
them. And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a
sword even no man following them, and ye shall have no power to
stond before your enemies: And ye shall perish among the heathen,
and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. And they that are
left of you, shall pine away in their unrighteousness, even in
their enemies' land, and also in the misdeeds of their fathers
shall they consume. And they shall confess their misdeeds and the
misdeeds of their fathers in their trespasses which they have
trespassed against me, and for that also that they have walked
contrary unto me. Therefore I also will walk contrary unto them,
and will bring them into the land of their enemies. And then at
the least way their uncircumcised hearts shall be tamed, and then
they shall make an atonement for their misdeeds. And I will
remember my bond with Iacob and my testament with Isaac, and my
testament with Abraham, and will think on the land. For the land
shall be left of them and shall have pleasure in her Sabbaths,
while she lieth waste without them, and they shall make an
atonement for their misdeeds, because they despised my laws and
their souls refused mine ordinances. And yet for all that when
they be in the land of their enemies, I will not so cast them away
nor my soul shall not so abhor them, that I will utterly destroy
them and break mine appointment with them: for I am the LORD their
God. I will therefore remember unto them the first covenant made
when I brought them out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the
heathen to be their God: for I am the LORD. These are the
ordinances, judgements, and laws which the LORD made between him
and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.
Chapter .xxvij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel and say unto them: If any man will give a singular vow unto
the LORD according to the value of his soul, then shall the male
from twenty years unto forty be set at fifty sicles of silver,
after the sicle of the sanctuary, and the female at thirty sicles.
And from five years to twenty the male shall be set at twenty
sicles, and the female at ten sicles. And from a month unto five
years, the male shall be set at five sicles of silver, and the
female at three. And the man that is forty and above, shall be
valued at fifteen sicles, and the woman at ten. If he be too poor
so to be set, then let him come before the priest: and let the
priest value him, according as the hand of him that vowed is able
to get. If it be of the beasts of which men bring an offering unto
the LORD: all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD, shall be
holy. He may not alter it nor change it: a good for a bad or a bad
for good. If he change beast for beast, then both the same beast
and it also wherewith it was changed shall be holy. If it be any
manner of unclean beast of which men may not offer unto the LORD,
let him bring the beast before the priest and let the priest value
it. And whether it be good or bad as the priest setteth it, so
shall it be. And if he will buy it again, let him give the fifth
part more to that it was set at. If any man dedicate his house, it
shall be holy unto the LORD. And the priest shall set it; whether
it be good or bad, and as the priest hath set it, so it shall be.
If he that sanctified it will redeem his house, let him give the
fifth part of the money that it was judged at thereto, and it
shall be his. If a man hallow a piece of his inherited land unto
the LORD, it shall be set according to that it beareth. If it bear
an homer of barley, it shall be set at fifty sicles of silver. If
he hallow his field immediately from the trompet year, it shall be
worth according as it is esteemed. But and if he hallow his field
after the trumpet year, the priest shall reckon the price with him
according to the years that remain unto the trumpet year, and
thereafter it shall be lower set. If he that sanctified the field
will redeem it again, let him put the fifth part of the price that
it was set at, thereunto, and it shall be his: if he will not it
shall be redeemed no more. But when the field goeth out in the
trompet year, it shall be holy unto the LORD: even as a thing
dedicated, and it shall be the priest's possession. If a man
sanctify unto the LORD a field, which he hath bought and is not of
his inheritance, then the priest shall reckon with him what it is
worth unto the trompet year, {year of jubilee} and he shall give
the price that it is set at the same day, and it shall be holy
unto the LORD. But in the trompet year, the field shall return
unto him of whom he bought it, whose inheritance of land it was.
And all setting shall be according to the holy sicle. One sicle
maketh twenty geras. But the firstborn of the beasts that pertain
unto the LORD, may no man sanctify: whether it be ox or sheep, for
they are the LORD's already. If it be an unclean beast, then let
him redeem it as it is set at, and give the fifth part more
thereto. If it be not redeemed, then let it be sold as it is
rated. Notwithstanding no dedicated thing that a man dedicateth
unto the LORD, of all his goods, whether it be man or beast or
land of his inheritance, shall be sold or redeemed: for all
dedicate things are most holy unto the LORD. No dedicated thing
therefore that is dedicate of man, may be redeemed, but must needs
die. All these tithes of the land, whether it be of the corn of
the field or fruit of the trees, shall be holy unto the LORD. If
any man will redeem ought of his tithes, let him add the fifth
part more thereto. And the tithes of oxen and sheep and of all
that goeth under the herdman's keeping, shall be holy tithes unto
the LORD. Men shall not look if it be good or bad nor shall change
it. If any man change it then both it and that it was changed
withall, shall be holy and may not be redeemed. These are the
commandments which the LORD gave Moses in charge to give unto the
children of Israel in mount Sinai.
The end of the third book of Moses.
The Fourth Book of Moses, called Numbers {Numeri}
Chapter .j.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the
tabernacle of witness, the first day of the second month, and in
the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt
saying: take ye the sum of all the multitude of the children of
Israel, in their kindreds and households of their fathers and
number them by name all that are males, poll by poll, from twenty
years and above: even all that are able to go forth in to war in
Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them in their armies, and with
you shall be of every tribe a head man in the house of his father.
And these are the names of the men that shall stond with you: in
Ruben, Elizur the son of Sedeur: In Simeon, Selumiel: the son of
Zuri Sadai: In the tribe of Iuda, Nahesson the son of Aminadab: In
Isachar, Nathaneel the son of Zuar: In Zabulon, Eliab the son of
Helon. Among the children of Ioseph: In Ephraim, Elisama the son
of Amihud: In Manasse, Gamaliel the son of Pedazur: In BenIamin,
Abidan the son of Gedeoni: In Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammi Sadai:
In Aser, Pagiel the son of Ochran: In Gad, Elisaph the son of
Deguel: In Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan. These were councillors
of the congregation and lords in the tribes of their fathers and
captains over thousands in Israel. And Moses and Aaron took these
men above named and gathered all the congregation together, the
first day of the second month, and reckoned them after their birth
and kindreds and houses of their fathers by name from twenty years
and above head by head, as the LORD commanded Moses, even so he
numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. And the children of
Ruben Israel's eldest son in their generations, kindreds and
houses of their fathers, when they were numbered every man by
name, all that were males from twenty years and above, as many as
were able to go forth in war: were numbered in the tribe of Ruben,
forty six thousand and five hundred. Among the children of Simeon:
their generation in their kindreds and houses of their fathers
(when every man's name was told) of all the males from twenty
years and above, whatsoever was meet for the war: were numbered in
the tribe of Simeon forty nine thousand and three hundred. Among
the children of Gad: their generation in their kindreds and
households of their fathers, when they were told by name, from
twenty years and above, all that were mete for the war: were
numbered in the tribe of Gad forty five thousand, six hundred and
fifty. Among the children of Iuda: their generation in their
kindreds and houses of their fathers (by the number of names) from
twenty years and above, all that were able to war, were told in
the tribe of Iuda seventy four thousand and six hundred. Among the
children of Isachar: their generation, in their kindreds and
houses of their fathers (when their names were counted) from
twenty years and above, whatsoever was apt for war, were numbered
in the tribe of Isachar fifty four thousand and four hundred.
Among the children of Zabulon: their generation, in their kindreds
and houses of their fathers (after the number of names) from
twenty years and above, whosoever was mete for the war: were
counted in the tribe of Zabulon fifty seven thousand and four
hundred. Among the children of Ioseph: first among the children of
Ephraim: their generation, in their kindreds and houses of their
fathers (when the names of all that were apt to the war were told)
from twenty years and above: were in number in the tribe of
Ephraim, forty thousand, and six hundred. Among the children of
Manasse: their generation, in their kindreds and houses of their
fathers (when the names of all that were apt to war were told)
from twenty and above were numbered in the tribe of Manasse thirty
two thousand and two hundred. Among the children of BenIamin:
their generation, in their kindreds and houses of their fathers
(by the tale of names) from twenty years and above of all that
were mete for war, were numbered in the tribe of BenIamin thirty
five thousand and four hundred. Among the children of Dan: their
generation in their kindreds and houses of their fathers (in the
sum of names) of all that was apt to war from twenty years and
above, were numbered in the tribe of Dan fifty seven thousand and
seven hundred. Among the children of Asser: their generation, in
their kindreds and houses of their fathers (when they were summed
by name) from twenty years and above, all that were apt to war
were numbered in the tribe of Asser forty one thousand and five
hundred. Among the children of Naphtali: their generation in their
kindreds and houses of their fathers (when their names were told)
from twenty years and above, whatsoever was mete to war: were
numbered in the tribe of Naphtali fifty three thousand and four
hundred. These are the numbers which Moses and Aaron numbered with
the twelve princes of Israel: of every house of their fathers a
man. And all the numbers of the children of Israel, in the houses
of their fathers, from twenty years and above, whatsoever was mete
for the war in Israel, drew unto the sum of six hundred [and
three] thousand, five hundred and fifty. But the Levites in the
tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. And the LORD
spake unto Moses saying: only see that thou number not the tribe
of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of
Israel. But thou shalt appoint the Levites unto the habitation of
witness, and to all the apparel thereof and unto all that longeth
thereto. For they shall bear the tabernacle and all the ordinance
thereof, and they shall minister it and shall pitch their tents
round about it. And when the tabernacle goeth forth the Levites
shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is pitched, they shall
set it up: for if any stranger come near, he shall die. And the
children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man in his own
company and every man by his own standard thorowout all their
hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the habitation of
witness, that there fall no wrath upon the congregation of the
children of Israel, and the Levites shall wait upon the habitation
of witness. And the children of Israel did according to all that
the LORD commanded Moses.
Chapter .ij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: The children of
Israel shall pitch: every man by his own standard with the arms of
their father's houses, a way from the presence of the tabernacle
of witness. On the eastside toward the rising of the son, shall
they of the standard of the host of Iuda pitch with their arms:
And Nahesson the son of Aminadab shall be captain over the sons of
Iuda. And his host and the number of them seventy four thousand
and six hundred. And next unto him shall the tribe of Isachar
pitch and Nathaneel the son of Zuar captain over the children of
Isachar: his host and the number of them fifty four thousand and
four hundred. And then the tribe of Zabulon: with Eliab the son of
Helon, captain over the children of Zabulon, and his host in the
number of them: fifty seven thousand and four hundred. So that all
they that pertain unto the host of Iuda, are an hundred thousand
eighty six thousand and four hundred in their companies: and these
shall go in the forefront, when they journey. And on the south
side, the standard of the host of Ruben shall lie with their
companies and the captain over the sons of Ruben, Elizur the son
of Sedeur, and his host and the number of them forty six thousand,
and five hundred. And fast by him shall the tribe of Simeon pitch,
and the captain over the sons of Simeon. Salumiel the son of Zuri
Sadai, and his host and the number of them forty nine thousand and
three hundred. And the tribe of Gad also: And the captain over the
sons of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deguel and his host and the
number of them forty five thousand six hundred and fifty. So that
all the number that pertain unto the host of Ruben, are an hundred
thousand, fifty one thousand, four hundred and fifty, with their
companies, and they shall be the second in the journey. And the
tabernacle of witness with the host of the Levites, shall go in
the midst of the hosts: as they lie in their tents, even so shall
they proceed in the journey, every man in his quarter about their
standards. On the west side, the standard and the host of Ephraim
shall lie with their companies. And the captain over the sons of
Ephraim, Elisama the son of Amihud: and his host and the number of
them forty thousand and five hundred. And fast by him, the tribe
of Manasse, and the captain over the sons of Manasse, Gamaliel the
son of Peda Zur and his host and the number of them thirty two
thousand and two hundred. And the tribe of BenIamin also: and the
captain over the sons of BenIamin, Abidan the son of Gedeoni, and
his host and the number of them thirty five thousand and four
hundred. All the number that pertained unto the host of Ephraim,
were an hundred thousand eight thousand and an hundred in their
hosts: and they shall be the third in the journey. And the
standard and the host of Dan shall lie on the north side with
their companies: and the captain over the children of Dan, Ahiezer
the son of Ammi Sadai: and his host and the number of them sixty
two thousand and seven hundred. And fast by him shall the tribe of
Asser pitch: and the captain over the sons of Asser, Pagiel the
son of Ochran: and his host and the number of them forty one
thousand and five hundred. And the tribe of Naphtali also, and the
captain over the children of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan: and
his host and the number of them fifty three thousand and four
hundred. So that the whole number of all that pertained unto the
host of Dan, was an hundred thousand fifty seven thousand and six
hundred. And they shall be the last in the journey with their
standards. These are the sums of the children of Israel in the
houses of their fathers: even all the numbers of the hosts with
their companies six hundred thousand three thousand five hundred
and fifty. And yet the Levites were not numbered among the
children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses. And the children
of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, and
so they pitched with their standards, and so they journeyed: every
man in his kindred, and in the household of his father.
Chapter .iij.
These are the generations of Aaron and Moses, when the LORD spake
unto Moses in Mount Sinai, and these are the names of the sons of
Aaron: Nadab the eldest son, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. These
are the names of the sons of Aaron which were priests anointed and
their hands filled to minister, but Nadab and Abihu died before
the LORD, as they brought strange fire before the LORD in the
wilderness of Sinai, and had no children. And Eleazar and Ithamar
ministered in the sight of Aaron their father. And the LORD spake
unto Moses saying: bring the tribe of Levi, and set them before
Aaron the priest, and let them serve him and wait upon him, and
upon all the multitude, before the tabernacle of witness, to do
the service of the habitation. And they shall wait upon all the
apparel of the tabernacle of witness, and upon the children of
Israel, to do the service of the habitation. And thou shalt give
the Levites unto Aaron and his sons, for they are given unto him
of the children of Israel. And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his
sons to wait on their priests' office: and the stranger that
cometh nye, shall die for it. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children
of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrice among
the children of Israel, so that the Levites shall be mine: because
all the firstborn are mine: for the same day that I smote all the
first born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the
firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be:
for I am the LORD. And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness
of Sinai saying: Number the children of Levi in the houses of
their fathers and kindreds, all that are males from a month old
and above. And Moses numbered them at the word of the LORD, as he
was commanded. And these are the names of the children of Levi:
Gerson, Cahath, and Merari. And these are the names of the
children of Gerson in their kindreds: Libni and Semei. And the
sons of Cahath in their kindred were Amram, Iezehar, Hebron and
Usiel. And the sons of Merari in their kindreds were Maheli and
Musi. These are the kindreds of Levi in the houses of their
fathers. And of Gerson came the kindred of the Libnites and the
Semeites, which are the kindreds of the Gersonites. And the sum of
them (when all the males were told) from a month old and above,
were seven thousand and five hundred. And the kindreds of the
Gersonites pitched behind the habitation westward. And the captain
of the most ancient house among the Gersonites, was Eliasaph the
son of Lael. And the office of the children of Gerson in the
tabernacle of witness was the habitation and the tent with the
covering thereof and the hanging of the door of the tabernacle of
witness, and the hangings of the court, and the curtain of the
door of the court: which court went round about the dwelling, and
the altar, and the cords that pertained unto all the service
thereof. And of Cahath came the kindred of the Amramites and the
kindred of the Iezeharites and of the Hebronites and of the
Usielites: And these are the kindreds of the Cahathites. And the
number of all the males from a month old and above, was eight
thousand and six hundred: which waited on the holy place. And the
kindred of the children of Cahath, pitched on the south side of
the dwelling. And the captain in the most ancient house of the
kindreds of the Cahathites, was Elizaphan the son of Usiel, and
their office was: [to keep] the ark, the table, the candlestick,
and the altar, and the holy vessels to minister with and the vail
with all that served thereto. And Eleazar the son of Aaron the
priest, was captain over all the captains of the Levites, and had
the oversight of them that waited upon the holy things. And of
Merari came the kindreds of the Mahelites and of the Musites: and
these are the kindreds of the Merarites. And the number of them
(when all the males from a month old and above was told) drew unto
six thousand and two hundred. And the captain of the most ancient
house among the kindreds of the Merarites, was Zuriel the son of
Abihail which pitched on the north side of the dwelling. And the
office of the sons of Merari was: the boards of the dwelling and
the bars, pillars with the sockets thereof, and all the
instruments there of and all that served thereto: and the pillars
of the court round about and their sockets, with their pins and
cords. But on the forefront of the habitation and before the
tabernacle of witness eastward, shall Moses and Aaron and his sons
pitch and wait on the sanctuary in the stead of the children of
Israel. And the stranger that cometh nye, shall die for it. And
the whole sum of the Levites which Moses and Aaron numbered, at
the commandment of the LORD thorowout their kindreds even, of all
the males of a month old and above, was twenty two thousand. And
the LORD said unto Moses: Number all the first born that are males
among the children of Israel, from a month old and above, and take
the number of their names. And thou shalt appoint the Levites to
me the LORD, for all the firstborn among the children of Israel,
and the cattle of the Levites for the firstborn of the children of
Israel. And Moses numbered as the LORD commanded him, all the
firstborn of the children of Israel. And all the firstborn males,
in the sum of names, from a month old and above, were numbered
twenty two thousand two hundred and seventy three. And the LORD
spake unto Moses saying: take the Levites for all the firstborn of
the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites for their
cattle: and the Levites shall be mine which am the LORD. And for
the redeeming of the two hundred and seventy three which are more
than the Levites in the firstborn of the children of Israel, take
five sicles of every piece, after the sicles of the holy place,
twenty geras the sicles. And give the money wherewith the odd
number of them is redeemed, unto Aaron and his sons. And Moses
took the redemption money of the overplus that were more than the
Levites, among the firstborn of the children of Israel: and it
came to a thousand three hundred and sixty five sicles, of the
holy sicle. And he gave that redemption money unto Aaron and his
sons at the word of the LORD, even as the LORD commanded Moses.
Chapter .iiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, and bade them take the
sum of the children of Cahath from among the sons of Levi, in
their kindreds and houses of their fathers from thirty years and
above until fifty, all that were able to war, for to do the work
in the tabernacle of witness: even in the most holy place. {[This
shall be the office of the Kahath in the tabernacle of witness
which is most holy.]} And when the host removeth, Aaron and his
sons shall come and take down the vail, and cover the ark of
witness therewith, and shall put thereon a covering of taxus'
skins, and shall spread a cloth that is altogether of jacinth
above all, and put the staves thereof in. And upon the shew table,
they shall spread a cloth of jacinth, and put thereon, the dishes,
spoons, flat pieces and pots to pour with, and the daily bread
shall be thereon: and they shall spread upon them a covering of
purple, and cover the same with a covering of taxus' skins, and
put the staves thereof in. And they shall take a cloth of jacinth
and cover the candlestick of light and her lamps and her snuffers,
and firepans, and all her oil vessels which they occupy about it,
and shall put upon her and on all her instruments, a covering of
taxus' skins, and put it upon staves. And upon the golden altar
they shall spread a cloth of Iacinth, and put on her staves. And
they shall take all the things which they occupy to minister with
in the holy place, and put a cloth of Iacinth upon them and cover
them with a covering of taxus' skins and put them on staves. And
they shall take away the ashes out of the altar, and spread a
scarlet cloth thereon: and put about it, the firepans, the
fleshhooks, the shovels, the basins, and all that belongeth unto
the altar, and they shall spread upon it a covering of taxus'
skins, and put on the staves of it. And when Aaron and his sons
have made an end of covering the sanctuary and all things of the
sanctuary, against that the host remove, then the sons of Cahath
shall come in for to bear, and so let them not twich the sanctuary
lest they die. And this is the charge of the sons of Cahath in the
tabernacle of witness. And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest,
shall have the charge to prepare oil for the lights and sweet
cense, and the daily meatoffering and the anointing oil, and the
oversight of all the dwelling and of all that therein is, both
over the sanctuary and over all that pertaineth thereto. And the
LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: destroy not the tribe of
the kindreds of the Cahathites, from among the Levites. But thus
do unto them that they may live and not die, when they go unto the
most holy place. Aaron and his sons shall go in and put them,
every man unto his service and unto his burthen. But let them not
go in to see when they cover the sanctuary, lest they die. And the
LORD spake unto Moses saying: Take the sum of the children of
Gerson, in the houses of their fathers and in their kindreds: from
thirty years and above, until fifty, all that are able to go forth
in war, for to do service in the tabernacle of witness. And this
is the service of the kindred of the Gersonites, to serve and to
bear. They shall bear the curtains of the dwelling and the roof of
the tabernacle of witness and his covering and the covering of
taxus' skins that is on high {an hye} above upon it, and the
hanging of the door of the tabernacle of witness: and the hanging
of the court and the hanging of the gate of the court that is
round about the dwelling and the altar, and the cords of them, and
all the instruments that serve unto them and all that is made for
them. And at the mouth of Aaron and his sons, shall all the
service of the children of the Gersonites be done, in all their
charges and in all their service, and ye shall appoint them unto
all their charges that they shall wait upon. And this is the
service of the kindred of the children of the Gersonites in the
tabernacle of witness, and their wait shall be in the hand of
Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. And thou shalt number the
sons of Merari in their kindreds and in the houses of their
fathers, from thirty years and above unto fifty. All that is able
to go forth in war, to do the service of the tabernacle of
witness. And this is the charge that they must wait upon in all
that they must serve in the tabernacle of witness: The boards of
the dwelling, and the bars, pillars, and sockets thereof, and the
pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, pins and
cords with all that pertaineth and serveth unto them. And by name
ye shall reckon the things that they must wait upon to bear. This
is the service of the kindreds of the sons of Merari in all their
service in the tabernacle of witness by the hand of Ithamar the
son of Aaron the priest. And Moses and Aaron and the princes of
the multitude numbered the sons of the Cahathites in their
kindreds and houses of their fathers, from thirty years and above
unto fifty, and that were able to go forth in the host and to do
service in the tabernacle of witness. And the number of them in
their kindreds were two thousand, seven hundred and fifty. These
are the numbers of the kindreds of the Cahathites, of all that did
service in the tabernacle of witness, which Moses and Aaron did
number at the commandment of the LORD of by the hand of Moses. And
the sons of Gerson were numbered in their kindreds and in the
houses of their fathers, from thirty years up unto fifty, all that
were able to go forth in the host for to do service in the
tabernacle of witness. And the number of them in their kindreds,
and in the houses of their fathers, was two thousand, six hundred
and thirty. This is the number of the kindreds of the sons of
Gerson, of all that did service in the tabernacle of witness,
which Moses and Aaron did number at the commandment of the LORD.
And the kindreds of the sons of Merari were numbered in their
kindreds and in the houses of their fathers, from thirty years up
unto fifty. All that were able to go forth with the host, to do
service in the tabernacle of witness. And the number of them was
in their kindreds, three thousand and two hundred. This is the
number of the kindreds of the sons of Merari, which Moses and
Aaron numbered at the bidding of the LORD, by the hand of Moses.
The whole sum which Moses, Aaron and the lords of Israel numbered
among the Levites in their kindreds and households of their
fathers, from thirty years up unto fifty every man to do his
office and service and to bear his burthen in the tabernacle of
witness: was eight thousand, five hundred and eighty which they
numbered at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses every
man unto his service and burthen: as the LORD commanded Moses.
Chapter .v.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: command the children of
Israel that they put out of the host, all the lepers and all that
have issues and all that are defiled upon the dead, whether they
be males or females ye shall put them out of the host, that they
defile not the tents among which I {ye} dwell. And the children of
Israel did so, and put them out of the host: even as the LORD
commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel. And the LORD spake
unto Moses saying: speak unto the children of Israel: whether it
be man or woman, when they have sinned any manner of sin which a
man doeth wherewith a man trespasseth against the LORD, so that
the soul hath done amiss: then they shall knowledge their sins
which they have done, and restore again the hurt that they have
done in the whole, and put the fifth part of it more thereto, and
give it unto him whom he hath trespassed against. But and if he
that maketh the amends have no man to do it to, then the amends
that is made shall be the LORD's and the priest's, beside the ram
of the atonement offering wherewith he maketh an atonement for
himself. And all heave offerings of all the hallowed things which
the children of Israel bring unto the priest, shall be the
priest's, and every man's hallowed things shall be his own, but
whatsoever any man giveth the priest, it shall be the priest's.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them: If any man's wife go aside and trespass
against him, so that another man lie with her fleshly and the
thing be hid from the eyes of her husband and is not come to light
that she is defiled (for there is no witness against her) in as
much as she was not taken with the manner, and the spirit of
jealousy cometh upon him and he is jealous over his wife and she
defiled, or happily the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he
is jealous over his wife and she yet undefiled. Then let her
husband bring her unto the priest and bring an offering for her:
the tenth part of an Epha of barley meal, but shall pour none oil
thereunto, nor put frankincense thereon: for it is an offering of
jealousy, and an offering that maketh remembrance of sin. And let
the priest bring her and set her before the LORD, and let him take
holy water in an earthen vessel and of the dust that is in the
floor of the habitation, and put it into the water. And the priest
shall set the wife before the LORD and uncover her head, and put
the memorial of the offering in her hands which is the jealousy
offering, and the priest shall have bitter and cursing water in
his hand, and he shall conjure her and shall say unto her: If no
man have lien with thee neither hast gone aside, and defiled
thyself behind thy husband, then have thou no harm of this bitter
cursing water. But and if thou hast gone aside behind thine
husband and art defiled and some other man hath lien with thee
beside thine husband (and let the priest conjure her with the
conjuration of the curse and say unto her) the LORD make thee a
curse and a conjuration among thy people: so that the LORD make
thy thigh rot, and thy belly swell and this bitter cursing water
go into the bowels of thee, that thy belly swell and thy thigh
rot, and the wife shall say: Amen Amen. And the priest shall write
this curse in a bill and wash it out in the bitter water. And when
the cursing water is in her that it is bitter, then let the priest
take the jealousy offering out of the wife's hand, and wave it
before the LORD, and bring it unto the altar: and he shall take an
handful of the memorial offering and burn it upon the altar, and
then make her drink the water and when he hath made her drink the
water. If she be defiled and have trespassed against her husband,
then shall the cursing water go into her and be so bitter, that
her belly shall swell and her thigh shall rot, and she shall be a
curse among her people. And if she be not defiled but is clean,
then she shall have no harm, but that she may conceive. This is
the law of jealousy, when a wife goeth a side behind her husband
and is defiled, or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon a man,
so that he is jealous over his wife: then he shall bring her
before the LORD, and the priest shall minister all this law unto
her, and the man shall be guiltless, and the wife shall bear her
sin.
Chapter .vi.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto children of
Israel and say unto them: when either man or woman appointeth to
vow a vow of abstinence for to abstain unto the LORD, he shall
abstain from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of
wine or of strong drink, nor drink whatsoever is pressed out of
grapes: and shall eat no fresh grapes neither yet dried, as long
as his abstinence endureth. Moreover he shall eat nothing that is
made of the vine tree, no not so much as the kernels or the husk
of the grape. And as long as the vow of his abstinence endureth,
there shall no razor nor shears come upon his head, until his days
be out which he fasteth unto the LORD, and he shall be holy and
shall let the locks of his hair grow. As long as he abstaineth
unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body: he shall not make
himself unclean at the death of his father, mother, brother or
sister: For the abstinence of his God is upon his head. And
therefore as long as his abstinence lasteth, he shall be holy unto
the LORD. And if it fortune that any man by chance die suddenly
before him, and defile the head of his abstinence, then must he
shave his head the day of his cleansing: even the seventh day he
shall shave it. And the eighth day he shall bring two turtles or
two young pigeons to the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle
of witness. And the priest shall offer the one for a sinoffering
and the other for a burntoffering and make an atonement for him,
as concerning that he sinned upon the dead, and shall also hallow
his head the same day and he shall abstain unto the LORD the time
of his abstinency, and shall bring a lamb of an year old for a
trespass offering: but the days that were before are lost, because
his abstinence was defiled. This is the law of the abstainer, when
the time of his abstinence is out; he shall be brought unto the
door of the tabernacle of witness and he shall bring his offering
unto the LORD: an he lamb of a year old without blemish for a
burntoffering and a she lamb of a year old without blemish for a
sinoffering, a ram without blemish also for a peaceoffering, and a
basket of sweet bread of fine flour mingled with oil and wafers of
sweet bread anointed with oil with meatofferings and
drinkofferings that long thereto. And the priest shall bring him
before the LORD and offer his sinoffering and his burntoffering,
and shall offer the ram for a peaceoffering unto the LORD with the
basket of sweet bread, and the priest shall offer also his
meatoffering and his drinkoffering. And the abstainer shall shave
his head in the door of the tabernacle of witness and shall take
the hair of his sober head and put it in the fire which is under
the peaceoffering. Then the priest shall take the sodden shoulder
of the ram and one sweet cake out of the basket and one sweet
wafer also and put them in the hand of the abstainer after he hath
shaven his abstinence off, and the priest shall wave them unto the
LORD, which offering shall be holy unto the priest with the
wavebreast and heave shoulder: and then the abstainer may drink
wine. This is the law of the abstainer which hath vowed his
offering unto the LORD for his abstinence, besides that his hand
can get. And according to the vow which he vowed, even so he must
do in the law of his abstinence. And the LORD talked with Moses
saying: speak unto Aaron and his sons saying: of this wise ye
shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them. The LORD
{lorde} bless thee and keep thee. The LORD {lorde} make his face
shine upon thee and be merciful unto thee. The LORD {lorde} lift
up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. For ye shall
put my name upon the children of Israel, that I may bless them.
Chapter .vij.
And when Moses had full set up the habitation and anointed it and
sanctified it and all the apparel thereof, and had anointed and
sanctified the altar also and all the vessels thereof: then the
princes of Israel, heads over the houses of their fathers which
were the lords of the tribes that stood and numbered, offered and
brought their gifts before the LORD six covered chariots and
twelve oxen: two and two a chariot and an ox every man, and they
brought them before the habitation. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: take it of them and let them be to do the service of the
tabernacle of witness, and give them unto the Levites, every man
according unto his office. And Moses took the chariots and the
oxen, and gave them unto the Levites: two chariots and four oxen
he gave unto the sons of Gerson according unto their office. And
four chariots and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari
according unto their offices, under the hands of Ithamar the son
of Aaron the priest. But unto the sons of Cahath he gave none, for
the office that pertained to them was holy, and therefore they
must bear upon shoulders. And the princes offered unto the
dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, and
brought their gifts before the altar. And the LORD said unto
Moses: let the princes bring their offerings, every day one
prince, unto the dedicating of the altar. He that offered his
offering the first day, was Nahesson the son of Aminadab of the
tribe of Iuda. And his offering was: a silver charger, of an
hundred and thirty sicles weight: and a silver bowl of seventy
sicles of the holy sicle, both of them full of fine wheaten flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a spoon of ten sicles of
gold full of cense: and an ox, {bullock} a ram and a lamb of a
year old for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and
for peace offerings two oxen, five rams, five he goats and five
lambs of a year old. And this was the gift of Nahesson the son of
Aminadab. The second day, did Nathaneel offer, the son of Zuar,
captain over Isachar. And his offering which he brought was: a
silver charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a
silver bowl of seventy sicles, of the holy sicle: both full of
fine wheaten flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: and a
golden spoon of ten sicles, full of cense: And an ox, a ram and a
lamb of a year old for burntofferings, and for peaceofferings two
oxen five rams, five he goats and five lambs of one year old. And
this was the offering of Nathaneel the son of Zuar. The third day,
Eliab the son of Helon the chiefest among the children of Zabulon,
brought his offering. And his offering was, a silver charger of an
hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl of seventy
sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour mingled with
oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten sicles full of
cense: and an ox and a ram and a lamb of a year old for
burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
The fourth day, Elizur the son of Sedeur, chief lord among the
children of Ruben, brought his offering. And his gift was: a
silver charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and, a
silver bowl of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of
fine flour mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon
of ten sicles full of cense: and an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year
old for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Elizur the son of
Sedeur. The fifth day, Selumiel the son of Zuri Sadai, chief lord
among the children of Simeon, offered: whose gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight: and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles the holy sicle: and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense. And an ox, a ram, and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Selumiel the son of
Zuri Sadai. The sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deguel the chief
lord among the children of Gad, offered: whose gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense. And an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering. And for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of
Deguel. The seventh day, Elisama the son of Amihud, the chief lord
of the children of Ephraim, offered. And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles, of the holy sicle: and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meat offering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles, full of cense. And an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Elisama the son of
Amihud. The eighth day, offered Gamaliel the son of Pedazur, the
chief lord of the children of Manasse. And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense: And an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of
Pedazur. The ninth day, Abidan the son of Gedeoni the chief lord
among the children of BenIamin offered. And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense: and an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Abidan the son of
Gedeoni. The tenth day, Ahiezer the son of Ammi Sadai, chief lord
among the children of Dan offered. And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles, of the holy sicle: and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense: and an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammi
Sadai. The eleventh day, Pagiel the son of Ocran the chief lord
among the children of Asser offered: And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense: And an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen, five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Pagiel the son of
Ocran. The twelfth day, Ahira the son of Enan, chief lord among
the children of Naphtali offered. And his gift was: a silver
charger of an hundred and thirty sicles weight, and a silver bowl
of seventy sicles of the holy sicle, and both full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meatoffering: and a golden spoon of ten
sicles full of cense: and an ox, a ram and a lamb of a year old
for burntofferings, and an he goat for a sinoffering: and for
peaceofferings two oxen five rams five he goats and five lambs of
one year old. And this was the offering of Ahira, the son of Enan.
Of this manner was the dedication of the altar, when it was
anointed: unto the which was brought of the princes of Israel
twelve chargers of silver twelve silver bowls and twelve spoons of
gold: every charger containing an hundred and thirty sicles of
silver, and every bowl seventy so that all the silver of all the
vessels, was two thousand and four hundred sicles of the holy
sicle. And the twelve golden spoons which were full of cense,
contained ten sicles apiece of the holy sicle: so that all the
gold of the spoons, was an hundred and twenty sicles. All the oxen
that were brought for the burntofferings were twelve and the rams
twelve and the lambs twelve of a year old apiece, with the
meatofferings: with he goats for sinofferings. And all the oxen of
the peaceofferings were twenty four the rams sixty the goats sixty
and lambs of a year old apiece sixty and this was the dedication
of the altar, after that it was anointed. And when Moses was gone
into the tabernacle of witness to speak with him, he heard the
voice of one speaking unto him from of the mercy seat that was
upon the ark of witness: even from between the two cherubins he
spake unto him.
Chapter .viij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto Aaron and say
unto him: when thou puttest on the lamps see that they light all
seven upon the forefront of the candlestick. And Aaron did even
so, and put the lamps upon the forefront of the candlestick, as
the LORD commanded Moses, and the work of the candlestick was of
stiff gold: both the shaft and the flowers thereof. And according
unto the vision which the LORD had shewed Moses even so he made
the candlestick. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: take the
Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. And
this do unto them when thou cleansest them, sprinkle water of
purifying upon them and make a razor to run along upon all the
flesh of them, and let them wash their clothes, and then they
shall be clean. And let them take a bullock and his meatoffering,
fine flour mingled with oil: and another bullock shalt thou take
to be a sinoffering. Then bring the Levites before the tabernacle
of witness and gather the hole multitude of the children of Israel
together. And bring the Levites before the LORD, and let the
children of Israel put their hands upon the Levites. And let Aaron
heave the Levites before the LORD, for an heaveoffering given of
the children of Israel, and then let them be appointed to wait
upon the service of the LORD. And let the Levites put their hands
upon the heads of the bullocks, and then offer them: the one for a
sinoffering and the other for a burntoffering unto the LORD, to
make an atonement for the Levites. And make the Levites stond
before Aaron and his sons, and have them to be a heaveoffering
unto the LORD. And thou shalt separate the Levites, from among the
children of Israel, that they be mine: and after that let them go
and do the service of the tabernacle of witness. Cleanse them and
wave them, for they are given unto me from among the children of
Israel: for I have taken them unto me for all the firstborn that
open any matrice among the children of Israel. For all the
firstborn among the children of Israel are mine both man and
beast: because the same time that I smote the firstborn in the
land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself: and I have taken the
Levites for all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and
have given them unto Aaron and his sons from among the children of
Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the
tabernacle of witness and to make an atonement for the children of
Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel, if
they come nye unto the sanctuary. And Moses and Aaron and all the
congregation of the children of Israel did unto the Levites
according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses. And the Levites
purified them selves, and washed their clothes. And Aaron waved
them before the LORD, and made an atonement for them to cleanse
them. And after that they went in to do their service in the
tabernacle of witness, before Aaron and his sons. And according as
the LORD had commanded Moses as concerning the Levites, even so
they did unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: this
shall be the manner of the Levites: from twenty five years upward
they shall go in to wait upon the service in the tabernacle of
witness, and at fifty they shall cease waiting upon the service
thereof, and shall labour no more: but shall minister unto their
brethren in the tabernacle of witness, and there wait, but shall
do no more service. And see that thou do after this manner unto
the Levites in their waiting times.
Chapter .ix.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the
first month of the second year, after they were come out of the
land of Egypt saying: let the children of Israel offer Passover in
his season: even the fourteenth day of this month at even they
shall keep it in his season, according to all the ordinances and
manners thereof. And Moses bade the children of Israel that they
should offer Passover, and they offered Passover the fourteenth
day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: and did
according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. And it chanced
that certain men which were defiled with a dead corpse that they
might not offer Passover the same day, came before Moses and Aaron
the same day, {time} and said: we are defiled upon a dead corpse,
wherefore are we kept back that we may not offer an offering unto
the LORD in the due season, among the children of Israel? And
Moses said unto them: tarry, that I may hear what the LORD will
command you. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the
children of Israel and say: If any man among you or your children
after you be unclean by the reason of a corpse or is in the way
far off, then let him offer Passover unto the LORD: the fourteenth
day of the second month at even, and eat it with sweet bread and
sour herbs, and let them leave none of it unto the morning nor
break any bone of it. And according to all the ordinance of the
Passover let them offer it. But if a man be clean and not let in a
journey, and yet was negligent to offer Passover, the same soul
shall perish from his people, because he brought not an offering
unto the LORD in his due season: and he shall bear his sin. And
when a stranger dwelleth among you and will offer Passover unto
the LORD, according to the ordinance of Passover and manner
thereof shall he offer it. And ye shall have one law both for the
stranger and for him that was born at home in the land. And the
same day that the habitation was reared up, a cloud covered it on
high {an hye} upon the tabernacle of witness: and at even there
was upon the habitation, as it were the similitude of fire until
the morning. And so it was alway, that the cloud covered it by
day, and the similitude of fire by night. And when the cloud was
taken up from of the tabernacle, then the children of Israel
journeyed: and where the cloud abode there the children of Israel
pitched their tents. At the mouth of the LORD the children of
Israel journeyed, and at the mouth of the LORD they pitched. And
as long as the cloud abode upon the habitation, they lay still,
and when the cloud tarried still upon the habitation long time,
the children of Israel waited upon the LORD and journeyed not. If
it chanced that the cloud abode any space of time upon the
habitation, then they kept their tents at the mouth of the LORD:
and they journeyed also at the commandment of the LORD. And if it
happened that the cloud was upon the habitation from evening unto
morning and was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed.
Whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up,
they journeyed. But when the cloud tarried two days or a month or
a long season upon the habitation, as long as it tarried thereon,
the children of Israel kept their tents and journeyed not. And as
soon as the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. At the mouth of
the LORD they rested, and at the commandment of the LORD they
journeyed. And thus they kept the wait {watch} of the LORD, at the
commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
Chapter .x.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Make thee two trumpets of
hard {beaten} silver, that thou mayst use them to call the
congregation together, and when the host shall journey. When they
blow with them, all the multitude shall resort to thee, unto the
door of the tabernacle of witness. If but one trumpet blow only,
then the princes which are heads over the thousands of Israel
shall come unto thee. And when ye trump the first time, the hosts
that lie on the east parts shall go forward. And when ye trump the
second time, then the hosts that lie on the south side shall take
their journey: for they shall trump when they take their journeys.
And in gathering the congregation together, ye shall blow and not
trump. And the sons of Aaron the priests shall blow the trumpets
and shall have them and it shall be a law unto you for ever and
among your children after you. And when ye shall go to war in your
land against your enemies that vex you, ye shall trump with the
trumpets and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God and
saved from your enemies. Also when ye be merry in your feast days
and in the first days of your months, ye shall blow the trumpets
over your burnt sacrifices and peaceofferings, that it may be a
remembrance of you before your God. I am the LORD {lorde} your
God. And it came to pass the twentieth day of the second month in
the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the
habitation of witness. And the children of Israel took their
journey out of the desert of Sinai, and the cloud rested in the
wilderness of Pharan. And the first took their journey at the
mouth of the LORD, by the hand of Moses: even the standard of the
host of Iuda removed first with their armies, whose captain was
Nahesson the son of Aminadab. And over the host of the tribe of
the children of Isachar, was Nathanael the son of Zuar. And over
the host of the tribe of the children of Zabulon, was Eliab the
son of Helon. And the habitation was taken down: and the sons of
Gerson and Merari went forth bearing the habitation. Then the
standard of the host of Ruben went forth with their armies, whose
captain was Elizur the son of Sedeur. And over the host of the
tribe of the children of Simeon, was Salamiel [the son of Zuri
saddai. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was
Eliasaph] the son of Deguel. Then the Cahathites went forward and
bare the holy things, and the other did set up the habitation
against they came. Then the standard of the host of the children
of Ephraim went forth with their armies, whose captain was Elisama
the son of Amiud. And over the host of the tribe of the sons of
Manasse, was Gamaliel the son of Pedazur. And over the host of the
tribe of the sons of BenIamin, was Abidan the son of Gedeoni. And
hindmost of all the host came the standard of the host of the
children of Dan with their armies: whose captain was, Ahiezar the
son of Ammi Saddai. And over the host of the tribe of the children
of Asser, was Pagiel the son of Ochran. And over the host of the
tribe of the children of Nephthali, was Ahira the son of Enan, of
this manner were the journeys of the children of Israel, with
their armies when they removed. And Moses said unto Hobab the son
of Raguel the Madianite, Moses' father-in-law: we go unto the
place of which the LORD said I will give it you. Go with us and we
will do thee good, for the LORD hath promised good unto Israel.
And he said unto him: I will not: but will go to mine own land and
to my kindred. And Moses said, oh nay, leave us not, for thou
knowest where is best for us to pitch in the wilderness: and thou
shalt be our eyes. And if thou go with us, look what goodness the
LORD sheweth upon us, the same we will shew upon thee. And they
departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey, and the
ark of the testament of the LORD went before them in the three
days' journey to search out a resting place for them. And the
cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they went out of the
tents. And when the ark went forth, Moses said: Rise up LORD and
let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee
before thee. And when the ark rested, he said: return LORD, unto
the many thousands of Israel.
Chapter .xi.
And the people waxed unpatient, {complained} and it displeased the
ears of the LORD. And when the LORD heard it he was wroth, and the
fire of the LORD burnt among them and consumed the uttermost of
the host. And the people cried unto Moses, and he made
intercession unto the LORD and the fire quenched. And they called
the name of the place Tabera because the fire of the LORD burnt
among them. And the rascal people that was among them fell a
lusting. And the children of Israel also went to and wept and
said: who shall give us flesh to eat? we remember the fish which
we should eat in Egypt for nought, and of the Cucumbers and
melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now our souls are dried
away, for our eyes look on nothing else, save upon Manna. The
Manna was as it had been coriander seed, and to see to like
Bedellion. And the people went about and gathered it, and ground
it in mills, or beat it in mortars and boke it in pans and made
cakes of it. And the taste of it was like unto the taste of an
oilcake. And when the dew fell about the host in the night, the
manna fell therewith. And when Moses heard the people weep in
their households every man in the door of his tent, then the wrath
of the LORD waxed hot exceedingly: and it grieved Moses also. And
Moses said unto the LORD: wherefore dealest thou so cruelly with
thy servant? wherefore do I not find favour in thy sight, seeing
that thou puttest the weight of this people upon me? have I
conceived all this people, or have I begotten them, that thou
shouldest say unto me, carry them in thy bosom (as a nurse beareth
the sucking child) unto the land which thou swarest unto their
fathers? where should I have flesh to give unto all this people?
For they weep unto me saying: give us flesh that we may eat. I am
not able to bear all this people alone, for it is too heavy for
me. Wherefore if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, if
I have found favour in thy sight: and let me not see my
wretchedness. And the LORD said unto Moses: gather unto me seventy
of the elders of Israel, which thou knowest that they are the
elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them unto
the tabernacle of witness, and let them stond there with thee. And
I will come down and talk with thee there, and take of the spirit
which is upon thee and put upon them, and they shall bear with
thee in the burthen of the people, and so shalt thou not bear
alone. And say unto the people: hallow your selves against
tomorrow, that ye may eat flesh, for ye have whined in the ears of
the LORD saying: who shall give us flesh to eat, for we were happy
when we were in Egypt? therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and
ye shall eat: Ye shall not eat one day only either two or five
days, either ten or twenty days: but even a month long, and until
it come out at the nostrils of you, that ye be ready to parbreak:
because that ye have cast the LORD aside which is among you, and
have wept before him saying: why came we out of Egypt. And Moses
said: six hundred thousand footmen are there of the people, among
which I am. And thou hast said: I will give them flesh and they
shall eat a month long. Shall the sheep and the oxen be slain for
them to find them, either shall all the fish of the sea be
gathered together to serve them? And the LORD {Lorde} said unto
Moses: is the LORD's {lordes} hand waxed short? Thou shalt see
whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. And Moses
went out and told the people the saying of the LORD, and gathered
the seventy elders of the people, and set them round about the
tabernacle. And the LORD came down in a cloud and spake unto him,
and took of the spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the
seventy elders. And as the spirit rested upon them, they
prophesied and did nought else. But there remained two of the men
in the host: the one called Eldad, and the other Medad. And the
spirit rested upon them for they were of them that were written,
but they went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in
the host. And there ran a young man and told Moses and said: Eldad
and Medad do prophesy in the host. And Iosua the son of Nun the
servant of Moses which he had chosen out, answered and said:
master Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him: enviest thou
for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people could prophesy,
and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them. And then both
Moses and the elders of Israel, gat them into the host. And there
went forth a wind from the LORD and brought quails from the sea
and let them fall about the host, even a day's journey round about
on every side of the host, and two cubits high upon the earth. And
the people stood up all that night and on the morrow, and gathered
quails. And he that gathered the least, gathered ten homers full.
And they killed them round about the host. And while the flesh was
yet between their teeth, yer it was chewed up, the wrath of the
LORD waxed hot upon the people, and the LORD slew of the people an
exceeding mighty slaughter. And they called the name of the place,
the graves of lust: because they buried the people that lusted
there. And the people took their journey from the graves of lust
{kibrath hathavah} unto Hazeroth, and bode at Hazeroth.
Chapter .xij.
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses, because of his wife of
Inde which he had taken: for he had taken to wife one of India.
And they said: doth the LORD speak only thorow Moses? doth he not
speak also by us? And the LORD heard it. But Moses was a very meek
man above all the men of the earth. And the LORD spake at once
unto Moses unto Aaron and Miriam: come out ye three unto the
tabernacle of witness: and they came out all three. And the LORD
came down in the pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the
tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam. And they went out both of
them. And he said: hear my words. If there be a prophet of the
LORD's among you, I will shew myself unto him in a vision and will
speak unto him in a dream: But my servant Moses is not so, which
is faithful in all mine house. Unto him I speak mouth to mouth and
he seeth the sight and the fashion of the LORD, and not thorow
riddles. Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my
servant Moses? And the LORD was angry with them and went his way,
and the cloud departed from the tabernacle. And behold, Miriam was
become leprous, as it were snow. And when Aaron looked upon Miriam
and saw that she was leprous, he said unto Moses: Oh I beseech
thee my lord, put not the sin upon us which we have foolishly
committed and sinned. Oh, let her not be as one that came dead out
of his mother's womb: for half her flesh is eaten away. And Moses
cried unto the LORD saying: Oh God, heal her. And the LORD said
unto Moses: If her father had spit in her face, should she not be
ashamed seven days? let her be shut out of the host seven days,
and after that let her be received in again. And Miriam was shut
out of the host seven days: and the people removed not, till she
was brought in again. And afterward they removed from Hazeroth,
and pitched in the wilderness of Pharan.
Chapter .xiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Send men out to search the
land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every
tribe of their fathers a man and let them all be such as are
rulers among them. And Moses at the commandment of the LORD sent
forth out of the wilderness of Pharan: such men as were all heads
among the children of Israel, whose names are these: In the tribe
of Ruben, Sammua the son of Zacur: In the tribe of Simeon, Saphat
the son of Hori. In the tribe of Iuda, Caleph the son of Iephune.
In the tribe of Isachar, Igeal the son of Ioseph. In the tribe of
Ephraim, Hosea the son of Nun. In the tribe of BenIamin, Palti the
son of Raphu. In the tribe of Zabulon, Gadiel the son of Sodi. In
the tribe of Ioseph: In the tribe of Manasse, Gaddi the son of
Susi. In the tribe of Dan, Amiel the son of Gemali. In the tribe
of Asser, Sethur the son of Micheel. In the tribe of Nephtali,
Nahebi the son of Uaphsi. In the tribe of Gad, Guel the son of
Machi. These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out
the land. And Moses called the name of Hosea the son of Nun,
Iosua. And Moses sent them forth to spy out the land of Canaan,
and said unto them: get you southward and go up into the high
country, and see the land what manner thing it is and the people
that dwelleth therein: whether they be strong or weak, either few
or many, and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be
good or bad, and what manner of cities they dwell in: whether they
dwell in tents or walled towns, and what manner of land it is:
whether it be fat or lean, and whether there be trees therein or
not. And be of a good courage, and bring of the fruits of the
land. And it was about the time that grapes are first ripe. And
they went up and searched out the land from the wilderness of Zin
unto Rehob as men go to Hemath, and they ascended unto the south
and came unto Hebron, where Ahiman was and Sefai and Thalmani the
sons of Enack. Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
And they came unto the river of Escol and they cut down there a
branch with one cluster of grapes and bare it upon a staff between
twain, and also of the pomegranates and of the figs of the place.
The river was called Escol, because of the cluster of grapes which
the children of Israel cut down there. And they turned back again
from searching the land, at forty days' end. And they went and
came to Moses and Aaron and unto all the multitude of the children
of Israel, unto the wilderness of Pharan: even unto Cades, and
brought them word and also unto all the congregation, and shewed
them the fruit of the land. And they told him saying: we came unto
the land whither thou sendedst us, and surely it is a land that
floweth with milk and honey and here is of the fruit of it.
Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the
cities are walled and exceeding great, and moreover we saw the
children of Enack there. The Amaleks dwell in the south country,
and the Hethites, Iebusites and the Amorites dwell in the
mountains, and the Cananites dwell by the sea and along by the
coast of Iordan. And Caleb stilled the murmur of the people
against Moses saying: let us go up and conquer it, for we be able
to overcome it. But the men that went up with him, said: We be not
able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we:
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had
searched, unto the children of Israel saying: The land which we
have gone thorow to search it out, is a land that eateth up the
inhabiters thereof, and the people that we saw in it are men of
stature. And there we saw also giants, the children of Enack which
are of the giants. And we seemed in our sight as it were
grasshoppers and so we did in their sight.
Chapter .xiiij.
And the multitude cried out, and the people wept thorowout that
night, and all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and
Aaron. And the whole congregation said unto them: would God that
we had died in the land of Egypt, either we would that we had died
in this wilderness. Wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this
land to fall upon the sword, that both our wives, and also our
children should be a prey? is it not better that we return unto
Egypt again? And they said one to another: let us make a captain
and return unto Egypt again. And Moses and Aaron fell on their
faces before all the congregation of the multitude of the children
of Israel. And Iosua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Iephune
which were of them that searched the land rent their clothes and
spake unto all the company of the children of Israel saying: The
land which we walked thorow to search it, is a very good land. If
the LORD have lust to us, he will bring us into this land and give
it us, which is a land that floweth with milk and honey. But in
any wise rebel not against the LORD. Moreover fear ye not the
people of the land, for they are but bread for us. Their shield is
departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not
therefore. And all the whole multitude bade stone them with
stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of
witness, unto all the children of Israel. And the LORD said unto
Moses: How long shall this people rail upon me, and how long will
it be, yer they believe me, for all my signs which I have shewed
among them? I will smite them with the pestilence and destroy
them, and will make of thee a greater nation and a mightier than
they. And Moses said unto the LORD: then the Egyptians shall hear
it, for thou broughtest this people with thy might from among
them. And it will be told to the inhabiters of this land also, for
they have heard likewise, that thou the LORD art among this
people, and that thou art seen face to face, and that thy cloud
stondeth over them and that thou goest before them by day time in
a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. If thou shalt
kill all this people as they were but one man then the nations
which have heard the fame of thee, will speak saying: because the
LORD was not able to bring in this people into the land which he
swore unto them, therefore he slew them in the wilderness. So now
let the power of my Lord {|LORDE|} be great, according as thou
hast spoken saying: the LORD is long yer he be angry, and full of
mercy, and suffereth sin and trespass, and leaveth no man
innocent, and visiteth the unrighteousness of the fathers upon the
children, even upon the third and fourth generation, be merciful I
beseech ye therefore, unto the sin of this people according unto
thy great mercy, and according as thou hast forgiven this people
from Egypt even unto this place. And the LORD said: I have
forgiven it, according to thy request. But as truly as I live, all
the earth shall be filled with my glory. For of all those men
which have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in Egypt and
in the wilderness, and yet have tempted me now this ten times and
have not hearkened unto my voice, there shall not one see the land
which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that
railed upon me, see it. But my servant Caleb, because there is
another manner spirit with him, and because he hath followed me
unto the utmost: him I will bring into the land which he hath
walked in, and his seed shall conquer it, and also the Amalekites
and Cananites which dwell in the low countries. Tomorrow turn you
and get you into the wilderness: even the way toward the Red Sea.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: how long shall
this evil multitude murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings
of the children of Israel which they murmur against me. Tell them,
that the LORD sayeth: As truly as I live, I will do unto you even
as ye have spoken in mine ears. Your carcasses shall lie in this
wilderness, neither shall any of these numbers which were numbered
from twenty years and above of you which have murmured against me
come in to the land over which I lifted mine hand to make you
dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Iephune, and Iosua the son of
Nun. And your children which ye said should be a prey, them I will
bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have refused, and
your carcases shall lie in this wilderness And your children shall
wander in this wilderness forty years and suffer for your whoredom
until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness, after the number
of the days in which ye searched out the land forty days, and
every day a year: so that they shall bear your unrighteousness
forty years, and ye shall feel my vengeance I the LORD have said
that I will do it unto all this evil congregation that are
gathered together against me: even in this wilderness ye shall be
consumed, and here ye shall die. And the men which Moses sent to
search the land, and which (when they came again) made all the
people to murmur against it in that they brought up a slander upon
the land: died for their bringing up that evil slander upon it,
and were plagued before the LORD. But Iosua the son of Nun and
Caleb the son of Iephune which were of the men that went to search
the land, lived still. And Moses told these sayings unto all the
children of Israel, and the people took great sorrow. And they
rose up early in the morning and gat them up into the top of the
mountain saying: lo we be here, and will go up unto the place of
which the LORD said, for we have sinned. And Moses said: wherefore
will ye go on this manner beyond the word of the LORD? it will not
come well to pass: go not up for the LORD is not among you that ye
be not slain before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the
Cananites are there before you, and ye will fall upon the sword:
because ye are turned away from the LORD, and therefore the LORD
will not be with you. But they were blinded to go up into the
hilltop: Never the later, the ark of the testament of the LORD and
Moses departed not out of the host. Then the Amalekites and the
Cananites which dwelt in that hill, came down and smote them and
hewed them: even unto Horma.
Chapter .xv.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel and say unto them: when ye be come into the land of your
habitation which I give unto you, and will offer an offering upon
the fire unto the LORD, whether it be a burntoffering or a special
vow or freewill offering or if it be in your principal feasts to
make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the oxen or of the flock.
Then, let him that offereth his offering unto the LORD, bring also
a meatoffering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth
part of an hin of oil, and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a
drinkoffering, and offer with the burntoffering or any other
offering when it is a lamb. And unto a ram thou shalt offer a
meatoffering of two tenth deals of flour, mingled with the third
part of an hin of oil, and to a drinkoffering thou shalt offer the
third part of an hin of wine, to be a sweet savour unto the LORD.
When thou offerest an ox to a burntoffering or in any special vow
or peaceoffering unto the LORD, then thou shalt bring unto an ox,
a meatoffering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an
hin of oil. And thou shalt bring for a drinkoffering half an hin
of wine, that is an offering of a sweet savour unto the LORD. This
is the manner that shall be done unto one ox, one ram, a lamb or a
kid. And according to the number of such offerings, thou shalt
increase the meatofferings and the drinkofferings. All that are of
your selves shall do these things after this manner, when he
offereth an offering of sweet savour unto the LORD. And if there
be a stranger with you or be among you in your generations, and
will offer an offering of a sweet savour unto the LORD: even as ye
do, so he shall do. One ordinance shall serve both for you of the
congregation, and also for the stranger. And it shall be an
ordinance for ever among your children after you, that the
stranger and ye shall be like before the LORD. One law and one
manner shall serve, both for you and for the stranger that
dwelleth with you. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak
unto the children of Israel and say unto them: when ye be come in
to the land whither I will bring you, then when ye will eat of the
bread of the land, ye shall give an heaveoffering unto the LORD.
Ye shall give a cake of the first of your dough unto an heave
offering: as ye do the heaveoffering of the barn, even so ye shall
heave it. Of the first of your dough ye must give unto the LORD an
heaveoffering, thorowout your generations. If ye oversee your
selves and observe not all these commandments which the LORD hath
spoken unto Moses, and all that the LORD hath commanded you by the
hand of Moses, from the first day forward that the LORD commanded
among your generation: when ought is committed ignorantly before
the eyes of the congregation, then all the multitude shall offer a
calf for a burntoffering to be a sweet savour unto the LORD, and
the meatoffering and the drinkoffering thereto, according to the
manner: and an he goat for a sinoffering. And the priest shall
make an atonement for all the multitude of the children of Israel,
and it shall be forgiven them for it was ignorance. And they shall
bring their gifts unto the offering of the LORD, and their
sinoffering before the LORD for their ignorance. And it shall be
forgiven unto all the multitude of the children of Israel, and
unto the stranger that dwelleth among you: for the ignorance
pertaineth unto all the people. If any one soul sin thorow
ignorance he shall bring a she goat of a year old for a
sinoffering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul
that sinned ignorantly with the sinoffering before the LORD and
reconcile him, and it shall be forgiven him. And both thou that
art born one of the children of Israel and the stranger that
dwelleth among you shall have both one law, if ye sin thorow
ignorance. And the soul that doth ought presumptuously, whether he
be an Israelite or a stranger, the same hath despised the LORD.
And that soul shall be destroyed from among his people, because he
hath despised the word of the LORD and hath broken his
commandments, that soul therefore shall perish and his sin shall
be upon him. And while the children of Israel were in the
wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the Sabbath
day. And they that found him gathering sticks, brought him unto
Moses and Aaron and unto all the congregation: and they put him in
ward, for it was not declared what should be done unto him. And
the LORD said unto Moses: the man shall die: let all the multitude
stone him with stones without the host. And all the multitude
brought him without the host and stoned him with stones, and he
died as the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: speak unto the children of Israel and bid them, that they
make them guards upon the quarters of their garments thorowout
their generations, and let them make the guards of ribbons of
Iacinth. And the guard shall be unto you to look upon it, that ye
remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them: that ye
seek not a way after your own hearts and after your own eyes, for
to go a whoring after them: but that ye remember and do all my
commandments and be holy unto your God, for I am the LORD your
God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I
am the LORD God.
Chapter .xvi.
And Corah the son of Iezehar the son of Cahath the son of Levi:
and Dathan and Abiram the son of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth,
the son of Ruben: stood up before Moses, with other of the
children of Israel two hundred and fifty, heads of the
congregation, and councillors, and men of fame, and they gathered
them selves together against Moses and Aaron and said unto them:
ye have done enough. For all the multitude are holy every one of
them, and the LORD is among them. Why therefore heave ye your
selves up above the congregation of the LORD. When Moses heard it,
he fell upon his face and spake unto Corah and unto all his
company saying: tomorrow the LORD will shew who is his and who is
holy, and will take them unto him, and whom soever he hath chosen,
he will cause to come to him. This do: take firepans, thou Corah
and all thy company, and do fire therein and put cense thereto
before the LORD tomorrow: And then whomsoever the LORD doeth
chose, the same is holy. Ye make enough to do ye children of Levi.
And Moses said unto Corah: hear ye children of Levi, Seemeth it
but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated
you from the multitude of Israel to bring you to him, to do the
service of the dwelling place of the LORD, and to stond before the
people to minister unto them? he hath taken thee to him and all
thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee, and ye seek the office of
the priest also. For which cause both thou and all thy company are
gathered together against the LORD: for what is Aaron, that ye
should murmur against him. And Moses sent to call Dathan and
Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they answered: we will not come.
Seemeth it a small thing unto thee that thou hast brought us out
of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the
wilderness. But that thou shouldest reign over us also? More over
thou hast brought us unto no land that floweth with milk and
honey, neither hast given us possessions of fields or of vines.
Either wilt thou pull out the eyes of these men? we will not come.
And Moses waxed very angry and said unto the LORD: Turn not unto
their offerings. I have not taken so much as an ass from them,
neither have vexed any of them. Then Moses said unto Corah: Be
thou and all thy company before the LORD: both thou, they and
Aaron tomorrow. And take every man his censer and put cense in
them, and come before the LORD every man with his censer: two
hundred and fifty censers, and Aaron with his censer. And they
took every man his censer and put fire in them and laid cense
thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of witness, and
Moses and Aaron also. And Corah gathered all the congregation
against them unto the door of the tabernacle of witness. And the
glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. And the LORD
spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: separate your selves from this
congregation, that I may consume them at once. And they fell upon
their faces and said: O most mighty God of the spirits of all
flesh, one man hath sinned, and wilt thou be wroth with all the
multitude? And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the
congregation and say: Get you away from about the dwelling of
Corah, Dathan and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan
and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake
unto the congregation saying: depart from the tents of these
wicked men and twich nothing of theirs: lest ye perish in all
their sins. And they gat them from the dwelling of Corah, Dathan
and Abiram, on every side. And Dathan and Abiram came out and
stood in the door of their tents with their wives, their sons and
their children. And Moses said: Hereby ye shall know that the LORD
hath sent me to do all these works, and that I have not done them
of mine own mind: If these men die the common death of all men or
if they be visited after the visitation of all men, then the LORD
hath not sent me. But and if the LORD make a new thing, and the
earth open her mouth and swallow them and all that pertain unto
them, so that they go down quick in to hell: then ye shall
understand, that these men have railed upon the LORD. And as soon
as he had made an end of speaking all these words, the ground
clove asunder that was under them, and the earth opened her mouth
and swallowed them and their houses and all the men that were with
Corah and all their goods. And they and all that pertained unto
them, went down alive unto hell, and the earth closed upon them,
and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that
were about them, fled at the cry of them. For they said: The earth
might happily swallow us also. And there came out a fire from the
LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered
cense. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Speak unto Eleazer
the son of Aaron the priest and let him take up the censers out of
the burning and scatter the fire here and there, for the censers
of these sinners are hallowed in their deaths: and let them be
beaten into thin plates and fastened upon the altar. For they
offered them before the LORD, and therefore they are holy and they
shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. And Eleazar the
priest took the brazen censers which they that were burnt had
offered, and beat them and fastened them upon the altar, to be a
remembrance unto the children of Israel, that no stranger which is
not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer cense before the
LORD, that he be not made like unto Corah and his company: as the
LORD said unto him by the hand of Moses. And on the morrow all the
multitude of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and
Aaron saying: ye have killed the people of the LORD. And when the
multitude was gathered against Moses and Aaron, they looked toward
the tabernacle of witness; And behold, the cloud had covered it
and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron went
before the tabernacle of witness. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: Get you from this congregation, that I may consume them
quickly. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto
Aaron: take a censer and put fire therein out of the altar, and
pour on cense, and go quickly unto the congregation and make an
atonement for them. For there is wrath gone out from the LORD, and
there is a plague begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded him,
and ran unto the congregation: and behold, the plague was begun
among the people, and he put on cense, and made an atonement for
the people. And he stood between the dead, and them that were
alive, and the plague ceased. And the number of them that died in
the plague, were fourteen thousand and seven hundred: beside them
that died about the business of Corah. And Aaron went again unto
Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of witness, and the plague
ceased.
Chapter .xvij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: speak unto the children of
Israel and take of them, for every principal house a rod, of their
princes over the houses of their fathers: even twelve rods, and
write every man's name upon his rod. And write Aaron's name upon
the staff of Levi: for every headman over the houses of their
fathers shall have a rod. And put them in the tabernacle of
witness where I will meet you. And his rod whom I chose, shall
blossom: So I will make cease from me the grudgings of the
children of Israel which they grudge against you. And Moses spake
unto the children of Israel, and all the princes gave him for
every prince over their fathers' houses, a rod: even twelve rods,
and the rod of Aaron was among the rods. And Moses put the rods
before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness: And on the morrow,
Moses went in to the tabernacle: and behold, the rod of Aaron of
the house of Levi was budded and bare blossoms and almonds. And
Moses brought out all the staves from before the LORD, unto all
the children of Israel, and they looked upon them, and took every
man his staff. And the LORD said unto Moses: bring Aaron's rod
again before the witness to be kept for a token unto the children
of rebellion, that their murmurings may cease from me, that they
die not. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. And the children
of Israel spake unto Moses saying: behold, we are destroyed and
all come to nought: for whosoever cometh nye the dwelling of the
LORD, dieth. Shall we utterly consume away?
Chapter .xviij.
And the LORD said unto Aaron: Thou and thy sons and thy father's
house with thee, shall bear the fault of that which is done amiss
in the holy place. And thou and thy sons with thee, shall bear the
fault of that which is done amiss in your priesthood. And thy
brethren also the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father take with
thee, and let them be joined unto thee and minister unto thee. And
thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle
of witness. And let them wait upon thee and upon all the
tabernacle: only let them not come nye the holy vessels and the
altar, that both they and ye also die not. And let them be by thee
and wait on the tabernacle of witness, and on all the service of
the tabernacle, and let no stranger come nye unto you. Wait
therefore upon the holy place and upon the altar, that there fall
no more wrath upon the children of Israel: behold, I have taken
your brethren the Levites from among children of Israel, to be
yours, as gifts given unto the LORD to do the service of the
tabernacle of witness. And see that both thou and thy sons with
thee take heed unto your priests' office, in all things that
pertain unto the altar and within the vail. And see that ye serve,
for I have given your priests' office unto you for a gift to do
service: and the stranger that cometh nye, shall die. And the LORD
spake unto Aaron: behold, I have given thee the keeping of mine
heave offerings in all the hallowed things of the children of
Israel. And unto thee I have given them unto anointing and to thy
sons: to be a duty for ever. This shall be thine of most holy
sacrifices: All their gifts, thorowout all their meatofferings,
sinofferings and trespassofferings which they bring unto me. They
shall be most holy unto thee and unto thy sons. And ye shall eat
it in the most holy place: all that are males shall eat of it, for
it shall be holy unto thee. And this shall be thine: the
heaveoffering of their gifts, thorowout all the waveofferings of
the children of Israel, for I have given them unto thee and thy
sons, and thy daughters with thee, to be a duty for ever: and all
that are clean in thy house, shall eat of it, all the fat of the
oil, of the wine and of the corn: their first fruits which they
give unto the LORD that have I given unto thee. The first fruits
of all that is in their lands which they bring unto the LORD,
shall be thine: and all that are clean in thine house, shall eat
of it. All dedicate things in Israel, shall be thine. All that
breaketh the matrice of all flesh that men bring unto the LORD,
both of man and beast, shall be thine. Neverthelater the firstborn
of man shall be redeemed, and the firstborn of unclean beasts
shall be redeemed. And their redemptions shall be at a month old,
valued at five sicles of silver, of the holy sicle. A sicle maketh
twenty Geras. But the firstborn of oxen, sheep and goats shall not
be redeemed. For they are holy, and thou shalt sprinkle their
blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat to be a sacrifice
of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And the flesh of them shall be
thine, as the wavebreast and all the right shoulder is thine. All
the holy heave offerings which the children of Israel heave unto
the LORD, I give thee and thy sons and thy daughters with thee to
be a duty for ever. And it shall be a salted covenant for ever,
before the LORD: unto thee and to thy seed with thee. And the LORD
spake unto Aaron: thou shalt have none inheritance in their land,
nor part among them. For I am thy part and thy inheritance among
the children of Israel. And behold I have given the children of
Levi, the tenth in Israel to inherit, for the service which they
serve in the tabernacle of witness, that the children of Israel
henceforth come not nye the tabernacle of witness, and bear sin
and die. And the Levites shall do the service in the tabernacle of
witness and bear their sin, and it shall be a law for ever unto
your children after you: But among the children of Israel they
shall inherit none inheritance. For the tithes of the children of
Israel which they heave unto the LORD, I have given the Levites to
inherit. Wherefore I have said unto them: Among the children of
Israel ye shall inherit none inheritance. And the LORD spake unto
Moses saying: speak unto the Levites and say unto them: when ye
take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you
of them to your inheritance, ye shall take an heaveoffering of
that same for the LORD: even the tenth of that tithe. And it shall
be reckoned unto you for your heaveoffering, even as though ye
gave corn out of the barn or a full offering from the wine press.
And of this manner ye shall heave an heaveoffering unto the LORD,
of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel, and
ye shall give there of the LORD's heave offering unto Aaron the
priest. Of all your gifts, ye shall take out the LORD's
heaveoffering: even the fat of all their hallowed things. And thou
shalt say unto them: when ye have taken away the fat of it from
it, it shall be counted unto the Levites, as the increase of corn
and wine. And ye shall eat it in all places both ye and your
households, for it is your rewards for your service in the
tabernacle of witness. And ye shall bear no sin by the reason of
it, when ye have taken from it the fat of it: neither shall ye
unhallow the hallowed things of the children of Israel, and so
shall ye not die.
Chapter .xix.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying: this is the
ordinance of the law which the LORD commandeth saying: speak unto
the children of Israel and let them take thee a red cow without
spot wherein is no blemish, and which never bare yoke upon her.
And ye shall give her unto Eleazer the priest, and he shall bring
her without the host and cause her to be slain before him. And
Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood upon his finger, and
sprinkle it straight toward the tabernacle of witness seven times.
And he shall cause the cow to be burnt in his sight: both skin,
flesh and blood, with the dung also. And let the priest take
cypress wood, and Hyssop and purple cloth, and cast it upon the
cow as she burneth. And let the priest wash his clothes and bathe
his flesh in water, and then come into the host, and the priest
shall be unclean unto the evening. And he that burneth her, shall
wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh also in water, and
be unclean until evening. And one that is clean, shall go and take
up the ashes of the cow, and put them without the host in a clean
place, where they shall be kept to make sprinkling water for the
multitude of the children of Israel: for it is a sinoffering. And
let him that gathereth the ashes of the cow, wash his clothes, and
remain unclean until evening. And this shall be unto the children
of Israel and unto the stranger that dwelleth among them, a manner
for ever. He that twicheth any dead person, shall be unclean seven
days. And he shall purify himself with the ashes the third day and
then he shall be clean the seventh day. And if he purify not
himself the third day, then the seventh day, he shall not be
clean. Whosoever twicheth any person that dieth and sprinkleth not
himself, defileth the dwelling of the LORD: and therefore that
soul shall be rooted out of Israel, because he hath not sprinkled
the sprinkling water upon him, he shall be unclean, and his
uncleanness shall remain upon him. This is the law of the man that
dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent and all that is in
the tent, shall be unclean seven days. And all the vessels that be
open which have no lid nor covering upon them, are unclean. And
whosoever twicheth one that is slain with a sword in the fields,
or a dead person, or a bone of a dead man, or a grave: shall be
unclean seven days. And they shall take for an unclean person, of
the burnt ashes of the sinoffering, and put running water thereto
into a vessel. And a clean person shall take Hyssop and dip it in
the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent and upon all the vessels
and on the souls that were there, and upon him that twiched a bone
or a slain person or a dead body or a grave. And the clean person
shall sprinkle upon the unclean the third day and the seventh day.
And the seventh day he shall purify himself and wash his clothes
and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at evening. If any
be unclean and sprinkle not himself, the same soul shall be
destroyed from among the congregation: for he hath defiled the
holy place of the LORD. And he that sprinkleth the sprinkling
water, shall wash his clothes. And he that twicheth the sprinkling
water, shall be unclean until even. And whatsoever the unclean
person twicheth, shall be unclean. And the soul that twiched it,
shall be unclean until the evening.
Chapter .xx.
And the whole multitude of the children of Israel, came into the
desert of Sin in the first month, and the people dwelt at Cades.
And there died MirIam, and was buried there. Moreover there was no
water for the multitude, wherefore they gathered them selves
together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode
with Moses and spake saying: would God that we had perished when
our brethren perished before the LORD. Why have ye brought the
congregation of the LORD unto this wilderness, that both we and
our cattle should die here? Wherefore brought ye us out of Egypt,
to bring us into this ungracious place, which is no place of seed
nor of figs nor vines nor of pomegranates, neither is there any
water to drink? And Moses and Aaron went from the congregation
unto the door of the tabernacle of witness, and fell upon their
faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. And the LORD
spake unto Moses saying: take the staff, and gather thou and thy
brother Aaron the congregation together, and say unto the rock
before their eyes, that he give forth his water. And thou shalt
bring them water out of the rock and shalt give the company drink,
and their beasts also. And Moses took the staff from before the
LORD, as he commanded him And Moses and Aaron gathered the
congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them: hear
ye rebellious, must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses
lift up his hand with his staff and smote the rock two times, and
the water came out abundantly, and the multitude drank and their
beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron: Because ye
believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of
Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the
land which I have given them. This is the water of strife, because
the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified
upon them. And Moses sent messengers from Cades unto the king of
Edom. Thus sayeth thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the travail
that hath happened us, how our fathers went down into Egypt, and
how we have dwelt in Egypt a long time, and, how the Egyptians
vexed both us and our fathers. Then we cried unto the LORD and he
heard our voices, and sent an angel and hath fetched us out of
Egypt. And behold, we are in Cades, a city hard by the borders of
thy country: let us go a good fellowship thorow thy country: we
will not go thorow the fields nor thorow the vineyards, neither
will we drink of the water of the fountains: but we will go by the
highway and neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left,
until we be past thy country. And Edom answered him: See thou come
not by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword. And the
children of Israel said unto him: we will go by the beaten way:
and if either we or our cattle drink of thy water, we will pay for
it, we will do no more but pass thorow by foot only. And he said:
ye shall not go thorow. And Edom came out against him with much
people and with a mighty power. And thus Edom denied to give
Israel passage thorow his country; And Israel turned away from
him. And the children of Israel removed from Cades and went unto
mount Hor with all the congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses
and Aaron in mount Hor, hard upon the coasts of the land of Edom
saying: let Aaron be put unto his people, for he shall not come
into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel:
because ye disobeyed my mouth at the water of strife. Take Aaron
and Eleazer his son, and bring them up into mount Hor, and strip
Aaron out of his vestments and put them upon Eleazer his son, and
let Aaron be put unto his people and die there. And Moses did as
the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight
of all the multitude. And Moses took off Aaron's clothes and put
them upon Eleazer his son, and Aaron died there in the top of the
mount. And Moses and Eleazer came down out of the mount. And all
the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days
Chapter .xxj.
And when king Arad the Cananite which dwelt in the south parts,
heard tell that Israel came by the way that the spies had found
out: he came and fought with Israel and took some of them
prisoners. Then Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD and said: If thou
wilt give this people into our hands, we will destroy their
cities. And the LORD heard the voice of Israel, and delivered them
the Cananites. And they destroyed both them and their cities, and
called the place Horma. Then they departed from mount Hor toward
the red sea: to compass the land of Edom. And the souls of the
people fainted by the way. And the people spake against God and
against Moses: wherefore hast thou brought us out of Egypt, for to
die in the wilderness, for here is neither bread nor water, and
our souls loatheth this light bread. Then the LORD sent fiery
serpents among the people, which stung them: so that much people
died in Israel. And the people came to Moses and said: we have
sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against thee: make
intercession to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.
And Moses made intercession for the people. And the LORD said unto
Moses: make thee a serpent and hang it up for a sign, and let as
many as are bitten look upon it and they shall live. And Moses
made a serpent of brass and set it up for a sign. And when the
serpents had bitten any man, he went and beheld the serpent of
brass and recovered. And the children of Israel removed and
pitched in Oboth. And they departed from Oboth and lay at Egebarim
in the wilderness which is before Moab on the east side. And they
removed thence, and pitched upon the river of Zarad. And they
departed thence and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which
river is in the wilderness, and cometh out of the coasts of the
Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the
Amorites. Wherefore it is spoken in the book of the war of the
LORD: go with a violence, both on the river of Arnon and on the
river's head, which shooteth down to dwell at Ar, and leaneth upon
the coasts of Moab. And from thence they came to Bear, which is
the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses: gather the people
together, that I may give them water. Then Israel sang this song:
Arise up well, sing thereto: The well which the rulers digged and
the captains of the people with the help of the lawgiver and with
their staves. And from this wilderness they went to Matana, and
from Matana to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, and from
Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab in the top of
Phasgah which boweth toward the wilderness. {Iesimon} And Israel
sent messengers unto Sehon, king of the Amorites, saying: let us
go thorow thy land: We will not turn into thy fields nor into thy
vineyards, neither drink of the water of the wells: but we will go
along by the common way, until we be past thy country. And Sehon
would give Israel no licence to pass thorow his country, but
gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into
the wilderness. And he came to Iaheza and fought with Israel. And
Israel smote him with the edge of the sword and conquered his
land, from Arnon unto Iabock: even unto the children of Ammon. For
the borders of the children of Ammon, are strong. And Israel took
all these cities and dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites: in
Hesbon and in all the towns that long thereto. For Hesbon was the
city of Sehon the king of the Amorites which Sehon had fought
before with the king of the Moabites, and had taken all his land
out of his hand, even unto Arnon. Wherefore it is a proverb: go to
Hesbon and let the city of Sehon be built and made ready for there
is a fire gone out of Hesbon and a flame from the city of Sehon
and hath consumed Ar of the Moabites and the men of the hills of
Arnon. Woe be to thee Moab: O people of Chamos ye are forloren.
{undone} His sons are put to flight and his daughters brought
captive unto Sehon king of the Amorites. Their light is out from
Hesbon unto Dibon and we made a wilderness even unto Nopha which
reacheth unto Mediba. And thus Israel dwelt in the land of the
Amorites. And Moses sent to search out Iaezer, and they took the
towns belonging thereto and conquered the Amorites that were
there. And then they turned and went up toward Bason. And Og the
king of Bason came out against them, both he and all his people,
to war at Edrei. And the LORD said unto Moses: fear him not, for I
have delivered him into thy hands with all his people and his
land. And thou shalt do with him as thou didst with Sehon the king
of the Amorites which dwelt at Hesbon. And they smote him and his
sons and all his people, until there was nothing left him. And
they conquered his land.
Chapter .xxij.
And the children of Israel removed and pitched in the fields of
Moab, on the other side of Iordan, by Iericho. And Balac the son
of Ziphor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and the
Moabites were sore afraid of the people, because they were many,
and abhorred the children of Israel: And Moab said unto the elders
of Madian, now this company hath licked up all that are round
about us, as an ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balac
the son of Ziphor was king of the Moabites at that time. And he
sent messengers unto Balam the son of Beor, the interpreter which
dwelt upon the river of the land of the children of his folk, to
call him saying: behold, there is a people come out of Egypt which
covereth the face of the earth and lie even hard by me. Come now a
fellowship and curse me this people. For they are too mighty for
me, so peradventure I might be able to smite them and to drive
them out of the land. For I wot that whom thou blessest shall be
blessed, and whom thou cursest shall be cursed. And the elders of
Moab went with the elders of Madian, and the reward of the
soothsaying in their hands. And they came unto Balam and told him
the words of Balac. And he said unto them: tarry here all night
and I will bring you word, even as the LORD shall say unto me. And
the lords of Moab abode with Balam. And God came unto Balam and
said: what men are these which are with thee? And Balam said unto
God: Balac the son of Ziphor king of Moab hath sent unto me
saying: behold, there is a people come out of Egypt and covereth
the face of the earth: come now therefore and curse me them, that
so peradventure I may be able to overcome them in battle, and to
drive them out. And God said unto Balam: thou shalt not go with
them, neither curse the people, for they are blessed. And Balam
rose up in the morning and said unto the lords of Balac: get you
unto your land, for the LORD will not suffer me to go with you.
And the lords of Moab rose up and went unto Balac and said, Balam
would not come with us. And Balac sent again a greater company of
lords and more honourable than they. And they came to Balam and
told him: Thus sayeth Balac the son of Ziphor: oh, let nothing let
thee to come unto me, for I will greatly promote thee unto great
honour, and will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me, come therefore
I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balam answered and said
unto the servants of Balac: If Balac would give me his house full
of silver and gold, I can go no further than the word of the LORD
my God, to do less or more. Nevertheless tarry ye here all night:
that I may wete, what the LORD will say unto me once more. And God
came to Balam by night and said unto him: If the men come to fetch
thee, rise up and go with them: but what I say unto thee, that
only thou shalt do. And Balam rose up early and saddled his ass
and went with the lords of Moab. But God was angry because he
went. And the angel of the LORD stood in the way against him. And
he rid upon his ass and two servants with him. And when the ass
saw the angel of the LORD stond in the way and his sword drawn in
his hand, she turned aside out of the way and went out into the
field. And Balam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. And the
angel of the LORD went and stood in a path between the vineyards,
where was a wall on the one side and another on the other. When
the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she wrenched unto the wall and
thrust Balam's foot unto the wall, and he smote her again. And the
angel of the LORD went further and stood in a narrow place, where
was no way to turn, either to the right hand or to the left. And
when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balam:
and Balam was wroth and smote the ass with a staff. And the LORD
opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balam: what have I
done unto thee, that thou smitest me thus three times? And Balam
said unto the Ass: because thou hast mocked me? I would that I had
a sword in mine hand, that I might now kill thee. And the ass said
unto Balam: am not I thine Ass which thou hast ridden upon since
thou wast born unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee?
And he said, nay. And the LORD {lorde} opened the eyes of Balam
that he saw the angel of the LORD {Lorde} stonding in the way,
with his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed himself and fell
flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him:
Wherefore smitest thou thine ass this three times? behold, I came
out to resist thee, for the way is contrary unto me, and the ass
saw me and avoided me three times: or else (had she not turned
from me) I had surely slain thee and saved her alive. And Balam
said unto the angel of the LORD: I have sinned: for I wist not
that thou stoodest in the way against me. Now therefore if it
displease thine eyes, I will turn again. And the angel said unto
Balam, go with the men: but in any wise, what I say unto thee,
that say. And Balam went with the lords of Balac. And when Balac
heard that Balam was come he went out against him unto a city of
Moab that stood in the border of Arnon, which was the utmost part
of his country. And Balac said unto Balam: did I not send for
thee, to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? thinkest
thou that I am not able to promote thee unto honour? And Balam
said unto Balac: Lo I am come unto thee. But I can say nothing at
all save what God putteth in my mouth that must I speak. And Balam
went with Balac, and they came unto the city of Huzoth. {large
city} And Balac offered oxen and sheep and sent for Balam and for
the lords that were with him. And on the morning Balac took Balam
and brought him up into the high place of Baal, and thence he saw
unto the utmost part of the people.
Chapter .xxiij.
And Balam said unto Balac: build me here seven altars and provide
here seven oxen and seven rams. And Balac did as Balam said. And
Balac and Balam offered on every altar an ox and a ram. And Balam
said unto Balac: stond by the sacrifice, while I go to wete
whether the LORD will come and meet me, and whatsoever he sheweth
me, I will tell thee, and he went forthwith. And God came unto
Balam, and Balam said unto him: I have prepared seven altars, and
have offered upon every altar, an ox and a ram. And the LORD put a
saying in Balam's mouth and said: go again to Balac and say on
this wise. And he went again unto him and lo, he stood by his
sacrifice, both he and all the lords of Moab. And he began his
parable and said: Balac the king of Moab hath fetched me from
Mesopotamia out of the mountains of the east saying: come and
curse me Iacob, come and defy me Israel. How shall I curse whom
God curseth not and how shall I defy whom the LORD defieth not?
from the top of the rocks I see him and from the hills I behold
him: Lo, the people shall dwell by himself and shall not be
reckoned among other nations. Who can tell the dust of Iacob and
the number of the fourth part of Israel. I pray God that my soul,
may die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be
like his. And Balac said unto Balam, what hast thou done unto me?
I fetched thee to curse mine enemies: and behold, thou blessest
them. And he answered and said: must I not keep that and speak it,
which the LORD hath put in my mouth? And Balac said unto him: Come
I pray thee with me unto another place, whence thou shalt see
them, and shalt see but the utmost part of them and shalt not see
them all and curse me them there. And he brought him into a plain
field where men might see far, even to the top of Pisga, and built
seven altars and offered an ox and a ram on every altar. And he
said unto Balac: stond here by thy sacrifice while I go yonder.
And the LORD met Balam and put words in his mouth and said: go
again unto Balac and thus say. And when he came to him: behold, he
stood by his sacrifice and the lords of Moab with him; And Balac
said unto him: what sayeth the LORD? And he took up his parable
and said: rise up Balac and hear, and hearken unto me thou son of
Ziphor. The Lorde {|God|} is not a man, that he can lie, neither
the son of a man that he can repent: should he say and not do, or
should he speak and not make it good? behold, I have begun to
bless and have blessed, and can not go back therefrom. He beheld
no wickedness in Iacob nor saw Idolatry in Israel: The LORD his
God is with him, and the tromp {triumph} of a king among them. God
that brought them out of Egypt, is as the strength of an unicorn
unto them, for there is no sorcerer, in Iacob, nor soothsayer in
Israel. When the time cometh, it will be said of Iacob and of
Israel, what God hath wrought. Behold, the people shall rise up as
a lioness and heave up himself as a lion, and shall not lie down
again, until he have eaten of the prey and drunk of the blood of
them that are slain. And Balac said unto Balam: neither curse them
nor bless them. And Balam answered and said unto Balac: told not I
thee saying, all that the LORD biddeth me, that I must do? And
Balac said unto Balam: come I pray thee, I will bring thee yet
unto another place: so peradventure it shall please God, that thou
mayst curse them there. And Balac brought Balam unto the top of
Peor, that boweth toward the wilderness. And Balam said unto
Balac: make me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven
bullocks and seven rams. And Balac did as Balam had said, and
offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
Chapter .xxiiij.
When Balam saw that it pleased the LORD that he should bless
Israel, he went not as he did twice before to fetch soothsaying,
but set his face toward the wilderness, and lift up his eyes and
looked upon Israel as he lay with his tribes, and the spirit of
God came upon him. And he took up his parable and said: Balam the
son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eye is open hath said: he
hath said which heareth the words of God and seeth the visions of
the almighty, which falleth down and his eyes are opened. How
goodly are the tents of Iacob and thine habitations Israel, even
as the broad valleys and as gardens by the river's side, as the
tents which the LORD hath pitched and as cypress trees upon the
water. The water shall flow out of his bucket and his seed shall
be many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag; And his
kingdom shall be exalted. God that brought him out of Egypt is as
the strength of an unicorn unto him, and he shall eat the nations
that are his enemies and break their bones and pierce them thorow
with his arrows. He couched himself and lay down as a lion and as
a lioness, who shall stir him up? blessed is he that blesseth
thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. And Balac was wroth with
Balam and smote his hands together, and said unto him: I sent for
thee to curse mine enemies: and behold, thou hast blessed them
this three times, and now get thee quickly unto thy place. I
thought that I would promote thee unto honour, but the LORD hath
kept thee back from worship. And Balam said unto Balac: told I not
thy messengers which thou sentest unto me saying: If Balac would
give me his house full of silver and gold, I can not pass the
mouth of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind. What
the LORD sayeth, that must I speak. And now behold, I go unto my
people: come let me shew thee, what this people shall do to thy
folk in the latter days. And he began his parable and said: Balam
the son of Beor hath said, and the man that hath his eye open hath
said, and he hath said that heareth the words of God and hath the
knowledge of the most high and beholdeth the vision of the
almighty, and when he falleth down hath his eyes opened. I see him
but not now, I behold him but not nye. There shall come a star of
Iacob and rise a scepter of Israel, which shall smite the coasts
of Moab and undermine all the children of Seth. And Edom shall be
his possession, and the possession of Seir shall be their enemies,
and Israel shall do manfully. And out of Iacob shall come he that
shall destroy the remnant of the cities. And he looked on Amalek
and began his parable and said: Amalek is the first of the
nations, but his latter end shall perish utterly. And he looked on
the Kenites, and took his parable and said: strong is thy dwelling
place and put thy nest upon a rock. Neverthelater thou shalt be a
burning to Kain, until Assur take thee prisoner. And he took his
parable and said: Alas, who shall live when God doeth this? The
ships shall come out of the coast of Cittim and subdue Assur and
subdue Eber, and he himself shall perish at the last. And Balam
rose up and went and dwelt in his place: and Balac also went his
way.
Chapter .xxv.
And Israel dwelt in Sittim, and the people began to commit
whoredom with the daughters of Moab, which called the people unto
the sacrifice of their gods. And the people ate and worshipped
their gods, and Israel coupled himself unto Baal Peor. Then the
LORD was angry with Israel, and said unto Moses: take all the
heads of the people, and hang them up unto the LORD against the
son, that the wrath of the LORD may turn away from Israel. And
Moses said unto the judges of Israel: go and slay those men that
joined them selves unto Baal Peor. And behold, one of the children
of Israel came and brought unto his brethren, a Madianitish wife
even in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the multitude
of the children of Israel, as they were weeping in the door of the
tabernacle of witness. And when Phineas the son of Eleazer the son
of Aaron the priest saw it, he rose up out of the company and took
a weapon in his hand, and went after the man of Israel into the
whorehouse, and thrust them thorow: both the man of Israel and
also the woman even thorow the belly of her. And the plague ceased
from the children of Israel. And there died in the plague twenty
four thousand. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: Phineas the
son of Eleazer the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned mine anger
away from the children of Israel, because he was jealous for my
sake among them, that I had not consumed the children of Israel in
my jealousy. Wherefore say: behold, I give unto him my covenant of
peace, and he shall have it and his seed after him, even the
covenant of the priest's office for ever, because he was jealous
for his God's {goddes} sake and made an atonement for the children
of Israel. The name of the Israelite which was smitten with the
Madianitish wife, was Simri the son of Salu, a lord of an ancient
house among the Simeonites. And the name of the Madianitish wife,
was Cosbi the daughter of Zur and head over the people of an
ancient house in Madian. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: vex
the Madianites and smite them, for they have troubled you with
their wiles with thee which they have beguiled you, thorow Peor
and thorow their sister Cosbi the daughter of a lord in Madian,
which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Chapter .xxvi.
And after the plague, the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazer
saying: take the number of all the multitude of the children of
Israel from twenty years and above thorowout their fathers'
houses, all that are able to go to war in Israel. And Moses and
Eleazer the priest told them in the fields of Moab, by Iordan fast
by Iericho, from twenty years and above, as the LORD commanded
Moses. And the children of Israel that came of Egypt were: Ruben
the eldest son of Israel. The children of Ruben were, Hanoch, of
whom cometh the kindred of the Hanochites: and of Palu, cometh the
kindred of the Paluites: And of Hesron, cometh the kindred of the
Hesronites: and of Carmi, cometh the kindred of the Carmites.
These are the kindreds of the Rubenites, which were in number
forty three thousand seven hundred and thirty. And the sons of
Palu were Eliab. And the sons of Eliab were: Nemuel, Dathan and
Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram councillors in the
congregation, which strove against Moses and Aaron in the company
of Corah, when they strove against the LORD. And the earth opened
her mouth and swallowed them and Corah also, when the multitude
died, what time the fire consumed two hundred and fifty men, and
they became a sign: Notwithstanding, the children of Corah died
not. And the children of Simeon in their kindreds were: Nemuel, of
whom cometh the kindred of the Nemuelites: Iamin, of whom cometh
the kindred of the Iaminites: Iachin, of whom cometh the kindred
of the Iachinites: Serah of whom cometh the kindred of the
Serahites: Saul of whom cometh the kindred of the Saulites. These
are the kindreds of the Simeonites: in number twenty two thousand
and two hundred. And the children of Gad in their kindreds were:
Zephon, of whom cometh the kindred of the Zephonites: and of
Haggi, cometh the kindred of the Haggites: and of Suni, cometh the
kindred of the Sunites: and of Aseni, cometh the kindred of the
Asenites: and of Eri cometh the kindred of the Erites: and of Arod
cometh the kindred of the Arodites: and of Ariel cometh the
kindred of the Arielites. These are the kindreds of the children
of Gad, in number forty thousand and five hundred. The children of
Iuda: Er and Onan, which died in the land of Canaan. But the
children of Iuda in their kindred were: Sela of whom cometh the
kindred of the Selamites: and of Phares cometh the kindred of the
Pharesites: and of Serah cometh the kindred of the Serahites. And
the children of Phares were Hesron, of whom cometh the kindred of
the Hesronites: and of Hamul cometh the kindred of the Hamulites.
These are the kindreds of Iuda, in number seventy six thousand and
five hundred. And the children of Isachar in their kindreds were:
Tola, of whom cometh the kindred of the Tolaites: and Phuva, of
whom cometh the kindred of the Phuvaites: and of Iasub cometh the
kindred of the Iasubites: and of Simron cometh the kindred of the
Simronites. These are the kindreds of Isachar in number sixty four
thousand and three hundred. The children of Zabulon in their
kindreds were: Sered, of whom cometh the kindred of the Seredites:
and Elon, of whom cometh the kindred of the Elonites: and of
Iaheliel, cometh the kindred of the Iahelelites. These are the
kindreds of Zabulon: in number sixty thousand and five hundred.
The children of Ioseph in their kindreds were: Manasse and
Ephraim. The children of Manasse: Machir, of whom cometh the
kindred of the Machirites. And Machir begat Gilead, of whom cometh
the kindred of the Gileadites. And these are the children of
Gilead: Hieser, of whom cometh the kindred of the Hieserites: and
of Helech cometh the kindred of the Helechites: and of Asriel the
kindred of the Asrielites: and of Sichem cometh the kindred of the
Sichemites: and of Simida cometh the kindred of the Simidites: and
of Hepher cometh the kindred of the Hepherites. And Zelaphead the
son of Hepher had no sons but daughters. And the names of the
daughters of Zelaphead were: Mahela, Noa, Hagla, Milcha and
Thirza. These are the kindreds of Manasse, in number fifty two
thousand and seven hundred. These are the children of Ephraim in
their kindreds: Suthelah, of whom cometh the kindred of the
Suthelahites: and Becher, of whom cometh the kindred of the
Becherites: and of Thaha cometh the kindred of the Thahanites. And
these are the children of Suthelah: Eran, of whom cometh the
kindred of the Eranites. These are the kindreds of the children of
Ephraim in number thirty two thousand and five hundred. And these
are the children of Ioseph in their kindreds. These are the
children of BenIamin in their kindreds: Bela, of whom cometh the
kindred of the Belaites: and of Asbel cometh the kindred of the
Asbelites: and of Ahiram, the kindred of the Ahiramites: and of
Supham the kindred of the Suphamites: and of Hupham the kindred of
the Huphamites. And the children of Bela were Ard and Naaman from
whence come the kindreds of the Ardites and of the Naamites. These
are the children of BenIamin in their kindreds, and in number
forty five thousand and six hundred. These are the children of Dan
in their kindreds: Suham, of whom cometh the kindred of the
Suhamites. These are the kindreds of Dan in their generations. And
all the kindreds of the Suhamites were in number sixty four
thousand and four hundred. The children of Asser in their kindreds
were: Iemna, of whom cometh the kindred of the Iemnites: and
Iesui, of whom cometh the kindred of the Iesuites: and of Bria
cometh the kindred of Brites. And the children of Bria were Heber,
of whom cometh the kindred of the Heberites: and of Malchiel came
the kindred of the Malchielites. And the daughter of Aser was
called Sarah. These are the kindreds of Aser in number fifty three
thousand and four hundred. The children of Nephthali in their
kindreds were: Iaheziel, of whom came the kindred of the
Iahezielites: and Guni, of whom came the kindred of the Gunites:
and of Iezer, came the kindred of the Iezerites: and of Selem the
kindred of Selemites. These are the kindreds of Naphthali in their
generations in number forty five thousand and four hundred. These
are the numbers of the children of Israel: six hundred thousand,
and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. And the LORD spake unto
Moses saying: unto these the land shall be divided to inherit,
according to the number of names: to many thou shalt give the more
inheritance and to few the less: to every tribe shall the
inheritance be given according to the number thereof.
Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot, and according
to the names of the tribes of their fathers, they shall inherit:
and according to their lot thou shalt divide their land, both to
the many and to the few. These are the sums of the Levites in
their kindreds: of Gerson, came the kindred of the Gersonites: and
of Cahath came the kindred of the Cahathites: and of Merari came
the kindred of the Merarites. These are the kindreds of Levi: the
kindred of the Libnites, the kindred of the Hebronites, the
kindred of the Mahelites, the kindred of the Musites, the kindred
of the Karahites. Kahath begat Amram, and Amram's wife was called
Iochebed a daughter of Levi, which was born him in Egypt. And she
bare unto Amram, Aaron, Moses and Miriam their sister. And unto
Aaron were born, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer and Ithamar. But Nadab and
Abihu died, as they offered strange fire before the LORD. And the
number of them was twenty three thousand, of all the males from a
month old and above. For they were not numbered among the children
of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the
children of Israel. These are the numbers of the children of
Israel which Moses and Eleazer the priest numbered in the fields
of Moab, fast by Iordan nye to Iericho. And among these there was
not a man of the number of the children of Israel which Moses and
Aaron told in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD said unto
them, that they should die in the wilderness and that there should
not be left a man of them: save Caleb the son of Iephune and Iosua
the son of Nun.
Chapter .xxvij.
And the daughters of Zelaphead the son of Heber the son of Gilead,
the son of Machir the son of Manasse, of the kindreds of Manasse
the son of Ioseph (whose names were Mahela, Noha, Hagla, Melcha
and Thirza) came and stood before Moses and Eleazer the priest and
before the lords and all the multitude in the door of the
tabernacle of witness saying: our father died in the wilderness,
and was not among the company of them that gathered them selves
together against the LORD in the congregation of Corah: But died
in his own sin, and had no sons. Wherefore should the name of our
father's be taken away from among his kindred, because he had no
son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.
And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. And the LORD spake
unto Moses saying: The daughters of Zelaphead speak right: thou
shalt give them a possession to inherit among their father's
brethren, and shalt turn the inheritance of their father unto
them. And speak unto the children of Israel saying: If a man die
and have no son, ye shall turn his inheritance unto his daughter.
If he have no daughter, ye shall give his inheritance unto his
brethren. If he have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance
unto his father's brethren. If he have no father's brethren, ye
shall give his inheritance unto him that is next to him of his
kindred, and let him possess it. And this shall be unto the
children of Israel an ordinance, and a law, as the LORD hath
commanded Moses. And the LORD said unto Moses: get thee up into
this mount Abarim, and behold, the land which I have given unto
the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou shalt be
gathered unto thy people also, as Aaron thy brother was gathered
unto his people. For ye were disobedient unto my mouth in the
desert of Zin in the strife of the congregation, that ye
sanctified me not in the water before their eyes. That is the
water of strife in Cades in the wilderness of Zin. And Moses spake
unto the LORD saying: let the LORD God of the spirits of all
flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go in and out
before them, and to lead them in and out, that the congregation of
the LORD be not as a flock of sheep without a shepherd. And the
LORD said unto Moses: take Iosua the son of Nun in whom there is
spirit, and put thine hands upon him, and set him before Eleazer
the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge
in their sight. And put of thy praise upon him that all the
company of the children of Israel may hear. And he shall stond
before Eleazar the priest which shall ask counsel {councell} for
him after the manner of the light {judgement of Urim} before the
LORD: And at the mouth of Eleazer shall both he and all the
children of Israel with him and all the congregation, go in and
out. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and he took Iosua
and set him before Eleazer the priest and before all the
congregation, and put his hands upon him and give him a charge, as
the LORD commanded thorow the hand of Moses.
Chapter .xxviij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: give the children of Israel
a charge and say unto them, that they take heed to offer unto me
the offering of my bread in the sacrifice of sweet savour, in his
due season. And say unto them. This is the offering which ye shall
offer unto the LORD: two lambs of a year old without spot day by
day to be a burntoffering perpetually. One lamb thou shalt offer
in the morning, and the other at even. And thereto the tenth part
of an Epha of flour for a meatoffering mingled with beaten oil,
the fourth part of an hin: which is a daily offering ordained in
the mount Sinai unto a sweet savour in the sacrifice of the LORD.
And the drinkoffering of the same: the fourth part of an hin unto
one lamb, and pour the drinkoffering in the holy place, to be good
drink unto the LORD. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even,
with the meatoffering and the drinkoffering after the manner of
the morning: a sacrifice of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And on
the Sabbath day two lambs of a year old apiece and without spot,
and two tenth deals of flour for a meatoffering mingled with oil,
and the drinkoffering thereto. This is the burntoffering of every
Sabbath, besides the daily burntoffering and his drinkoffering.
And in the first day of your months, ye shall offer a
burntoffering unto the LORD: two young bullocks, and a ram, and
seven lambs of a year old without spot, and three tenth deals of
flour for a meatoffering mingled with oil unto one bullock, and
two tenth deals of flour for a meatoffering mingled with oil unto
one ram. And ever more, a tenth deal of flour mingled with oil,
for a meatoffering unto one lamb. That is a burntoffering of a
sweet savour in the sacrifice of the LORD. And their drink
offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto one bullock, and the
third part of an hin of wine unto a ram and the fourth part of an
hin unto a lamb. This is the burntoffering of every month
thorowout all the months of the year: and one he goat for a
sinoffering unto the LORD, which shall be offered with the daily
burntoffering and his drinkoffering. And the fourteenth day of the
first month shall be passover unto the LORD. And the fifteenth day
of the same month shall be a feast, in which seven days men must
eat unleavened bread. The first day shall be an holy feast, so
that ye shall do no manner of laborious work therein. And ye shall
offer a burntoffering unto the LORD two bullocks, one ram, and
seven lambs of a year old without spot, and their meatoffering of
flour mingled with oil three tenth deals unto a bullock, and two
tenth deals unto a ram, and ever more one tenth deal unto a lamb,
thorowout the seven lambs: and an he goat for a sinoffering to
make an atonement for you. And ye shall offer these, beside the
burntoffering in the morning that is always offered. And after
this manner ye shall offer thorowout the seven days, the food of
the sacrifice of sweet favour unto the LORD. And it shall be done
beside the daily burntoffering and his drinkoffering. And the
seventh day shall be an holy feast unto you, so that ye shall do
no laborious work therein. And the day of your first fruits when
ye bring a new meatoffering unto the LORD in your weeks, shall be
an holy feast unto you: so that ye shall do no labourious work
therein. And ye shall offer a burntoffering of a sweet savour unto
the LORD: two young bullocks, and a ram, and seven lambs of a year
old apiece, with their meatofferings of flour mingled with oil
three tenth deals unto a bullock two tenth deals to a ram, and
ever more one tenth deal unto a lamb thorowout the seven lambs,
and an he goat to make an atonement for you. And this ye shall do
besides the daily burntoffering, and his meatoffering: and they
shall be without spot, with their drinkofferings.
Chapter .xxix.
Also {and} the first day of the seventh month shall be an holy
feast unto you, and ye shall do no labourious work therein. It
shall be a day of trumpet blowing unto you. And ye shall offer a
burntoffering of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one young bullock
and one ram and seven lambs of a year old apiece that are pure.
And their meatofferings of flour mingled with oil: three tenth
deals unto the bullock, and two unto the ram, and one tenth deal
unto one lamb thorow the seven lambs. And an he goat for a
sinoffering to make an atonement for you, beside the burntoffering
of the month and his meatoffering and beside the daily
burntoffering and his meatoffering, and the drinkofferings of the
same: according unto the manner of them for a savour of sweetness
in the sacrifice of the LORD. And the tenth day of that same
seventh month shall be an holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble
your souls and shall do no manner work therein. And ye shall offer
a burntoffering unto the LORD of a sweet savour: one bullock, and
a ram, and seven lambs of a year old apiece, without fault and
their meatofferings of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals
to a bullock, and two to a ram and always a tenth deal unto a
lamb, thorowout the seven lambs. And one he goat for a
sinoffering, beside the sinoffering of atonement and the daily
burntoffering, and the meat and drinkofferings that long to the
same. And the fifteenth day of the seventh month shall be holy day
and ye shall do no laborious work therein, and ye shall keep a
feast unto the LORD of seven days long. And ye shall offer a
burntoffering of a sweet savour unto the LORD: thirteen bullocks
two rams and fourteen lambs which are yearlings and pure, with
oil, three tenth deals unto every one of the thirteen bullocks:
two tenth deals to either of the rams, and one tenth deal unto
each of the fourteen lambs. And one he goat unto a sinoffering,
beside the daily burntoffering with his meat and drinkofferings.
And the second day twelve young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen
yearling lambs without spot: and their meatofferings and
drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams and lambs, according to the
number of them and after the manner. And an he goat for a
sinoffering, beside the daily burntoffering and his meat and
drinkofferings. And the third day eleven bullocks two rams and
fourteen yearling lambs without spot: and their meat and
drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams and lambs, after the number
of them and according to the manner. And an he goat for a
sinoffering, beside the daily burntoffering and his meat and
drinkofferings. And the fourth day ten bullocks two rams and
fourteen lambs, yearlings and pure: and their meat and
drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams and lambs, according to
their number and after the manner. And an he goat for a
sinoffering, beside the daily burntoffering and his meat and
drinkofferings. And the fifth day nine bullocks two rams and
fourteen lambs of one year old apiece without spot. And their meat
and drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams and lambs, according to
the number of them and after the manner. And an he goat for a
sinoffering, beside the daily burntoffering and his meat and
drinkofferings. And the sixth day eight bullocks two rams and
fourteen yearling lambs without spot. And their meat and
drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams and lambs, according to the
manner. And an he goat for a sinoffering, beside the daily
burntoffering and his meat and drinkofferings. And the seventh day
seven bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs that are yearlings and
pure. And their meat and drinkofferings unto the bullocks, rams
and lambs, according to their number and to the manner. And an
hegoat for a sinoffering, beside the daily burntoffering and his
meat and drinkofferings. And the eighth day shall be the
conclusion of the feast unto you, and ye shall do no manner
laborious work therein. And ye shall offer a burntoffering of a
sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram and seven
yearling lambs without spot. And the meat and drinkofferings unto
the bullock, ram and lambs, according to their numbers and
according to the manner. And an he goat for a sinoffering beside
the daily burntoffering and his meat and drinkofferings. These
things ye shall do unto the LORD in your feasts: beside your vows
and freewill offerings, in your burntofferings, meatofferings,
drinkofferings and peaceofferings. And Moses told the children of
Israel, according to all that the LORD commanded him.
Chapter .xxx.
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes of the children of
Israel saying: this is the thing which the LORD commandeth. If a
man vow a vow unto the LORD or swear an oath and bind his soul, he
shall not go back with his word: but shall fulfil all that
proceedeth out of his mouth. If a damsel vow a vow unto the LORD
and bind herself being in her father's house and unmarried: If her
father hear her vow and bond which she hath made upon her soul,
and hold his peace thereto: then all her vows and bonds which she
hath made upon her soul shall stond in effect. But and if her
father forbid her the same day that he heareth it, none of her
vows nor bonds which she hath made upon her soul shall be of
value, and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father forbade
her. If she had an husband when she vowed or pronounced ought out
of her lips wherewith she bound her soul, and her husband heard it
and held his peace thereat the same day he heard it: Then her vows
and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul, shall stond in effect.
But and if her husband forbade her the same day that he heard it,
then hath he made her vow which she had upon her of none effect,
and that also which she pronounced with her lips wherewith she
bound her soul, and the LORD shall forgive her. The vow of a widow
and of her that is divorced, and all that they have bound their
souls withal, shall stond in effect with them. If she vowed in her
husband's house or bound her soul with an oath, and her husband
heard it and held his peace and forbade her not: then all her vows
and bonds wherewith she bound her soul, shall stond. But if her
husband disannulled them the same day that he heard them, then
nothing that proceeded out of her lips in vows and bonds wherewith
she bound her soul shall stond in effect: for her husband hath
lowsed them, and the LORD shall forgive her. All vows and oaths
that bind to humble the soul, may her husband stablish or break.
But if her husband hold his peace from one day unto another, then
he stablisheth all her vows and bonds which she had upon her,
because he held his peace the same day that he heard them. And if
he afterward break them, he shall bear her sin himself. These are
the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and
his wife, and between the father and his daughter, being a damsel
in her father's house.
Chapter .xxxj.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: avenge the children of
Israel of the Madianites, and afterward be gathered unto thy
people. And Moses spake unto the folk saying: Harness some of you
unto war, and let them go upon the Madianites and avenge the LORD
of the Madianites. Ye shall send unto the war a thousand of every
tribe thorowout all the tribes of Israel. And there were taken out
of the thousands of Israel twelve thousand prepared unto war, of
every tribe a thousand. And Moses sent them a thousand of every
tribe, with Phineas the son of Eleazer the priest to war, and the
holy vessels and the trumpets to blow with in his hand. And they
warred against the Madianites, as the LORD commanded Moses, and
slew all the males. And they slew the kings of Madian among other
that were slain: Eui, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba: five kings of
Madian. And they slew Balam the son of Beor with the sword. And
the children of Israel took all the women of Madian prisoners and
their children, and spoiled all their cattle, their substance and
their goods. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt,
and all their castles with fire. And they took all the spoil and
all they could catch, both of men and beasts. And they brought the
captives and that which they had taken and all the spoil unto
Moses and Eleazer the priest and unto the company of the children
of Israel, even unto the host, in the fields of Moab by Iordan nye
to Iericho. And Moses and Eleazer the priest and all the lords of
the congregation went out of the host against them. And Moses was
angry with the officers of the host, with the captains over
thousands and over hundreds, which came from war and battle, and
said unto them: Have ye saved the women alive? behold, these
caused the children of Israel thorow Balam, to commit trespass
against the LORD, by the reason of Peor, and there followed a
plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore slay all
the men children and the women that have lien with men fleshly:
But all the women children that have not lien with men, keep alive
for your selves. And lodge without the host seven days all that
have killed any person and all that have twiched any dead body,
and purify both your selves and your prisoners the third day and
the seventh. And sprinkle all your raiments and all that is made
of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of
wood. And Eleazer the priest said unto all the men of war which
went out to battle: this is the ordinance of the law which the
LORD commanded Moses: Gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead, and
all that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go thorow the fire,
and then it is clean. Neverthelater, it shall be sprinkled with
sprinkling water. And all that suffereth not the fire, ye shall
make go thorow the water. And wash your clothes the seventh day,
and then ye are clean. And afterward come into the host. And the
LORD spake unto Moses saying: take the sum of the prey that was
taken, both of the women and of cattle, thou and Eleazer the
priest and the ancient heads of the congregation. And divide it
into two parts, between them that took the war upon them and went
out to battle and all the congregation. And take a portion unto
the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle one of five
hundred, of the women and of the oxen and of the asses and of the
sheep and ye shall take it of their half and give it unto Eleazer
the priest, an heave offering unto the LORD. And of the half of
the children of Israel, take one of fifty, of the women, of the
oxen, of the asses and of the sheep, and of all manner of beasts,
and give them unto the Levites which wait upon the habitation of
the LORD. And Moses and Eleazer the priest did as the LORD
commanded Moses. And the booty and the prey which the men of war
had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy five thousand
sheep: and seventy two thousand oxen: and sixty one thousand
asses: and thirty two thousand women that had lien by no man. And
the half which was the part of them that went out to war, was
three hundred thousand and thirty seven thousand and five hundred
sheep: And the LORD's part of the sheep was six hundred and
seventy five. And the oxen were thirty six thousand, of which the
LORD's part was seventy two. And the asses were thirty thousand
and five hundred, of which the LORD's part was sixty one. And the
women were sixteen thousand, of which the LORD's part was thirty
two souls. And Moses gave that sum which was the LORD's heave
offering unto Eleazer the priest: as the LORD commanded Moses. And
the other half of the children of Israel which Moses separated
from the men of war (that is to wete, the half that pertained unto
the congregation) was three hundred thousand and thirty seven
thousand and five hundred sheep: and thirty six thousand oxen: and
thirty thousand asses and five hundred: and sixteen thousand
women. And Moses took of this half that pertained unto the
children of Israel: one of every fifty, both of the women and of
the cattle, and gave them unto the Levites which waited upon the
habitation of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. And the
officers of thousands of the host, the captains over the thousands
and the captains over the hundreds came forth and said unto Moses:
Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war, which were
under our hand, and there lacked not one man of them. We have
therefore brought a present unto the LORD what every man found of
Iewels of gold, chains, bracelets, rings, earrings and spangles,
to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD. And Moses and
Eleazer took the gold of them: Iewels of all manner fashions. And
all the gold of the heave offering of the LORD, of the captains
over thousands and hundreds was sixteen thousand seven hundred and
fifty sicles, which {for} the men of war had spoiled, every man
for himself. And Moses and Eleazer the priest took the gold of the
captains over the thousands and over the hundreds, and brought it
into the tabernacle of witness: to be a memorial unto the children
of Israel, before the LORD.
Chapter .xxxij.
The children of Ruben and the children of Gad, had an exceeding
great multitude of cattle. And when they saw the land of Iaeser
and the land of Gilead that it was an apt place for cattle, they
came and spake unto Moses and Eleazer the priest and unto the
lords of the congregation saying. The land of Ataroth, Dibo and
Beon, which country the LORD smote before the congregation of
Israel: is a land for cattle and we thy servants have cattle
wherefore (said they) if we have found grace in thy sight, let
this land be given unto thy servants to possess, and bring us not
over Iordan. And Moses said unto the children of Gad and of Ruben:
shall your brethren go to war and ye tarry here? Wherefore
discourage ye the hearts of the children of Israel for to go over
into the land which the LORD hath given them? This did your
fathers, when I sent them from Cades bernea to see the land. And
they went up even unto the river of Escol and saw the land, and
discouraged the hearts of the children of Israel, that they should
not go into the land which the LORD had given them. And the LORD
was wroth the same time and sware saying: None of the men that
came out of Egypt from twenty years old and above, shall see the
land which I swore unto Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, because they
have not continually followed me: save Caleb the son of Iephune
the Kenesite, and Iosua the son of Nun, for they have followed me
continually. And the LORD was angry with Israel, and made them
wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation
that had done evil in the sight of the LORD were consumed. And
behold, ye are risen up in your father's stead, the increase of
sinful men, to augment the fierce wrath of the LORD to Israelward.
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave the
people in the wilderness, so shall ye destroy all this folk. And
they went near him and said: we will build sheepfolds here for our
sheep and for our cattle, and cities for our children: But we our
selves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we
have brought them unto their place. And our children shall dwell
in the strong {fenced} cities, because of the inhabiters of the
land. And we will not return unto our houses, until the children
of Israel have inherited: every man his inheritance. For we will
not inherit with them on yonder side Iordan forward, because our
inheritance is fallen to us on this side Iordan eastward. And
Moses said unto them: If ye will do this thing, that ye will go
all harnessed before the LORD to war, and will go all of you in
harness over Iordan before the LORD, until he have cast out his
enemies before him, and until the land be subdued before the LORD,
then ye shall return and be without sin against the LORD and
against Israel, and this land shall be your possession before the
LORD. But and if ye will not do so, behold, ye sin against the
LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Build your cities
for your children and folds for your sheep, and see ye do that ye
have spoken. And the Children of Gad and of Ruben spake unto Moses
saying: thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. Our children,
our wives, substance and all our cattle shall remain here in the
cities of Gilead. But we thy servants will go all harnessed for
the war unto battle before the LORD, as my lord hath said. And
Moses commanded Eleazer the priest: and Iosua the son of Nun and
the ancient heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, and
said unto them: If the children of Gad and Ruben will go with you
over Iordan, all prepared to fight before the LORD: then when the
land is subdued unto you, give them the land of Gilead to possess,
but and if they will not go over with you in harness, then they
shall have their possessions among you in the land of Canaan. And
the children of Gad and Ruben answered saying: that which the LORD
hath said unto thy servants we will do. We will go harnessed
before the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our
inheritance shall be on this side the Iordan. And Moses gave unto
the children of Gad and of Ruben and unto half the tribe of
Manasse the son of Ioseph, the kingdom of Sehon king of the
Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Basan, the land that
longed unto the cities thereof in the coasts of the country round
about. And the children of Gad built Dibo, ataroth Aroer, Atroth,
Sophan, Iaeser, Iegabea, Bethnimra and Betharan strong {fenced}
cities, and they built folds for their sheep. And the children of
Ruben built Hesebon, Elalea, Kiriathaim, Nebo, Baal Meon and
turned their names, and Sibama also: and gave names unto the
cities which they built. And the children of Machir the son of
Manasse went to Gilead and took it, and put out the Amorites that
were therein. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasse
and he dwelt therein. And Iahir the son of Manasse went and took
the small towns thereof, and called them the towns of Iair. And
Nobah went and took kenath with the towns longing thereto, and
called it Nobah after his own name.
Chapter .xxxiij.
These are the journeys of the children of Israel which went out of
the land of Egypt with their armies under Moses and Aaron. And
Moses wrote their going out by their journeys at the commandment
of the LORD: even these are the journeys of their going out. The
children of Israel departed from Rameses the fifteenth day of the
first month, on the morrow after Passover and went out with an
high hand in the sight of all Egypt, while the Egyptians buried
all their firstborn which the LORD had smoten among them. And upon
their gods also the LORD did execution. And the children of Israel
removed from Rameses and pitched in Sucoth. And they departed from
Sucoth and pitched their tents in Ethan, which is in the edge of
the wilderness. And they removed from Ethan and turned unto the
entering of Hiroth which is before Baal Zephon, and pitched before
Migdol. And they departed from before Hiroth and went thorow the
midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days journey
in the wilderness of Ethan, and pitched in Marah. And they removed
from Marah and went unto Elim where were twelve fountains and
seventy date {palm} trees and they pitched there. And they removed
from Elim and lay fast by the red sea. And they removed from the
red sea and lay in the wilderness of Zin. And they took their
journey out of the wilderness of Zin, and set up their tents in
Daphka. And they departed from Daphka, and lay in Alus. And they
removed from Alus, and lay at Raphedim, where was no water for the
people to drink. And they departed from Raphedim, and pitched in
the wilderness of Sinai. And they removed from the desert of
Sinai, and lodged at the graves of lust. And they departed from
the sepulchres of lust, and lay at Hazeroth. And they departed
from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithma. And departed from Rithma and
pitched at Rimon Parez. And they departed from Rimon Parez, and
pitched in Libna. And they removed from Libna, and pitched at
Rissa. And they journeyed from Rissa and pitched at Kehelatha. And
they went from Kehelatha, and pitched in mount Sapher. And they
removed from mount Sapher, and lay in Harada. And they removed
from Harada, and pitched in Makeheloth. And they removed from
Makeheloth, and lay at Tahath, and they departed from Tahath and
pitched at Tharath. And they removed from Tharath, and pitched in
Mithca. And they went from Mithca, and lodged in Hasmona. And they
departed from Hasmona, and lay at Moseroth. And they departed from
Moseroth, and pitched among the children of Iaken. And they
removed from the children of [Bane] Iaken, and lay at Horgadgad.
And they went from Horgadgad, and pitched in Iathbatha. And they
removed from Iathbatha, and lay at Abrona. And they departed from
Abrona, and lay at Ezeon gaber. And they removed from Ezeon gaber,
and pitched in the wilderness of Sin, which is Cades. And they
removed from Cades, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the
land of Moab. {Edom} And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor
at the commandment of the LORD and died there, even in the
fortieth year, after the children of Israel were come out of the
land of Egypt, and in the first day of the fifth month. And Aaron
was an hundred and thirty three years old when he died in mount
Hor. And king Erad the Cananite which dwelt in the south of the
land of Canaan, heard that the children of Israel were come. And
they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmona. And they
departed from Zalmona, and pitched in Phimon, and they departed
from Phimon, and pitched in Oboth. And they departed from Oboth,
and pitched in Igim Abarim {Iehabarim} in the borders of Moab. And
they departed from Igim, {Iehabarim} and pitched in Dibon Gad.
And they removed from Dibon Gad, and lay in Almon Diblathama. And
they removed from Almon Diblathama, and pitched in the mountains
of Abarim before Nibo. And they departed from the mountains of
Abarim, and pitched in the fields of Moab fast by Iordan nye to
Iericho. And they pitched upon Iordan, from Beth Haiesmoth unto
the plain of Sitim {Abelsatim} in the fields of Moab. And the LORD
spake unto Moses in the fields of Moab by Iordan nye unto Iericho,
saying: speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them: when
ye are come over Iordan into the land of Canaan, see that ye drive
out all the inhabiters of the land before you, and destroy their
imaginations {chapels} and all their Images of Metal, and pluck
down all their altars built on hills: And possess the land and
dwell therein, for I have given you the land to enjoy it. And ye
shall divide the inheritance of the land by lot among your
kindreds, and give to the more the more inheritance, and to the
fewer the less inheritance. And your inheritance shall be in the
tribes of your fathers, in the place where every man's lot
falleth. But and if ye will not drive out the inhabiters of the
land before you, then these {those} which ye let remain of them,
shall be thorns in your eyes and darts in your sides, and shall
vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it will come to
pass, that I shall do unto you as I thought to do unto them.
Chapter .xxxiiij.
And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: command the children of
Israel and say unto them: when ye come into the land of Canaan,
this is the land that shall fall unto your inheritance, the land
of Canaan with all her coasts. And your south quarter shall be
from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, so that
your south quarter shall be from the side of the salt sea
eastward, and shall fetch a compass from the south up to Acrabim,
and reach to Zinna. And it shall go out on the south side of Cades
Bernea, and go out also at Hazar Adar, and go along to Azmon. And
shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and
shall go out at the sea. And your west quarter shall be the great
sea, which coast shall be your west coast. And this shall be your
north quarter: ye shall compass from the great sea unto mount Hor.
And from mount Hor, ye shall compass and go unto Hemath, and the
end of the coast shall be at Zedada, and the coast shall reach out
to Ziphron and go out at Hazor enan. And this shall be your north
quarter. And ye shall compass your east quarter from Hazar Enan to
Sepham. And the coast shall go down from Sepham to Ribla on the
east side of Ain. And then descend and go out at the side of the
sea of Cenereth eastward. And then go down along by Iordan, and
leave at the salt sea. And this shall be your land with all the
coasts thereof round about. And Moses commanded the children of
Israel, saying: this is the land which ye shall inherit by lot,
and which the LORD commanded to give unto nine tribes and an half:
for the tribe of the children of Ruben, have received, in the
households of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad
in their fathers' households, and half the tribe of Manasse, have
received their inheritance, that is to wete two tribes and a half
have received their inheritance on the other side of Iordan by
Iericho eastward, toward the son rising. And the LORD spake to
Moses saying: These are the names of the men, which shall divide
you the land to inherit. Eleazer the priest, and Iosua the son of
Nun. And ye shall take also a lord of every tribe to divide the
land, whose names are these: in the tribe of Iuda, Caleb the son
of Iephune. And in the tribe of the children of Simeon, Semuel the
son of Amiud, and in the tribe of BenIamin, Elidad the son of
Cislon. And in the tribe of the children of Dan, the lord Bucki
the son of Iagli. And among the children of Ioseph: in the tribe
of the children of Manasse, the lord Haniel the son of Ephod. And
in the tribe of the children of Ephraim, the lord Cemuel the son
of Siphtan. And in the tribe of the sons of Zabulon, the lord
Elizaphan the son of Parnac. And in the tribe of the children of
Isachar, the lord Palthiel the son of Asan. And in the tribe of
the sons of Aser, the lord Ahihud the son of Selomi. And in the
tribe of the children of Naphthali, the lord Pada El the son of
Ammihud. These are they which the LORD commanded to divide the
inheritance unto the children of Israel, in the land of Canaan.
Chapter .xxxv.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the fields of Moab by Iordan
Iericho saying: command the children of Israel, that they give
unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession: cities to
dwell in. And ye shall give also unto the cities of the Levites,
suburbs round about them. The cities shall be for them to dwell
in, and the suburbs for their cattle, possession and all manner
beasts of theirs. And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall
give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city
outward, a thousand cubits round about. And ye shall measure
without the city, and make the utmost border of the east side: two
thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the south side: two
thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the west side: two
thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the north side: two
thousand cubits also: and the city shall be in the midst. And
these shall be the suburbs of their cities. And among the cities
which ye shall give unto the Levites, there shall be six cities of
franchise which ye shall give to that intent that he which
killeth, may fly thither. And to them ye shall add forty two
cities more: {mo} so that all the cities which ye shall give the
Levites shall be forty eight with their suburbs. And of the cities
which ye shall give out of the possessions of the children of
Israel, ye shall give many out of their possessions that have much
and few out of their possessions that have little: so that every
tribe shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according to the
inheritance which he inheriteth. And the LORD spake unto Moses
saying: speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them: when
ye be come over Iordan into the land of Canaan, ye shall build
cities which shall be privileged towns for you: that he which
slayeth a man unawares, may fly thither. And the cities shall be
to flee from the executer of blood, that he which killed die not,
until he stond before the congregation in judgement. And of these
six free cities which ye shall give three ye shall give on this
side Iordan and three in the land of Canaan. And these six free
cities shall be for the children of Israel and for the stranger
and for him that dwelleth among you, that all they which kill any
person unawares, may flee thither. If any man smite another with a
weapon of iron that he die, then he is a murderer, and shall die
for it. If he smite him with a throwing stone that he die
therewith, then he shall die: For he is a murderer and shall be
slain therefore. If he smite him with a hand weapon of wood that
he die therewith, then he shall die: for he is a murderer and
shall be slain therefore. The judge {justice} of blood shall slay
the murderer, as soon as he findeth him: If he thrust him of hate,
or hurl at him with laying of wait that he die or smite him with
his hand of envy that he die, he that smote him shall die, for he
is a murderer. The justice of blood shall slay him as soon as he
findeth him. But and if he pushed him by chance and not of hate or
cast at him with any manner of thing and not of laying of wait: or
cast any manner of stone at him that he die therewith, and saw him
not: And he cast it upon him and he died, but was not his enemy,
neither sought him any harm: Then the congregation shall judge
between the slayer and the executer of blood in such cases. And
the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the
judge of blood, and shall restore him again unto the franchised
city, whither he was fled. And he shall bide there unto the death
of the high priest which was anointed with holy oil. But and if he
came without the borders of his privileged city whither he was
fled, if the blood avenger find him without the borders of his
free town, he shall slay the murderer and be guiltless, because he
should have bidden in his free town until the death of the high
priest, and after the death of the high priest, he shall return
again unto the land of his possession. And this shall be an
ordinance and a law unto you, among your children after you in all
your habitations. Whosoever slayeth, shall be slain at the mouth
of witnesses. For one witness shall not answer against one person
to put him to death. Moreover ye shall take none amends for the
life of the murderer which is worthy to die: But he shall be put
to death. Also ye shall take none atonement for him that is fled
to a free city, that he should come again and dwell in the land
before the death of the high priest. And see that ye pollute not
the land which ye are in, for blood defileth the land. And the
land can none otherwise be cleansed of the blood that is shed
therein, but by the blood of it that shed it. Defile not therefore
the land which ye inhabit, and in the midst of which I also dwell,
for I am, the LORD which dwell among the children of Israel.
Chapter .xxxvi.
And the ancient heads of the children of Gilead the son of Machir
the son of Manasse of the kindred of the children of Ioseph, came
forth and spake before Moses and the princes which were ancient
heads among the children of Israel and said: The LORD commanded my
lord to give the land to inherit by lot to the children of Israel.
And then my lord commanded in the name of the LORD to give the
inheritance of Zelaphead our brother unto his daughters. Now when
any of the sons of the tribes of Israel take them to wives, then
shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our
fathers, and shall be put unto the inheritance of the tribe in
which they are and shall be taken from the lot of our inheritance.
And when the free year {of jubilee} cometh unto the children of
Israel, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance
of the tribe where they are in, and so shall their inheritance be
taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers. And
Moses commanded the children of Israel at the mouth of the LORD
saying: the tribe of the children of Ioseph have said well. This
therefore doeth the LORD: command the daughters of Zelaphead
saying: let them be wives to whom they themself think best, but in
the kindred of the tribe of their fathers shall they marry, that
the inheritance of the children of Israel roll not from tribe to
tribe. But that the children of Israel may abide, every man in the
inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter that
possesseth any inheritance among the tribes of the children of
Israel, shall be wife unto one of the kindred of the tribe of her
father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the
inheritance of his father, and that the inheritance go not from
one tribe to another: but that the tribes of the children of
Israel, may abide every man in his own inheritance. And as the
LORD commanded Moses even so did the daughters of Zelaphead:
Mahela, Thirza, Hagla, Milcha and Noa, and were married unto their
fathers' brothers' sons, of the kindred of the children of Manasse
the son of Ioseph: and so they had their inheritance in the tribe
of the kindred of their father. These are the commandments and
laws which the LORD commanded thorow Moses, unto the children of
Israel in the fields of Moab upon Iordan nye unto Iericho.
The end of the .iiij. book of Moses.
The Fifth Book of Moses, called Deuteronomy
Chapter .j.
These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel, on the other
side Iordan in the wilderness and in the fields by the red sea,
between Pharan and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Disahab twelve days
journey from Horeb unto Cades barne, by the way that leadeth unto
mount Seir. And it fortuned the first day of the eleventh month in
the fortieth year, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel
according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto
them, after that he had smote Sehon the king of the Amorites which
dwelt in Hesbon, and Og king of Basan which dwelt at Astaroth in
Edrei. On the other side Iordan in the land of Moab, Moses began
to declare this law saying: the LORD our God spake unto us in
Horeb saying: Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: depart
therefore and take your journey and go unto the hills of the
Amorites and unto all places nye there unto: both fields, hills
and dales: and unto the south and unto the sea's side in the land
of Canaan, and unto Libanon: even unto the great river Euphrates.
Behold, I have set the land before you: go in therefore and
possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers Abraham,
Isaac and Iacob, to give unto them and their seed after them. And
I said unto you the same season: I am not able to bear you myself
alone. For the LORD your God hath multiplied you: so that ye are
this day as the stars of heaven in number (the LORD God of your
fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and
bless you as he hath promised you) how (said I) can I myself
alone, bear the cumbrance, charge and strife that is among you:
bring therefore men of wisdom and of understanding and expert,
known among your tribes, that I may make them rulers over you. And
ye answered me and said: that which thou hast spoken is good to be
done. And then I took the heads of your tribes, men of wisdom and
that were expert, and made them rulers over you: captains over
thousands and over hundreds, over fifty and over ten, and officers
among your tribes. And I charged your judges the same time saying:
hear your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his
brother and the stranger that is with him. See that ye know no man
in judgement: but hear the small as well as the great and be
afraid of no man, for the law is God's. {judgment is Gods} And the
cause that is too hard for you, bring unto me and I will hear it.
And I commanded you the same season, all the things which ye
should do. And then we departed from Horeb and walked thorow all
that great and terrible wilderness as ye have seen along by the
way that leadeth unto the hills of the Amorites, as the LORD our
God commanded us, and came to Cades barne. And there I said unto
you: Ye are come unto the hills of the Amorites, which the LORD
our God doth give unto us. Behold the LORD thy God hath set the
land before thee, go up and conquer it, as the LORD God of thy
fathers sayeth unto thee: fear not, neither be discouraged. And
then ye came unto me every one and said: Let us send men before
us, to search us out the land and to bring us word again, both
what way we shall go up by, and unto what cities we shall come.
And the saying pleased me well, and I took twelve men of you, of
every tribe one. And they departed and went up into the high
country and came unto the river Escol, and searched it out, and
took of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down
unto us and brought us word again and said: it is a good land
which the LORD our God doeth give us. Notwithstanding ye would not
consent to go up, but were disobedient unto the mouth of the LORD
your God, and murmured in your tents and said: because the LORD
hateth us, therefore he hath brought us out of the land of Egypt,
to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites and to destroy us.
How shall we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts
saying: the people is greater and taller than we, and the cities
are great and walled even up to heaven, and moreover we have seen
the sons of the Enakims there. And I said unto you: dread not nor
be afraid of them: The LORD your God which goeth before you, he
shall fight for you, according to all that he did unto you in
Egypt before your eyes and in the wilderness: as thou hast seen
how that the LORD thy God bare thee as a man should bear his son,
thorowout all the way which ye have gone, until ye came unto this
place. And yet for all this saying ye did not believe the LORD
your God which goeth the way before you, to search you out a place
to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, that ye might see what
way to go and in a cloud by day. And the LORD heard the voice of
your words and was wroth and swore saying, there shall not one of
these men of this froward generation see that good land which I
sware to give unto your fathers, save Caleb the son of Iephune, he
shall see it, and to him I will give the land which he hath walked
in and to his children, because he hath continually followed the
LORD. Likewise the LORD was angry with me for your sakes saying:
thou also shalt not go in thither. But Iosua the son of Nun which
stondeth before thee, he shall go in thither. Bold him therefore
for he shall divide it unto Israel. Moreover your children which
ye said should be a prey, and your sons which know neither good
nor bad this day, they shall go in thither and unto them I will
give it, and they shall enjoy it. But as for you, turn back and
take your journey into the wilderness: even the way to the red
sea. Then ye answered and said unto me: We have sinned against the
LORD: we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our
God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons
of war and were ready to go up into the hills, the LORD said unto
me: say unto them, see that ye go not up and that ye fight not,
for I am not among you: lest ye be plagued before your enemies.
And when I told you ye would not hear: but disobeyed the mouth of
the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hills. Then the
Amorites which dwelt in those hills, came out against you and
chased you as bees do, and hewed you in Seir, even unto Horma. And
ye came again and wept before the LORD: but the LORD would not
hear your voice nor give you audience. And so ye abode in Cades a
long season, according unto the time that ye there dwelt.
Chapter .ij.
Then we turned and took our journey into the wilderness, even the
way to the red sea as the LORD commanded me. And we compassed the
mountains of Seir a long time. Then the LORD spake unto me saying:
Ye have compassed these mountains long enough, turn you northward.
And warn the people saying: Ye shall go thorow the coasts of your
brethren the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and they shall
be afraid of you: But take good heed unto your selves that ye
provoke them not, for I will not give you of their land, no not so
much as a foot breadth: because I have given mount Seir unto Esau
to possess. Ye shall buy meat of them for money to eat, and ye
shall buy water of them for money to drink. For the LORD thy God
hath blessed thee in all the works of thine hand, and knew thee as
thou wentest thorow this great wilderness. Moreover the LORD thy
God hath been with thee this forty years, so that thou hast lacked
nothing. And when we were departed from our brethren the children
of Esau which dwelt in Seir by the field way from Elath and Ezion
Gaber, we turned and went the way to the wilderness of Moab. Then
the LORD said unto me: see that thou vex not the Moabites, neither
provoke them to battle for I will not give thee of their land to
possess: because I have given Ar unto the children of loth to
possess. The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great,
many and tall, as the Enakims: which also were taken for giants as
the Enakims: And the Moabites called them Emims. In like manner
the Horims dwelt in Seir before time which the children of Esau
cast out, and destroyed them before them and dwelt there in their
stead: as Israel did in the land of his possession which the LORD
gave them. Now rise up (said I) and get you over the river Zared:
and we went over the river Zared. The space in which we came from
Cades barne until we were come over the river Zared was thirty
eight years: until all the generation of the men of war were
wasted out of the host as the LORD sware unto them. For indeed the
hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them out of the
host, till they were consumed. And as soon as all the men of war
were consumed and dead from among the people, then the LORD spake
unto me saying: Thou shalt go thorow Ar the coast of Moab this
day, and shalt come nye unto the children of Ammon: see that thou
vex them not, nor yet provoke them. For I will not give thee of
the land of the children of Ammon to possess, because I have given
it unto the children of Loth to possess. That also was taken for a
land of giants and giants dwelt therein in old time, and the
Ammonites called them Zamzumims. A people that was great, many and
tall, as the Enakims. But the LORD destroyed them before the
Ammonites, and they cast them out and they dwelt there in their
stead: as he did for the children of Esau which dwell in Seir:
even as he destroyed the Horims before them, and they cast them
out and dwell in their stead unto this day. And the Avims which
dwelt in Hazarim even unto Aza, the Caphthorims which came out of
Caphthor destroyed them and dwelt in their rooms. Rise up, take
your journey and go over the river Arnon. Behold, I have given
into thy hand Sehon the Amorite king of Hesbon, and his land. Go
to and conquer and provoke him to battle. This day I will begin to
send the fear and dread of thee upon all nations that are under
all ports of heaven: so that when they hear speak of thee, they
shall tremble and quake for fear of thee. Then I sent messengers
out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Hesbon, with
words of peace saying: Let me go thorow thy land. I will go always
along by the high way and will neither turn unto the right hand
nor to the left. Sell me meat for money for to eat, and give me
drink for money for to drink: I will go thorow by foot only (as
the children of Esau did unto me which dwell in Seir and the
Moabites which dwell in Ar) until I be come over Iordan, into the
land which the LORD our God giveth us. But Sihon the king of
Hesbon would not let us pass by him, for the LORD thy God had
hardened his spirit and made his heart tough because he would
deliver him into thy hands as it is come to pass this day. And the
LORD said unto me: behold, I have begun to set Sihon and his land
before thee: go to and conquer, that thou mayst possess his land.
Then both Sihon and all his people came out against us unto battle
at Iahab. And the LORD set him before us, and we smote him and his
sons and all his people. And we took all his cities the same
season, and destroyed all the cities with men, women, and children
and let nothing remain, save the cattle only we caught unto our
selves and the spoil of the cities which we took, from Aroer upon
the brink of the river of Arnon, and the city in the river, unto
Gilead: there was not one city too strong for us. The LORD our God
delivered all unto us: only unto the land of the children of Ammon
ye came not, nor {ner} unto all the coast of the river Iabock nor
{ner} unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the
LORD our God forbade us.
Chapter .iij.
Then we turned and went up the way to Basan. And Og the king of
Basan came out against us: both he and all his people to battle at
Edrei. And the LORD said unto me: fear him not, for I have
delivered him and all his people and his land into thy hand and
thou shalt deal with him as thou dealest with Sihon king of the
Amorites which dwelt at Hesbon. And so the LORD our God delivered
into our hands, Og also the king of Basan and all his folk. And we
smote him until nought was left him. And we took all his cities
the same season (for there was not a city which we took not from
them) even three score cities, all the region of Argob, the
kingdom of Og in Basan. All these cities were made strong with
high walls, gates and bars, beside unwalled towns a great many.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we played with Sihon king of
Hesbon: bringing to nought all the cities with men, women and
children. But all the cattle and the spoil of the cities, we
caught for ourselves. And thus we took the same season, the land
out of the hand of two kings of the Amorites on the other side
Iordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon (which Hermon
the Sidons call Sirion, but the Amorites call it Senir) all the
cities in the plain and all Gilead and all Basan unto Salcha and
Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Basan. For only Og king of
Basan remained of the remnant of the giants: behold, his iron bed
is yet at Rabath among the children of Ammon nine cubits long and,
four cubits broad, of the cubits of a man. And when we had
conquered this land the same time, I gave from Aroer which is upon
the river of Arnon, and half mount Gilead and the cities thereof
unto the Rubenites, and Gadites. And the rest of Gilead and all
Basan the kingdom of Og, I gave unto the half tribe of Manasse:
all the region of Argob with all Basan was called the land of
giants. Iair the son of Manasse took all the region of Argob unto
the coasts of Gesuri and Maachati, and called the towns of Basan
after his own name: the towns of [Havoth] Iair unto this day. And
I gave half Gilead unto Machir. And unto Ruben and Gad, I gave
from Gilead unto the river of Arnon and half the valley and the
coast, even unto the river Iabock which is the border of the
children of Ammon, and the fields and Iordan with the coast, from
Cenereth even unto the sea in the field which is the salt sea
under the springs of Pisga eastward. And I commanded you the same
time (ye Ruben and Gad) saying: the LORD your God hath given you
this land to enjoy it: see that ye go harnessed before your
brethren the children of Israel, all that are men of war among
you. Your wives only, your children and your cattle (for I wot
that ye have much cattle) shall abide in your cities which I have
given you, until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren as
well as unto you, and until they also have conquered the land
which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Iordan: and then
return again every man unto his possession which I have given you.
And I warned Iosua the same time saying: thine eyes have seen all
that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings, even so the
LORD will do unto all kingdoms whither thou goest. Fear them not,
for the LORD your God he it is that fighteth for you. And I
besought the LORD the same time saying: O Lord Iehoua, thou hast
begun to shew thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand, for
there is no God in heaven nor in earth that can do after thy works
and after thy power: let me go over and see the good land that is
beyond Iordan, that goodly high country and Libanon. But the LORD
was angry with me for your sakes and would not hear me, but said
unto me, be content, and speak henceforth no more unto me of this
matter; Get thee up into the top of Pisga and lift up thine eyes
west, north, south and east, and behold it with thine eyes for
thou shalt not go over this Iordan. Moreover, charge Iosua and
courage him and bold him. For he shall go over before his people,
and he shall divide the land which thou shalt see unto them. And
so we abode in the valley beside Beth Peor.
Chapter .iiij.
And now hearken Israel unto the ordinances and laws which I teach
you, for to do them, that ye may live and go and conquer the land
which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall put
nothing unto the word which I command you neither do ought
therefrom, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God
which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did unto
Baal Peor: for all the men that followed Baal Peor, the LORD your
God hath destroyed from among you. But ye that clave unto the LORD
your God, are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have
taught you ordinances and laws, such as the LORD my God commanded
me, that ye should do even so in the land whither ye go to possess
it. Keep them therefore and do them, for that is your wisdom and
understanding in the sight of the nations: which when they have
heard all these ordinances, shall say: O what a wise and
understanding people is this great nation. For what nation is so
great that hath Gods {Goddes} so nye unto him: as the LORD our God
is nye unto us, in all things, when we call unto him? Yea, and
what nation is so great that hath ordinances and laws so
righteous, as all this law which I set before you this day. Take
heed to thy self therefore only and keep thy soul diligently, that
thou forget not the things which thine eyes have seen, and that
they depart not out of thine heart, all the days of thine life:
but teach them thy sons, and thy sons son's. The day that I stood
before the LORD your God in Horeb, when he said unto me, gather me
the people together, that I may make them hear my words that they
may learn to fear me as long as they live upon the earth and that
they may teach their children: ye came and stood also under the
hill, and the hill burnt with fire: even unto the midst of heaven,
and there was darkness, clouds and mist. And the LORD spake unto
you out of the fire and ye heard the voice of the words: But saw
no image, save heard a voice only. And he declared unto you his
covenant, which he commanded you to do, even ten verses and wrote
them in two tables of stone. And the LORD commanded me the same
season to teach you ordinances and laws, for to do them in the
land whither ye go to possess it. Take heed unto yourselves
diligently as pertaining unto your souls, for ye saw no manner of
image the day when the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the
fire: lest ye mar yourselves and make you graven images after
whatsoever likeness it be: whether after the likeness of man or
woman or any manner beast that is on the earth or of any manner
feathered fowl that flyeth in the air, or of any manner worm that
creepeth on the earth or of any manner fish that is in the water
beneath the earth: Yea and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto
heaven, and when thou seest the son and the moon and the stars and
whatsoever is contained in heaven, shouldest be deceived and
shouldest bow thyself unto them and serve the things which the
LORD thy God hath distributed unto all nations that are under all
quarters of heaven. For the LORD took you and brought you out of
the iron furnace of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance,
as it is come to pass this day. Furthermore, the LORD was angry
with me for your sakes and sware, that I should not go over Iordan
and that I should not go unto that good land, which the LORD thy
God giveth thee to inheritance. For I must die in this land, and
shall not go over Iordan: But ye shall go over and conquer that
good land. Take heed unto yourselves therefore, that ye forget not
the appointment of the LORD your God which he made with you, and
that ye make you no graven image of whatsoever it be that the LORD
thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming
fire, and a jealous God. If after thou hast gotten children and
children's children and hast dwelt long in the land, ye shall mar
yourselves and make graven images after the likeness of whatsoever
it be, and shall work wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God,
to provoke him. I call heaven and earth to record unto you this
day, that ye shall shortly perish from off the land whither ye go
over Iordan to possess it: Ye shall not prolong your days therein,
but shall shortly be destroyed. And the LORD shall scatter you
among nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the people
whither the LORD shall bring you: and there ye shall serve gods
which are the works of man's hand, wood and stone which neither
see nor hear nor eat nor smell. Neverthelater ye shall seek the
LORD your God even there, and shalt find him if thou seek him with
all thine heart and with all thy soul. In thy tribulation and when
all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, thou
shalt turn unto the LORD thy God, and shalt hearken unto his
voice. For the LORD thy God is a pitiful God: he will not forsake
thee neither destroy thee, nor forget the appointment made with
thy fathers which he sware unto them. For ask I pray thee of the
days that are past which were before thee, since the day that God
created man upon the earth and from the one side of heaven unto
the other, whether anything hath been like unto this great thing
or whether any such thing hath been heard as it is, that a nation
hath heard the voice of God speaking out of fire as thou hast
heard, and yet lived? either whether God assayed to go and take
him a people from among nations, thorow temptations and signs and
wonders and thorow war and with a mighty hand and a stretched out
arm and with mighty terrible sights, according unto all that the
LORD your God did unto you in Egypt before your eyes. Unto thee it
was shewed, that thou mightest know, how that the LORD he is God
and that there is none but he. Out of heaven he made thee hear his
voice to nurture thee, and upon earth he shewed thee his great
fire, and thou heardest his words out of the fire. And because he
loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them and
brought thee out with his presence and with his mighty power of
Egypt: to thrust out nations greater and mightier than thou before
thee, to bring thee in and to give thee their land to inheritance:
as it is come to pass this day. Understand therefore this day and
turn it to thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above
and upon the earth beneath, there is no more: keep therefore his
ordinances, and his commandments which I command thee this day,
that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee and
that thou mayst prolong thy days upon the earth which the LORD thy
God giveth thee for ever. {thy life long.} Then Moses severed
three cities on the other side Iordan toward the son rising, that
he should flee thither which had killed his neighbour unwares and
hated him not in time past, and therefore should flee unto one of
the same cities and live: Bezer in the wilderness even in the
plain country among the Rubenites: and Ramoth in Gilead among the
Gadites and Solan in Basan among the Manassites. This is the law
which Moses set before the children of Israel, and these are the
witness, ordinances and statutes which Moses told the children of
Israel after they came out of Egypt, on the other side Iordan in
the valley beside Beth Peor in the land of Sehon king of the
Amorites which dwelt at Hesbon, whom Moses and the children of
Israel smote after they were come out of Egypt, and conquered his
land and the land of Og king of Basan two kings of the Amorites on
the other side Iordan toward the son rising: from Aroer upon the
bank of the river Arnon, unto mount Sion which is called Hermon
and all the fields on the other side Iordan eastward: even unto
the sea in the field under the springs of Pisga.
Chapter .v.
And Moses called unto all Israel and said unto them: Hear Israel
the ordinances and laws which I speak in thine ears this day, and
learn them and take heed that ye do them. The LORD {Loode} our God
made an appointment with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this bond
with our fathers, but with us: we are they, which are all here
alive this day. The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount
out of the fire. And I stood between the LORD and you the same
time, to shew you the saying of the LORD. For ye were afraid of
the fire and therefore went not up into the mount and he said. I
am the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt
the house of bondage. Thou shalt have therefore none other gods in
my presence. Thou shalt make thee no graven Image of any manner
likeness that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in
the water beneath the earth. Thou shalt neither bow thyself unto
them nor serve them, for I the LORD thy God, am a jealous God,
visiting the wickedness of the fathers upon the children, even in
the third and the fourth generation, among them that hate me: and
shew mercy upon thousands among them that love me and keep my
commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in
vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his
name in vain. Keep the Sabbath day that thou sanctify it, as the
LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour and
do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of
the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no manner work, neither thou nor
thy son nor thy daughter nor thy servant nor thy maid nor thine ox
nor thine ass nor any of thy cattle, nor the stranger that is
within thy city, that thy servant and thy maid may rest as well as
thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt
and how that the LORD God, brought thee out thence with a mighty
hand and a stretched out arm. For which cause the LORD thy God
commandeth thee to keep the Sabbath day. Honour thy father and thy
mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: that thou mayst
prolong thy days, and that it may go well with thee on the land,
which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not slee. Thou
shalt not break wedlock. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not lust after thy
neighbour's wife: thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
field, servant, maid, ox, ass nor ought that is thy neighbour's.
These words the LORD spake unto all your multitude in the mount
out of the fire, cloud and darkness, with a loud voice, and added
no more thereto, and wrote them in two tables of stone and
delivered them unto me. But as soon as ye heard the voice out of
the darkness and saw the hill burn with fire, ye came unto me all
the heads of your tribes and your elders: and ye said: behold, the
LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we
have heard his voice out of the fire, and we have seen this day
that God may talk with a man and he yet live. And now wherefore
should we die that this great fire should consume us: If we should
hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we should die. For
what is any flesh that he should hear the voice of the living God
speaking out of the fire as we have done and should yet live: Go
thou and hear all that the LORD our God sayeth, and tell thou unto
us all that the LORD our God sayeth unto thee, and we will hear it
and do it. And the LORD heard the voice of your words when ye
spake unto me, and he said unto me: I have heard the voice of the
words of this people which they have spoke unto thee, they have
well said all that they have said. Oh that they had such an heart
with them to fear me and keep all my commandments alway, that it
might go well with them and with their children for ever. Go and
say unto them: get you into your tents again, but stond thou here
before me and I will tell thee all the commandments, ordinances
and laws which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the
land which I give them to possess. Take heed therefore that ye do
as the LORD your God hath commanded you, and turn not aside:
either to the right hand or to the left: but walk in all the ways
which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live and
that it may go well with you and that ye may prolong your days in
the land which ye shall possess.
Chapter .vi.
These are the commandments, ordinances and laws which the LORD
your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land
whither ye go to possess it: that thou mightest fear the LORD thy
God, to keep all his ordinances and his commandments which I
command thee, both thou and thy son and thy son's son all days of
thy life, that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore Israel
and take heed that thou do thereafter, that it may go well with
thee and that ye may increase mightily: even as the LORD God of
thy fathers hath promised thee, a land that floweth with milk and
honey. Hear Israel, the LORD thy God is LORD onely, and thou shalt
love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul and
with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart and thou shalt whet them on thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou art at home in thine house and as
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou
risest up: and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand.
And they shall be papers of remembrance between thine eyes, and
shalt write them upon the posts of thy house and upon thy gates.
And when the LORD thy God hath brought thee into the land which he
sware unto thy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, to give thee with
great and goodly cities which thou buildest not, and houses full
of all manner goods which thou filledst not, and wells digged
which thou diggedst not, and vines and olive trees which thou
planted not, and when thou hast eaten, and art full: Then beware
lest thou forget the LORD which brought thee out of the land of
Egypt the house of bondage. But fear the LORD thy God and serve
him, and swear by his name, and see that ye walk not after strange
gods {goddes} off the gods of the nations which are about you. For
the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you, lest the wrath of the
LORD thy God wax hot upon thee and destroy thee from the earth. Ye
shall not tempt the LORD your God as ye did at Masa. But see that
ye keep the commandments of the LORD your God, his witnesses and
his ordinances which he hath commanded thee, and see thou do that
which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that thou mayst
prosper and that thou mayst go and conquer that good land which
the LORD sware unto thy fathers, and that the LORD may cast out
all thine enemies before thee as he hath said. When thy son asketh
thee in time to come saying: What meaneth the witnesses,
ordinances and laws which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
Then thou shalt say unto thy son: We were bondmen unto Pharao in
Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
And the LORD shewed signs and wonders both great and evil upon
Egypt, Pharao and upon all his household, before our eyes, and
brought us from thence: to bring us in and to give us the land
which he sware unto our fathers. And therefore commanded us to do
all these ordinances and for to fear the LORD our God, for our
wealth always and that he might save us, as it is come to pass
this day. Moreover it shall be righteousness unto us before the
LORD our God, if we take heed to keep all these commandments as he
hath commanded us.
Chapter .vij.
When the LORD thy God hath brought thee into the land whither thou
goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee:
the Hethites, the Girgosites, the Amorites, the Cananites, the
Pheresites, the Hevites and the Iebusites. Seven nations more in
number and mightier than thou: and when the LORD thy God hath set
them before thee that thou shouldest smite them, see that thou
utterly destroy them and make no covenant with them nor have
compassion on them. Also thou shalt make no marriages with them,
neither give thy daughter unto his son nor take his daughter unto
thy son. For they will make your sons depart from me and serve
strange gods, and then will the wrath of the LORD wax hot upon you
and destroy you shortly. But thus ye shall deal with them:
overthrow their altars, break down their pillars, cut down their
groves and burn their images with fire. For thou art an holy
nation unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to
be a several people unto himself of all nations that are upon the
earth. It was not because of the multitude of you above all
nations, that the LORD had lust unto you and chose you. For ye
were fewest of all nations: But because the LORD loved you and
because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your
fathers, therefore he brought you out of Egypt with a mighty hand
and delivered you out of the house of bondage: even from the hand
of Pharao king of Egypt. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy
God he is God and that a true God, which keepeth appointment and
mercy unto them that love him and keep his commandments, even
thorowout a thousand generations and rewardeth them that hate him
before his face so that he bringeth them to nought, and will not
defer the time unto him that hateth him but will reward him before
his face. Keep therefore the commandments, ordinances and laws
which I command you this day, that ye do them. If ye shall hearken
unto these laws and shall observe and do them, then shall the LORD
thy God keep appointment with thee and the mercy which he sware
unto thy fathers and will love thee, bless thee and multiply thee:
he will bless the fruit of thy womb and the fruit of thy field,
thy corn, thy wine and thy oil, the fruit of thine oxen and the
flocks of thy sheep in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to
give thee. Thou shalt be blessed above all nations, there shall be
neither man nor woman unfruitful among you, nor anything
unfruitful among your cattle. Moreover the LORD will turn from
thee all manner infirmities, and will put none of the evil
diseases of Egypt (which thou knowest) upon thee, but will send
them upon them that hate thee. Thou shalt bring to nought all
nations which the LORD thy God delivereth thee, thine eye shall
have no pity upon them neither shalt thou serve their gods, for
that shall be thy decay. If thou shalt say in thine heart: these
nations are more than I, how can I cast them out? Fear them not,
but remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharao and unto all
Egypt, and the great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the
signs and wonders and mighty hand and stretched out arm wherewith
the LORD thy God brought thee out: even so shall the LORD thy God
do unto all the nations of which thou art afraid. Thereto, the
LORD thy God will send hornets among them until they that are
left, and hide them selves from thee, be destroyed. See thou fear
them not for the LORD {lord} thy God is among you a mighty God and
a terrible. The LORD thy God will put out these nations before
thee a little and a little: thou mayst not consume them at once
lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee. And the LORD
{lorde} thy God shall deliver them unto thee and stir up a mighty
tempest among them, until they be brought to nought. And he shall
deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their
names from under heaven. There shall no man stond before thee,
until thou have destroyed them. The images of their gods thou
shalt burn with fire, and see that thou covet not the silver or
gold that is on them nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared
therewith. For it is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. Bring
not therefore the Abomination to thine house, lest thou be a
damned thing as it is: but utterly defy it and abhor it, for it is
a thing that must be destroyed.
Chapter .viij.
All the commandments which I command thee this day ye shall keep
for to do them, that ye may live and multiply and go and possess
the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And think on all
the way which the LORD thy God led thee this forty years in the
wilderness, for to humble thee and to prove thee, to wete what was
in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no.
He humbled thee and made thee hunger and fed thee with manna which
neither thou nor thy father knew of, to make thee know that a man
must not live by bread only: but by all that proceedeth out of the
mouth of the LORD must a man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon
thee, neither did thy feet swell this forty years. Understand
therefore in thine heart, that as a man nurtureth his son, even so
the LORD thy God nurtureth thee. Keep therefore the commandments
of the LORD thy God that thou walk in his ways and that thou fear
him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land
of rivers of water, of fountains and of springs that spring out
both in valleys and hills: a land of wheat and of barley, of
vines, fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees with oil
and of honey: a land wherein thou shalt not eat bread in
scarceness, and where thou shalt lack nothing, a land whose stones
are iron, and out of whose hills thou shalt dig brass. When thou
hast eaten therefore and filled thyself, then bless the LORD for
the good land which he hath given thee. But beware that thou
forget not the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not keep his
commandments, laws and ordinances which I command thee this day:
yea and when thou hast eaten and filled thyself and hast built
goodly houses and dwelt therein, and when thy beasts and thy sheep
are waxed many and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied and all
that thou hast increased, then beware lest thine heart rise and
thou forget the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of
Egypt the house of bondage, and which led thee in the wilderness
both great and terrible with fiery serpents and scorpions and
thirst {drouth} where was no water, which brought the water out of
the rock of flint: which fed thee in the wilderness with Man
whereof thy fathers knew not, for to humble thee and to prove
thee, that he might do thee good at thy latter end. And beware
that thou say not in thine heart, my power and the might of mine
own hand hath done me all these acts: But remember the LORD thy
God, how that it is he which gave thee power to do manfully, for
to make good the promise which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is
come to pass this day. For if thou shalt forget the LORD thy God
and shalt walk after strange gods and serve them and worship them,
I testify unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish. As the
nations which the LORD destroyeth before thee, even so ye shall
perish, because ye would not hearken unto the voice of the LORD
your God.
Chapter .ix.
Hear Israel, thou goest over Iordan this day, to go and conquer
nations greater and mightier than thyself: and cities great and
walled up to heaven, and people great and tall, even the children
of the Enakims, which thou knowest and of whom thou hast heard say
who is able to stond before the children of Enack? But understand
this day that the LORD thy God which goeth over before thee a
consuming fire, he shall destroy them and he shall subdue them
before thee. And thou shalt cast them out, and bring them to
nought quickly as the LORD hath said unto thee. Speak not in thine
heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out before thee
saying: for my righteousness the LORD hath brought me into possess
this land. Nay, but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD
doth cast them out before thee. It is not for thy righteousness'
sake and right heart that thou goest to possess their land: But
partly for the wickedness of these nations, the LORD thy God doth
cast them out before thee, and partly to perform that which the
LORD thy God sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Iacob.
Understand therefore that it is not for thy righteousness' sake,
that the LORD thy God doth give thee this good land to possess it,
for thou art a stiffnecked people. Remember and forget not how
thou provokedest the LORD thy God in the wilderness: for since the
day that thou camest out of the land of Egypt until ye came unto
this place, ye have rebelled against the LORD. Also in Horeb ye
angered the LORD so that the LORD was wroth with you, even to have
destroyed you, after that I was gone up into the mount, to fetch
the tables of stone, the tables of appointment which the LORD made
with you. And I abode in the hill forty days and forty nights and
neither ate bread nor drank water. And the LORD delivered me two
tables of stone written with the finger of God, and in them was
according to all the words which the LORD said unto you in the
mount out of the fire in the day when the people were gathered
together. And when the forty days and forty nights were ended, the
LORD gave me the two tables of stone, the tables of the testament,
and said unto me: Up, and get thee down quickly from hence, for
thy people which thou hast brought out of Egypt, have marred them
selves. They are turned at once out of the way, which I commanded
them, and have made them a god of metal. Furthermore the LORD
spake unto me saying: I see this people how that it is a
stiffnecked people, let me alone that I may destroy them and put
out the name of them from under heaven, and I will make of thee a
nation both greater and more than they. And I turned away and came
down from the hill (and the hill burnt with fire) and had the two
tables of the appointment in my hands. And when I looked and saw
that ye had sinned against the LORD your God and had made you a
calf of metal and had turned at once out of the way which the LORD
had commanded you. Then I took the two tables and cast them out of
my two hands, and brake them before your eyes. And I fell before
the LORD: even as at the first time forty days and nights, and
neither ate bread nor drank water, over all your sins which ye had
sinned in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD and in provoking
him. For I was afraid of the wrath and fierceness wherewith the
LORD was angry with you, even for to have destroyed you; But the
LORD heard my petition at that time also. The LORD was very angry
with Aaron also, even for to have destroyed him: But I made
intercession for Aaron also the same time. And I took your sin,
the calf which ye had made and burnt him with fire and stamped him
and ground him a good, even unto small dust. And I cast the dust
thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount. Also at
Thabeera and at Masa and at the sepulchres of lust ye angered the
LORD, yea and when the LORD sent you from Cades Barnea saying: go
up and conquer the land which I have given you, ye disobeyed the
mouth of the LORD your God, and neither believed him nor hearkened
unto his voice. Thus ye have been disobedient unto the LORD, since
the day that I knew you. And I fell before the LORD forty days and
forty nights which I lay there, for the LORD was minded to have
destroyed you. But I made intercession unto the LORD {Lorde} and
said: O Lord Iehoua, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance
which thou hast delivered thorow thy greatness and which thou hast
brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember thy servants
Abraham, Isaac and Iacob and look not unto the stubbornness of
this people nor unto their wickedness and sin: lest the land
whence thou broughtest them say: Because the LORD was not able to
bring them into the land which he promised them and because he
hated them, therefore he carried them out to destroy them in the
wilderness. Moreover they are thy people and thine inheritance,
which thou broughtest out with thy mighty power and with thy
stretched out arm.
Chapter .x.
In the same season the LORD said unto me: hew thee two tables of
stone like unto the first and come up unto me into the mount and
make thee an Ark of wood, and I will write in the table, the words
that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt
put them in the ark. And I made an ark of sethim wood and hewed
two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the
mountain and the two tables in mine hand. And he wrote in the
tables, according to the first writing (the ten verses which the
LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the fire in the day when
the people were gathered) {[together]} and gave them unto me. And
I departed and came down from the hill and put the tables in the
ark which I had made: and there they remained, as the LORD
commanded me. And the children of Israel took their journey from
Beroth Ben {of the children of} Iaken to Mosera, where Aaron died
and where he was buried, and Eleazer his son became priest in his
stead. And from thence they departed unto Gudgod: and from Gudgod
to Iathbath, a land of rivers of water. And the same season the
LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the
appointment of the LORD and to stond before the LORD, and to
minister unto him and to bless in his name unto this day.
Wherefore the Levites have no part nor inheritance with their
brethren. The LORD he is their inheritance, as the LORD thy God
hath promised them. And I tarried in the mount, even as at the
first time forty days and forty nights, and the LORD hearkened
unto me at that time also, so that the LORD would not destroy
thee. And the LORD said unto me: up and go forth in the journey
before the people and let them go in and conquer the land which I
sware unto their fathers to give unto them. And now Israel what is
it that the LORD thy God requireth of thee, but to fear the LORD
thy God and to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve
the LORD thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, that
thou keep the commandments of the LORD and his ordinances which I
command thee this day, for thy wealth. Behold, heaven and the
heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, and the earth with all
that therein is: only the LORD had a lust unto thy fathers to love
them, and therefore chose you their seed after them of all
nations, as it is come to pass this day Circumcise therefore the
foreskin of your hearts, and be no longer stiffnecked. For the
LORD your God, he is God of gods {God of goddes} and Lord of
lords, {lorde of lordes} a great God, a mighty and a terrible
which regardeth no man's person nor taketh gifts: but doeth right
unto the fatherless and widow and loveth the stranger, to give him
food and raiment. Love therefore the stranger, for ye were
strangers your selves in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the
LORD thy God and serve him and cleave unto him and swear by his
name, for he is thy praise and he is thy God that hath done these
great and terrible things for thee, which thine eyes have seen.
Thy fathers went down into Egypt with seventy souls, and now the
LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven in multitude.
Chapter .xi.
Love the LORD thy God and keep his observances, his ordinances,
his laws and his commandments alway. And call to mind this day
that which your children have neither known nor seen: even the
nurture of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and
his stretched out arm: his miracles and his acts which he did
among the Egyptians, even unto Pharao the king of Egypt and unto
all his land: and what he did unto the host of the Egyptians, unto
their horses and chariots, how he brought the water of the red sea
upon them as they chased you, and how the LORD hath brought them
to nought unto this day: and what he did unto you in the
wilderness, until ye came unto this place: and what he did unto
Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab the son of Ruben, how the
earth opened her mouth and swallowed them with their households
and their tents, and all their substance that was in their
possession, in the midst of Israel. For your eyes have seen all
the great deeds of the LORD which he did. Keep therefore all the
commandments which I command thee this day that ye may be strong
and go and conquer the land whither ye go to possess it, and that
ye may prolong your days in the land which the LORD sware unto
your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that
floweth with milk and honey. For the land whither thou goest to
possess it, is not as the land of Egypt whence thou camest out,
where thou sowedest thy seed and wateredest it with thy labour as
a garden of herbs: but the land whither ye go over to possess it,
is a land of hills and valleys and drinketh water of the rain of
heaven, and a land which the LORD thy God careth for. The eyes of
the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the
year unto the latter end of the year. If thou shalt hearken
therefore unto my commandments which I command you this day, that
ye love the LORD your God and serve him with all your hearts and
with all your souls: then he will give rain unto your land in due
season, both the first rain and the latter, and thou shalt gather
in thy corn, thy wine and thine oil. And he will send grass in thy
fields for thy cattle: and thou shalt eat and fill thyself. But
beware that your hearts deceive {disceave} you not that ye turn
aside and serve strange gods and worship them, and then the wrath
of the LORD wax hot upon you and shut up the heaven that there be
no rain and that your land yield not her fruit, and that ye perish
quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. Put up
therefore these my words in your hearts and in your souls, and
bind them for a sign unto your hands, and let them be as papers of
remembrance between your eyes, and teach them your children: so
that thou talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou
risest up: yea and write them upon the doorposts of thine house
and upon thy gates, that your days may be multiplied and the days
of your children upon the earth which the LORD sware unto your
fathers to give them, as long as the days of heaven last upon the
earth. For if ye shall keep all these commandments which I command
you, so that ye do them and love the LORD your God and walk in all
his ways and cleave unto him. Then will the LORD cast out all
these nations {[and ye shall conquer them which are]} both greater
and mightier than your selves. All the places whereon the soles of
your feet shall tread, shall be yours: even from the wilderness
and from Libanon and from the river Euphrates, even unto the
uttermost sea shall your coasts be. There shall no man be able to
stond before you: the LORD your God shall cast the fear and dread
of you upon all lands whither ye shall come, as he hath said unto
you. Behold, I set before you this day, a blessing and a curse: a
blessing: if ye hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God
which I command you this day: And a curse: if ye will not hearken
unto the commandments of the LORD your God: but turn out of the
way which I command you this day to go after strange gods which ye
have not known. When the LORD thy God hath brought thee into the
land whither thou goest to possess it, then put the blessing upon
mount Garizim and the curse upon mount Ebal, which are on the
other side Iordan on the back side of the way toward the going
down of the son in the land of the Cananites which dwell in the
fields over against Gilgal beside Moreh grove. For ye shall go
over to go and possess the land which the LORD your God giveth
you, and shall conquer it and dwell therein. Take heed therefore
that ye do all the commandments and laws, which I set before you
this day.
Chapter .xij.
These are the ordinances and laws which ye shall observe to do in
the land which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess
it, as long as ye live upon the earth. See that ye destroy all
places where the nations which ye conquer serve their gods, upon
high mountains and on high {an hye} hills and under every green
tree. Overthrow their altars and break their pillars and burn
their groves with fire and hew down the images of their gods, and
bring the names of them to nought out of that place. See ye do not
so unto the LORD your God but ye shall enquire the place which the
LORD your God shall have chosen out of all your tribes to put his
name there and there to dwell. And thither thou shalt come, and
thither ye shall bring your burnt sacrifices and your offerings,
your tithes and heave offerings of your hands, your vows and free
will offerings and thy first born of your oxen and of your sheep.
And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall
rejoice in all that ye lay your hands on, both ye and your
households, because the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Ye shall
do after nothing that we do here this day, every man what seemeth
him good in his own eyes. For ye are not yet come to rest nor unto
the inheritance which the LORD your God giveth you. But ye shall
go over Iordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God
giveth you to inherit, and he shall give you rest from all your
enemies round about: and ye shall dwell in safety. Therefore when
the LORD your God hath chosen a place to make his name dwell
there, thither ye shall bring all that I command you, your
burntsacrifices and your offerings, your tithes and the
heaveofferings of your hands and all your godly vows which ye vow
unto the LORD. And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, both
ye, your sons and your daughters, your servants and your maids and
the Levite that is within your gates for he hath neither part nor
inheritance with you. Take heed that thou offer not thy
burntofferings in whatsoever place thou seest: but in the place
which the LORD shall have chosen among one of thy tribes, there
thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings and there thou shalt do all
that I command thee. Notwithstanding thou mayst kill and eat flesh
in all thy cities, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after according to
the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee both the
unclean and the clean mayst thou eat, even as the roe and the
hart: only eat not the blood, but pour it upon the earth as water.
Thou mayst not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, of thy
wine and of thy oil, either the firstborn of thine oxen or of thy
sheep, neither any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy
freewillofferings or heave offerings of thine hands: but thou must
eat them before the LORD thy God, in the place which the LORD thy
God hath chosen: both thou thy son and thy daughter, thy servant
and thy maid and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou
shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, in all that thou puttest
thine hand to. And beware that thou forsake not the Levite as long
as thou livest upon the earth. If (when the LORD thy God hath
enlarged thy coasts as he hath promised thee) thou say: I will eat
flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh: then thou shalt eat
flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth. If the place which the LORD
thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee,
then thou mayst kill of thy oxen and of thy sheep which the LORD
hath given thee as I have commanded thee, and thou mayst eat in
thine own city whatsoever thy soul lusteth. Neverthelater, as the
roe and the hart is eaten, even so thou shalt eat it: the unclean
and the clean indifferently thou shalt eat. But be strong that
thou eat not the blood. For the blood, that is the life: and thou
mayst not eat the life with the flesh: thou mayst not eat it: but
must pour it upon the earth as water. See thou eat it not
therefore that it may go well with thee and with thy children
after thee, when thou shalt have done that which is right in the
sight of the LORD. But thy holy things which thou hast and thy
vows, thou shalt take and go unto the place which the LORD hath
chosen, and thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, both flesh and
blood upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and the blood of thine
offerings thou shalt pour out upon the altar of the LORD thy God,
and shalt eat the flesh. Take heed and hear all these words which
I command thee that it may go well with thee and with thy children
after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right
in the sight of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God hath
destroyed the nations before thee, whither thou goest to conquer
them, and when thou hast conquered them, and dwelt in their lands:
Beware that thou be not taken in a snare after them, after that
they be destroyed before thee, and that thou ask not after their
gods saying: how did these nations serve their gods, that I may do
so likewise? Nay, thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for
all abominations which the LORD hated did they unto their gods.
For they burnt both their sons and their daughters with fire unto
their gods. But whatsoever I command you that take heed ye do: and
put nought thereto, nor take ought there from.
Chapter .xiij.
If there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams and give
thee a sign or a wonder, and that sign or wonder which he hath
said come to pass, and then say: let us go after strange gods
which thou hast not known, and let us serve them: hearken not unto
the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams. For the LORD thy
God tempteth you, to wete whether ye love the LORD your God with
all your hearts and with all your souls. For ye must walk after
the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and
hearken unto his voice and serve him and cleave unto him. And that
prophet or dreamer of dreams shall die for it, because he hath
spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God which brought you
out of the land of Egypt and delivered you out of the house of
bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God
commanded thee to walk in: and so thou shalt put evil away from
thee. If thy brother the son of thy mother or thine own son or thy
daughter or the wife that lieth in thy bosom or thy friend which
is as thine own soul unto thee, entice thee secretly saying: let
us go and serve strange gods which thou hast not known nor yet thy
fathers, of the gods of the people which are round about thee,
whether they be nye unto thee or far off from thee, from the one
end of the land unto the other. See thou consent not unto him nor
hearken unto him: no, let not thine eye pity him nor have
compassion on him, nor keep him secret, but cause him to be slain:
Thine hand shall be first upon him to kill him: and then the hands
of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones that he
die, because he hath gone about to thrust thee away from the LORD
thy God which brought thee out of Egypt the house of bondage. And
all Israel shall hear and fear and shall do no more and such
wickedness as this is, among them. If thou shalt hear say of one
of thy cities which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell in,
that certain being the children of Belial are gone out from among
you and have moved the inhabiters of their city saying: let us go
and serve strange gods which ye have not known. Then seek and make
search and enquire diligently. If it be true and the thing of a
surety that such abomination is wrought among you: then thou shalt
smite the dwellers of that city with the edge of the sword, and
destroy it merciless and all that is therein, and even the very
cattle thereof with the edge of the sword. And gather all the
spoil of it into the midst of the streets thereof, and burn with
fire: both the city and all the spoil thereof every whit unto the
LORD thy God. And it shall be an heap for ever and shall not be
built again. And see that there cleave nought of the damned thing
in thine hand, that the LORD may turn from his fierce wrath and
shew thee mercy and have compassion on thee and multiply thee, as
he hath sworn unto thy fathers: when thou hast hearkened unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I
command thee this day so that thou do that which is right in the
eyes of the LORD thy God.
Chapter .xiiij.
Ye are the children of the LORD your God, cut not your selves nor
make you any baldness between the eyes for any man's death. For
thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath
chosen thee to be a several people unto himself, of all the
nations that are upon the earth. Ye shall eat no manner of
abomination. These are the beasts which ye shall eat of: oxen,
sheep and goats, hart, roe and bugle, hart {wild} goat, unicorn,
origen and Camelion. And all beasts that cleave the hoof, and slit
it into two claws and chew the cud, them ye shall eat.
Nevertheless, these ye shall not eat of them that chew cud and of
them that divide and cleave the hoof: the camel, the hare and the
coney. For they chew cud, but divide not the hoof: and therefore
are unclean unto you: and also the swine, for though he divide the
hoof, yet he cheweth not cud, and therefore is unclean unto you:
Ye shall not eat of the flesh of them nor touch the dead carcasses
of them. These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: All
that have fins and scales. And whatsoever hath not fins and
scales, of that ye may not eat, for that is unclean unto you. Of
all clean birds ye shall eat, but these are they of which ye may
not eat: the eagle, the goshawk, the cormorant, the ixion, the
vultur, the kite and her kind, and all kind of ravens, the
Ostrich, the nightcrow, the cuckoo, the sparrowhawk and all her
kind, the little owl, the great owl, the back, the bittern, the
pye, the stork, the heron, the Iay in his kind, the lapwing, the
swallow. And all creeping fowls are unclean unto you and may not
be eaten of: but of all clean fowls ye may well eat. Ye shall eat
of nothing that dieth alone: But thou mayest give it unto the
stranger that is in thy city that he eat it, or mayst sell it unto
an Alien. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou
shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. Thou shalt tithe all
the increase of thy seed that cometh out of the field year by
year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God in the place,
which he hath chosen to make his name dwell there the tithe of thy
corn, of thy wine and of thine oil, and the firstborn of thine
oxen and of thy flock that thou mayst learn to fear the LORD thy
God alway. If the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not
able to carry it, because the place is too far from the which the
LORD thy God hath chosen to set his name there (for the LORD thy
God hath blessed thee) then make it in money and take the money in
thine hand, and go unto the place which the LORD thy God hath
chosen, and bestow that money on whatsoever thy soul lusteth
after: on oxen, sheep, wine and good drink, and on whatsoever thy
soul desireth, and eat there before the LORD thy God and be merry:
both thou and thine household and the Levite that is in thy city.
See thou forsake not the Levite, for he hath neither part nor
inheritance with thee. At the end of three years, thou shalt bring
forth all the tithes of thine increase the same year and lay it up
within thine own city, and the Levite shall come because he hath
neither part nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger and the
fatherless and the widow which are whithin thy city and shall eat
and fill them selves: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all
the works of thine hand which thou doest.
Chapter .xv.
At the end of seven years thou shalt make a free year. And this is
the manner of the free year, whosoever lendeth ought with his hand
unto his neighbour, may not ask again that which he hath lent, of
his neighbour or of his brother: because it is called the LORD's
{lordes} free year, yet of a stranger thou mayst call it home
again. But that which thou hast with thy brother thine hand shall
remit, and that in any wise, that there be no beggar among you.
For the LORD shall bless the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee, an heritance to possess it: so that thou hearken unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and do all these
commandments which I command you this day: yea and then the LORD
thy God shall bless thee as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt
lend unto many nations, and shalt borrow of no man, and shalt
reign over many nations, but none shall reign over thee. When one
of thy brethren among you is waxed poor in any of thy cities
within thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, see that thou
harden not thine heart nor shut to thine hand from thy poor
brother: But open thine hand unto him and lend him sufficient for
his need which he hath. And beware that there be not a point of
Belial in thine heart, that thou wouldest say: The seventh year,
the year of freedom is at hand, and therefore it grieve thee to
look on thy poor brother and givest him nought and he then cry
unto the LORD against thee and it be sin unto thee: But give him,
and let it not grieve thine heart to give. Because that for that
thing, the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in
all that thou puttest thine hand to. For the land shall never be
without poor. Wherefore I command thee saying: open thine hand
unto thy brother that is needy and poor in thy land. If thy
brother an Hebrew sell himself to thee, or an Hebrewess, he shall
serve thee six years and the seventh year thou shalt let him go
free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou
shalt not let him go away empty: but shalt give him of thy sheep
and of thy corn and of thy wine, and give him of that wherewith
the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. And remember that thou wast a
servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God delivered thee
thence: wherefore I command thee this thing today. But and if he
say unto thee, I will not go away from thee, because he loveth
thee and thine house and is well at ease with thee. Then take an
awl and nail his ear to the door therewith and let him be thy
servant forever, and unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
And let it not grieve thine eyes to let him go out from thee, for
he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee in his service
six years. And the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou
doest. All the firstborn that come of thine oxen and of thy sheep
that are males, thou shalt hallow unto the LORD thy God. Thou
shalt do no service with the firstborn of thy sheep: but shalt eat
them before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the
LORD hath chosen both thou and thine household. If there be any
deformity therein, whether it be lame or blind or whatsoever evil
favouredness it hath, thou shalt not offer it unto the LORD thy
God: But shalt eat it in thine own city, the unclean and the clean
indifferently, as the roe and the hart. Only eat not the blood
thereof, but pour it upon the ground as water.
Chapter .xvi.
Observe the month of Abib, and offer passover unto the LORD thy
God. For in the month of Abib, the LORD thy God brought thee out
of Egypt by night: Thou shalt therefore offer passover unto the
LORD thy God, and sheep and oxen in the place which the LORD shall
choose to make his name dwell there. Thou shalt eat no leavened
bread therewith: but shalt eat therewith the bread of tribulation
seven days long. For thou camest out of the land of Egypt in
haste, that thou mayst remember the day when thou camest out of
the land of Egypt, all days of thy life. And see that there be no
leavened bread seen in all thy coasts seven days long, and that
there remain nothing of the flesh which thou hast offered the
first day at evening, until the morning. Thou mayst not offer
passover in any of thy cities which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
But in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to make his
name dwell in, there thou shalt offer Passover at evening about
the going down of the son, even in the season that thou camest out
of Egypt. And thou shalt seethe and eat {[it]} in the place which
the LORD thy God hath chosen, and depart on the morrow and get
thee unto thy tent. Six days thou shalt eat sweet bread, and the
seventh day is for the people to come together to the LORD thy
God, that thou mayst do no work. Then reckon the seven weeks, and
begin to reckon the seven weeks when the sicle beginneth in the
corn, and keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God, that thou
give a freewilloffering of thine hand unto the LORD thy God
according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. And rejoice
before the LORD thy God both thou, thy son, thy daughter, thy
servant and thy maid, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and
the stranger, the fatherless and the widow that are among you, in
the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to make his name
dwell there. And remember that thou was a servant in Egypt, that
thou observe and do these ordinances. Thou shalt observe the feast
of tabernacles seven days long, after that thou hast gathered in
thy corn and thy wine. And thou shalt rejoice in that thy feast,
both thou and thy son, thy daughter, thy servant, thy maid, the
Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow that are in thy
cities. Seven days thou shalt keep holy day unto the LORD thy God,
in the place which the LORD shall choose: for the LORD thy God
shall bless thee in all thy fruits and in all the works of thine
hands, and thou shalt be all together gladness. Three times in the
year shall all your males appear before the LORD thy God in the
place which he shall choose: In the feast of sweet bread, in the
feast of weeks and in the booth feast. {feast of the tabernacles.}
And they shall not appear before the LORD empty: but every man
with the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of the LORD
thy God, which he hath given thee. Iudges and officers thou shalt
make thee in all thy cities {gates} which the LORD thy God giveth
thee thorowout thy tribes: And let them judge the people
righteously. Wrest not the law nor know any person neither take
any reward: for gifts blind the wise and pervert the words of the
righteous. But in all things follow righteousness, that thou mayst
live and enjoy the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou
shalt plant no grove of whatsoever trees it be, nye unto the altar
of the LORD thy God which thou shalt make thee. Thou shalt set
thee up no pillar, which the LORD thy God hateth.
Chapter .xvij.
Thou shalt offer unto the LORD thy God no ox or sheep wherein is
any deformity, whatsoever evil favouredness it be: for that is an
abomination unto the LORD thy God. If there be found among you in
any of thy cities which the LORD thy God giveth thee man or woman
that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God,
that they have gone beyond his appointment, so that they have gone
and served strange gods and worshipped them, whether it be the son
or moon or anything contained in heaven which I forbade, and it
was told thee and thou hast heard of it: Then thou shalt enqui:re
diligently. And if it be true and the thing of a surety that such
abomination is wrought in Israel, then thou shalt bring forth that
man or that woman which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy
gates and shalt stone them with stones and they shall die. At the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is worthy of death,
die: but at the mouth of one witness he shall not die. And the
hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to kill him, and
afterward the hands of all the people: so shalt thou put
wickedness away from thee. If a matter be too hard for thee in
judgement between blood and blood, plea and plea, plage and plage
in matters of strife within thy cities: Then arise and get thee up
unto the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen, and go unto the
priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those
days, and ask, and they shall shew thee how to judge. And see that
thou do according to that which they of that place(which the LORD
hath chosen shew thee, and see that thou observe to do according
to all that they inform thee. According to the law which they
teach thee and manner of judgement which they tell thee, see that
thou do and that thou bow not from that which they shew thee,
neither to the right hand nor to the left. And that man that will
do presumptuously, so that he will not hearken unto the priest
that stondeth there to minister unto the LORD thy God or unto the
judge, shall die: and so thou shalt put away evil from Israel. And
all the people shall hear and shall fear, and shall do no more
presumptuously. When thou art come unto the land which the LORD
thy God giveth thee and enjoyest it and dwellest therein: If thou
shalt say, I will set a king over me, like unto all the nations
that are about me: Then thou shalt make him king over thee, whom
the LORD thy God shall choose. One of thy brethren must thou make
king over thee, and mayst not set a stranger over thee which is
not of thy brethren. But in any wise let him not hold too many
horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt thorow the
multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you: ye
shall henceforth go no more again that way. Also he shall not have
too many wives, lest his heart turn away, neither shall he gather
him silver and gold too much. And when he is sitten upon the seat
of his kingdom, he shall write him out this second law in a book
taking a copy of the priests' the Levites'. And it shall be with
him and he shall read there in all days of his life that he may
learn to fear the LORD his God for to keep all the words of this
law and these ordinances for to do them: that his heart arise not
above his brethren and that he turn not from the commandment:
either to the right hand or to the left: that both he and his
children may prolong their days in his kingdom in Israel.
Chapter .xviij.
The priests the Levites, all the tribe of Levi shall have no part
nor inheritance with Israel. The offerings of the LORD and his
inheritance they shall eat, but shall have no inheritance among
their brethren: the LORD he is their inheritance, as he hath said
unto them. And this is the duty of the priests, of the people and
of them that offer, whether it be ox or sheep: They must give unto
the priest, the shoulder and the two cheeks and the maw, the first
fruits of thy corn, wine and oil, and the first of thy sheep
shearing must thou give him. For the LORD thy God hath chosen him
out of all thy tribes to stond and to minister in the name of the
LORD: both him and his sons for ever. If a Levite come out of any
of thy cities or any place of Israel, where he is a sojourner, and
come with all the lust of his heart unto the place which the LORD
hath chosen: he shall there minister in the name of the LORD his
God as all his brethren the Levites do which stond there before
the LORD. And they shall have like portions to eat, beside that
which cometh to him of the patrimony of his elders. When thou art
come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, see that
thou learn not to do after the abominations of these nations. Let
there not be found among you that maketh his son or his daughter
go thorow fire, either a bruterar or a maker of dismal days or
that useth witchcraft {or that useth withcraft, or a chooser out
of days or that regardeth the flyeng of souls} or a sorcerer, or a
charmer, or that speaketh {counseleth} with a spirit, or a
soothsayer or that talketh with them that are dead. {prophesiar or
that asketh the advise of the dead.} For all that do such things
are abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doeth cast them out before thee, be pure
therefore with the LORD thy God. For these nations which thou
shalt conquer, hearken unto makers {choosers out} of dismal days
and bruterars. {prophesyars, or profit-seers} But the LORD thy God
permitteth not that to thee. The LORD thy God will stir up a
Prophet among you: even of thy brethren like unto me: and unto him
ye shall hearken according to all that thou desiredest of the LORD
thy God in Horeb in the day when the people were gathered saying:
Let me hear the voice of my LORD God no more, nor see this great
fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me: they
have well spoken, I will raise them up a prophet from among their
brethren like unto thee and will put my words into his mouth and
he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And
whosoever will not hearken unto the words which he shall speak in
my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet which shall
presume to speak ought in my name which I commanded him not to
speak, and he that speaketh in the name of strange gods, the same
prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, how shall I
know that which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh
in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not nor come to pass,
that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken. But the prophet
hath spoken it presumptuously: be not afeared therefore of him.
Chapter .xix.
When the LORD thy God hath destroyed the nations whose land the
LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou hast conquered them and
dwellest in their cities and in their houses: thou shalt appoint
three cities in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to
possess it: thou shalt prepare the way and divide the coasts of
thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it: thou
shalt prepare the way and divide the coasts of thy land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts that
whosoever committeth murder may flee thither. And this is the
cause of the slayer that shall flee thither and be saved: If he
smite his neighbour ignorantly and hated him not in time past: As
when a man goeth unto the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and
as his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe, the head slippeth from
the helve and smiteth his neighbour that he die: the same shall
flee unto one of the same cities and be saved. Lest the executer
of blood follow after the slayer while his heart is hot and
overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him, and yet there
is no cause worthy of death in him, inasmuch as he hated not his
neighbour in time past. Wherefore I command thee saying: see that
thou appoint out three cities. And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy
coasts as he hath sworn unto thy fathers and give thee all the
land which he said he would give unto thy fathers (so that thou
keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this
day, that thou love the LORD thy God and walk in his ways ever)
then thou shalt add three cities more unto those three, that
innocent blood be not shed in thy land which the LORD thy God
giveth thee to inherit, and so blood come upon thee. But and if
there be any man that hateth his neighbour and layeth await for
him and riseth against him and smiteth him that he die, and fleeth
unto any of these cities. Then let the elders of his city send and
fetch him thence and deliver him into the hands of the justice of
blood, and he shall die. Let thine eye have no pity on him, and so
thou shalt put away innocent blood from Israel, and happy art
thou. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's mark which they of old
time have set in thine inheritance that thou inheritest in the
land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to enjoy it. One witness
shall not rise against a man in any manner trespass or sin,
whatsoever sin a man sinneth: But at the mouth of two witnesses or
of three witnesses shall all matters be tried. If an unrighteous
witness rise up against a man to accuse him of trespass: then let
both the men which strive together stond before the LORD, before
the priests and the judges which shall be in those days, and let
the judges enquire a good. And if the witness be found false and
that he hath given false witness against his brother then shall ye
do unto him as he had thought to do unto his brother, and so thou
shalt put evil away from thee. And other shall hear and fear and
shall henceforth commit no more any such wickedness among you. And
let thine eye have no compassion, but life for life, eye for eye,
tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.
Chapter .xx.
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest
horses and chariots and people more than thou, be not afeared of
them, for the LORD thy God is with thee which brought thee out of
the land of Egypt. And when ye are come nye unto battle, let the
priest come forth and speak unto the people and say unto them:
Hear Israel, ye are come unto battle against your enemies, let not
your hearts faint, neither fear nor be amazed nor a dread of them.
For the LORD thy God goeth with you to fight for you against your
enemies and to save you. And let the officers speak unto the
people saying: If any man have built a new house and have not
dedicate it, let him go and return to his house lest he die in the
battle, and another dedicate it. And if any man have planted a
vineyard and have not made it common, let him go and return again
unto his house, lest he die in the battle and another make it
common. And if any man be betrothed unto a wife and have not taken
her, let him go and return again unto his house, lest he die in
the battle and another take her. And let the officers speak
further unto the people and say. If any man fear and be
fainthearted, let him go and return unto his house, lest his
brother's heart be made faint as well as his. And when the
officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, let them
make captains of war over them. When thou comest nye unto a city
to fight against it, offer them peace. And if they answer thee
again peaceably, and open unto thee, then let all the people that
is found therein be tributaries unto thee and serve thee. But and
if they will make no peace with thee, then make war against the
city and besiege it. And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it
into thine hands, smite all the males thereof with the edge of the
sword, save the women and the children and the cattle and all that
is in the city and all the spoil thereof take unto thyself and eat
the spoil of thine enemies which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thus thou shalt do unto all the cities which are a great way off
from thee and not of the cities of these nations. But in the
cities of these nations which the LORD thy God giveth thee to
inherit, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth. But shalt
destroy them without redemption, both the Hethites, the Amorites,
the Cananites, the Pherezites, the Hevites and the Iebusites, as
the LORD thy God hath commanded thee, that they teach you not to
do after all their abominations which they do unto their gods, and
so should sin against the LORD your God. When thou hast besieged a
city long time in making war against it to take it, destroy not
the trees thereof, that thou wouldest thrust an axe unto them. For
thou mayst eat of them, and therefore destroy them not. For the
trees of the fields are no men that they might come against thee
to besiege thee. Neverthelater those trees which thou knowest that
men eat not of them, thou mayst destroy and cut them down and make
bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be
overthrown.
Chapter .xxj.
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee to possess it, and lieth in the fields, and not known who
hath slain him: Then let thine elders and thy judges come forth
and meet unto the cities that are round about the slain. And let
the elders of that city which is next unto the slain man, take an
heifer that is not laboured with nor hath drawn in the yoke, and
let them bring her unto a valley where is neither earing nor
sowing, and strike off her head there in the valley. Then let the
priests the sons of Levi come forth (for the LORD thy God hath
chosen them to minister and to bless in the name of the LORD and
therefore at their mouth shall all strife and plague be tried.)
And all the elders of the city that is next to the slain man shall
wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the plain,
and shall answer and say: our hands have not shed this blood
neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful LORD unto thy people
Israel which thou hast delivered and put not innocent blood unto
thy people Israel: and the blood shall be forgiven them. And so
shalt thou put innocent blood from thee, when thou shalt have done
that which is right in the sight of the LORD. When thou goest to
war against thine enemies and the LORD thy God hath delivered them
into thine hands and thou hast take them captive, and seest among
the captives a beautiful woman and hast a fantasy unto her that
thou wouldest have her to thy wife. Then bring her home to thine
house and let her shave her head and pare her nails and put her
raiment that she was taken in from her, and let her remain in
thine house and beweep her father and her mother a month long and
after that go in unto her and marry her and let her be thy wife.
And if thou have no favour unto her, then let her go whither she
lusteth: for thou mayst not sell her for money nor make chevisance
of her, because thou hast humbled her. If a man have two wives,
one loved and another hated, and they have borne him children,
both the loved and also the hated. If the firstborn be the son of
the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he
may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of
the hated which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall know the son
of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all
that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him
belongeth the right of the firstbornship. If any man have a son
that is stubborn, and disobedient, that he will not hearken unto
the voice of his father and voice of his mother, and they have
taught him nurture, but he would not hearken unto them: Then let
his father and his mother take him and bring him out unto the
elders of that city and unto the gate of that same place, and say
unto the elders of the city. This our son is stubborn and
disobedient and will not hearken unto our voice, he is a rioter
and a drunkard. Then let all the men of that city stone him with
stones unto death. And so thou shalt put evil away from thee, and
all Israel shall hear and fear. If a man have committed a trespass
worthy of death and is put to death for it and hanged on tree: let
not his body remain all night upon the tree, but bury him the same
day. For the curse of God is on him that is hanged. Defile not thy
land therefore, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit.
Chapter .xxij.
If thou see thy brother's ox or sheep go astray, thou shalt not
withdraw thyself from them: But shalt bring them home again unto
thy brother. If thy brother be not nye unto thee or if thou know
him not, then bring them unto thine own house and let them be with
thee, until thy brother ask after them, and then deliver him them
again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass, with his raiment
and with all lost things of thy brother which he hath lost and
thou hast found, and thou mayst not withdraw thyself. If thou see
that thy brother's ass or ox is fallen down by the way, thou shalt
not withdraw thyself from them: but shalt help him to heave them
up again. The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto the
man, neither shall a man put on woman's raiment. For all that do
so, are abomination unto the LORD thy God. If thou chance upon a
bird's nest by the way, in whatsoever tree it be or on the ground,
whether they be young or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young
or upon the eggs: thou shalt not take the mother with the young.
But shalt in any wise let the dam go and take the young, that thou
mayst prosper and prolong thy days. When thou buildest a new
house, thou shalt make a battlement unto the roof, that thou lade
not blood upon thine house, if any man fall thereof. Thou shalt
not sow thy vineyard with divers seed: lest thou hallow the seed
which thou hast sown with the fruit of thy vineyard. Thou shalt
not plough with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a
garment made of wool and flax together. Thou shalt put ribbons
upon the four quarters of thy vesture wherewith thou coverest
thyself. If a man take a wife and when he hath lien with her hate
her and lay shameful things unto her charge and bring up an evil
name upon her and say: I took this wife, and when I came to her, I
found her not a maid: Then let the father of the damsel and the
mother bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity, unto the
elders of the city, even unto the gate. And let the damsel's
father say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to
wife and he hateth her: and lo, he layeth shameful things unto her
charge saying, I found not thy daughter a maid. And yet these are
the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And let them spread the
vesture before the elders of the city. Then let the elders of that
city take that man and chastise him and merce him in an hundred
sicles of silver and give them unto the father of the damsel,
because he hath brought up an evil name upon a maid in Israel. And
she shall be his wife, and he may not put her away all his days.
But and if the thing be of a surety that the damsel be not found a
virgin, let them bring her unto the door of her father's house,
and let the men of that city stone her with stones to death,
because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her
father's house. And so thou shalt put evil away from thee. If a
man be found lying with a woman, that hath a wedded husband, then
let them die either other of them: both the man that lie with the
wife and also the wife: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
If a maid be handfasted unto an husband, and then a man find her
in the town and lay with her, then ye shall bring them both out
unto the gates of that same city and shall stone them with stones
to death: The damsel because she cried not being in the city: And
the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife, and thou
shalt put away evil from thee. But if a man find a betrothed
damsel in the field and force her and lie with her: Then the man
that lay with her shall die alone, and unto the damsel thou shalt
do no harm: because there is in the damsel no cause of death. For
as when a man riseth against his neighbour and slayeth him, even
so is this matter. For he found her in the fields and the
betrothed damsel cried: but there was no man to succour her. If a
man find a maid that is not betrothed and take her and lie with
her and be found: Then the man that lay with her shall give unto
the damsel's father fifty sicles of silver. And she shall be his
wife, because he hath humbled her, and he may not put her away all
his days. No man shall take his father's wife, nor unhele his
father's covering.
Chapter .xxiij.
None that is gelded or hath his privy members cut off, shall come
into the congregation of the LORD. And he that is born of a common
woman shall not come in the congregation of the LORD, no in the
tenth generation he shall not enter into the congregation of the
LORD. The Ammonites and the Moabites shall not come into the
congregation of the LORD, no not in the tenth generation, no they
shall never come in to the congregation of the LORD, because they
met you not with bread and water in the way when ye came out of
Egypt, and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor
the interpreter of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the
LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balam, but turned the curse to
a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee. Thou
shalt never therefore seek that which is prosperous or good for
them all thy days for ever. Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, for
he is thy brother: neither shalt thou abhor an Egyptian, because
thou wast a stranger in his land. The children that are begotten
of them shall come into the congregation of the LORD in the third
generation. When thou goest out with the host against thine
enemies, keep thee from all wickedness for the LORD is among you.
If there be any man that is unclean by the reason of uncleanness
that chanceth him by night, let him go out of the host and not
come in again until he have washed himself with water before the
evening: and then when the son is down, let him come into the host
again. Thou shalt have a place without the host whither thou shalt
resort to and thou shalt have a sharp point at the end of thy
weapon: and when thou wilt ease thyself, dig therewith and turn
and cover that which is departed from thee. For the LORD thy God
walketh in thine host, to rid thee and to set thine enemies before
thee. Let thine host be pure that he see no unclean thing among
you and turn from you. Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the
servant which is escaped from his master unto thee. Let him dwell
with thee, even among you in what place he himself liketh best, in
one of thy cities where it is good for him, and vex him not. There
shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor whorekeeper of
the sons of Israel. Thou shalt neither bring the hire of an whore
nor the price of a dog into the house of the LORD thy God, in no
manner of vow: for even both of them are abomination unto the LORD
thy God. Thou shalt be no usurer unto thy brother, neither in
money nor in food, nor in any manner thing that is lent upon
usury. Unto a stranger thou mayst lend upon usury, but not unto
thy brother, that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou
settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to conquer
it. When thou hast vowed a vow unto the LORD thy God, see thou be
not slack to pay it. For he will surely require it of thee, and it
shall be sin unto thee. If thou shalt leave vowing, it shall be no
sin unto thee: but that which is once gone out of thy lips, thou
must keep and do, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy
God a freewill offering which thou hast spoken with thy mouth.
When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, thou mayst eat
grapes thy bellyful at thine own pleasure: but thou shalt put none
in thy bag. When thou goest into thy neighbour's corn, thou mayst
pluck the ears with thine hand, but thou mayst not move a sicle
unto thy neighbour's corn.
Chapter .xxiiij.
When a man hath taken a wife and married her, if she find no
favour in his eyes, because he hath spied some uncleanness in her:
Then let him write her a bill of divorcement and put it in her
hand and send her out of his house. If when she is departed out of
his house, she go and be another man's wife and the second husband
hate her and write her a letter of divorcement and put it in her
hand and send her out of his house, or if the second man die which
took her to wife; Her first man which sent her away may not take
her again to be his wife, inasmuch as she is defiled. For that is
abomination in the sight of the LORD: that thou defile not the
land with sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit. When
a man taketh a new wife, he shall not go a warfare neither shall
be charged with any business: but shall be free at home one year
and rejoice with his wife which he hath taken. No man shall take
the nether or the upper millstone to pledge, for then he taketh a
man's life to pledge. If any man be found stealing any of his
brethren the children of Israel, and maketh chevisance of him or
selleth him, the thief shall die. And thou shalt put evil away
from thee. Take heed to thyself as concerning the plague of
leprosy, that thou observe diligently to do according to all that
the priests the Levites shall teach thee, as I commanded them so
ye shall observe to do. Remember what the LORD thy God did unto
Miriam by the way, after that ye were come out of Egypt. If thou
lend thy brother any manner succour, thou shalt not go into his
house to fetch a pledge: but shalt stond without and the man to
whom thou lendest, shall bring thee the pledge out at the door.
Furthermore if it be a poor body, go not to sleep with his pledge:
but deliver him the pledge again by that the son go down, and let
him sleep in his own raiment and bless thee. And it shall be
righteousness unto thee, before the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not
defraud an hired servant that is needy and poor, whether he be of
thy brethren or a stranger that is in thy land within thy cities.
Give him his hire the same day, and let not the son go down
thereon. For he is needy and therewith sustaineth his life, lest
he cry against thee unto the LORD and it be sin unto thee. The
fathers shall not die for the children nor the children for the
fathers: but every man shall die for his own sin. Hinder not the
right of the stranger nor of the fatherless, nor take widow's
raiment to pledge. But remember that thou wast a servant in Egypt,
and how the LORD thy God delivered thee thence. Wherefore I
command thee to do this thing. When thou cuttest down thine
harvest in the field and hast forgotten a sheaf in the field, thou
shalt not go again and fetch it: But it shall be for the stranger,
the fatherless and the widow, that the LORD thy God may bless thee
in all the work of thine hand. When thou beatest down thine olive
trees thou shalt not make clean riddance after thee: but it shall
be for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. And when thou
gatherest thy vineyard, thou shalt not gather clean after thee:
but it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow.
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt:
wherefore I command thee to do this thing.
Chapter .xxv.
When {If} there is strife between men, let them come unto the law,
and let the judges justify the righteous and condemn the
trespasser. And if the trespasser be worthy of stripes, then let
the judge cause to take him down and to beat him before his face
according to his trespass, unto a certain number. Forty stripes he
shall give him and not pass: lest if he should exceed and beat him
above that with many stripes, thy brother should appear ungodly
before thine eyes. Thou shalt not muzzle {mosell} the ox that
treadeth out the corn. When brethren dwell together and one of
them die and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not be
given out unto a stranger: but her brotherinlaw shall go in unto
her and take her to wife and marry her. And the eldest son which
she beareth, shall stond up in the name of his brother which is
dead, that his name be not put out in Israel. But and if the man
will not take his sisterinlaw, then let her go to the gate unto
the elders and say: My brotherinlaw refuseth to stir up unto his
brother a name in Israel, he will not marry me. Then let the
elders of his city call unto him and commune with him. If he stond
and say: I will not take her, then let his sister-in-law go unto
him in the presence of the elders and loose his shoe off his foot
and spit in his face and answer and say: So shall it be done unto
that man that will not build his brother's house. And his name
shall be called in Israel, the unshoed house. If when men strive
together, one with another, the wife of the one run to, for to rid
her husband out of the hands of him that smiteth him and put forth
her hand and take him by the secrets: cut off her hand, and let
not thine eye pity her. Thou shalt not have in thy bag two manner
weights, a great and a small: neither shalt thou have in thine
house divers measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a
perfect and a just measure: that thy days may be lengthened in the
land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. For all that do such
things and all that do unright, are abomination unto the LORD thy
God. Remember what Amalech did unto thee by the way after thou
camest out of Egypt, he met thee by the way and smote the hindmost
of you, all that were over laboured and dragged behind, when thou
wast fainted and weary, and he feared not God. Therefore when the
LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round
about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit
and possess: see that thou put out the name of Amalech from under
heaven, and forget not.
Chapter .xxvi.
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee to inherit and hast enjoyed it and dwellest therein: take of
the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou hast brought
in out of the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee and put it in
a maund and go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose
to make his name dwell there. And thou shalt come unto the priest
that shall be in those days and say unto him: I knowledge this day
unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the
LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us. And the priest shall
take the maund out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar
of the LORD thy God. And thou shalt answer and say before the LORD
thy God: The Sirians would have destroyed my father, and he went
down into Egypt and sojourned there with a few folk and grew there
unto a nation great, mighty and full of people. And the Egyptians
vexed us and troubled us, and laded us with cruel bondage. And we
cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our
voice and looked on our adversity, labour and oppression. And the
LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and a stretched
out arm and with great terribleness and with signs and wonders.
And he hath brought us into this place and hath given us this land
that floweth with milk and honey. And now lo, I have brought the
first fruits of the land which the LORD hath given me. And set it
before the LORD thy God and worship before the LORD thy God and
rejoice over all the good thing which the LORD thy God hath given
unto thee and unto thine house, both thou the Levite and the
stranger that is among you. When thou hast made an end of tithing
all the tithes of thine increase the third year, the year of
tithing: and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the
fatherless and the widow, and they have eaten in thy gates and
filled them selves. Then say before the LORD thy God: I have
brought thee hallowed things out of mine house: and have given
them unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow
according to all the commandments which thou commandest me: I have
not overskipped thy commandments, nor forgotten them. I have not
eaten thereof in my mourning nor taken away thereof unto any
uncleanness, nor spent thereof about any dead corpse: but have
hearkened unto the voice of the LORD my God, and have done after
all that he commanded me, look down from thy holy habitation
heaven and bless thy people Israel and the land which thou hast
given us (as thou swearest unto our fathers) a land that floweth
with milk and honey. This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee
to do these ordinances and laws. Keep them therefore and do them
with all thine heart and all thy soul. Thou hast set up the LORD
this day to be thy God and to walk in his ways and to keep his
ordinances, his commandments and his laws, and to hearken unto his
voice. And the LORD hath set thee up this day, to be a several
people unto him (as he hath promised thee) and that thou keep his
commandments, and to make thee high above all nations which he
hath made, in praise, in name and honour: that thou mayst be an
holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath said.
Chapter .xxvij.
And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people saying:
keep all the commandments which I command you this day. And when
ye be come over Iordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee, set up great stones and plaster them with plaster, and write
upon them all the words of this law, when thou art come over: that
thou mayst come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
a land that floweth with milk and honey, as the LORD God of thy
fathers hath promised thee. When ye be come over Iordan, see that
ye set up these stones which I command you this day in mount Ebal,
and plaster them with plaster. And there build unto the LORD thy
God, an altar of stones and see thou lift up no iron upon them:
But thou shalt make the altar of the LORD thy God of rough stones
and offer burntofferings thereon unto the LORD thy God. And thou
shalt offer peaceofferings and shalt eat there and rejoice before
the LORD thy God. And thou shalt write upon the stones all the
words of this law, manifestly and well. And Moses with the priests
the Levites spake unto all Israel saying: take heed and hear
Israel, this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
Hearken therefore unto the voice of the LORD thy God and do his
commandments and his ordinances which I command you this day. And
Moses charged the people the same day saying: These shall stond
upon mount Grisim to bless the people, when ye are come over
Iordan: Simeon, Levi, Iuda, Isachar, Ioseph and BenIamin. And
these shall stond upon mount Ebal to curse: Ruben, Gad, Asser,
Zabulon, Dan and Nephthali. And the Levites shall begin and say
unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice: Cursed be he that
maketh any carved image or image of metal (an abomination unto the
LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman) and putteth it in a
secret place: And all the people shall answer and say Amen. Cursed
be he that curseth his father or his mother, and all the people
shall say Amen. Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's mark,
and all the people shall say Amen. Cursed be he that maketh the
blind go out of his way, and all the people shall say Amen. Cursed
be he that hindreth the right of the stranger, fatherless and
widow, and all the people shall say Amen. Cursed be he that lieth
with his father's wife because he hath opened his father's
covering, and all the people shall say Amen. Cursed be he that
lieth with any manner beast, and all the people shall say Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister whether she be the
daughter of his father or of his mother, and all the people shall
say Amen. Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law, and all
the people shall say Amen. Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour
secretly, and all the people shall say Amen. Cursed be he that
taketh a reward to slay innocent blood, and all the people shall
say Amen. Cursed be he that maintaineth not all the words of this
law to do them, and all the people shall say Amen.
Chapter .xxviij.
If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy
God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command
thee this day. The LORD will set thee on high {an hye} above all
nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come on thee
and over take thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the
LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the town and blessed in the
fields, blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, the fruit of thy
ground and the fruit of thy cattle, the fruit of thine oxen, and
thy flocks of sheep, blessed shall thine almery be and thy store.
Blessed shalt thou be, both when thou goest out, and blessed when
thou comest in. The LORD shall smite thine enemies that rise
against thee before thy face. They shall come out against thee one
way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the
blessing to be with thee in thy store houses and in all that thou
settest thine hand to, and will bless the in the land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall make thee an holy people
unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee: if thou shalt keep the
commandments of the LORD thy God and walk in his ways. And all
nations of the earth shall see that thou art called after the name
of the LORD, and they shall be afeared of thee. And the LORD shall
make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, in the
fruit of thy cattle and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land
which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall
open unto thee his good treasure, even the heaven, to give rain
unto thy land in due season and to bless all the labours of thine
hand. And thou shalt lend unto many nations, but shalt not need to
borrow thyself. And the LORD shall set thee before and not behind,
and thou shalt be above only and not beneath: if that thou hearken
unto the commandments of the LORD thy God which I command thee
this day to keep and to do them. And see that thou bow not from
any of these words which I command thee this day either to the
right hand or to the left, that thou wouldest go after strange
gods to serve them. But and if thou wilt not hearken unto the
voice of the LORD thy God to keep and to do all his commandments
and ordinances which I command thee this day: then all these
curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou
be in the town, and cursed in the field, cursed shall thine almery
be and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body and the
fruit of thy land be and the fruit of thine oxen and the flocks of
thy sheep. And cursed shalt thou be when thou goest in, and when
thou goest out. And the LORD shall send upon thee cursing, going
to nought and complaining in all that thou settest thine hand to,
whatsoever thou doest: until thou be destroyed and brought to
nought quickly, because of the wickedness of thine inventions in
that thou hast forsaken the LORD. And the LORD shall make the
pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from the
land whither thou goest to enjoy it. And the LORD shall smite thee
with swelling, with fevers, heat, burning, weathering, with
smiting and blasting. And they shall follow thee, until thou
perish. And the heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and
the earth that is under thee, iron. And the LORD shall turn the
rain of the land unto powder and dust: even from heaven they shall
come down upon thee, until thou be brought to nought. And the LORD
shall plague thee before thine enemies: Thou shalt come out one
way against them, and flee seven ways before them, and shalt be
scattered among all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy carcass
shall be meat unto all manner fowls of the air and unto the beasts
of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. And the LORD will
smite thee with the botches of Egypt and the emerods, scall and
manginess, that thou shalt not be healed thereof. And the LORD
shall smite thee with madness, blindness and dazing of heart. And
thou shalt grope at noonday as the blind gropeth in darkness, and
shalt not come to the right way. And thou shalt suffer wrong only
and be polled evermore, and no man shall succour thee: thou shalt
be betrothed unto a wife, and another shall lie with her. Thou
shalt build an house and another shall dwell therein. Thou shalt
plant a vineyard, and shalt not make it common. Thine ox shall be
slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof. Thine ass
shall be violently taken away even before thy face, and shall not
be restored thee again. Thy sheep shall be given unto thine
enemies, and no man shall help thee. Thy sons and thy daughters
shall be given unto another nation, and thine eyes shall see and
daze upon them all day long, but shalt have no might in thine
hand. The fruit of thy land and all thy labours shall a nation
which thou knowest not, eat, and thou shalt but suffer violence
only and be oppressed alway: that thou shalt be clean beside
thyself for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. The LORD
shall smite thee with a mischievous botch in the knees and legs,
so that thou canst not be healed: even from the sole of the foot
unto the top of the head. The LORD shall bring both thee and thy
king which thou hast set over thee, unto a nation which neither
thou nor thy fathers have known, and there thou shalt serve
strange gods: even wood and stone. And thou shalt go to waste and
be made an example and a jesting stock unto all nations whither
the LORD shall carry thee. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the
field, and shalt gather but little in: for the locusts
{grasshoppers} shall destroy it. Thou shalt plant a vineyard and
dress it, but shalt neither drink of the wine neither gather of
the grapes, for the worms shall eat it. Thou shalt have olive
trees in all thy coasts, but shalt not be anointed with the oil,
for thine olive trees shall be rooted out. Thou shalt get sons and
daughters, but shalt not have them: for they shall be carried away
captive. All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall be marred with
blasting. The strangers that are among you shall climb above thee
up on high, {an hye} and thou shalt come down beneath alow. He
shall lend thee and thou shalt not lend him, he shall be before
and thou behind. Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee
and shall follow thee and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed:
because thou hearkenedest not unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
to keep his commandments and ordinances which he commanded thee,
and they shall be upon thee as miracles and wonders and upon thy
seed for ever. And because thou servedest not the LORD thy God
with joyfulness and with a good heart for the abundance of all
things, therefore thou shalt serve thine enemy which the LORD
shall send upon thee: in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in
need of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thine
neck, until he have brought thee to nought. And the LORD shall
bring a nation upon thee from afar, even from the end of the
world, as swift as an eagle fleeth: {flyeth} a nation whose tongue
thou shalt not understand: a hard favoured nation which shall not
regard the person of the old nor have compassion on the young. And
he shall eat the fruit of thy land and the fruit of thy cattle
until he have destroyed thee: so that he shall leave thee neither
corn, wine, nor oil, neither the increase of thine oxen nor the
flocks of thy sheep: until he have brought thee to nought. And he
shall keep thee in all thy cities, until thy high and strong walls
be come down wherein thou trustedest, thorow all thy land. And he
shall besiege thee in all thy cities thorowout all thy land which
the LORD thy God hath given thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit of
thine own body: the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters which
the LORD thy God hath given thee, in that straitness and siege
wherewith thine enemy shall besiege thee: so that it shall grieve
the man that is tender and exceeding delicate among you, to look
on his brother and upon his wife that lieth in his bosom and on
the remnant of his children, which he hath yet left, for fear of
giving unto any of them of the flesh of his children, which he
eateth, because he hath nought left him in that straitness and
siege wherewith thine enemy shall besiege thee in all thy cities.
Yea and the woman that is so tender and delicate among you that
she dare not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground
for softness and tenderness, shall be grieved to look on the
husband that lieth in her bosom and on her son and on her
daughter: even because of the afterbirth, that is come out from
between her legs, and because of her children which she hath
borne, because she would eat them for need of all things secretly,
in the straitness and siege wherewith thine enemy shall besiege
thee in thy cities. If thou wilt not be diligent to do all the
words of this law that are written in this book, for to fear this
glorious and fearful name of the LORD thy God: the LORD will smite
both thee and thy seed with wonderful plagues and with great
plagues and of long continuance, and with evil sicknesses and of
long durance. Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of
Egypt which thou wast afraid of, and they shall cleave unto thee.
Thereto all manner sicknesses and all manner plagues which are not
written in the book of this law, will the LORD bring upon thee
until thou be come to nought. And ye shall be left few in number,
wheretofore ye were as the stars of heaven in multitude: because
thou wouldest not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. And
as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply you:
even so he will rejoice over you, to destroy you and to bring you
to nought. And ye shall be wasted from off the land whither thou
goest to enjoy it. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all
nations from the one end of the world unto the other, and there
thou shalt serve strange gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers
have known: even wood and stone. And among these nations thou
shalt be no small season, and yet shalt have no rest for the sole
of thy foot. For the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart
and dazing eyes and sorrow of mind. And thy life shall hang before
thee, and thou shalt fear both day and night and shalt have no
trust in thy life. In the morning thou shalt say, would God it
were night. And at night thou shalt say, would God it were
morning. For fear of thine heart which thou shalt fear, and for
the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. And the LORD shall
bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way which I bade
thee that thou shouldst see it no more. And there ye shall be sold
unto your enemies, for bondmen and bondwomen: and yet no man shall
buy you.
Chapter .xxix.
These are the words of the appointment which the LORD commanded
Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab,
beside the appointment which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses
called unto all Israel and said unto them: Ye have seen all, that
the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, unto Pharao
and unto all his servants, and unto all his land, and the great
temptations which thine eyes have seen and those great miracles
and wonders: And yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to
perceive, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear unto this day. And I
have led you forty years in the wilderness: and your clothes are
not waxed old upon you, nor are thy shoes waxed old upon thy feet.
Ye have eaten no bread nor drunk wine or strong drink: that ye
might know, how that he is the LORD your God. And at the last ye
came unto this place, and Sihon the king of Hesbon and Og king of
Basan came out against you unto battle, and we smote them and took
their land and gave it an heritance unto the Rubenites and Gadites
and to the half tribe of Manasse. Keep therefore the word of this
appointment and do them, that ye may understand all that ye ought
to do. Ye stond here this day every one of you before the LORD
your God: both the heads of your tribes, your elders, your
officers and all the men of Israel: your children, your wives and
the strangers that are in thine host, from the hewer of thy wood
unto the drawer of thy water: that thou shouldst come under the
appointment of the LORD thy God, and under his oath which the LORD
thy God maketh with thee this day. For to make thee a people unto
himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto
thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers Abraham, Isaac and
Iacob. Also I make not this bond and this oath with you only: but
both with him that stoodeth here with us this day before the LORD
our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day. For
ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came
thorow the midst of the nations which we passed by. And ye have
seen their abominations and their idols: wood, stone, silver,
gold, which they had. Lest there be among you man or woman kindred
or tribe that turneth away in his heart this day from the LORD our
God, to go and serve the gods of these nations: and lest there be
among you some root {|rote|} that beareth gall and wormwood, so
that when he heareth the words of this curse, he bless himself in
his heart saying: I fear it not, {shall have peace} I will
therefore walk {work} after the lust of mine own heart, that the
drunken destroy {may perish with} the thirsty. And so the LORD
will not be merciful unto him, but then the wrath of the LORD and
his jealousy, smoke against that man, and all the curses that are
written in this book light upon him, and the LORD do out his name
from under heaven, and separate him unto evil out of all the
tribes of Israel according unto all the curses of the appointment
that is written in the book of this law. So that the generation to
come of your children that shall rise up after you and the
stranger that shall come from a far land, say when they see the
plagues of that land, and the diseases wherewith the LORD hath
smitten it, how all the land is burnt up with brimstone and salt,
that it is neither sown nor beareth, nor any grass groweth
therein, after the overthrowing of Sodom, Gomor, Adama and Zeboim:
which the LORD overthrew in his wrath and anger. And then all
nations also say: wherefore hath the LORD done of this fashion
unto this land? O how fierce is this great wrath? And men shall
say: because they left the testament of the LORD God of their
fathers which he made with them, when he brought them out of the
land of Egypt. And they went and served strange gods and
worshipped them: gods which they knew not and which had given them
nought. And therefore the wrath of the LORD waxed hot upon that
land to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this
book. And the LORD cast them out of their land in anger, wrath and
great furiousness, and cast them into a strange land, as it is
come to pass this day. The secrets pertain unto the LORD our God
and the things that are opened pertain unto us and our children
for ever, that we do all the words of this law.
Chapter .xxx.
When all these words are come upon thee, whether it be the
blessing or the curse which I have set before thee, yet if thou
turn unto thine heart among all the nations whither the LORD thy
God hath thrust thee, and come again unto the LORD thy God and
hearken unto his voice according to all that I command thee this
day: both thou and thy children with all thine heart and all thy
soul: Then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity and have
compassion upon thee and go and fetch thee again from all the
nations, among which the LORD thy God shall have scattered thee.
Though thou wast cast unto the extreme parts of heaven: even from
thence will the LORD thy God gather thee and from thence fetch
thee and bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and
thou shalt enjoy it. And he will shew thee kindness and multiply
thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine
heart and the heart of thy seed for to love the LORD thy God with
all thine heart and all thy soul, that thou mayst live. And the
LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies and on
them that hate thee and persecute thee. But thou shalt turn and
hearken unto the voice of the LORD and do all his commandments
which I command thee this day. And the LORD thy God will make thee
plenteous in all the works of thine hand and in the fruit of thy
body, in the fruit of thy cattle and fruit of thy land and in
riches. For the LORD will turn again and rejoice over thee to do
thee good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou hearken unto
the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and
ordinances which are written in the book of this law, if thou turn
unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart and all thy soul. For
the commandment which I command thee this day, is not separated
from thee neither far off. It is not in heaven, that thou needest
to say: who shall go up for us into heaven, and fetch it us, that
we may hear it and do it: Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou
shouldest say: who shall go over sea for us and fetch it us that
we may hear it and do it. But the word is very nye unto thee: even
in thy mouth and in thine heart, that thou do it. Behold I have
set before you this day life and good, death and evil: in that I
command thee this day to love the LORD thy God and to walk in his
ways and to keep his commandments, his ordinances and his laws:
that thou mayst live and multiply, and that the LORD thy God may
bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But and
if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear: but shalt go
astray and worship strange gods and serve them, I pronounce unto
you this day, that ye shall surely perish and that ye shall not
prolong your days upon the land whither thou passest over Iordan
to go and possess it. I call to record this day unto you, heaven
and earth, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing: but choose life, that thou and thy seed may live, in that
thou lovest the LORD thy God, hearkenest unto his voice and
cleavest unto him. For he is thy life and the length of thy days,
that thou mayst dwell upon the earth which the LORD sware unto thy
fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Iacob to give them.
Chapter .xxxj.
And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel and said unto
them: I am an hundred and twenty years old this day, and can no
more go out and in. Also the LORD hath said unto me, thou shalt
not go over this Iordan. The LORD your God he will go over before
thee and he will destroy these nations before thee, and thou shalt
conquer them. And Iosua he shall go over before thee, as the LORD
hath said. And the LORD shall do {go} unto them, as he did to
Sehon and Og kings of the Amorites and unto their lands which
kings he destroyed. And when the LORD hath delivered them to thee,
see that ye do unto them according unto all the commandments which
I have commanded you. Pluck up your hearts and be strong, dread
not nor be afeared of them: for the LORD thy God himself will go
with thee, and will neither let thee go nor forsake thee. And
Moses called unto Iosua and said unto him in the sight of all
Israel. Be strong and bold, for thou must go with this people unto
the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give
them, and thou shalt give it them to inherit. And the LORD he
shall go before thee and he shall be with thee, and will not let
thee go nor forsake thee, fear not therefore nor be discomforted.
And Moses wrote this law and delivered it unto the priests the
sons of Levi which bare the ark of the testament of the LORD, and
unto all the elders of Israel, and commanded them saying: At the
end of seven years, in the time of the free year, in the feast of
the tabernacles, when all Israel is come to appear before the LORD
thy God, in the place which he hath chosen: see that thou read
this law before all Israel in their ears. Gather the people
together: both men, women and children and the strangers that are
in thy cities, that they may hear, learn and fear the LORD your
God, and be diligent to keep all the words of this law, and that
their children which know nothing may hear and learn to fear the
LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over
Iordan to possess it. And the LORD said unto Moses: Behold thy
days are come, that thou must die. Call Iosua and come and stond
in the tabernacle of witness, that I may give him a charge. And
Moses and Iosua went and stood in the tabernacle of witness. And
the LORD appeared in the tabernacle: even in the pillar of the
cloud. And the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the
tabernacle. And the LORD said unto Moses: behold, thou must sleep
with thy fathers, and this people will go a whoring after strange
gods of the land whither they go and will forsake me and break the
appointment which I have made with them. And then my wrath will
wax hot against them, and I will forsake them and will hide my
face from them, and they shall be consumed. And when much
adversity and tribulation is come upon them, then they will say:
because our God is not among us, these tribulations are come upon
us. But I will hide my face that same time for all the evil's sake
which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto
strange gods. Now therefore write ye this song, and teach it the
children of Israel and put it in their mouths that this song may
be my witness unto the children of Israel. For when I have brought
them into the land which I sware unto their fathers that runneth
with milk and honey, then they will eat and fill them selves and
wax fat and turn unto strange gods and serve them and rail on me
and break my testament. And then when much mischief and
tribulation is come upon them, this song shall answer before them,
and be a witness. It shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of
their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about even
now before I have brought them into the land which I sware. And
Moses wrote this song the same season, and taught it the children
of Israel. And the Lord {|LORDE|} gave Iosua the son of Nun a
charge and said: be bold and strong for thou shalt bring the
children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them, and I
will be with thee. When Moses had made an end of writing out the
words of this law in a book unto the end of them he commanded the
Levites which bare the ark of the testament of the LORD saying:
take the book of this law and put it by the side of the ark of the
testament of the LORD your God, and let it be there for a witness
unto thee. For I know thy stubbornness and thy stiff neck: behold,
while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been disobedient
unto the LORD: and how much more after my death. Gather unto me
all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak
these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to record
against them. For I am sure that after my death, they will utterly
mar them selves and turn from the way which I commanded you, and
tribulation will come upon you in the latter days, when ye have
wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD to provoke him with
the works of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the
congregation of Israel the words of this song, unto the end of
them.
Chapter .xxxij.
Hear o heaven, what I shall speak and hear o earth the words of my
mouth. My doctrine drop as doeth the rain, and my speech flow as
doeth the dew, as the mizzling upon the herbs, and as the drops
upon the grass. For I will call on the name of the LORD: Magnify
the might of our God. He is a Rocke and perfect are his deeds, for
all his ways are with discretion. God is faithful and without
wickedness, both righteous and just is he. The froward and
overthwart generation hath marred them selves to himward, and are
not his sons for their deformities' sake. Dost thou so reward the
LORD? O foolish nation and unwise. Is not he thy father and thine
owner? hath he not made thee and ordained thee? Remember the days
that are past: consider the years from time to time. Ask thy
father and he will shew thee, thine elders and they will tell
thee. When the most highest gave the nations an inheritance, and
divided the sons of Adam, he put the borders of the nations, fast
by the multitude of the children of Israel. For the LORD's part is
his folk, and Israel is the portion of his inheritance. He found
him in a desert land, in a void ground and a roaring wilderness.
He led him about and gave him understanding, and kept him as the
apple of his eye. As an eagle that stirreth up her nest and
fluttereth over her young, he stretched out his wings and took him
up and bare him on his shoulders. The LORD alone was his guide,
and there was no strange god with him. He set him up upon an high
land, and he ate the increase of the fields. And he gave him honey
to suck out of the rock, and oil out of the hard stone. With
butter of the kine and milk of the sheep, with fat of the lambs
and fat rams and he goats with fat kidneys and with wheat. And of
the blood of grapes thou drunkest wine. And Israel waxed fat and
kicked. Thou wast fat, thick and smooth. And he let God go that
made him and despised the rock that saved him. They angered him
with strange gods and with abominations provoked him. They offered
unto field devils and not to God, and to gods which they knew not
and to new gods that came newly up which their fathers feared not.
Of the rock that begat thee thou art unmindful and hast forgot God
that made thee. And when the LORD saw it, he was angry because of
the provoking of his sons and daughters. And he said: I will hide
my face from them and will see what their end shall be. For they
are a froward generation and children in whom is no faith. They
have angered me with that which is no god, and provoked me with
their vanities; And I again will anger them with them which are no
people, and will provoke them with a foolish nation. For fire is
kindled in my wrath, and shall burn unto the bottom of hell. And
shall consume the earth with her increase, and set afire the
bottoms of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon thee and will
spend all mine arrows at them. Burnt with hunger and consumed with
heat and with bitter pestilence. I will also send the teeth of
beasts upon them and poison serpents. Without forth, the sword
shall rob them of their children: and within in the chamber, fear:
both young men and young women and the sucklings with the men of
gray heads. I have determined to scatter them thorowout the world,
and to make away the remembrance of them from among men. Were it
not that I feared the railing of their enemies, lest their
adversaries would be proud and say: our high hand hath done all
these works and not the LORD. For it is a nation that hath an
unhappy forecast, and hath no understanding in them: I would they
were wise and understood this and would consider their latter end.
How it cometh that one shall chase a thousand, and two put ten
thousand of them to flight?: except their rock had sold them, and
because the LORD had delivered them. For our rock is not as their
rock, no though our enemies be judge. But their vines are of the
vines of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorra. Their grapes are
grapes of gall, and their clusters be bitter. Their wine is the
poison of dragons, and the cruel gall of asps. Are not such things
laid in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? Vengeance
is mine and I will reward: their feet shall slide, when the time
cometh. For the time of their destruction is at hand, and the time
that shall come upon them maketh haste. For the LORD will do
justice unto his people, and have compassion on his servants. For
it shall be seen that their power shall fail, and at the last they
shall be prisoned and forsaken. And it shall be said: where are
their gods and their rock wherein they trusted? The fat of whose
sacrifices they ate, and drank the wine of their drinkofferings,
let them rise up and help you and be your protection. See now how
that I, I am he, and that there is no God but I. I can kill and
make alive, and what I have smitten that I can heal: neither is
there that can deliver any man out of my hand. For I will lift up
my hand to heaven, and will say: I live ever. If I whet the
lightning of my sword, and mine hand take in hand to do justice, I
will shew vengeance on mine enemies and will reward them that hate
me. I will make mine arrows drunken with blood, and my sword shall
eat flesh of the blood of the slain and of the captive and of the
bare head of the enemy. Rejoice {Praise ye} heathen with his
people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will
avenge him of his adversaries, and will be merciful unto the land
of his people. And Moses went and spake all the words of this song
in the ears of the people, both he and Iosua the son of Nun. And
when Moses had spoken all these words unto the end to all Israel,
then he said unto them. Set your hearts unto all the words which I
testify unto you this day: that ye command them unto your
children, to observe and do all the words of this law. For it is
not a vain word unto you: but it is your life, and thorow this
word ye shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over
Iordan to conquer it. And the LORD spake unto Moses the self same
day saying: get thee up into this mountain Abarim unto mount Nebo,
which is in the land of Moab over against Iericho. And behold the
land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel to
possess. And die in the mount which thou goest upon, and be
gathered unto thy people: As Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor
and was gathered unto his people. For ye trespassed against me
among the children of Israel at the waters of strife, at Cades in
the wilderness of Zin: because ye sanctified me not among the
children of Israel. Thou shalt see the land before thee, but shall
not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.
Chapter .xxxiij.
This is the blessing wherewith Moses God's {gods} man blessed the
children of Israel before his death saying: The LORD came from
Sinai and shewed his beams from Seir unto them, and appeared
gloriously from mount Pharan, and he came with thousands of
saints, and in his right hand a law of fire for them. How loved he
the people? All his saints are in his hand. They joined them
selves unto thy foot and received thy words. Moses gave us a law
which is the inheritance of the congregation of Iacob. And he was
in Israel king when he gathered the heads of the people and the
tribes of Israel together. Ruben shall live and shall not die: but
his people shall be few in number. This is the blessing of Iuda.
And he said: hear LORD the voice of Iuda and bring him unto his
people: let his hands fight for him: but be thou his help against
his enemies. And unto Levi he said: thy perfectness and thy light
be after thy merciful man whom thou temptest at Masa and with whom
thou strivedest at the waters of strife. He that sayeth unto his
father and mother: I saw him not, and unto his brethren I knew
not, and to his son I wot not: for they have observed thy words
and kept thy testament. They shall teach Iacob thy judgements and
Israel thy laws. They shall put cense before thy nose and whole
sacrifices upon thine altar. Bless LORD their power and accept the
works of their hands: smite the backs of them that rise against
them and of them that hate them: that they rise not again. Unto
Ben Iamin he said: The LORD's darling shall dwell in safety by him
and keep himself in the haven by him continually, and shall dwell
between his shoulders. And unto Ioseph he said: blessed of the
LORD is his land with the goodly fruits of heaven, with dew and
with springs that lie beneath: and with fruits of the increase of
the son and with ripe fruit of the months, and with the tops of
mountains that were from the beginning and with the dainties of
hills that last ever, and with goodly fruit of the earth and of
the fulness thereof. And the goodwill of him that dwelleth in the
bush shall come upon the head of Ioseph and upon the top of the
head of him that was separated from among his brethren, his beauty
is as a firstborn ox and his horns as the horns of an unicorn. And
with them he shall push the nations together, even unto the ends
of the world. These are the many thousands of Ephraim and the
thousands of Manasse. And unto Zabulon he said: Rejoice Zabulon in
thy going out, and thou Isachar in thy tents. They shall call the
people unto the hill, and there they shall offer offerings of
righteousness. For they shall suck of the abundance of the sea and
of treasure hid in the sand. And unto Gad he said: blessed is the
rowmmaker Gad. He dwelleth as a lion and caught the arm and also
the top of the head. He saw his beginning, that a part of the
teachers were {teacher was} hid there and come with the heads of
the people, and executed the righteousness of the LORD and his
judgements with Israel. And unto Dan he said: Dan is a lion's
whelp, he shall flow from Basan. And unto Nephthali, he said:
Nephthali he shall have abundance of pleasure and shall be filled
with the blessing of the LORD and shall have his possessions in
the southwest. And of Asser he said: Asser shall be blessed with
children: he shall be acceptable unto his brethren and shall dip
his foot in oil: Iron and brass shall hang on thy shoes and thine
age shall be as thy youth. There is none like unto the God of thee
of Israel: he that sitteth upon heaven shall be thine help, whose
glory is in the clouds, that is the dwelling place of God from the
beginning and from under the arms of the world: he hath cast out
thine enemies before thee and said: destroy. And Israel shall
dwell in safety alone. And the eyes of Iacob shall look upon a
land of corn and wine, moreover his heaven shall drop with dew.
Happy art thou Israel, who is like unto thee? A people that art
saved by the LORD thy shield and helper and sword of thy glory.
And thine enemies shall hide them selves from thee, and thou shalt
walk upon their high hills.
Chapter .xxxiiij.
And Moses went from the fields of Moab up into mount Nebo which is
the top of Pisga, that is over against Iericho. And the LORD
shewed him all the land of Gilead even unto Dan, and all Naphthali
and the land of Ephraim and Manasse, and all the land of Iuda:
even unto the utmost sea, and the south and the region of the
plain of Iericho the city of datetrees {palm trees} even unto
Zoar. And the LORD said unto him. This is the land which I sware
unto Abraham, Isaac and Iacob saying: I will give it unto thy
seed. I have shewed it thee before thine eyes: but thou shalt not
go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in
the land of Moab at the commandment of the LORD. And he buried him
in a valley in the land of Moab beside Beth Peor: but no man wist
of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and
twenty years old when he died, and yet his eyes were not dim nor
his cheeks abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in
the fields of Moab thirty days. And the days of weeping and
mourning for Moses were ended. And Iosua the son of Nun was full
of the spirit of wisdom: for Moses had put his hand upon him. And
all the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD
commanded Moses. But there arose not a prophet since in Israel
like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the
miracles and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of
Egypt, unto Pharao and all his servants and unto all his land: and
in all the mighty deeds and great terrible things which Moses did
in the sight of all Israel.
The end of the fifth book of Moses.
The New
Testament first translated into English from the original tongue
by William Tyndale: printed partially in 1525, and completly in 1526.
The text
of Matthew is from the Cologne quarto (1525) fragment; til Chapter 22:
"The
king came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a
wedding garment, and said unto him: friend, how camest thou in hither,
and"
The rest
of the New Testament is from the Worms octavo edition of 1526; Also with some
few variants [in] {brackets} from W.T. 1534 edition.
{Editor's
notes at bottom.}
CONTENTS TO GO STRAIGHT TO
The Prologue from the Cologne quarto 1525
The Preface of the Worms octavo edition of 1526
The Books contained in The New Testament :
1
The Gospel of Iesu the Messiah according to S. Mathew
2 The Gospel of Iesu the Christ according to S. Mark
3 The Gospel of Iesus the Christ of God according to S. Luke
4 The Gospel of Iesus the Saviour according to S. John
6 The Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans
7 The First Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians
8 The Second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians
9 The Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians
10 The Epistle of S. Paul to the Ephesians
11 The Epistle of S. Paul to the Philippians
12 The Epistle of S. Paul to the Colossians
13 The first Epistle of S. Paul to the Thessalonians
14 The second Epistle of S. Paul to the Thessalonians
15 The first Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy
16 The second Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy
17 The Epistle of S. Paul to Titus
18 The Epistle of S. Paul unto Philemon
19 The first Epistle of S. Peter
20 The second Epistle of S. Peter
21 The first Epistle of S. John
22 The second Epistle of S. John
23 The third Epistle of S. John
24 The Pistel unto the Hebrews
27 The Revelation of the Lord to John
.I. About the translation and the translator
.IIJ. Importance of the Archaic word
.IIIJ. A list of other interesting notes and definitions
.V. Some revised definitions from Webster's dictionary
(Proloque from the Cologne quarto 1525.)
The Prologue.
I have here translated (brethren and
sisters most dear and tenderly beloved in Christ) the new Testament for your
spiritual edifying, consolation and solace: Exhorting instantly and beseeching
those that are better seen in the tongues than I, and that have higher gifts of
grace to interpret the sense of the Scripture, and meaning of the Spirit, than
I, to consider and ponder my labor, and that with the spirit of meekness. And
if they perceive in any places that I have not attained the very sense of the
tongue, or meaning of the Scripture, or have not given the right English word,
that they put to their hands to amend it, remembering that so is their duty to
do. For we have not received the gifts of God for ourselves only, or for to
hide them; but for to bestow them unto the honoring of God and Christ, and
edifying of the congregation, which is the body of Christ.
The causes that moved me to translate, I
thought better that others should imagine, then that I should rehearse
them. Moreover I supposed it
superfluous, for who is so blind tare why light should be shewed to them that
walk in darkness, where they cannot but stumble, and where to stumble is the
danger of eternal damnation, other so despiteful that he would envy any man (I
speak not his brother) so necessary a thing, or so bedlam made to affirm that
good is the natural cause of blindness, and deafness to proceed out of sight,
and that lying should be grounded in troth and verity, and not rather seen
contrary, that light destroyeth darkness, and verity reproveth all manner
saying.
After it had pleased God to put in my mind,
and also to give me grace to translate this fore rehearsed new testament into
our English tongue, howsoever we have done it. I supposed it very necessary to
put you in remembrance of certain points, which are: that ye well understand
what these words mean:
The old testament.
The new testament.
The law.
The
gospell.
Moses.
Christ.
Nature.
Grace.
Worshipping and believing.
Deeds and faith;
Lest we ascribe, to the one that which belongeth to the other, and make of Christ
Moses, of the gospell the Law, despise grace and rob faith: and fall from meek
learning unto idle despicions, brawling
and scolding about words.
((The old testament.))
The old testament is a base, where in is
written the law and commandments of God, and the deeds of them which fulfill
them, and of them also which fulfilleth them not.
((The new testament))
The new testament is a base where in are
contained the promises of God, and the deeds of them which believe them or
believe them not.
((The gospell or evangelion))
Evangelion (that we call the gospell) is a
Greek word; and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a
man's heart glad, and maketh him sing, dance, and leap for joy. As when David
had killed Goliah the giant, came glad tidings unto the jewes, that their
fearful and cruel enemy was slain, and they delivered out of all danger: for
gladness whereof, they sung, danced, and were joyful. In like manner is the
Evangelion of God (which we call Gospel; and the New Testament) joyful tidings;
and as some say, a good hearing published by the apostles throughout all the
world, of Christ the right David how that he hath fought with sin, with death,
and the devil, and overcome them. Whereby all men that were in bondage to sin,
wounded with death, overcome of the devil, are with out their own merits or
deservings, loosed, justified, restored to life, and saved, brought to liberty,
and reconciled unto the favour of God, and set at one with him again: which
tidings as many as believe, laud praise and thank God; are glad, sing and dance
for joy.
((with evangelion is called a
testament))
This evangelion or gospell (that is to say,
such joyful tidings) is called the new testament. Because that as a man when he
shall die appointeth his goods to be dealt and distributed after his death
among them which he nameth to be his heirs. Even so Christ before his death
commanded and appointed that such evangelion, gospell, or tidings should be
declared through out all the world, and there with to give unto all that
believe all his goods, that is to say, his life, where with he swallowed and
devoured up death: his righteousness, where with he banished sin: his
salvation, where with he overcame eternal damnation. Now can the wretched man (that is wrapped in
sin, and is in danger to death and hell) hear no more joyous a thing, then such
glad and comfortable tidings, of Christ.
So that he cannot but be glad and laugh from the low bottom of his
heart, if he believe that the tidings are true.
To strength such faith with all, God
promised this his evaglion in the old testament by the prophets (as Paul sayth
in the first chapter unto the romans). How that he was chosen out to preach
God's evangelion, which he before had promised by the prophets in the holy
scriptures that treat of his son which was born of the seed of David. In the third chapter of Genesis, God saith to
the serpent: I will put hatred between thee and the woman, between thy seed and
her seed, that self seed shall tread thy head under foot. Christ is this
woman's seed, he it is that hath trodden under foot the devil's seed, that is
to say sin, death, hell, and all his power. For with out this seed can no man
avoid sin, death, hell and everlasting damnation.
Again Gen. xxij. God promised Abraham
saying: by thy seed shall all the generations of the earth be blessed. Christ
is that seed of Abraham sayth saint Paul in the third to the Galathyans: He
hast blessed all the world through the gospell.
For where Christ is not, there remaineth the curse that fell on Adam as
soon as he had sinned; So that they are in bondage under the domination of sin,
death, and hell. Against this curse
blesseth now the gospell all the world, in as much as it crieth openly, who so
ever believeth on the seed of Abraham shall be blessed, that is, he shall be
delivered from sin, death and hell, and shall hence forth continue righteous,
living, and saved for ever, as Christ him self saith (in the xi. of Ihon) He
that believeth on me shall never more die.
The law (saith the gospell of Ihon in the
first chapter) was given by Moses: but grace and verity by Iesus Christ. The
law (whose mnistrer is Moses) was given to bring us unto the knowledge of our
selves, that we might there by feel and perceive what we are of nature. The law
condemneth us and all our deeds, and is called of Paul (in the third chap. Of
the second pistel unto the Corrinthians) the ministration of death. For it
killeth our consciences and driveth us to desperation, in as much as it
requireth of us that which is unpossible for us to do. It requireth of us the
death of an whole, man. It requireth
perfect love from the low bottom and ground of the heart, as well in all things
which we suffer, as in those things which we do. But saith Ihon (in the same
place) grace and verity is given us in Christ. So that when the law hath passed
upon us, and condemned us to death (which is his nature to do) then have we in
Christ grace, that is to say favour, promises of life, of mercy, of pardon
freely by the merits of Christ, and in Christ have we verity and troth, in that
God fulfilleth all his promises to them that believe. Therefore is the gospell
the ministration of life. Paul calleth it, in the fore rehearsed place of the
second chap. To the Cor. The ministration of the spirit, and of righteousness.
In the gospell when we believe the promises, we receive the spirit of life, and
are justified in the blood of Christ from all things where of the law condemned
us. Of Christ it is written in the fore rehearsed first chapter of Ihon: This
is he of whose abundance, or fullness, all we have received, grace for grace,
or favour for favour. That is to say, for the favour that God hath to his son
Christ, he giveth unto us his favour, and good will, as a father to his sons. As
affirmeth Paul saying: which loved us in his beloved before the creation of the
world. For the love that God hath to Christ, he loveth us, and not for our own
faith. Christ is made lord over all, and is called in scripture God's mercy foretold whosoever flyeth to Christ, can
neither bear nor receive of God any other thing save mercy.
In the old testament are many promises,
which are nothing else but the evangelion or gospell, to save those that
believed them, from the vengeance of the law. And in the new testament is oft
made mention of the law, to condemn them, which believe not the promises.
Moreover the law and gospell may never be separate: for the gospell and
promises serve but for troubled consciences which are brought to desperation
and feel the pains of hell and death under the law, and are in captivity and
bondage under the law. In all my deeds I must have the law before me to condemn
mine unperfections. For all that I do (be I never so perfect) is yet damnable
sin, when it is compared to the law, which requireth the ground and bottom of
mine heart. I must therefore have always the law in my sight, that I may be
meek in the spirit, and give God all the laud and praise, ascribing to him all
righteousness, and to my self all unrigteousness and sin. I must also have the
promises before mine eyes, that I despair not, in which promises I see the
mercy, favour, and good will of God upon me in the blood of his son Christ,
which hath made satisfaction for mine unperfections, and fulfilled from me,
that which I could not do.
Here may ye perceive that two manner of
people are sore deceived. First they which justify them self with outward
deeds, in that they abstain outwardly from that which the law forbiddeth, and
do outwardly that which the law commandeth. They compare them selves to open
sinners and in respect of them justify them selves condemning the open sinners.
They see not how the law requireth love from the bottom of the heart. If they
did they would not condemn their neighbours. Love hideth the multitude of sins,
saith Saynct Peter in his first pistel. For whom I love from the deep bottom
and ground of mine heart, him condemn I not, neither reckon his sins, but
suffer his weakness and infirmity, as a mother the weakness of her son, until
he grow up in to a perfect man.
Those also are deceived which with out all
fear of God give them selves unto all manner vices with full consent, and full
delectation, having no respect to the law of God (under whose vengeance they
are locked up in captivity) but say: god is merciful and christ died for us,
supposing that such dreaming and imagination is that faith which is so greatly
commended in holy scripture. Nay that is not faith, but rather a foolish
opinion springing of their own nature, and is not given them of the spirit of
God. True faith is (as saith the apostle Paul) the gift of God and is given to
sinners after the law hath passed upon them and hath brought their consciences
unto the brim of desperation, and sorrows of hell.
They that have this right faith, consent to
the law that it is righteous and good, and justify God which made the law, and
have delectation in the law (not with stonding that they can not fulfill it,
for their weakness) and they abhor what soever the law forbiddeth, though they
cannot avoid it. And their great sorrow is, because they cannot fulfill the
will of God in the law, and the spirit that is in them crieth to God night and
day for strength and help with tears (as saith Paul) that cannot be expressed
with tongue.
((A justiciary))
The first, that is to say a justiciary,
which justifieth him self with his outward deeds, cosenteth not to the law in
ward, neither hath delectation therein, yee, he would rather that no such law
were. So justifieth he not God, but hateth him as a tyrant, neither careth he
for the promises, but will with his own strength be favour of him self: no wise
glorifieth he God, though he seem outward to do.
((A sensual man))
The second, that is to say the sensual
person, as a voluptuous swine, neither feareth God in his law, neither is
thankful to him for his promises and mercy, which is set forth in Christ to all
them that believe.
((A Christen man.))
The right Christen man consenteth to the
law that it is righteous, and justifieth God in the law, for he affirmeth that
God is righteous and just, which is author of the law, he believeth the
promises of God, and so justifieth God, judging him true and believing that he
will fulfill his promises. With the law he condemneth him self and all his
deeds, and giveth all the praise to God. He believeth the promises, and
ascribeth all troth to god, thus every where justifieth he God, and praiseth
God.
((Nature.))
By nature through the fall of Adam, are we
the children of wrath, heirs of the vengeance of God by birth, yee and from our
conception, we have our fellowship with the damned devils under the power of
darkness and rule of satan, while we are yet in our mother's wombs, though we
shew not forth the fruits of sin, yet are we full of the natural poison where
of all sinful deeds spring, and cannot but sin outwards (be we never so young)
if occasion be given, for our nature is to do sin, as is the nature of a
serpent to sting. And as a serpent yet young, or yet un-brought forth is full
of poison, and cannot afterward (when the time is come and occasion given) but
bring forth the fruits there of. And as an edder, a toad, or a snake is hated
of man, (not for the evil that it hath done, but for the poison that is in it
and hurt which it cannot but do) So are we hated of God for that natural poison
which is conceived and born with us, before we do any outward evil. And as the
evil, which a venomous worm doeth, maketh it not a serpent: but be cause it is
a venomous worm. Therefore doeth it evil and poisoneth. And as the fruit maketh
not the tree evil: but because it is an evil tree, therefore bringeth it forth
evil furit, when the season of fruit is. Even so do not our evil deeds make us
evil: but because that of nature we are evil, therefore we both think and do
evil, and are under vengeance, under the law, convicted to eternal damnation by
the law, and are contrary to the will of God in all our will, and in all things
consent to the will of the land.
By grace (that is to say by favour) we are
plucked out of Adam the ground of all evil, and grafted in Christ the root of
all goodness. In Christ God loved us his elect and chosen, before the world
began, and referred us unto the knowledge of his son and of his holy gospell,
and when the gospell is preached to us he openeth our hearts, and giveth us
grace to believe and putteth the spirit of Christ in us, and we know him as our
father most merciful, and consent to the law, and love it inwardly in our
heart, and desire to fulfill it, and sorrow because we cannot, which will (sin
we of frailty never so much) is sufficient till more strength be given us, the
blood of Christ hath made satisfaction for the rest: the blood of Christ hath
obtained all things for us of God. Christ is our satisfaction, redeemer,
deliverer, saviour from vengeance and wrath. Observe and mark in the pistels of
Paul, and Peter, and the gospell and pistels of Ihon what Christ is unto us.
((faith, love, works))
By faith are we never with out love and
good works, yet is our saving imputed neither to love nor unto good works, but
unto faith only. For love and works are under the law which requireth
perfection, and the ground and fountain of the heart, and damneth all
imperfections. Now is faith under the promises, which damn not: but give all
grace, mercy and favour, and whatsoever is contained in the promises.
((Righteousness other wise justifying
or justice))
Righteousness is divers; Blind reason
imagineth many matter of righteousnesses. As the just ministration of all
manner of laws, and the observing of them, and moral virtues were in
philosophers put their felicity and blessedness, which all are nothing in the
sight of God. There is in like manner the justifying of ceremonies, some
imagine them their own selves, some counterfeit other, saying in their blind
reason: such holy persons did thus and thus, and they were holy men, therefore
if I do so like wise I shall please God: but they have none answer of God, that
that pleaseth. The jewes seek righteousness in their ceremonies which God gave
unto them, not for to justify: but to describe and paint Christ unto them, of
which jewes testifieth Paul saying how that they have affection to God: but not
after knowledge, for they go about to stablish their own justice, and are not
obedient to the justice or righteousness that cometh of God. The cause is
verily, that except a man cast away his own imagination and reason, he cannot
perceive God, and understand the virtue and power of the blood of Christ. There
is the righteousness of works (as I said before) when the heart is away, they
feel not how the law is spiritual and cannot be fulfilled, but from the bottom
of the heart. There is a full righteousness, when the law is fulfilled from the
ground of the heart. This had neither Peter nor Paul in this life perfectly:
but sighed after it. They were so far forth blessed in Christ, that they
hungered and thirsted after it. Paul had this thirst, he consented to the law
of God, that it ought so to be, but he found an other lust in his members
contrary to the lust and desire of his mind, and therefore cried out saying: Oh
wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me from this body of death, thanks be
to God thorow Iesus Christ. The righteousness that before God is of value, is
to believe the promises of God, after the law hath confounded the conscience.
As when the temporal law oft times condemneth the thief or murderer and
bringeth him to execution, so that he saith nothing before him but present
death, and then cometh good tidings, a charter from the King and delivereth
him. Likewise when God's law hath brought the sinner into knowledge of him
self, and hath confounded his conscience, and opened unto him the wrath and
vengeance of God, then cometh good tidings, the Evangelion sheweth unto him the
promises of God in Christ, and how that Christ hath purchased pardon for him
hath satisfied the law for him, and appeased the wrath of God, and the poor
sinner believeth, laudeth and thanketh God, thorow Christ, and breaketh out
into exceeding inward joy and gladness, for that he hath escaped so great wrath,
so heavy vengeance, so fearful and so everlasting a death, and he hence forth
is an hungered, and at thirst after more righteousness, that he might fulfill
the law, and mourneth continually commending his weakness unto God in the blood
of our saviour Christ Iesus.
Here shall ye see compendiously and
plainly set out
the order and practice of every thing
afore rehearsed.
(Adam bringeth us to bondage.)
The fall of Adam hath made us heirs of the
vengeance and wrath of God, and heirs of eternal damnation; And hath brought us
into captivity and bondage under the devil; And the devil is our lord, and our
ruler, our head, our governor, our prince, yee and our god. And our will is
locked and knit faster unto the will of the devils, then cond an hundred
thousand chains bind a man unto a post. Unto the devils' will consent we, with
all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our might, power, strength, will
and lust. With what poisoned, deadly, and venomous hate, hateth a man his
enemy; With how great malice of mind inwardly do we slay and murder; With what
violence and rage, ye and with how fervent lust commit we advoutry,
fornication, and such like uncleanness: with what pleasure and delectation
inwardly serveth a glutton his belly; With what diligence deceive we; How
busily seek we things of the world; Whatsoever we do, think, or imagine, is
abominable in the sight of God. And we are as it were asleep in so deep
blindness, that we can neither see, nor feel in what misery, thralldom, and
wretchedness we are in, till Moses come and wake us, and publish he the law.
When we hear the law truly preached, how that we ought to love and honour God
with all our strength and might, from the low bottom of the heart: and our
neighbours (yee our enemies.) as our selves inwardly from the ground of the
heart, and to do whatsoever God biddeth, and abstain from whatsoever God forbiddeth,
with all love and meekness, with a fervent and a burning lust, from the center
of the heart, then beginneth the conscience to rage against the law, and
against God; No less (be it never so great a tempest) is so unquiet. It is not
possible for a natural man to consent to the law, that it should be good, or
that God should be righteous, which maketh the law. Man's wit, reason, and
will, are so fast glued, yee nailed and chained unto the will of the devil.
Neither can any creature lowse the bonds, save the blood of Christ.
(( Christ letteth us at liberty
))
This is the captivity and bondage whence
Christ delivered us, redeemed, and lowsed us. His blood, his death, his
patience, in suffering rebukes and wrongs, his prayers and fastings, his
meekness and fulfilling of the utmost point of the law, appeased the wrath of
God, brought the favor of God to us again, obtained that God should love us
first, and be our father, and that a merciful father, that will consider our
infirmities and weakness, and will give us his spirit again (which was taken
away in the fall of Adam) to rule govern and strength us, and to break the
bonds of Satan, where in we were so strait bound.
((The evangleion bringeth faith,
faith bringeth love: love worketh))
When
Christis thus wise preached, and the promises rehearsed, which are contained in
the prophets, in the psalms, and in divers places of the five books of Moses:
then the hearts of them which are elect and chosen, begin to meek soft, and to
melt at the bounteous mercy of God, and kindness shewed of Christ. For when the
evangelion is preached, the spirit of God entereth in to them which God hath
ordained and appointed unto eternal life, and openeth there inward eyes, and
worketh such belief in them.
When the
wofull consciences feel and taste how sweet a thing the bitter death of Christ
is, and how merciful and loving God is through Christ's purchasing and merits;
They begin to love again, and to consent to the law of God, how that it is
good, and ought so to be, and that God is righteous which made it; And desire
to fulfill the law, even as a sick man desireth to be whole, and are
anhungered, and athirst after more righteousness, and after more strength, to
fulfill the law more perfectly. And in all that they do, or omit and leave
undone, they seek God's honour, and his will with meekness, ever condemning the
unperfectness of their deeds by the law.
((Christ bringeth all goodness
freely, and giveth an ensample how to be stow in godly.))
Now Christ stondeth us in double sted, and
serveth us two manner ways. First he is our redeemer, deliverer, reconciler,
mediator, intercessor, advocate, attorney, solicitor, our hope, comfort,
shield, protection, defender, strength, health, satisfaction, and salvation.
His blood, his death, all that he ever did, is ours. And Christ him self, with
all that he is or can do, is ours. His blood sheding and all that he did, doeth
me as good service, as though I my self had done it. And God (as great as he
is) is mine with all that he hath, thorow Christ and his purchasing.
Secondarily after that we be overcome with
love and kindness, and now seek to do the will of God (which is a christen
man's nature) Then have we Christe an ensample to counterfeit, as saith Christ
him self in Ihon: I have given you an ensample. And in an other evangelist, he
saith; He that will be great among you shall be your servant and minister, as
the son of man came to minister and not to be ministered onto.
((Faith receiveth of God, and love
bestoweth the same on his neighbour.))
And Paul
saith: Counterfeit Christ. And Peter saith: Christ died for you, and left you
an ensample to follow his steps. Whatsoever therefore faith hath received of
God thorow Christ's blood and deserving, that same must love shed out
everywhere, and bestow it on our neighbours unto their profit, yee and that
though they be our enemies. By faith we receive of God, and by love we shed out
again. And that must we do freely after the ensample of Christ with out any
other respect, save our neighbour's wealth only, and neither look for reward in
earth, nor yet in heaven for our deeds: but of pure love must we bestow
ourselves, all that we have, and all that we are able to do, even on our
enemies to bring them to God, considering nothing but their wealth, as Christ
did ours.
((A true christyn man believeth that
heaven is his already by Christ's purchasing,
And therefore loveth, and worketh, to honour
God only, and to draw all things to God.))
Christ
did not his deeds to obtain heaven thereby (that had been a madness) heaven was
his already, he was heir thereof, it was his by inheritance: but did them
freely for our sakes, considering no thing but our wealth, and to bring the favour
of God to us again, and us to God. As no natural son that is his father's heir,
doeth his father's will because he would be heir, that he is already by birth:
his father gave him that yer he was born, and is lothther that he should go
with out it, then he himself hath wit to be: but of pure love doeth he that he
doeth. And ask him why he doeth any thing that he doeth, he answereth: my
father bade, it is my father's will, it pleaseth my father. Bond servants work
for hire, Children for love. For their father with all he hath, is theirs
already. So doeth a christen man freely all that he doeth, considereth nothing
but the will of God, and his neighbour's wealth only. If I live chaste, I do it
not to obtain heaven thereby. For then should I do wrong to the blood of
Christ: Christ's blood hath obtained me that, Christ's merits have made me heir
thereof. He is both door and way thither wards. Neither that I look for an heir
room in heaven, then they shall have which live in wedlock, other then a hoar
of the stews (if she repent) for that were the pride of lucifer: But freely to
wait on the evangelion, and to serve my brother with all, even as one hand
helpeth another, or one member another, because one feeleth another's grief,
and the pain of the one is the pain of the other. Whatsoever is done to the
least of us (whether it be good or bad) it is done to Christ. And whatsoever is
done to my brother (if I be a christen man) that same is done to me: neither
doeth my brother's pain grieve me less then mine own. If it were not so: how
saith Paul: let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord: that is to say Christ,
which is lord over all creatures. If my merits obtained me heaven, or an higher
room there, then had I where in I might rejoice besides the Lord.
((To bynd and lowse.))
Here see ye the nature of the law, and the
nature of the evangelion. How the Law bindeth and damneth all men, and the
Evangelion lowseth them again. The law goeth before, and the evangelion
followeth. When a preacher preacheth the Law, he bindeth all consciences, and
when he preacheth the Gospell, he loveth them again. These two salves (I mean
the Law and the Gospell) useth God and his preacher to heal and cure sinners
withall. The law driveth out the disease, and maketh it appear, and is a sharp
salve, and a fretting coursey, and killeth the deed fleshly, and lowseth and
draweth the sores out by the roots, and all corruption. It pulleth from a man
the trust and confidence that he hath in him self, and in his own works, merits,
deservings and ceremonies. It killeth him, sendeth him down to hell, and
bringeth him to utter desperation, and prepareth the way of the lord, as it is
written of Ihon the Baptist: for it is not possible that Christ should come to
a man, as long as he trusteth in him self, or in any worldly thing. Then cometh
the Evengelion, a more gentle plaster, which sowpleth, and swageth the wounds
of the conscience, and bringeth health. It bringeth the spirit of God, which
lowseth the honds of satan, and coupleth us to God and his will thorow strong faith and fervent love, with bonds too strong for the devil, the world,
or any creature to lowse them.
((A christen man feeleth the working of
the holy ghost in his soul:
and in all tribulations and adversities
fealeth God a merciful father and a loving.))
And the
poor and wretched sinner feeleth so great mercy, love, and kindness in God,
that he is sure in him self how that it is not possible that God should forsake
him, or withdraw his mercy and love from him. And boldly crieth out with Paul
saying: Who shall separate us from the love that God loveth us withall? That is
to say: what shall make me believe that God loveth me not? Shall tribulation?
Anguish? Persecution? Shall hunger? Nakedness? Shall a sword? Nay, I am sure
that neither death, nor life, neither angel, neither rule, nor power, neither
present things, nor things to come, neither high nor low, neither any creature
able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesu our lord. In
all such tribulations a Christen man perceiveth that God is his father, and
loveth him, even as he loved Christ when he shed his blood on the cross.
Finally, as before, when I was bond to the devil and his will, I wrought all
manner evil and wickedness, not for hell's sake which is there ward of sin, but
be cause I was heir of hell by birth and bondage to the devil, did I evil. For
I would none other ways do; to do sin was my nature. Even so now since I am
coupled to God by Christ's blood, do I well, not for heaven's sake: but be
cause I am heir of Heaven by grace and Christ's purchasing, and have the spirit
of God, I do good freely, for so is my nature. As a good tree bringeth forth
good fruit, and an evil tree evil fruit. By the fruits shall ye know what the
tree is: a man's deeds declare what he is within but make him neither good nor
bad &c. We must be first evil yer we do evil, as a serpent is first poisoned yer
he poison. We must be also good yer we do good yer we do good, as the fire must
be first hot yer it warm any thing. Take an ensample. As those blind which are
cured in the evangelion, could not see till Christ had given them sight; And
deaf could not hear, till Christ had given them hearing; And those sick could
not do the deeds of an whole man, till Christ had given them health: So can no
man do good in his soul, till Christ have lowsed him out of the bonds of satan,
and have given him where with to do good, yee and first have poured into him
that self good thing which he sheddeth forth afterward on other. Whatsoever is
our own is sin. Whatsoever is above that, is Christ's gift, purchase, doing,
and working. He bought it of his father derely with his blood, yee with his
most bitter death and gave his life for it. Whatsoever good thing is in us,
that is given us freely with out our deserving or merits for Christ's blood's
sake. That we desire to follow the will of God, it is the gift of Christ's
blood. That we now hate the devil's will (where unto we were so fast locked,
and could not but love it) is also the gift of Christ's blood, unto whom
belongeth the praise and honour of our good deeds, and not unto us.
(Preface of the Worms octavo edition of 1526.)
To the
Reader.
Give diligence, reader (I exhort thee) that
thou come with a pure mind, and, as the Scripture saith, with a single eye,
unto the words of health and of eternal life, by the which (if we repent and
believe them) we are born anew, created afresh, and enjoy the fruits of the
blood of Christ. Which blood crieth not for vengeance, as the blood of Abel,
but hath purchased life, love, favor, grace, blessing, and whatsoever is
promised in the Scriptures, to them that believe and obey God, and standeth between
us and wrath, vengeance, curse, and whatsoever the Scripture threateneth
against the unbelievers and disobedient, which resist, and consent not in their
hearts to the law of God, that it is right, holy, just, and ought so to be.
Mark the plain and manifest places of the
Scriptures, and in doubtful places see thou add no interpretation contrary to
them; but (as Paul saith) let all be conformable and agreeing to the faith.
Note the difference of the Law and of the
Gospell. The one asketh and requireth, the other pardoneth and forgiveth. The
one threateneth, the other promiseth all good things to them that set their
trust in Christ only. The gospel signifieth glad tidings, and is nothing but
the promises of good things. All is not gospel that is written in the gospel
book: for if the law were away, thou couldest not know what the gospel meant,
even as thou couldest not see pardon, favor, and grace except the law rebuked
thee, and declared unto thee thy sin, misdeed, and trespass.
Repent and believe the gospel, as saith
Christ in the first of Mark. Apply alway the Law to thy deeds, whether thou
find lust (1) in the bottom of thine heart to the law-ward, and so shalt thou
no doubt repent, and feel in thyself a certain sorrow, pain, and grief to thine
heart, because thou canst not with full lust do the deeds of the law. Apply the
gospel that is to say the promises unto the deserving of Christ, and to the
mercy of God and his truth, and so shalt thou not despair, but shall feel God
as a kind and a merciful father. And his spirit shall dwell in thee, and shall
be strong in thee, and the promises shall be given thee at the last (though not
by and by, lest thou shouldest forget thyself, and be negligent) and all
threatenings shall be forgiven thee for Christ's blood's sake to whom commit
thyself altogether without respect either of thy good deeds or of thy bad.
Them that are learned Christianly I beseech
forasmuch as I am sure, and my conscience beareth me record, that of a pure
intent, singly and faithfully I have interpreted it, as far forth as God gave
me the gift of knowledge and understanding that the rudeness of the work now at
the first time offend them not, but that they consider how that I had no man to
counterfeit, neither was helped with English of any that had interpreted the
same or such like things in the Scripture beforetime. Moreover, even very
necessity and cumbrance (God is record) above strength which I will not
rehearse, lest we should seem to boast ourselves caused that many things are
lacking which necessarily are required. Count it as a thing not having his full
shape, but as it were born before his time, even as a thing begun rather than
finished. In time to come (if God have appointed us thereunto) we will give it
his full shape, and put out if aught be added superfluously, and add to if
aught be overseen through negligence, and will enforce to bring to
compendiousness that which is now translated at the length, and to give light
where it is required, and to seek in certain places more proper English, and
with a table to expound the words which are not commonly used and shew how the
Scripture useth many words which are otherwise understood of the common people,
and to help with a declaration where one tongue taketh not another; and will
endeavor ourselves, as it were, to seeth (2) it better, and to make it more apt
for the weak stomachs; desiring them that are learned and able, to remember
their duty, and to help thereunto, and to bestow unto the edifying of Christ's
body (which is the congregation of them that believe) those gifts which they
have received of God for the same purpose. The grace that cometh of Christ be
with them that love him. Pray for us.
(1)
"Lust" here is used in a good sense: eagerness to obey.
(2)
"Seeth" means "boil, cook."
THE NEW
TESTAMENT
as it was
written, and
caused to
be written,
by them
which he-
ard it.
To whom
also our
sa-
viour
Christ
Iesus
commanded
that
they
should pre-
ach it
unto all
creatures.
The Books Contained in
the new Testament
i The gospell of Saynct Mathew
ij The gospell of S. Marke
iij The gospell of S. Luke
iiij The gospell of S. Ihon
iv The acts of the apostles written by S. Luke
vj The epistel of S. Paul to the Romans
vij The first epistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians
viij The second epistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians
ix The pistel of S. Paul to the Galathians.
x The pistel of S. Paul to the Ephesians.
xj The pistel of S. Paul to the Philippians
xij The pistel of S. Paul to the Collossians
xiij The first pistel of S. Paul to the Tessalonians
xiiij The second pistel of S. Paul to the Tessalonians
xv The first pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
xvj The second pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
xvij The pistel of S. Paul to Titus
xviij The pistel of S. Paul unto Philemon
xix The first pistel of S. Peter
xx The second pistel of S. Peter
xxj The first pistel of S. Ihon
xxij The second pistel of S. Ihon
xxiij The third pistel of S. Ihon
The pistel unto the Ebrues
The pistle of S. Iames
The pistle of Iude
The revelation of Ihon.
The
gospell of Saynct Mathew
The first
Chapter.
This is the book of the generation of Iesus
Christ the son of David, the son also of Abraham.
Abraham begat Isaac:
Isaac
begat Iacob:
Iacob
begat Iudas and his brethren:
Iudas
begat Phares: and Zaram of Thamar:
Phares
begat Esrom:
Esrom
begat Aram:
Aram
begat Aminadab:
Aminadab
begat Naasson:
Naasson
begat Salmon:
Salmon begat
Boos of Rahab:
Boos
begat Obed of Ruth:
Obed
begat Iesse:
Iesse
begat David the king:
David the king begat Solomon, of her that
was the wife of Ury:
Solomon
begat Roboam:
Roboam
begat Abia:
Abia
begat Asa:
Asa begat
Iosaphat:
Iosaphat
begat Ioram:
Ioram
begat Osias:
Osias
begat Ioatham:
Ioatham
begat Athas:
Athas
begat Ezechias:
Ezechias
begat Manasses:
Manasses
begat Amon:
Amon
begat Iosias:
Iosias
begat Iechonias and his brethren about the time of the captivity of Babylon.
After they were led captive to Babylon,
Iechonias begat Salathiel:
Salathiel
begat Zorobabel:
Zorobabel
begat Abiud:
Abiud
begat Eliachim:
Eliachim
begat Azor:
Azor
begat Sadoc:
Sadoc
begat Achin:
Achin
begat Eliud:
Eliud begat
Eleasar:
Eleasar
begat Matthan:
Matthan
begat Iacob:
Iacob
begat Ioseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born that Iesus which is called
Christ.
All the generations from Abraham to David
are fourteen generations. And from David unto the captivity of Babylon, are
fourteen generations. And from the captivity of Babylon unto Christ, are also
fourteen generations.
The birth of Christ was on this wise, when
his mother Mary was married unto Ioseph, before they came to dwell together,
she was found with child by the holy ghost. Then her husband Ioseph being a
perfect man, and loth to defame her, was minded to put her away secretly. While
he thus thought, behold, the angel of the lord appeared unto him in sleep
saying: Ioseph the son of David, fear not to take unto thee, Mary thy wife. For
that which is conceived in her, is of the holy ghost. She shall bring forth a
son, and thou shalt call his name Iesus. For he shall save his people from
their sins.
All this was done to fulfil that which was
spoken of the lord, by the prophet saying: Behold a maid shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son, and they shalt call his name Emanuel, which is as
much to say, by interpretation, as God with us.
Ioseph as soon as he awoke out of sleep,
did as the angel of the lord bade him, and took his wife unto him, and knew her
not, till she had brought forth her first son, and called his name Iesus.
The
Second Chapter.
When Iesus was born in Bethlehem a town of
Iury, in the time of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Ierusalem saying: Where is he that is born king of the jewes? We have seen his
star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Herod the king, after he had heard this,
was troubled, and all Ierusalem with him, and he sent for all the chief priests
and scribes of the people, and demanded of them where Christ should be born.
They said unto him: in Bethlehem a town of Iury. For thus it is written by the
prophet: And thou Bethlehem in the land of Iury, shalt not be the least as
pertaining to the princes of Iuda. For out of thee shall come a captain, which
shall govern my people Israhel.
Then Herod privily called the wise men, and
diligently enquired of them, the time of the star that appeared. And sent them
to Bethlehem saying: when ye be come thither search diligently for the child.
And when ye have found him bring me word, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo the star which they saw in
the east went before them, until it came and stood over the place where the
child was. When they saw the star, they were marvellously glad. And entered
into the house, and found the child with Mary his mother, and kneeled down and
worshipped him, and opened their treasures, and offered unto him gifts, gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. And after they were warned in their sleep, that they
should not go again to Herod, they returned into their own country another way.
After that they were departed, lo the angel
of the lord appeared to Ioseph in his sleep saying: arise and take the child
and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and abide there till I bring thee word. For
Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Then he arose, and took the child and
his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and was there unto the death of
Herod, to fulfil that which was spoken of the lord, by the prophet, which
saith: out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then Herod perceiving that he was mocked of
the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the children
that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, as many as were two year
old and under, according to the time which he had diligently searched out of
the wise men.
Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken
by the prophet Ieremy, saying: On the hills was a voice heard, mourning,
weeping, and great lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not
be comforted, because they were not.
When Herod was dead, lo an angel of the
lord appeared unto Ioseph in Egypt saying: arise and take the child and his
mother, and go into the land of Israhel. For they are dead, which sought the
child's death. Then he arose up, and took the child and his mother, and came
into the land of Israhel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Iury,
in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither. Notwithstanding
after he was warned in his sleep, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee,
and went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, to fulfil, that which was spoken
by the prophets: He shall be called of Nazareth.
The third
Chapter.
In those days Ihon the Baptizer, came and
preached in the wilderness of Iury saying: repent, the kingdom of heaven is at
hand. This is he of whom it is spoken by the prophet Isay, which saith: The
voice of a crier in wilderness, prepare the lorde's way, and make his paths
straight.
This Ihon had his garment of camel's hair,
and a girdle of a skin about his loins. His meat was locusts and wild honey.
Then went out to him Ierusalem, and all Ieury, and all the region round about
Iordan, and were baptised of him in Iordan, knowledging their sins.
When he saw many of the pharisees and of
the Saduces come to his baptism, he said unto them: O generation of vipers, who
hath taught you to flee from the vengeance to come? bring forth therefore the
fruits belonging to repentance. And see that ye once think not to say in
yourselves, we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you, that God is able
of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. Even now is the axe put
unto the root of the trees: so that every tree which bringeth not forth, good
fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
I baptise you in water, in token of
repentance, but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I: whose shoes I am
not worthy to bear. He shall baptise you with the holy ghost, and with fire,
which hath also his fan in his hand, and will purge his flour, and gather the
wheat into his garner, and will burn the chaff with everlasting fire.
Then came Iesus from Galilee into Iordan to
Ihon, for to be baptised of him. But Ihon forbade him saying: I ought to be
baptised of thee: and comest thou too me? Iesus answered and said to him, let
it be so now. For thus it becometh us, to fulfil all righteousness. Then he
suffered him. And Iesus as soon as he was baptised, came straight out of the
water: And lo heaven was open unto him: and he saw the spirit of God descend
like a dove, and light upon him. And lo there came a voice from heaven saying:
this is that my dear son, in whom is my delight.
The
fourth Chapter.
Then was Iesus led away of the spirit in to
a desert, to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and
forty nights, at the last he was an hungered. Then came until him the tempter,
and said: if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
He answered and said: it is written, man shall not live only by bread, But by
every word that proceedeth out of the mought of God.
Then
the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the
temple, and said unto him: if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down. For it
is written, he shall give his angels charge over thee, and with their hands
they shall stey thee up, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone. Iesus
said to him, it is written also: thou shalt not tempt thy lord God.
The devil took him up again and led him
into an exceeding high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world,
and the beauty of them, and said unto him: all these will I give thee, if thou
wilt fall down and worship me. Then said Iesus unto him, avoid Satan. For it is
written, thou shalt worship thy lord God, and him only, shalt thou serve.
Then the devil left him, and lo the angels
came and ministered unto him.
When Iesus had heard that Ihon was taken,
he departed into Galilee, and left Nazareth, and went and dwelt in Capernaum,
which is a city upon the sea, in the coasts of Zabulon and Nephthalim, to
fulfil that which was spoken by Isay the prophet, saying: Behold the land of
Zabulon and Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond Iordan, Galilee of the
Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness, saw great light. And to them which
sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprong.
From that time Iesus began to preach, and
to say: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
As Iesus walked by the sea of Galilee, he
saw two brethren: Simon which was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting
a net into the sea (for they were fishers) and he said unto them, follow me,
and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and
followed him.
And he went forth from thence, and saw
other two brethren, Iames the son of Zebedee, and Ihon his brother in the ship,
with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and called them. And they
without tarrying left the ship and their father and followed him.
And Iesus went about all Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness, and all manner diseases among the people. And his fame
spread abroad throughout all Syria. And they brought unto him all sick people,
that were taken with divers diseases and gripings, and them that were possessed
with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy. And he
healed them. And there followed him a great number of people, from Galilee, and
from the ten cities, and from Ierusalem, and from Iury, and from the regions
that lie beyond Iordan.
The fifth
Chapter.
When he saw the people he went up into a
mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came to him, and he opened his
mouth, and taught them saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are
they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in
heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the maintainers of peace: for they
shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner
of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad, for great is
your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your
days.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but and if
the salt be once unsavory, what can be salted there with? It is thence forth
good for nothing, but to be cast out at the doors, and that men tread it under
feet. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill, cannot be
hid, neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick, and it lighteth all them which are in the house. See that your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
father which is in heaven.
Ye shall not think, that I am come to
disannul the law, other the prophets: no I am not come to disannul them, but to
fulfil them. For truly I say unto you, till heaven and earth perish, one iott,
or one tytle of the law shall not scape, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever breaketh one of these least
commandments, and teacheth men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom
of heaven. But whosoever shall observe and teach them, that person shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you except your
righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, ye cannot
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard how it was said unto them of
the old time: Thou shalt not kill. Whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of
judgement. But I say unto you, whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in
danger of judgement. Whosoever shall say unto his brother raca, shall be in
danger of a council. But whosoever say unto his brother thou fool, shall be in
danger of hell fire. Therefore when thou offerest thy gift at the altar, and
there rememberest that thy brother hath anything against thee: leave there
thine offering before the altar, and go thy way first and reconcile thyself to
thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Agree with thine adversary at once, whiles
thou art in the way with him, lest thine adversary deliver thee to the judge,
and the judge deliver thee to the minister, and then thou be cast into prison.
I say unto thee verily: thou shalt not come out thence till thou have paid the
utmost farthing.
Ye have heard how it was said to them of
old time, thou shalt not commit advoutry. But I say unto you, that whosoever
eyeth a wife, lusting after her, hath committed advoutry with her already in
his heart.
Wherefore if thy right eye offend thee,
pluck him out, and cast him from thee. Better it is for thee that one of thy
members perish than that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Also if thy
right hand offend thee, cut him off and cast him from thee. Better it is that
one of thy members perish, than that all thy body should, be cast into hell.
It is said, whosoever put away his wife,
let him give her a testimonial of her divorcement. But I say unto you:
whosoever put away his wife, (except it be for fornication) causeth her to
break matrimony. And whosoever marrieth her that is divorced, breaketh wedlock.
Again ye have heard, how it was said to
them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thine oath
to God. But I say unto you swear not at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's
seat: nor yet by the earth, for it is his footstool: Neither by Ierusalem, for
it is the city of that great king: neither shalt thou swear by thy head,
because thou canst not make one white hair, or black: But your communication
shall be, yea, yea: nay, nay. For whatsoever is more than that, cometh of evil.
Ye have heard how it is said, an eye for an
eye: a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, that ye withstand not wrong: But if
a man give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other. And if any
man will sue thee at the law, and take thy coat from thee, let him have thy
cloak also. And whosoever will compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh: and from him that would borrow turn not away.
Ye have heard how it is said: thou shalt
love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your
enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for
them which do you wrong, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your
heavenly father: for he maketh his sun to arise, on the evil, and on the good,
and sendeth his rain on the just and unjust. For if ye shall love them, which
love you: what reward shall ye have? Do not the publicans even so? And if ye be
friendly to your brethren only: what singular thing do ye? Do not the publicans
likewise? Ye shall therefore be perfect, even as your heavenly father is
perfect.
The sixth
Chapter.
Take heed to your alms. That ye give it not
in the sight of men, to the intent that ye would be seen of them. Or else ye
get no reward of your father in heaven. Whensoever therefore thou givest thine
alms, thou shalt not make a trumpet to be blown before thee, as the hypocrites
do in the synagogues, and in the streets, for to be praised of men. Verily I
say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest thine alms, let not
thy left hand know, what thy right hand doth, that thine alms may be secret,
and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as
the hypocrites are. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues, and in
the corners of the streets, because they would be seen of men. Verily I say
unto you, they have their reward. But when thou prayest, enter into thy
chamber, and shut thy door to thee, and pray to thy father which is in secret:
and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, babble not much, as the
gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard, for their much babbling's
sake. Be ye not like them therefore. For your father knoweth whereof ye have
need, before ye ask of him. After this manner therefore pray ye.
O our father, which art in heaven hallowed
be thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be fulfilled, as well in earth, as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, even as we forgive them which trespass us. Lead us not in to
temptation: but deliver us from evil, [For thine is the kingdom and the power,
and the glory for ever.] Amen. For and if ye shall forgive other men their
trespasses, your father in heaven shall also forgive you. But and ye will not forgive
men their trespasses, no more shall, your father forgive your trespasses.
Moreover when ye fast, be not sad as the
hypocrites are. For they disfigure their faces, that it might appear unto men
that they fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou when
thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face, that it appear not unto men
how that thou fastest: but unto thy father which is in secret: and thy father
which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Gather not treasure together on earth,
where rust and moths corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But
gather ye treasures together in heaven, where neither rust, nor yet moths
corrupt: and where thieves neither break up, nor yet steal. For wheresoever
your treasure is, there are your hearts also.
The light of the body is thine eye.
Wherefore if thine eye be single, all thy body is full of light. But and if
thine eye be wicked, then is all thy body full of darkness. Wherefore if the
light that is in thee, be darkness: how great is that darkness?
No man 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 that other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you,
be not careful for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet
for your body, what raiment ye shall wear. Is not the life more worth then
meat? and the body more of value then raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for
they sow not, neither reap, nor yet carry into the barns, and yet your heavenly
father feedeth them. Are ye not better than they?
Which of you (though he took thought
therefore) could put one cubit unto his stature? And why care ye then for
raiment? Behold the lilies of the field, how they grow. They labor not, neither
spin. And yet for all that I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his
royalty, was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore if God so clothe the
grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow shall be cast into the
furnace: shall he not much more do the same unto you, o ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought saying: what
shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? (After
all these things seek the gentiles) For your heavenly father knoweth that ye
have need of all these things. But rather seek ye first the kingdom of heaven,
and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be ministered unto
you. Care not therefore for the day folowing. For the day folowing shall care
for itself. Each days trouble is sufficient for the sameself day.
The .vij.
Chapter.
Judge not lest ye be judged. For as ye
judge, so shall ye be judged. And with what measure ye mete, with the same
shall it be measured to you again. Why seest thou a mote in thy brother's eye,
and perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or why sayest thou to thy
brother: suffer me to pluck out a mote out of thine eye, and behold a beam is
in thine own eye. Hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and
then shalt thou see clearly to pluck out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Give not that which is holy to dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they tread them under their
feet, and the other turn again and all to rent you.
Ask and it shall be given you: Seek and ye
shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. For whosoever asketh
receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be
opened. Is there any man among you which would proffer his son a stone if he
asked him bread? Or if he asked fish, would he proffer him a serpent? If ye
then which are evil, can give to your children good gifts: how much more shall
your father, which is in heaven, give good things, to them that ask of him?
Therefore whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, even so do ye to them. This is the law and the prophets.
Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction: and many there be,
which go in thereat. For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life: and few there be, that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to
you, in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns? Or figs of briars? Even
so every good tree, bringeth forth good fruit. But a corrupt tree, bringeth
forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth bad fruite: nor yet a bad tree
can bring forth good fruit. Every tree, that bringeth not forth good fruit,
shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall
know them. Not all they that say unto me, master, master, shall enter in to the
kingdom of heaven: But he that fulfilleth my father's will which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, master, master, have we not in thy name
prophesied? and in thy name have we not cast out devils? and in thy name have
we not done many miracles. And then will I knowledge unto them, that I never knew
them. Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.
Whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and
doeth the same, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house on a
rock: and abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that same house, and it was not overthrown because it was
grounded on the rock. And whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doth not
the same, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the
sand, and abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house, and it was overthrown, and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, that when Iesus had
ended these sayings, the people were astonied at his doctrine. For he taught them
as one having power, and not as the scribes.
The
.viij. Chapter.
When Iesus was come down from the mountain,
much people followed him. And lo, there came a leper, and worshipped him
saying: master, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. He put forth his hand
and touched him saying: I will, be clean, and immediately his leprosy was
cleansed. And Iesus said unto him. See thou tell no man, but go and shew
thyself to the priest and offer the gift, that Moses commanded to be offered in
witness to them.
When Iesus was entered into Capernaum,
there came unto him a certain Centurion, beseching him, and saying: master, my
servant lieth sick at home of the palsy, and is grievously pained. And Iesus
said unto him: I will come and cure him. The Centurion answered and said: Sir,
I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under the roof of my house, but speak
the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I also myself am a man under
power, and have soldiers under me, and I say to one, go, and he goeth: and to
another, come, and he cometh: and to my servant, do this, and he doeth it. When
Iesus heard these sayings: he marvelled, and said to them that followed him:
Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith: no, not in Israell. I
say therefore unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall
rest with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, in the kingdom of heaven: and the children
of the kingdom shall be cast out into the utmost darkness, there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then Iesus said unto the Centurion, go thy way,
and as thou believed so be it unto thee. And his servant was healed that same
hour.
And Iesus went to Peter's house, and saw
his wife's mother lying sick of a fever, and he touched her hand, and the fever
left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
When the even was come they brought unto
him many that were possessed with devils, and he cast out the spirits with a
word, and healed all that were sick, to fulfil that which was spoken by Esay the
prophet saying: he took on him our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
When Iesus saw much people about him, he
commanded to go over the water. And there came a scribe and said unto him:
master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Iesus said unto him:
the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of the
man hath not whereon to lay his head: Another that was one of his Disciples
said unto him: master suffer me first, to go and bury my father. But Iesus said
unto him: follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
And he entered into a ship, and his
Disciples followed him. And lo there arose a great storm in the sea, insomuch,
that the ship was hid with waves, and he was asleep. And his Disciples came
unto him, and awoke him, saying: master, save us, we perish. And he said unto
them: why are ye fearful, o ye endowed with little faith? Then he arose, and
rebuked the winds and the sea, and there followed a great calm. And men
marvelled and said: what man is this, that both winds and sea obey him?
And when he was come to the other side,
into the country of the Gergesites, there met him two possessed of devils,
which came out of the graves, and were out of measure fierce, so that no man
might go by that way. And lo they cried out saying: O Iesu the son of God, what
have we to do with thee? art thou come hither to torment us before the time be
come? There was a good way off from them a great herd of swine feeding. Then
the devils besought him saying: if thou cast us out, suffer us to go our way
into the herd of swine. And he said unto them: go your ways. Then went they
out, and departed into the herd of swine. And lo, all the herd of swine was
carried with violence headlong into the sea, and perished in the water. Then
the herdsmen, fled and went their ways into the city, and told everything, and
what had fortuned unto them that were possessed of the devils. And lo, all the
city came out, and met Iesus. And when they saw him they besought him, to
depart out of their coasts.
The .ix.
Chapter.
And he entered into a ship: and passed over
and came into his own city. And lo, they brought unto him a man sick of the
palsy, lying in his bed. And when Iesus saw their faith, he said to the sick of
the palsy: son be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. And lo certain of
the scribes said in themselves, he blasphemeth. And when Iesus saw their
thoughts, he said: wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Whether is easier to
say, thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say: arise and walk? That ye may know,
that the son of man hath power to forgive sins in earth, then said he unto the
sick of the palsy: arise, take up thy bed, and go home to thine house. And he
arose and departed to his house. The people that saw it, marvelled and
glorified God, which had given such power to men.
And as Iesus passed forth from thence he
saw a man sit at the receit of custom named Matthew, and said to him: follow
me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that Iesus sat at meat
in his house. And lo, many publicans and sinners, came and sat down also with
Iesus, and his disciples. When the pharisees had perceived that, they said unto
his disciples: why eateth your master with publicans and sinners? When Iesus
heard that, he said unto them: The whole need not the physician, but they that
are sick. Go and learn, what that meaneth: I have pleasure in mercy, and not in
offering. For I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to
repentance.
Then came the disciples of Ihon to him,
saying: why do we and the pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And
Iesus said unto them: can the wedding children mourn as long as the bridegroom
is with them? The time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them,
and then shall they fast. No man pieceth an old garment with a piece of new
cloth. For then taketh he away the piece again from the garment, and the rent
is made worse. Neither do men put new wine, into old vessels: for then the
vessels break, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels perish. But they pour
new wine into new vessels, and so are both saved together.
While he thus spake unto them, lo, there
came a certain ruler, and worshipped him saying: my daughter is dead already,
but come, and lay thy hand on her, and she shall live. And Iesus arose and
followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman which was diseased with
an issue of blood xij. years, came behind him and touched the hem of his
vesture. For she said in herself: If I may touch but even his vesture only I
shall be safe. Iesus turned him about, and beheld her, saying: daughter be of
good comfort, thy faith hath made thee safe. And she was made whole even that
same hour.
And when Iesus came into the ruler's house,
and saw the minstrels and the people wondering, he said unto them: Get you
hence, for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
As soon as the people were put forth adoors, he went in and took her by the
hand, and the maid arose. And this was noised throughout all that land.
And as Iesus departed thence, two blind men
followed him crying, and saying: O thou son of David, have mercy on us. And
when he was come into the house, the blind came to him. And Iesus said unto
them believe ye that I am able to do this? they said unto him yea master. Then
touched he their eyes saying: according to your faith, be it unto you. And
their eyes were opened. And he charged them, saying: see that no man know of
it. But they as soon as they were departed, spread abroad his name through out
all the land.
As they went out, behold, they brought to
him a dumb man possessed of a devil. And as soon as the devil was cast out, the
dumb spake. And the people marvelled, saying: it never so appeared in Israhel.
But the pharisees said: he casteth out devils, by the power of the chief devil.
And Iesus went about all cities and towns,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospell of the kingdom. And
healing all manner sickness and disease among the people. But when he saw the
people, he had pity on them, because they were pined away, and scattered abroad
even as sheep, having no shepherd. Then said he to his disciples: the harvest
is great, but the laborers are few. Wherefore pray the harvest lord, to send
forth laborers into his harvest.
The .x.
Chapter.
And he called his xij. disciples unto him,
and gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all
manner of sicknesses, and all manner of diseases.
The names of the xij. apostles are these.
The first Simon which is called Peter: and Andrew his brother. Iames the son of
Zebedee, and Ihon his brother. Philip and Bartholomew. Thomas and Matthew the
publican. Iames the son of Alphe and Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus. Simon
of Chane, and Iudas Iscariot, which also betrayed him.
These xij. sent Iesus, and commanded them
saying: Go not into the ways that lead to the gentiles, and in to the cities of
the samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of
Israhel. Go and preach saying: how the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the devils. Freely ye have
received, freely give again. Possess not gold, nor silver, neither brass in
your girdles, nor yet scrip towards your journey. Neither two coats, neither
shoes, nor yet a rod: for the workman is worthy to have his meat. Into
whatsoever city, or town ye shall come, enquire who is worthy in it, and there
abide till ye go thence.
And when ye come into an house greet the
same. And if the house be worthy, your peace shall come upon the same. But if
it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you again. And whosoever shall not
receive you, nor will hear your preaching, when ye depart out of that house, or
that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say unto you, it shall be
easier for the land of Sodom, and Gomorra, in the day of judgement, than for
that city.
Lo I send you forth, as sheep among wolves.
Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for
they shall deliver you up to the councils, and shall scourge you in their
synagogues. And ye shall be brought to the head rulers and kings for my sake,
in witness to them and to the gentiles.
But when they put you up take no thought,
how, or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you even in that same hour,
what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father
which speaketh in you. The brother shall betray the brother to death, and the
father the son. And the children shall arise against their fathers, and
mothers, and shall put them to death, and ye shall be hated of all men, for my
name. But whosoever shall continue unto the end, shall be saved.
When they persecute you in one city, fly
into another. I tell you for a truth, ye shall not finish all the cities of
Israhel, till the son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master: Nor
yet the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his master
is, and that the servant be as his lord is. If they have called the lord of the
house beelzebub: how much more shall they call them of his household so? Fear
them not therefore.
There is nothing so close, that shall not
be opened, and nothing so hid, that shall not be known.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye
in light. And what ye hear in the ear that preach ye on the house tops.
And fear ye not them which kill the body,
and be not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him, which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And none
of them doth light on the ground, without your father. And now are all the
hairs of your heads numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value, than
many sparrows.
Whosoever therefore knowledgeth me before
men, him will I knowledge before my father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in
heaven.
Think not, that I am come to send peace
into the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a
man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and
the daughter in law against her mother in law: And a man's foes shall be, they
of his own household.
He that loveth his father, or mother more
than me, is not worthy of me. And he that loveth his son, or daughter more than
me, is not meet for me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth me, is
not meet for me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that loseth
his life for my sake, shall find it.
He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he
that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in
the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward. And he that receiveth
a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive the reward of a
righteous man. And whosoever shall give unto one of these little ones to, drink
a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple: I tell you of a truth, he
shall not lose his reward.
The .xj.
Chapter.
And it came to pass when Iesus had ended
his precepts unto his disciples, he departed thence, to preach and teach in
their cities.
When Ihon being in prison heard the works
of christ, he sent two of his disciples and said unto him. Art thou he that
shall come: or shall we look for another. Iesus answered and said unto them. Go
and shew Ihon what ye have heard and seen. The blind see, the halt go, the
lepers are cleansed: The deaf hear, the dead are raised up again, and the
gospel is preached to the poor. And happy is he that is not hurt by me.
Even as they departed, Iesus began to speak
unto the people of Ihon. What went ye for to see in the wilderness? went ye out
to see a reed wavering with the wind? other what went ye out for to see? went
ye to see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing
are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? went ye out to see, a
prophet? Yea I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it
is written. Behold, I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy
way before thee.
Verify I say unto you, among the children
of women arose there not a greater than Ihon baptist. Notwithstanding he that
is less in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he. From the time of Ihon
baptist hitherto, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and they that make
violence pulleth it to them. For all the prophets, and the law prophesied unto
the time of Ihon. Also if ye will receive it, this is Helyas, which should
come. He that hath ears to hear whithall, let him hear.
But whereunto shall I liken this
generation? it is like unto children, which sit in the market, and call unto
their fellows, and say: we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced, we have
mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed. For Ihon came, neither eating nor
drinking, and they say, he hath the devil. The son of man came eating and
drinking, and they say, behold a glutton, and drinker of wine, and a friend
unto publicans, and sinners. And wisdom is justified of her children.
Then began he to upbraid the cities, in
which most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent. Woe be to
thee Chorasin. Woe be to thee Bethsaida, for if the miracles which were shewed
in you, had been done in Tyre and in Sidon: they had repented long agone in
sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be easier for Tyre and
Sidon, at the day of judgement, than for you. And thou Capernaum, which art
lift up unto heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. For if the miracles which
have been done in thee, had been shewed in Sodom, they had remained to this
day. Nevertheless I say unto you, it shall be easier for Sodom in the day of
judgement, than for thee. Then Iesus answered and said. I praise thee o father
lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and hast opened them unto babes, even so father, for so it pleased
thee. All things are given unto me of my father. And no man knoweth the son,
but thy father neither knoweth any man the father, save the son, and he to whom
the son will open him.
Come unto me all ye that labor, and are
laden, and I will ease you. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me, for I am
meek, and lowly in heart: and ye shall find ease unto your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.
The .xij.
Chapter.
In that time went Iesus on the sabbath day
thorow the corn, and his disciples were anhungered, and began to pluck the ears
of corn, and to eat. When the pharisees had seen that, they said unto him:
Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. He
said unto them: Have ye not read what David did, when he was anhungered, and
they also which were with him? How he entered into the house of God, and ate
the hallowed loaves, which were not lawful for him to eat, neither for them
which were with him, but only for the priests. Or have ye not read in the law,
how that the priests in the temple break the sabbath day, and yet are
blameless? But I say unto you, that here is one greater than the temple.
Wherefore if ye had wist, what this saying meaneth: I require mercy, and not
sacrifice, ye would never have condemned innocents. For the son of man is lord
even of the Sabbath day.
And he departed thence, and went into their
synagogue, and behold, there was a man, which had his hand dried up. And they
asked him saying: is it lawful to heal upon the sabbath day? because they might
accuse him. And he said unto them: which is he among you, if he had a sheep
fallen into a pit on the sabbath day, that would not take him and lift him out?
And how much is a man better then a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do a good
deed on the sabbath day. Then said he to the man: stretch forth thy hand, and
he stretched forth, and it was again made even as whole as the other.
Then the pharisees went forth, and took
council against him, how they might destroy him. When Iesus knew that, he
departed thence, and much people followed him, and he healed them all. and
charged them, that they should not make him known, to fulfil that which was
spoken by Esay the prophet, which sayeth: Behold my son, whom I have chosen, my
darling, in whom my soul hath had delight. I will put my spirit on him, and he
shall shew judgement to the gentiles. He shall not strive, he shall not cry,
neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets, a bruised reed, shall he
not break, and flax that beginneth to burn he shall not quench, till he send
forth judgement unto victory, and in his name shall the gentiles trust.
Then was brought to him, one possessed with
a devil which was both blind and dumb, and he healed him, insomuch that he
which was blind and dumb, both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed,
and said: Is not this the son of David? When the pharisees heard that, they
said: he driveth the devils no other wise out, but by the help of belzebub the
chief of the devils.
But Iesus knew their thoughts, and said to
them. Every kingdom divided with in itself shall be desolate. Neither shall any
city or household divided against itself, continue. So if satan cast out satan,
then is he divided against him self. How shall then his kingdom endure? Also if
I by the help of belzebub cast out devils: by whose help do your children cast
them out? therefore they shall be your judges: But if I cast out the devils by
the spirit of God: then is the kingdom of God come on you?
Either how can a man enter into a mighty man's
house, and violently take away his goods, except he first bind the strong man,
and then spoil his house? He that is not with me, is against me: And he that
gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, all manner
of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the
holy ghost, shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word
against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh
against the holy ghost, it shall not be forgiven him: no, neither in this
world, neither in the world to come.
Either make the tree good, and his fruit
good also, or else make the tree evil, and his fruit evil also. For the tree is
known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye say well, when ye
yourselves are evil? For of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. A
good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things. And
an evil man out of his evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things. But I say
unto you, that of every idle word, that men shall have spoken, they shall give
accounts at the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified: and
by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Then answered certain of the scribes and of
the pharisees saying: Master, we would fain see a sign of thee. He answered
them saying: the evil and advoutrous generation seeketh a sign, but there shall
no sign be given to them, but the sign of the prophet Ionas. For as Ionas was
iij days, and iij nights, in the whale's belly: so shall the son of man be iij
days and iij nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise at
the day of judgement, with this nation, and condemn them: for they repented at
the preaching of Ionas. And behold a greater than Ionas is here. The queen of
the south shall rise at the day of judgement with this generation, and shall
condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the world, to hear the
wisdom of Solomon. And behold here is a greater than Solomon.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a
man, he walketh throughout dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he
sayeth: I will return again into my house, from whence I came out. And when he
is come, he findeth the house empty and swept, and garnished. Then he goeth his
way, and taketh vij. spirits worse than him self, and so enter they in and
dwell there. And the end of that man is worse than the beginning. Even so shall
it be to this froward nation.
While he yet talked to the people: behold,
his mother and his brethren stood without the doors, desiring to speak with
him. Then one said unto him: behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
desiring to speak with thee.
He answered and said to him that told him:
Who is my mother? or who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand over
his disciples, and said: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever
fulfilleth my father's will which is in heaven, he is my brother, my sister,
and my mother.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
The same day went Iesus out of the house,
and sat by the sea side, and much people resorted unto him, so greatly that he
went, and sat in a ship, and all the people stood on the shore. And he spake
many things to them in similitudes, saying: Behold, the sower went forth to sow,
and as he sowed, some fell by the ways side, and the fowls came, and devoured
it up. Some fell upon stony ground where it had not much earth, and anon it
sprong up, because it had no depth of earth: and when the sun was up, it caught
heat, and for lack of rooting withered away. Some fell among thorns, and the
thorns arose, and choked it. Part fell in good ground, and brought forth good
fruit: some an hundred fold, some fifty {or sixty} fold, some thirty fold.
Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And
his disciples came, and said to him: Why speakest thou to them in parables? He
answered and said unto them: It is given unto you to know the secrets of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him
shall be given: and he shall have abundance. But whosoever hath not: from him
shall be taken away even that same that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in
similitudes: for though they see, they see not: and hearing they hear not:
nether understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esay, which
prophecy saith: with your ears ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and
with your eyes ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people's heart is
waxed gross: And their ears were dull of hearing, and their eyes have they
closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their hearts, and should turn, that I might heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see,
and your ears, for they hear. Verily I say unto you, that many prophets and
perfect men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen
them: and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye
therefore the similitude of the sower. When a man heareth the word of the kingdom,
and understandeth it not, there cometh the evil man, and catcheth away that
which was sown in his heart. And this is he which was sown by the way side. But
he that was sown in the stony ground is he, which heareth the word of God, and
anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath no roots in himself, and therefore dureth
but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the
word, by and by he falleth. He that was sown among thorns, is he, that heareth
the word of God, but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and so is he made unfruitful. He which is sown in the good
ground, is he, that heareth the word and understandeth it, which also beareth
fruit and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some fifty {or sixty} fold, and
some thirty fold.
Another similitude put he forth, unto them
saying: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his
field. But while men slept, there came his foe, and sowed tares among the
wheat, and went his way. When the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth
fruit, then appeared the tares also. The servants came to the householder, and
said unto him: Sir sowest not thou good seed in thy close, from whence then
hath it tares? He said to them, the envious man hath done this. Then the
servants said unto him: wilt thou then that we go and gather it? and he said,
nay, lest while ye go about to weed out the tares, ye pluck up also with them
the wheat by the roots: let both grow together till harvest come, and in time
of harvest, I will say yea unto my reapers, gather ye first the tares, and bind
them in sheaves to be brent: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Another parable he put forth unto them
saying. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man
taketh and soweth in his field, which is the least of all seeds. But when it is
grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and is a tree: so that the birds of the
air come, and build in the branches of it.
Another similitude said he to them. The
kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hideth in iij
pecks of meal, till all was leavened.
All these things spake Iesus unto the
people by similitudes, and without similitudes spake he nothing to them, to
fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet saying: I will open my mouth in
similitudes, and will speak forth things which have been kept secret from the
beginning of the world.
Then sent Iesus the people away, and came
to house, and his disciples came unto him, saying: declare unto us the
similitude of the tares of the field: Then answered he and said to them. He
that soweth the good seed, is the son of man, the field is the world. The
children of the kingdom are the good seed. The evil man's children are the
tares. But the enemy which soweth it, is the devil. The harvest is the end of
the world, and the reapers be the angels. For even as the tares are gathered,
and brent in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man
shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all
things that do hurt, and all them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a
furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the
just men shine as bright as the son in the kingdom of their father. whosoever
hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto
treasure hid in the field, the which a man found and hid it: and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
merchant, seeking good pearls, which when he had found one precious pearl, went
and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kinds of fishes: the which when it
is full, men draw to land, and sit and gather the good into their vessels and
cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall
come and sever the bad from the good, and shall cast them into a furnace of
fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Iesus said unto them: have ye understood
all these things: they said, yea sir. Then said he unto them: Therefore every
scribe which is conning unto the kingdom of heaven, is like an householder,
which bringeth forth, out of his treasure, things both new and old.
And it came to pass when Iesus had finished
these similitudes that he departed thence, and came in to his own country, and
taught them in their synagogues, in so much that they were astonied, and said:
whence came all this wisdom and power unto him? is not this the carpenter's
son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren be called, Iames and Ioses
and Simon and Iudas? and are not his sisters all here with us? Whence hath he
all these things. And they were hurt by him. Then Iesus said unto them: there
is no prophet without honour, save in his own country, and among his own kin.
And he did not many miracles there, for their unbelief's sake.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
In that time Herod the tetrarcha heard of
the fame of Iesu, and said unto his servants: This is Ihon baptist, he is risen
again from death, and therefore his power is so great. For Herod took Ihon and
bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife:
for Ihon said unto him: it is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he
would have put him to death, he feared the people, because they counted him as
a prophet.
When Herode's birthday was come, the
daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Wherefore he
promised with an oath, that he would give her whatsoever she would ask. And she
being informed of her mother before, said give me here Ihon baptist's head in a
platter. And the King sorrowed: nevertheless for his oath's sake, and for their
sakes which sat also at the table, he commanded it to be given her. And sent
and beheaded Ihon in the prison: and his head was brought in a platter, and
given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came,
and took up his body, and buried it: And went and told Iesus.
When Iesus heard that, he departed thence
by ship into a desert place out of the way. And when the people had heard
thereof, they followed him afoot out of their cities. And Iesus went forth and
saw much people: and his heart did melt upon them, and he healed of them those
that were sick. When even was come, his disciples came to him saying. This is a
desert place, and the day is spent, let the people depart that they may go into
the towns, and buy them vitailles. But Iesus said unto them: They have no need
to go away: Give ye them to eat. Then said they unto him: we have here but v.
loaves, and two fishes. He said: bring them hither to me. And he commanded, the
people to sit down on the grass, and took the v. loaves, and the ij. fishes,
and looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to his
disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. And they all ate, and
were sufficed. And they gathered up of the gobbets that remained xij baskets
full. They that ate were in number about v. M. men, besides women and children.
And straightway Iesus made his disciples
enter into a ship, and to go over before him, while he sent the people away.
And as soon as he had sent the people away, he went up into a mountain alone to
pray. And when night was come he was there himself alone. and the ship was in
the middes of the sea, and was tossed with waves, for it was a contrary wind.
In the fourth watch of the night Iesus came unto them walking on the sea: and
when his disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were amazed, saying: it is
some spirit, and cried out for fear. And straightway Iesus spake unto them
saying: be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.
Peter answered, and said: master, and thou
be he, bid me come unto thee on the water. and he said come. And when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Iesus. But when he
saw a mighty wind, he was afraid. And as he began to sink, he cried saying:
master save me. And immediately Iesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,
and said to him: O thou of little faith: wherefore didst thou doubt? And as
soon as they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in
the ship came and worshipped him, saying: of a truth thou art the son of God.
And when they were come over, they went in to the land of Genazareth. And when
the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country
round about, and brought unto him all that were sick, and besought him, that
they might touch the border of his vesture only. And as many as touched it,
were made safe.
The .xv.
Chapter.
Then came to Iesus: scribes and pharisees
from Ierusalem, saying: why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the
seniors? for they wash not their hands, when they eat bread. He answered, and
said unto them: why do ye also transgress the commandment of God, thorow your
traditions? for God commanded, saying: honour thy father and mother, and he
that speaketh evil against his father or mother, shall suffer death. But ye
say, every man shall say to his father or mother: whatsoever thing I offer,
that same doth profit thee, and so shall he not honour his father and mother.
And thus have ye made, that the commandment of God is with out effect, through
your traditions. Hypocrites, well prophesied of you, Esay saying: This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips, yet
their hearts are far from me: but in vain they worship me teaching doctrine,
which is nothing but men's precepts.
And he called the people unto him, and said
to them: hear and understand. That which goeth into the mouth, defileth not the
man: but that which cometh out of the mouth, defileth the man.
Then came his disciples, and said unto him:
perceivest thou, how that the pharisees are offended hearing this saying? He
answered, and said: all plants which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall
be plucked up by the roots. Let them alone, they be the blind leaders of the
blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Then answered Peter and said to him:
declare unto us this parable. Then said Iesus: are ye yet withouten
understanding: perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth in at the mouth,
descendeth down into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those
things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a
man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, breaking of wedlock,
whoredom, theft, false witness bearing, blasphemy. These are the things which
defile a man. But to eat with unwashen hands, defileth not a man.
And Iesus went thence, and departed into
the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold a woman which was a Canaanite came out
of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying: have mercy on me lord the son
of David, my daughter is piteously vexed with a devil. And he gave her never a
word to answer. Then came to him his disciples, and besought him saying: send
her away, for she followeth us crying. He answered, and said: I am not sent,
but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israhel. Then she came and worshipped
him, saying: master succor me. He answered and said: it is not good, to take
the children's bread, and to cast it to whelps. She answered and said: it is
truth, nevertheless the whelps eat of the crumbs, which fall from their
masters' table. Then Iesus answered and said unto her. O woman great is thy
faith, be it to thee, even as thou desirest. And her daughter was made whole
even at that same time.
Then Iesus went away from thence, and came
nigh unto the sea of Galilee, and went up in to a mountain, and sat down there.
And much people came unto him, having with them, halt, blind, dumb, maimed, and
other many: and cast them down at Iesus' feet. And he healed them, in so much
that the people wondered, to see the dumb speak, the maimed whole, and the halt
to go, the blind to see, and glorified the God of Israhel.
Iesus called his disciples to him and said:
I have compassion on the people because they have continued with me now iij
days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not let them depart fasting lest they
perish in the way. And his disciples said unto him: whence should we get so
much bread in the wilderness as should suffice so great a multitude? And Iesus
said unto them: how many loaves have ye? and they said: seven and a few fishes.
And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And took the seven
loaves, and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his
disciples, and his disciples gave them to the people. And they all ate and were
sufficed. And they took up of the broken meat that was left vij baskets full.
They that ate were iiij M men, beside women and children. And he sent away the
people, and took ship and came into the parts of Magdala.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
Then came to him the pharisees with the
sadducees also, and did tempt him, desiring that he would shew them some sign
from heaven. He answered and said unto them: At even ye say, we shall have fair
weather, and that because the sky is red: in the morning: ye say, today shall
be foul weather, and that because the sky is tremulous and red. O ye
hypocrites, ye can discern the fashion of the sky: and can ye not discern the
signs of the times? The froward nation, and advoutrous, seeketh a sign: there
shall none other sign be given unto them, but the sign of the prophet Ionas. So
left he them and departed.
And when his disciples were come to the other
side of the water, they had forgotten to take bread with them. Then Iesus said
unto them: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the
sadducees. They thought among themselves saying: we have brought no bread with
us. When Iesus understood that, he said unto them. O ye of little faith, why
are your minds cumbered because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet
perceive, neither remember those v loaves when there were v M men, and how many
baskets took ye up? Neither the vij loaves, when there were iiij M: and how
many baskets took ye up? Why perceive ye not then, that I spake not unto you of
bread, when I said, beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees?
Then understood they, how that he bade not them beware of the leaven of bread:
but of the doctrine of the pharisees, and of the sadducees.
When Iesus came into the coasts of the city
which is called Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples saying: whom do men
say that I the son of man am? They said, some say that thou art Ihon baptist,
some Helyas, some Ieremias, or one of the prophets. He said unto them, but whom
say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered, and said: Thou art Christ the son of
the living God. And Iesus answered and said to him: happy art thou Simon the
son of Ionas, for flesh and blood have not opened unto thee that, but my father
which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon
this rock I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. And I will give unto thee, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatsoever thou bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou lowsest on earth, it shall be lowsed in heaven.
Then he charged his disciples, that they
should tell no man, that he was Iesus Christ. From that time forth, Iesus began
to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Ierusalem, and suffer many
things of the seniors, and of the high priests, and of the scribes, and must be
killed, and rise again the third day. Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke
him saying: master favor thy self, this shall not come unto thee. Then turned
he about, and said unto Peter: go after me Satan, thou offendest me, because
thou perceivest not godly things: but worldly things.
Iesus then said to his disciples. If any
man will follow me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross and follow
me. For whosoever will save his life, shall loose it. And whosoever shall loose
his life for my sake, shall find it. What shall it profit a man, if he should
win all the whole world: so he loose his own soul? Or else what shall a man
give to redeem his soul again withall? For the son of man shall come in the
glory of his father, with his angels, and then shall he reward every man according
to his deeds. Verily I say unto you, some there be among them that here stand,
which shall not taste of death, till they shall have seen the son of man come
in his kingdom.
The
.xvij. Chapter.
And after vj days Iesus took Peter and
Iames and Ihon his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain out of
the way, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
and his clothes were as white as the light. And behold there appeared unto them
Moses and Helyas talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said to Iesus:
master here is good being for us. If thou wilt, let us make here iij
tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Helyas. While he yet
spake, behold a bright cloud shadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud
said: This is my dear son, in whom I delight, hear him. And when the disciples
heard that, they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. And Iesus came and
touched them, and said: arise and be not afraid. Then lift they up their eyes,
and saw no man, but Iesus only.
And as they came down from the mountain, he
charged them saying, see that ye shew this vision to no man, til the son of man
be risen again from death. And his disciples asked of him, saying: Why then say
the scribes, that Helias must first come? Iesus answered, and said unto them:
Helias shall first come, and restore all things. And I say unto you, that
Helias is come already: And they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they lusted. In likewise shall also the son of man suffer of them.
Then his disciples perceived that he spake unto them of Ihon baptist.
And when they were come to the people,
there came to him a certain man, and kneeled down to him saying: Master have
mercy on my son, for he is frantic, and is sore vexed. And ofttimes falleth
into the fire, and oft into the water, and I brought him to thy disciples, and
they could not heal him. Iesus answered and said: O generation faithless and
crooked: how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him
hither to me. And Iesus rebuked the devil, and he came out. And the child was
healed even that same hour.
Then came his disciples secretly and said:
Why could not we cast him out? Iesus said unto them, because of your unbelief.
For I say verily unto you, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye
should say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and he should
remove: Neither should any thing be unpossible for you to do. But this kind,
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
While they passed the time in Galilee,
Iesus said unto them: the son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men,
and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And they
sorrowed greatly.
When they were come to Capernaum: They that
were wont to gather poll money, came to Peter and said: Doth your master pay
tribute? He said: yea. And when he was come into the house, Iesus spake first to
him, saying: What thinkest thou Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take
tribute, or poll money? of their children, or of strangers? Peter said unto
him, of strangers. Then said Iesus unto him again. Then are the children free.
Nevertheless, lest we should offend them, go to the sea and cast in thine
angle, and take the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his
mouth, thou shalt find a piece of twelve {or twenty} pence, that take and pay
for me and thee.
The
.xviij. Chapter.
The same time the disciples came to Iesus
saying: who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Iesus called a child unto
him, and set him in the midst of them, and said: Verily I say unto you, except
ye turn, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven:
whosoever therefore: shall submit himself: as this child, he is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven. And whosoever receiveth such a child in my name,
receiveth me. But whosoever offend one of these little ones, which believe in
me: it were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe be unto the world because of
evil occasions. It is necessary that evil occasions be given, nevertheless woe
be to that man, by whom evil occasion cometh. Wherefore if thy hand, or thy
foot, give thee an occasion of evil: cut him off, and cast him from thee. It is
better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than thou shouldest
having two hands, or two feet, be cast into everlasting fire. And if also thine
eye offend thee, pluck him out and cast him from thee. It is better for thee,
to enter into life with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire.
See that ye despise not one of these little
ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels behold the face of my
father, which is in heaven. Yea and the son of man is come to save that which is
lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go
astray, will he not leave ninety and nine in the mountains, and go and seek
that one which is gone astray? If it happen that he find him, verily I say unto
you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, then of the ninety and nine which went
not astray. Even so it is not the will of your father in heaven, that one of
these little ones should perish.
Moreover if thy brother trespass against
thee. Go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone. If he hear thee,
thou hast won thy brother: but if he hear thee not, then take yet with thee one
or two, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, all things may stand. If
he hear not them, tell it unto the congregation: if he hear not the
congregation, take him as an heathen man, and as a publican. Verily I say unto
you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye
lowse on earth, shall be lowsed in heaven.
Again I say unto you that if two of you
shall agree in earth in any manner thing whatsoever they shall desire: it shall
be given them of my father which is in heaven. For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Then came Peter to him, and said: master,
how oft shall my brother trespass against me, and I shall forgive him? shall I
forgive him seven times? Iesus said unto him: I say not unto thee seven times:
but seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto
a certain king, which would take accounts of his servants, and when he had
begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which ought him ten thousand
talents: but when he had nought to pay, the lord commanded him to be sold, and
his wife, and his children: and all that he had, and payment to be made. The
servant fell down and besought him saying: Sir, give me respite, and I will pay
it every whit. Then had the lord pity on that servant, and lowsed him, and
forgave him the debt.
The same servant went out and found one of
his fellows, which ought him an hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took
him by the throat, saying: pay that thou owest. And his fellow fell down, and
besought him, saying: have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he
would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When
his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told
unto their lord all that had happened. Then the lord called him, and said unto
him. O evil servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me:
was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow,
even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the
jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise shall your
heavenly father do unto you, if ye will not forgive with your hearts, each one
to his brother their trespasses.
The .xix.
Chapter.
And it followed when Iesus had finished
those sayings, he gat him from Galilee, and came into the coasts off Iewry
beyond Iordan, and much people followed him, and he healed them there. Then
came unto him the pharisees to tempt him, and said to him: Is it lawful for a
man to put away his wife for all manner of causes? He answered, and said unto
them: Have ye not read, how that he which made man at the beginning, made them
man and woman? and said: for this thing, shall a man leave father and mother,
and cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore now are
they not twain, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put asunder, that which
God hath coupled together. Then said they to him: why did Moses command to give
unto her a testimonial of divorcement, and to put her away? He said unto them:
Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your
wives: But from the beginning it was not so. I say therefore unto you,
whosoever putteth away his wife (except it be for fornication) and marrieth
another, breaketh wedlock. And whosoever marrieth her which is divorced, doth
commit advoutry.
Then spake his disciples to him: if the
matter be so between man and wife, then is it not good to marry. He said unto
them: all men cannot away with that saying: but they to whom it is given. There
are chaste, which were so born out of their mother's belly. And there are
chaste, which be made chaste of men. And there be chaste, which have made
themselves chaste for the kingdom of heavens' sake. He that can take it let him
take it.
Then were brought to him young children,
that he should put his hands on them and pray. And his disciples rebuked them.
Iesus said unto them: suffer the children, and forbid them not to come to me,
for unto such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. And when he had put his hands on
them, he departed thence. And behold one came, and said unto him: good master,
what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? He said unto him: why
callest thou me good? there is none good but one, and that is God. But and thou
wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He said: Which? And Iesus said:
thou shalt not kill: thou shalt not break wedlock. Thou shall not steal: thou
shalt not bear false witness. Honour father and mother: and thou shalt love
thine neighbor as thyself. The young man said unto him: I have observed all
these things from my youth, what have I more to do? Iesus said unto him: if
thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me. When the young man
heard that saying, he went away mourning. For he had great possessions.
Iesus said then unto his disciples: Verily
I say unto you, a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of
heaven. And moreover I say unto you: it is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. When
his disciples heard that, they were exceedingly amazed, saying: who then can be
saved? Iesus beheld them, and said unto them: with men this is unpossible, but
with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter, and said to him:
Behold, we have forsaken all and have followed thee: what shall we have
therefore? Iesus said unto them: verily I say unto you: that ye which have
followed me in the second generation (when the son of man shall sit in the seat
of his majesty) shall sit also upon xij seats, and judge the xij tribes of
Israhel. And whosoever forsaketh house, or brethren, or sisters, other father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or livelihood, {or lands,} for my name's sake,
the same shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Many that are first, shall be last, and the last, shall be first.
The .xx.
Chapter.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto an
householder which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his
vineyard. And he agreed with the laborers for a penny a day and sent them into
his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw other standing idle
in the market place, and said unto them: go ye also into my vineyard, and
whatsoever is right, I will give you: and they went their way. Again he went
out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And he went out about the
eleventh hour and found other standing idle, and said unto them: Why stand ye
here all the day idle? They said unto him: because no man hath hired us. He
said to them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever shall be right, that
shall ye receive.
When even was come, the lord of the
vineyard, said unto his steward: call the laborers, and give them their hire,
beginning at the last, till thou come to the first. And they which were hired
about the eleventh hour, came and received every man a penny. Then came the
first, supposing that they should receive more, and they likewise received
every man a penny. And when they had received it, they grudged against the good
man of the house saying: These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast
made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
He answered to one of them, saying: friend
I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that which
is thy duty, and go thy way. I will give unto this last, as much as to thee. Is
it not lawful for me to do as me listeth with mine own? Is thine eye evil
because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For
many are called, and few be chosen.
And Iesus ascended to Ierusalem, and took
the xij disciples apart in the way, and said to them: Lo we go up to Ierusalem,
and the son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the
scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the
gentiles, to be mocked, to be scourged, and to be crucified: and the third day
he shall rise again.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's
children with her sons worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. He
said unto her: What wilt thou have? She said unto him: Grant that these my two
sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy
kingdom.
Iesus answered, and said: Ye wot not what
ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be
baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with? They answered to him:
That we are. He said unto them: Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised
with the baptism that I shall be baptised with all. But to sit on my right
hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is
prepared of my father.
And when the ten heard this, they disdained
at the two brethren. But Iesus called them unto him, and said: Ye know, that
the lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great,
exercise power over them. It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be
great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief, let him
be your servant. Even as the son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to
minister: and to give his life for the redemption of many.
And as they departed from Hiericho, much
people followed him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when
they heard, that Iesus passed by, cried saying: Master the son of David have
mercy on us. And the people rebuffed them, because they should hold their
peace: But they cried the more, saying: have mercy on us master which art the
son of David. Then Iesus stood still, and called them, and said: what will ye
that I should do to you? They said unto him: Master, that our eyes may be
opened. Iesus pitied them, and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes
received sight: And they followed him.
The .xxj.
Chapter.
When they drew nigh unto Ierusalem, and
were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then sent Iesus two of his
disciples, saying to them: Go into the town that lieth over against you, and
anon ye shall find an ass bound, and her colt with her, loose them and bring
them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, say ye that your master hath
need of them, and straight way he will let them go. All this was done, to
fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of
Sion: behold thy king cometh unto thee meek, sitting upon an ass and a colt,
the foal of an ass used to the yoke. The disciples went, and did as Iesus
commanded them, and brought the ass and the colt, and put on them their
clothes, and set him thereon. Many of the people spread their garments in the
way. Other cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. Moreover
the people that went before, and they also that came after, cried saying:
Hosianna to the son of David. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the
lord, Hosianna in the highest.
And when he was come into Ierusalem, all
the city was moved, saying: who is this? And the people said: this is Iesus the
prophet of Nazareth a city of Galilee. And Iesus went into the temple of God,
and cast out all them that bought and sold in the temple, and overthrew the
tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And said to
them: it is written, mine house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye
have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the halt came to him in the
temple, and he healed them.
When the chief priests and scribes saw, the
marvels that he did, and the children crying in the temple and saying, Hosianna
to the son of David, they disdained, and said unto him: hearest thou what these
say? Iesus said unto them: have ye never read, of the mouth of babes and
sucklings thou hast ordained praise? And he left them, and went out of the city
unto Bethany, and passed the time there.
In the morning as he returned into the city
again, he hungered, and spied a fig tree in the way, and came to it, and found
nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said to it, never fruit grow on thee
hence forwards. And anon the fig tree withered away. And when his disciples saw
that, they marvelled saying: How soon is the fig tree withered away? Iesus
answered, and said unto them: Verily I say unto you, if ye shall have faith,
and shall not doubt, ye shall not only do that which I have done to the fig
tree: but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, take thyself away, and cast
thyself into the sea, it shall be done. And whatsoever thing ye shall ask in
your prayers if ye believe, ye shall receive it.
And when he was come into the temple, the
chief priests and the seniors of the people came unto him as he was teaching,
and said: by what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this power?
Iesus answered, and said unto them: I also will ask of you a certain question,
which if ye assoil me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do
these things. Whence was the baptism of Ihon? from heaven, or of men? And they
thought in themselves, saying: if we shall say, from heaven, he will say unto
us: why did ye not then believe him? But and if we shall say of men, then fear
we the people. For all men held Ihon as a prophet. And they answered Iesus, and
said: we cannot tell. He likewise said unto them: neither tell I you by what
authority I do these things. What say ye to this? A certain man had ij sons,
and came to the elder saying: go and work today in my vineyard. He answered and
said, I will not: but afterward repented and went. Then came he to the second,
and said likewise, and he answered and said: I will sir: yet went he not.
Whether of these ij fulfilled their father's will? And they said unto him: the
first. Iesus said unto them: verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the
harlots shall come into the kingdom of God before you. For Ihon came unto you,
in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the
whores believed him. But ye (though ye saw it) yet were not moved with
repentance, that ye might afterward have believed him.
Hearken another similitude. There was a
certain householder, which set a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made
a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went
into a strange country. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his
servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen
caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he
sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But
last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying: they will fear my son. When
the husbandmen saw his son, they said among themselves: This is the heir, come
on let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance to ourselves. And they
caught him and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord of
the vineyard cometh: what will he do with those husbandmen? They said unto him:
he will evil destroy those evil persons, and will let out his vineyard unto
other husbandmen, which shall deliver him his fruit at times convenient.
Iesus said unto them: did ye never read in
the scriptures? The same stone which the builders refused, is set in the
principal part of the corner: this was the lord's doing, and it is marvelous in
our eyes. Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you,
and shall be given to the Gentiles which shall bring forth the fruits of it.
And whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be alto broken. And whosoever
this stone shall fall upon, he shall grind him to powder. And when the chief
priests and pharisees heard these similitudes they perceived that he spake of
them. And they went about to lay hands on him, but they feared the people,
because they counted him as a prophet.
The .xxij.
Chapter.
And Iesus
answered and spake unto them again, in similitudes, saying:
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a
certain King, which married his son, and sent forth his servants, to call them
that were bid to the wedding, and they would not come. Again he sent forth
other servants, saying: tell them which are bidden: Lo I have prepared my
dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, come
unto the marriage. They made light of it, and went their ways: one to his firm
place, another about his merchandise, the remnant took his servants and
intreated them ungoodly, and slew them. When the king heard that, he was wroth,
and sent forth his warriors and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their
city.
Then said he to his servants: The wedding
was prepared: but they which were bidden thereto, were not worthy. Go ye
therefore out into the highways, and as many as ye find, bid them to the
marriage. The servants went out into the ways, and gathered together as many as
they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests.
The king came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a
wedding garment, and said unto him: friend, how camest thou in hither, and *
hast not on a wedding garment? and he was even speechless. Then said the king
to his ministers: take and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into utter
darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called and
few be chosen.
Then went the pharisees and took counsel,
how they might tangle him in his words. And sent unto him their disciples with
Herod's servants, saying: Master, we know that thou art true, and that thou
teachest the way of God truly, neither carest for any man, for thou considerest
not men's estate. Tell us therefore: how thinkest thou? is it lawful to give
tribute unto Cesar, or not? Iesus perceived their wickedness, and said: Why
tempt ye me ye hypocrites? let me see the tribute money. And they took him a
penny. And he said unto them: whose is this image and superscription? They said
unto him: Cesar's. Then said he unto them: Give therefore to Cesar, that which
is Cesar's: and give unto God, that which is God's. When they heard that they
marvelled, and left him and went their way.
The same day the sadducees came to him
(which say that there is no resurrection) and they asked him saying: Master,
Moses bade, if a man die having no children, that the brother marry his wife,
and raise up seed unto his brother. There were with us seven brethren, the
first married and died without issue, and left his wife unto his brother.
Likewise the second and the third, unto the seventh: Last of all the woman died
also. Now in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the vij? for all had
her. Iesus answered and said unto them: ye are deceived, and know not what the
scripture meaneth, nor yet the virtue of God. For in the resurrection they
neither marry nor are married: but are as the angels of God in heaven.
As touching the resurrection of the dead:
have ye not read what is said unto you of God, which sayeth: I am Abraham's
God, and Isaac's God, and the God of Iacob? God is not the God of the dead: but
of the living. And when the people heard that, they were astonied at his
doctrine.
When the pharisees had heard, how that he
had put the Sadducees to silence, they drew to gether, and one of them which
was a doctor of law asked him a question tempting him and saying: Master which
is the great commandment in the law? Iesus said unto him: thou shalt love thy
lord God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This
is the first and that great commandment. And there is another like unto this.
Thou shalt love thine neighbor as thyself. In these two commandments, hang all
the law and the prophets.
While the pharisees were gathered together
Iesus asked them saying: what think ye of Christ? whose son is he? they said
unto him: the son of David. He said unto them: how then doth David in spirit
call him lord, saying? The lord said to my lord, sit on my right hand: till I
make thine enemies thy footstool. If David call him lord: how is he then his
son? And none of them could answer him again one word. Neither durst any from
that day forth, ask him any more questions.
The
.xxiij. Chapter.
Then spake Iesus to the people, and to his
disciples, saying: The scribes and the pharisees sit in Moses' seat, whatsoever
they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for
they say, and do not. Yea and they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne,
and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave them with
one finger. All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad
their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit
uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and
greetings in the markets and to be called of men Rabbi.
But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be
called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is to wit Christ, and all ye are
brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for one is your
father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for one is your master, and
he is Christ. He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. But
whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that submiteth
himself, shall be exalted.
Woe be unto you scribes and pharisees
dissemblers, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go
not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in.
Woe be unto you scribes and pharisees, for
ye devour widows' houses, and that under a colour of praying long prayers,
wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation.
Woe be unto you scribes and pharisees
hypocrites, for ye compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and
when ye have brought him ye make him two fold more the child of hell, than ye
yourselves are.
Woe be unto you blind guides, for ye say:
whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold
of the temple, he is debtor. Ye fools and blind? whether is greater, the gold,
or the temple that sanctifieth the gold. And whosoever sweareth by the altar it
is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar is
debtor. Ye fools and blind: whether is greater the offering, or the altar which
sanctifieth the offering? whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth
by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple
sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by
heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Woe be to you scribes and pharisees
dissemblers, for ye tithe mint, annise, and cummin, and leave the weightier
matters of the law undone: judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out
a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Woe be to you scribes and pharisees
hypocrites, for ye make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter:
but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse
first, that which is within the cup and the platter, that the outside may also
be clean.
Woe be to you scribes, and pharisees
hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards:
but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for
outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of dissimulation
and iniquity.
Woe be unto you scribes and pharisees
hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers
of just men, and say: If we had been in our fathers' time, we would not have
been partners with them in the blood of the prophets. So are ye be witnesses
unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets.
Fulfil ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye {yee} serpents and generation of
vipers, how shall ye scape the damnation of hell?
Wherefore behold I send unto you, prophets
wise men and scribes, and of them some shall ye kill and crucify, and some
shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, that all
righteous blood may fall upon you, which was shed upon the earth, from the
blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom
ye slew between the temple and the altar: Verily I say unto you, all these
things shall light upon this generation. Hierusalem Hierusalem which killest
prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee: how often would I have
gathered thy children together, as the hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings? but ye would not? behold your habitation shall be left unto you
desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till that ye say:
blessed is he that cometh in the name of the lord.
The
.xxiiij. Chapter.
And Iesus went out and departed from the
temple: and his disciples came to him, for to shew him the building of the
temple. Iesus said unto them: see ye not all these things? Verily I say unto
you: There shall not be here left one stone upon another, that shall not be
destroyed.
And as he sat upon the mount Olivet, his
disciples came unto him secretly saying: Tell us, when this shall be? and what
sign shall be of thy coming, and of the end of the world? and Iesus answered,
and said unto them: take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in
my name saying: I am Christ: and shall deceive many.
Ye shall hear of wars, and of the noise of
wars, but see that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass,
but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and realm against
realm: and there shall be pestilence, and hunger, and earthquakes in all
quarters. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they put you to trouble, and
shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake: and
then shall many fall, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one the
other, and many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many: and because
iniquity shall have the upper hand, the love of many shall abate. But he that
endureth to the end shall be safe. And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the
end come.
When ye then shall see the abomination and
desolation (spoken of by Daniel the prophet) stand in the holy place: whosoever
readeth it, let him understand it. Then let them which be in Iury fly into the
mountains. And let him which is on the housetop, not come down to take anything
out of his house. Neither let him which is in the field, return back to fetch
his clothes. Woe be in those days to them that are with child, and to them that
give suck. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the
Sabbath day. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the
beginning of the world to this time, nor shall be. Yea and except those days
should be shortened, should no flesh be saved: But for the chosens' sake those
days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you: lo,
here is Christ, or there is Christ: believe it not: for there shall arise false
christs, and false prophets and shall give great signs and wonders. So greatly
that if it were possible, even the chosen should be brought into error. Take
heed I have told you before. If they shall say unto you: lo, he is in the
desert, go not forth: lo, he is in the secret places, believe not. For as the
lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth unto the west: so shall the coming
of the son of man be. For wheresoever a dead body is, even thither will the
eagles resort.
Immediately after the tribulations of those
days, shall the sun be darkeneth: and the moon shall not give her light, and
the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall move. And then
shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven. And then shall all the
kindreds of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man come in the
clouds of heaven with power and great majesty: And he shall send his angels
with the great voice of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his chosen
from the four winds, and from the one end of the world to the other.
Learn a similitude of the fig tree: when
his branches are yet tender, and his leaves sprung, ye know that summer is
nigh. So likewise when ye see all these things, be ye sure that it is near even
at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till
all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall perish: but my words shall abide. But
of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my father
only.
As the time of Noe was, so likewise shall
the coming of the son of man be. For as in the days before the flood: they did
eat and drink, marry, and were married, even unto the day that Noe entered in
to the ship, and knew of nothing till the flood came and took them all away. So
shall also the coming of the son of man be. Then two shall be in the fields,
the one shall be received, and the other shall be refused, two shall be
grinding at the mill: the one shall be received, and the other shall be
refused.
Wake therefore, because ye know not what
hour your master will come. Of this be sure, that if the good man of the house
knew what hour the thief would come: he would surely watch, and not suffer his
house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready, for what hour ye think least
on, in the same shall the son of man come. Who is a faithful servant and wise,
whom his master hath made ruler over his household, for to give them meat in
season convenient? happy is that servant whom his master (when he cometh) shall
find so doing. Verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his
goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my master will
defer his coming, and begin to smite his fellows: yea and to eat and to drink
with the drunken: that servants master will come in a day when he looketh not
for him: and in an hour that he is not ware of, and will divide him, and give
him his reward with hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The .xxv.
Chapter.
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened
unto x virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom: five
of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but
took none oil with them. But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with
their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And
even at midnight, there was a cry made: behold, the bridegroom cometh, go and
meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the
foolish said to the wise: give us of your oil, for our lamps go out? But the
wise answered, saying: not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. In conclusion while they went
to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the
wedding, and the gate was shut up. Afterwards came also the other virgins,
saying: master master, open to us. But he answered, and said: verily I say unto
you: I know you not: look that ye watch therefore, for ye know neither the day
nor yet the hour, when the son of man shall come.
Likewise as a certain man ready to take his
journey to a strange country, called his servants to him, and delivered to them
his goods. And unto one he gave v. talents, to another ij. and to another one:
to every man after his ability, and straight way departed. Then he that had
received the five talents, went and bestowed them, and won other five. Likewise
he that received ij gained other ij. But he that received one, went and digged
a pit in the earth and hid his master's money. After a long season the lord of
those servants came, and reckoned with them. Then came he that had received five
talents, and brought other five saying: master, thou deliveredst unto me five
talents, lo I have gained with them five more. His master said unto him: well
good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee
ruler over much: enter in into thy master's joy. Also he that received ij
talents came, and said: master, thou deliveredest unto me ij talents: lo I have
won ij other talents with them. His master said unto him, well good servant and
faithful thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much,
go in into thy master's joy.
He which had received the one talent came
also, and said: master, I considered that thou wast an hard man, which reapest
where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou strawedst not, and was afraid,
and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. His master
answered, and said unto him: evil servant and slothful, thou knewest that I
reap where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not: thou oughtest therefore
to have had my money to the changers, and then at my coming should I have
received my money with vantage. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it
unto him which hath x. talents. For unto every man that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance. And from him that hath not, shall be taken away,
even that he hath. And cast that unprofitable servant into utter darkness,
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the son of man shall come in his
majesty, and all his holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of
his majesty, and before him shall be gathered all nations. And he shall sever
them one from another, as a shepherd putteth asunder the sheep from the goats.
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left hand.
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand: Come ye blessed children of
my father, inherit ye the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the
world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me
drink. I was harborless, and ye lodged me. I was naked and ye clothed me: I was
sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came unto me.
Then shall the just answer him saying:
master, when, saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or a thirst, and gave thee
drink? when saw we thee harborless, and lodged thee? or naked and clothed thee?
or when saw we thee sick, or in prison and came unto thee? And the king shall
answer and say unto them: verily I say unto you: in as much as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren: ye have done it to me.
Then shall the king say unto them that
shall be on the left hand: depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire,
which is prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was an hungered, and ye
gave me no meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me no drink. I was harborless, and ye
lodged me not. I was naked, and ye clothed me not. I was sick and in prison,
and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him saying:
master, when saw we thee an hungered, or a thirst, or harborless, or naked, or
sick, or in prison, and have not ministered unto thee? then shall he answer
them, and say: Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the
least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go into everlasting pain:
And the righteous into life eternal.
The
.xxvj. Chapter.
And it followed: when Iesus had finished
all these sayings, he said unto his disciples: ye know that after ij. days
shall be ester, and the son of man shall be delivered to be crucified.
Then assembled together the chief priests
and scribes and seniors of the people into the palace of the high priest,
called Caiphas: and held a counsel, how they might take Iesus by subtlety, and
kill him. but they said, not on the holy day, lest any trouble arise among the
people.
When Iesus was in Bethany, in the house of
Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman, which had an alabaster box of
precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at the board. When his
disciples saw that, they had indignation saying: what needed this waste? This
ointment might have been well sold, and given to the poor. When Iesus
understood that, he said unto them: why trouble ye the woman? she hath wrought
a good work upon me. For ye shall have poor folk always with you: but me shall
ye not have always. And in that she casted this ointment on my body, she did it
to bury me with all. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be
preached throughout all the world, there shall also this that she hath done, be
told for a memorial of her.
Then one of the twelve called Iudas
Iscariot went unto the chief priests, and said: what will ye give me, and I
will deliver him unto you? And they appointed unto him thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
The first day of unleavened bread the
disciples came to Iesus saying unto him: where wilt thou that we prepare for
thee to eat the ester lamb? And he said: Go into the city, unto such a man, and
say to him: the master saith, my time is almost come, I will keep mine ester at
thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Iesus had appointed them,
and made ready the ester lamb.
When the even was come, he sat down with
the xij. And as they did eat, he said: Verily I say unto you, that one of you
shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them
to say unto him: is it I master? He answered and said: he that dippeth his hand
with me in the dish, shall betray me. The son of man goeth as it is written of
him: but woe be to that man, by whom the son of man shall be betrayed. It had
been good for that man, if he had never been born.
Then Iudas which betrayed him, answered and
said: is it I master? He said unto him: thou hast said. As they did ate, Iesus
took bread and gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said:
Take, eat, this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it
them, saying: drink of it every one. This is my blood of the new testament,
which shall be shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins. I say unto you: I
will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine tree, until that day, when
I shall drink it new with you in my father's kingdom.
And when they had said grace, they went out
into mount olivet. Then said Iesus unto them: all ye shall fall this night
because of me. For it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of
the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go
before you into Galile. Peter answered, and said unto him: though all men
should be hurt by thee, yet would I not be hurt. Iesus said unto him: verily I
say unto thee, that this same night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me
thrice. Peter said unto him: If I should die with thee, yet will I not deny
thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Then went Iesus with them into a place,
which is called Gethsemane, and said unto his disciples: sit ye here while I go
and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebede, and
began to wax sorrowful and to be in agony. Then said Iesus unto them: my soul
is heavy even unto the death. Tarry ye here: and watch with me. And he went
away a little apart, and fell flat on his face, and prayed saying: O my father,
if it possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as
thou wilt. And he came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and said to
Peter: what, could ye not watch with me one hour? watch and pray, that ye fall
not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away once more, and prayed, saying:
O my father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, but that I drink of it, thy
will be fulfilled. And he came, and found them asleep again. For their eyes
were heavy. And he left and went again, and prayed the third time saying the
same words. Then came he to his disciples and said unto them: Sleep henceforth,
and take your rest. Take heed the hour is at hand, and the son of man shall be
betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going, he is at hand that
shall betray me.
While he yet spake, lo, Iudas one of the
twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, which were
sent from the chief priests and seniors of the people. He that betrayed him,
gave them a token, saying: whosoever I kiss, that same is he, lay hands on him.
And forth with all he came to Iesus, and said: hail master. And kissed him. And
Iesus said unto him: friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid
hands on Iesus and took him.
And behold, one of them which were with
Iesus, stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the
high priest, and smote off his ear. Then said Iesus unto him: put up thy sword
into his sheath. For all they that lay hands on the sword, shall perish with
the sword. Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he
shall give me more than xij. legions of angels? how then should the scriptures
be fulfilled, for so must it be.
The same time said Iesus to the multitude:
ye be come out as it were unto a thief, with swords and staves for to take me:
daily I sat among you teaching in the temple, and ye took me not. All this was
done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the
disciples forsook him and fled. And they took Iesus and led him to Caiphas the
high priest, where the scribes and the seniors were assembled. Peter followed
him afar off, unto the high priest's place: and went in, and sat with the
servants to see the end.
The chief priests, and the seniors, and all
the council, sought false witness against Iesus, for to put him to death, and
they found none: in so much that when many false witnesses came, yet found they
none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said: This fellow said: I can
destroy the temple of God, and build the same in iij days.
And the chief priest arose, and said to
him: answerest thou nothing? How is it that these bear witness against thee?
but Iesus held his peace. And the chief priest answered, and said to him: I
charge thee in the name of the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be
Christ the son of God. Iesus said to him: thou hast said. Nevertheless I say
unto you, hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of
power, and come in the clouds of the sky.
Then the high priest rent his clothes
saying? He hath blasphemed: what need we of any more witnesses? Lo, now have ye
heard his blasphemy: what think ye? They answered and said: he is worthy to
die. Then spat they in his face, and beat him with their fists. And other smote
him with the palm of their hands on the face, saying: areed to us Christ, who
is he that smote thee?
Peter sat without in the palace, and a
damsel came to him, saying: Thou also wast with Iesus of Galilee: he denied
before them all saying: I wot not what thou sayest. When he was gone out into
the porch, another wench saw him, and said unto them that were there: This
fellow was also with Iesus of Nazareth: And again he denied with an oath, and
said: I know not the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by,
and said unto Peter: surely thou art even one of them, for thy speech betrayeth
thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, that he knew not the man. And
immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the words of Iesu, which he
said unto him: before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice: and went out at
the doors and wept bitterly.
The
.xxvij. Chapter.
When the morning was come, all the chief
priests and seniors of the people held a counsel against Iesu, to put him to
death, and brought him bound and delivered him unto Pontius Pilate the deputy.
Then when Iudas which betrayed him, saw
that he was condemned, he repented himself, and brought again the xxx. plates
of silver to the chief priests and seniors saying: I have sinned betraying the
innocent blood. And they said: what is that to us? see thou to that. And he
cast down the silver plates in the temple, and departed, and went and hung
himself.
The chief priests took the silver plates
and said: it is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the
price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them a potter's field to
bury strangers in. Wherefore that field is called, the field of blood, until
this day. Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken by Ieremy the prophet,
saying: and they took xxx. silver plates, the value of him that was priced,
whom they bought of the children of Israhel, and they gave them for the
potter's field, as the lord appointed me.
Iesus stood before the deputy: and the
deputy asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the jewes? Iesus said unto him:
Thou sayest. When he was accused of the chief priests and seniors, he answered
nothing. Then said Pilate unto him: hearest thou not how many things they lay
against thee? and he answered him to never a word: in so much that the deputy
marvelled very sore.
At that feast, the deputy was wont to
deliver unto the people a prisoner whom they would choose. He had then a
notable prisoner called Barabbas. And when they were gathered together, Pilate
said unto them: whether will ye that I give loose unto you, Barabbas, or Iesus
which is called Christ? For he knew well, that for envy they had delivered him.
When he was set down to give judgement, his
wife sent to him, saying: have thou nothing to do with that just man, I have
suffered many things this day in my sleep about him.
The chief priests and the seniors had
persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and should destroy Iesus.
The deputy answered and said unto them: whether of the twain will ye that I let
loose unto you? And they said, Barabbas. Pilate said unto them: what shall I do
then with Iesus, which is called Christ? They all said to him: let him be
crucified. Then said the deputy: what evil hath he done? And they cried the
more saying: let him be crucified.
When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing,
but that more business was made, he took water and washed his hands before the
people saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just person, and that ye
shall see. Then answered all the people, and said: his blood fall on us, and on
our children. Then let he Barabbas loose unto them, and scourged Iesus, and
delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the deputy took Iesus unto
the common hall, and gathered unto him all the company. And they stripped him,
and put on him a purple robe, and plaited a crown of thorns and put upon his
head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowed their knees before him, saying:
hail king of the jewes, and spitted upon him, and took the reed and smote him
on the head.
And when they had mocked him, they took the
robe off him again, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify
him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyren, named Simon: him they
compelled to bear his cross. And came unto the place, which is called Golgotha
(that is to say a place of dead men's skulls) they gave him vinegar to drink
mixt with gall. And when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
When they had crucified him, they parted
his garments, and did cast lots. To fulfil that was spoken by the prophet: They
divided my garments among them: and upon my vesture have cast lots. And they
sat and watched him there. And they set up over his head the cause of his death
written: This is Iesus the king of the jewes. And there were two thieves
crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left hand.
They that passed by, reviled him wagging
their heads and saying: Thou that destroyest the temple of God, and buildest it
in three days save thyself. If thou be the son of God, come down from the
cross. Likewise also the prelates mocking him with the scribes and seniors
said: He saved other, himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israhell:
let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in
God, let God deliver him now if he will have him, for he said, I am the son of
God. That same also the thieves, which were crucified with him cast in his
teeth.
From the sixth hour was there darkness over
all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Iesus cried with a
loud voice, saying: Eli Eli lama sabathani. That is to say, my God, my God, why
hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that
said: This man calleth for Helias. And straightway one of them ran and took a
sponge and filled it full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to
drink. Other said let be, let us see whether Helias will come and deliver him.
Iesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up the ghost.
And behold the veil of the temple was rent
in twain from the top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the stones
did rent, and graves did open, and the bodies of many saints which slept,
arose: and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and came into the
holy city, and appeared unto many.
When the petty captain, and they that were
with him watching Iesus, saw the earthquake and those things which happened,
they feared greatly saying, Of a surety this was the son of God.
And many women were there, beholding him
afar off, which followed Iesus from Galile, ministering unto him: among the
which was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of Iames and the mother of Ioses,
and the mother of Zebedee's children.
When the even was come, there came a rich
man of Arimathia named Ioseph, which same also was Iesus' disciple. He went to
Pilate and begged the body of Iesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be
delivered. And Ioseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and
put it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out even in the rock, and rolled a
great stone to the door of the sepulchre and departed. And there was Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre.
The next day that followeth good friday,
the high priests and pharisees got themselves to Pilate, and said: Sir, we
remember, that this deceiver said while he was yet alive. After three days I
will arise again, command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the
third day, lest peradventure his disciples come, and steal him away, and say
unto the people, he is risen from death: And then the last error shall be worse
than the first was. Pilate said unto them: Take watchmen: Go and make it as
sure as ye can. They went and made the sepulchre sure with watchmen, and sealed
the stone.
The
.xxviij. Chapter.
The saboth day at even which dawneth the
morrow after the saboth, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the
sepulchre.
And behold there was a great earthquake.
For the angel of the lord descended from heaven: and came and rolled back the
stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and
his raiment white as snow. For fear of him the keepers were astunned, and
became as dead men.
The angel answered, and said to the women,
Fear ye not. I know well ye seek Iesus which was crucified: he is not here: he
is risen as he said. Come, and see the place where the lord was put. And go
quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from death. And behold, he will
go before you into Galile, there ye shall see him. Lo I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the
sepulchre with fear and great Ioy. And did run to bring his disciples word. And
as they went to tell his disciples: behold, Iesus met them saying: God speed
you. They came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Then said Iesus unto
them: be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren, that they go into Galile, and
there shall they see me. When they were gone: behold, some of the keepers came
in to the city, and shewed unto the prelates, all the things which had
happened. And they gathered them together with the seniors, and took counsel,
and gave large money unto the soldiers, saying: Say that his disciples came by
night, and stole him away while ye slept. And if this come to the ruler's ears,
we will pease him, and make you safe. And they took the money and did as they
were taught. And this saying is noised among the jews unto this day.
Then the xj. disciples went away into
Galile, into a mountain where Iesus had appointed them. And when they saw him,
they worshipped him. But some of them doubted. Iesus came and spake unto them,
saying: All power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth. Go therefore and
teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, and the son, and
the holy ghost: Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded
you. And lo, I am with you alway even until the end of the world.
Here
endeth the Gospell of S. Mathew.
The
gospell of S. Marke
The first
Chapter.
The beginning of the Gospell of Iesu Christ
the son of God, as it is written in the prophets, behold I send my messenger
before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one that
crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of the lord, make his paths
straight.
Ihon did baptise in the wilderness, and
preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. And all the land
of Iewry, and they of Ierusalem went out unto him, and were all baptised of him
in the river Iordan, knowledging, their sins.
Ihon was clothed with camel's hair, and
with a girdle of a beasts skin about his loins. And he ate locusts and wild
honey, and preached saying: a stronger than I cometh after me, whose shoe
latchet I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptised you with
water: but he shall baptise you with the holy ghost.
And it came to pass in those days, that
Iesus came from Nazareth, a city of Galile: and was baptised of Ihon in Iordan.
And immediately he came out of the water,
and saw the heavens open, and the holy ghost descending upon him like a dove.
And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my dear son, in whom I delight.
And immediately the spirit drove him into a wilderness: and he was there in the
wilderness xl. days, and was tempted of Satan, and was with wild beasts. And the
angels ministered unto him.
After that Ihon was taken, Iesus came into
Galile, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying: the time is ful
come, and the kingdom of God is even at hand, repent and believe the gospel.
As he walked by the sea of Galile, he saw
Simon and Andrew his brother casting nets into the sea, for they were fishers.
And Iesus said unto them: follow me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.
And they straightway forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further
thence, he saw Iames the son of Zebede, and Ihon his brother, even as they were
in the ship dressing their nets. And anon he called them. And they left their
father Zebede in the ship with his hired servants, and went their way after
him.
And they entered into Capernaum, and
straight way on the Sabbath days he entered into the synagogue and taught. And
they marvelled at his learning. For he taught them as one which had power with
him, and not as the scribes did.
And
there was in the Synagogue, a man vexed with an unclean spirit, and he cried
saying: let me alone: what have we to do with thee Iesus of Nazareth? Art thou
come to destroy us? I know what thou art, thou art that holy man promised of
God. And Iesus rebuked him, saying: hold thy peace and come out of the man. And
the unclean spirit tare him, cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they demanded one of another among
themselves, saying: what thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for he
commandeth the foul spirits with power, and they obey him. Anon his name spread
abroad throughout all the region bordering on Galile.
And immediately as soon as they were come
out of the Synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew with
Iames and Ihon. Simon's motherinlaw lay sick of a fever, and anon they told him
of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever
forsook her by and by: And she ministered unto them.
And at even when the sun was down, they
brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with
devils, and all the city gathered together at the door, and he healed many that
were sick of divers diseases. And he cast out many: devils and suffered not the
devils to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning very early, Iesus arose
and went out into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that
were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto
him: all men seek for thee. And he said unto them: let us go in to the next
towns, that I may preach there also: for truly I came out for that purpose. And
he preached in their synagogues, throughout all Galile, and cast devils out.
And there came a leper to him beseeching
him, and kneeled down unto him, and said unto him: if thou wilt, thou arte able
to make me clean. Iesus had compassion on him, and put forth his hand, touched
him, and said unto him: I will, be clean. And as soon as he had spoken,
immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. and he charged
him and sent him away forthwith and said unto him: See that thou tell no
man, but get thee hence and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy
cleansing, those things which Moses commanded, for a testimonial unto them. But
he (as soon as he was departed) began to tell many things and to publish the
deed, insomuch that Iesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was
without in desert places, and they came to him from every quarter.
The .ij.
Chapter.
After a few days he entered into Capernaum
again, and it was noised that he was in a house: And anon many gathered
together, insomuch that now there was no room to receive them: no, not in
places about the door. And he preached unto them. And there came unto him that
brought one sick of the palsy, borne of four men: and because they could not
come nigh unto him for press: They opened the roof of the house where he was.
And when they had broken it open, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the
palsy lay. When Iesus saw their faith, he said to the sick of the palsy, son
thy sins are forgiven thee.
There were certain of the scribes sitting,
and reasoning in their hearts: how doth this fellow so blaspheme? Who can
forgiven sins, but God only? And immediately when Iesus perceived in his
spirit, that they so reasoned in themselves, he said unto them: why think ye
such things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the
palsy, thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, arise, take up thy bed and walk?
That ye may know that the son of man hath power in earth to forgive sins, he
spake unto the sick of the palsy: I say unto thee, arise and take up thy bed,
and get thee hence into thine own house. And by and by he arose, took up his
bed, and went forth before them all: in so much that they were all amazed, and
glorified God saying: we never saw it on this fashion.
And he went out again unto the sea, and all
the people resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as Iesus passed by, he
saw Levi the son of Alphey, sit at the receipt of custom and said unto him:
follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, as Iesus sat at
meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat at meat also with Iesus and
his disciples. For there were many that followed him. And when the scribes and
pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples:
how is it, that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Iesus
heard that, he said unto them. The whole have no need of the Physician: but the
sick. I came to call the sinners to repentance, and not the just.
And the disciples of Ihon and of the
pharisees did fast, and they came and said unto him: Why do the disciples of
Ihon and of the pharisees fast, and thy disciples fast not. And Iesus said unto
them: can the children of a wedding fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As
long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will
come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast in
those days.
Also no man soweth a piece of new cloth
unto an old garment, for then taketh he away the new piece from the old, and so
is the rent worse.
In like wise, no man poureth new wine into
old vessels, for if he do the new wine breaketh the vessels, and the wine
runneth out, and the vessels are marred. But new wine must be poured into new
vessels.
And it chanced that he went thorow the corn
fields on the sabboth day, and his disciples as they went on their way, began
to pluck the ears of corn. And the pharisees said unto him: Take heed why do
they on the sabboth day that which is unlawful? And he said to them: have ye
never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered both he and
they that were with him? How they went into the house of God in the days of
Abiathar the high priest, and ate the hallowed loaves, which is not lawful but
for the priests only to eat: and gave also to them which were with him? And he
said to them: the saboth day was made for man, and not man for the saboth day.
Wherefore is the son of man lord even of the saboth day.
The .iij.
Chapter.
And he entered again into the synagogue,
and there was a man which had a withered hand: and they watched him to see, if
he would heal him on the saboth day, that they might accuse him. And he said
unto the man which had the withered hand: arise and stand in the midst. And he
said to them: whether is it lawful to do a good deed on the sabboth day, or an
evil? to save a man's life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And he
looked round about on them angerly mourning on the blindness of their hearts.
And said to the man: stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth: And
the hand was restored, even as whole as the other.
The pharisees departed, and straightway
gathered a counsel with them that belonged to Herode against him, that they
might destroy him. And Iesus avoided with his disciples to the sea: and a great
multitude followed him from Galilee and from Iewry, and from Hierusalem, and
from Idumea, and from beyond Iordan: and they that dwelled about Tyre and
Sidon, a great multitude: which when they had heard what things he did, came
unto him.
And he commanded his disciples, that a ship
should wait on him, because of the people, lest they should throng him. For he
had healed many, in so much that they pressed upon him, for to touch him, as
many as had plagues. And when the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before
him, and cried saying: thou art the son of God: And he straightly charged them
that they should not utter him.
And he went up into a mountain, and called
unto him whom he would, and they came unto him. And he ordained the twelve that
they should be with him, and that he might send them to preach. And that they
might have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils. And he gave Simon,
to name, Peter. And he called Iames the son of Zebedee, and Ihon Iames brother,
and gave them Bonargs to name, which is to say the sons of thunder. And Andrew,
and Philip, and Bartelemew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and Iames the son of
Alphey, and Taddeus, and Simon of Cane, and Iudas Iscarioth, which same also
betrayed him.
And they came unto house, and the people
assembled together again, so greatly that they had not leisure so much as to
eat bread. And when they that longed unto him heard of it, they went out to
hold him. For they said, he is too fervent. And the scribes which came from
Ierusalem, said: he hath Beelzebub, and by the power of the chief devil,
casteth out devils. And he called them unto him, and in similitudes said unto
them.
How can Satan drive out Satan? For if a
realm be divided against itself, that realm cannot endure. And if a house be
divided against itself, that house cannot continue: So if Satan make
insurrection against himself, and be divided, he cannot continue, but hath an
end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and take away his goods,
except he first bind that strong man and then spoil his house.
Verily I say unto you all sins shall be
forgiven unto men's children: and blasphemy, wherewith they blaspheme: but he
that blasphemeth the holy ghost, shall never have forgiveness: but is in danger
of eternal damnation. For they said, he had an unclean spirit.
And there came his mother and his brethren,
and stood without, and sent unto him and called him: And the people sat about
him, and said unto him: behold thy mother and thy brethren seek for thee
without. And he answered them, saying: who is my mother, and my brethren? And
he looked round about on his disciples, which sat in compass about him, and
said: behold my mother, and my brethren:
For whosoever doeth the will of God, he is
my brother, my sister and mother.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
And he
began again to teach by the seaside. And there gathered together unto him much
people, so greatly that he entered in to a ship, and sat in the sea, and all
the people was by the seaside on the shore: And he taught them many things in
similitudes, and said unto them in his doctrine. Hearken to. Behold, The sower
went out to sow, and it fortuned as he sowed, that some fell by the wayside,
and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Some fell on a stony ground: where
it had not much earth: and by and by sprang up, because it had not depth of
earth: and as soon as the sun was up it caught heat: and because it had not
rooting it withered away. And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew
up and choked it, so that it gave no fruit. And some fell upon good ground: and
did yield fruit that sprang and grew: and brought forth some thirty fold, some
forty {or sixty} fold, and some an hundred fold. And he said unto them: He that
hath ears to hear, let him hear.
When he was alone, they that were, about
him with the twelve asked him of the similitude. And he said unto them: To you
it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: But unto them that are
without, shall all things be done in similitudes: that when they see, they
shall see, and not discern: and when they hear they shall hear, and not
understand: lest at any time they should turn, and their sins should be
forgiven them. And he said unto them: Perceive ye not this similitude. And how
ye shall know all similitudes?
The sower soweth the word. These be they
which are by the ways side, where the word is sown, to whom as soon as they
have heard it, cometh the devil and taketh away the word that was sown in their
hearts. And these also are they that are sown on the stony ground: which when
they have heard the word, at once they receive it with joy, yet have no root in
themselves, and so endure but for a season: afterward as soon as any trouble or
persecution ariseth for the word's sake, anon they fall. And these are they
that are sown among the thorns, which hear the word of God, and the care of
this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter
in, and choke the word, and it is made unfruitful. And these that were sown in
good ground, are they that hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirty fold some sixty fold, some an hundred fold.
And he said unto them: is the candle
lighted, to be put under a bushel, or under the bord: is it not therefore lighted
that it should be put on a candlestick? For there is nothing so privy, that
shall not be opened: neither so secret, but that it shall come abroad. If any
man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them: take heed what ye
hear. With what measure ye mete, with the same shall it be measured unto you
again. And unto you that have shall more be given. For unto him that hath,
shall it be given: And unto him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that
he hath.
And he said: so is the kingdom of God, even
as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise up night
and day: and the seed should spring, and grow up while he is not ware. For the
earth bringeth forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ears, after
that full corn in the ears. And as soon as the fruit is brought forth, anon he
thrusteth in the sickle because that harvest is come.
And he said: whereunto shall we liken the
kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain
of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is the least of all seeds
that be in the earth: And after that it is sown it groweth up, and is greatest
of all herbs: and beareth great branches so that the fowls of the air may dwell
under the shadow of it.
And with many such similitudes he preached
the word unto them, after as they might hear it. And without similitude spake
he nothing unto them. But when they were apart, he expounded all things to his
disciples. And the same day when even was come he said unto them: let us pass
over into the other side. And they late the people depart and took him even as
he was in the ship. There were also with him other ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and
dashed the waves into the ship, so that it was full. And he was in the stern
asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him, and said to him: Master, carest thou
not that we perish? And he rose up and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea:
peace and be still. And the wind allayed, and there followed a great calm: and
he said unto them: why are ye fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And
they feared exceedingly, and said one to another: what fellow is this? for both
wind and sea obey him.
The .v.
Chapter.
And they came over to the other side of the
sea into the country of the Gaderens. And when he was come out of the ship,
anon met him out of the graves a man possessed of an unclean spirit, which had
his abiding among the graves. And no man could bind him with chains, because
that when he was often bound with fetters and chains, he plucked the chains
asunder, and brake the fetters in pieces: Neither could any man tame him. And
always both night and day he cried in the mountains and in the graves and beat
himself with stones. When he had spied Iesus afar off, he ran, and worshipped
him, and cried with a loud voice and said: what have I to do, with thee Iesus
the son of the most highest God? I require thee in the name of God, that thou
torment me not. For he had said unto him: Come forth of the man thou foul
spirit. And he asked him: what is thy name? and he answered him, my name is
legion, for we are many. And he prayed him instantly, that he would not send
them away out of that region.
There was there nigh unto the mountains a
great herd of swine feeding, and all the devils besought him saying: send us
into the herd of swine, that we may enter into them. And anon Iesus gave them
leave, And the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine. And the
herd startled, and ran headlong into the sea. They were about ijM. swine, and
they were drowned in the sea. And the swine herders fled, and told it in the
city, and in the country. And they came out for to see, what had happened, And
they came out to Iesus, and they saw him that was vexed with the fiend and had
the Legion sit, both clothed and in his right mind, and were afraid. And they
that saw it told them, how it had happened unto him that was possessed with the
devil: and also of the swine. And they began to pray him, that he would depart
from their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had the devil
prayed him that he might be with him. Iesus would not suffer him but said unto
him: go home into thine own house and to thy friends, and shew them what things
the lord hath done unto thee, and how he had compassion on thee. And he
departed, and began to publish in the ten cities, what things Iesus had done
unto him, and all men did marvel.
And when Iesus was come over again in the
ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him, and he was nigh unto
the sea. And behold, there came unto him one of the rulers of the Synagogue,
whose name was Iairus: and when he saw him, he fell down at his feet, and
besought him greatly saying: my daughter lieth at point of death, I would thou
wouldst come and lay thy hand on her, that she might be safe and live. And he
went with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And there was a woman, which was diseased
of an issue of blood twelve year, and had suffered many things of many
physicians, and had spent all that she had, and felt none amendment at all: But
waxed worse and worse. When she had heard of Iesus: she came into the press
behind him, and touched his garment. For she said: If I may but touch his
clothing, I shall be whole. And straight way her fountain of blood was dried
up, and she felt in her body, that she was healed of the plague.
And Iesus immediately felt in himself, the
vertue that went out of him, and turned him round about in the press, and said:
Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him: thou seest the people
thrusting thee on every side, and yet sayest: who did touch me? And he looked
round about, for to see her that had done that thing. The woman feared and
trembled, for she knew what was done within her. And she came and fell down
before him and told him the truth of everything. And he said unto her:
Daughter, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler
of the synagogi's house, certain which said: thy daughter is dead: why
diseasest thou the Master any further? As soon as Iesus heard that word spoken,
he said unto the ruler of the Synagogue: Be not afraid, only believe. And he
suffered no man to follow him more than Peter, and Iames and Ihon Iames
brother. And he came unto the house of the ruler of the Synagogue, and saw the
wondering and them that wept and wailed greatly,
And he went in and said unto them: Why make
ye this ado and weep? The maiden is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed
him to scorn. Then he put them all out, and took the father and the mother of
the maiden, and them that were with him, and entered in where the maiden lay,
And took the maiden by the hand, and said unto her: Tabitha, cumi: which is by
interpretation: maiden I say unto thee, arise. And straight the maiden arose,
and went on her feet. For she was of the age of twelve year. And they were
astonied at it out of measure. And he charged them straitly that no man should
know of it. And commanded to give her meat.
The .vj.
Chapter.
And he departed thence, and came into his
own country, and his disciples followed him. And when the saboth day was come,
he began to teach in the synagogue. And many that heard him were astonied, and
said: From whence hath he these things? and what wisdom is this that is given
unto him? and such virtues that are wrought by his hands? Is not this that
carpenter Marys son, the brother of Iames, and Ioses and Iuda and Simon? and are
not his sisters here with us? And they were hurt by the reason of him. And
Iesus said unto them: a prophet is not despised but in his own country, and
among his own kin, and among them that are of the same household. And he could
there shew no miracles but laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them.
And he marvelled at their unbelief.
And he went about by the towns that lie in
circuit, teaching. And he called the twelve, and began to send them, two and
two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. And commanded them, that they
should take nothing unto their Iourney, save a rod only: Neither scrip, neither
bread, neither money in their purses: but should be shod with sandals. And that
they should not put on two coats. And said unto them: wheresoever ye enter into
an house, there abide till ye depart thence. And whosoever shall not receive
you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust that is under your
feet, for a remembrance unto them. I say verily unto you, it shallbe easier for
Sodom and Gomor, at the day of judgement, than for that city.
And they went out and preached, that they
should repent: and they cast out many devils. And they anointed, many that were
sick with oil and healed them.
And king Herode heard of him, for his name
was spread abroad, And he said: Ihon Baptist is risen again from death, and
therefore miracles are wrought in him. Other said, it is Helias: and some said:
it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herode heard of him, he
said: it is Ihon whom I beheaded, he is risen from death again.
For Herode himself, had sent forth, and had
taken Ihon, and bound him and cast him into prison for Herodias' sake which was
his brother Philip's wife. For he had married her. Ihon said unto Herode: It is
not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Herodias laid wait for him, and
would have killed him, but she could not. For Herode feared Ihon, knowing that
he was just and holy, and gave him reverence, And when he heard him he did many
things, and heard him gladly.
And when a convenient day was come: Herode
on his birthday made a supper to the lords, captains, and chief estates of
Galile. And the daughter of the same Herodias came in and danced, and pleased
Herode and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden: ask
of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her,
whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of
my kingdom. And she went forth and said to her mother: what shall I ask? And
she said: Ihon baptist's head. And she came in straightway with haste unto the
king, and asked saying: I will, that thou give me by and by in a charger the
head of Ihon baptist. And the king was sorry yet for his oath's sake, and for their
sakes which sat at supper also, he would not put her beside her purpose. And
immediately the king sent the hangman and commanded his head to be brought in.
And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger
and gave it to the maiden, and the maiden gave it to her mother. When his
disciples heard of it, they came and took up his body, and put it in a tomb.
And the apostles gathered themselves
together to Iesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they
had taught. And he said unto them: come ye apart into the wilderness, and rest
awhile. For there were many comers and goers. And they had no leisure wos for
to eat. And he went by ship aside out of the way into a desert place. And the
people spied them when they departed: and many knew him, and they hasted afoot
thither out of every city, and came thither before them, And came together unto
him. And Iesus went out and saw much people, and had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep which had no shepherd. And he began to teach them
many things.
And when the day was now far spent, his
disciples came unto him saying: this is a desert place, and now the day is far
passed, let them depart, that they may go into the country round about, and into
the towns, and buy them bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and
said unto them: give ye them to eat. And they said unto him: shall we go and
buy ij.C. pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He said unto them: how
many loaves have ye? Go and look. And when they had searched, they said: v. and
ij. fishes. And he commanded them to make them all sit down, by companies upon
the green grass. And they sat down here a row and there a row, by hundreds and
by fifties. And he took the v. loaves and the ij. fishes And looked up to
heaven and blest, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to put
before them, and the ij. fishes he divided among them all. And they all ate,
and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the gobbets and of
the fishes. And they that ate were about five thousand men.
And straightway he caused his disciples to
go into the ship, and to go over the water before unto Bethsaida, while he sent
away the people. And as soon as he had sent them away, he departed into a
mountain to pray. And when even was come the ship was in the midst of the sea,
and he alone on the land, and he saw them troubled in rowing, for the wind was
contrary unto them. And about the fourth quarter of the night, he came unto them,
walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. When they saw him walking
upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all
saw him, and were afraid. And anon he talked with them, and said unto them: be
of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship,
and the wind ceased, and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure,
and marvelled. For they remembered not of the loaves, because their hearts were
blinded.
And they came over, and went into the land
of Genazareth, and drew up into the haven. And as soon as they were come out of
the ship, straight they knew him, and ran forth throughout all the region round
a about, and began to carry about in beds all that were sick, when they heard
tell that he was there. And whithersoever he entered into the towns, or cities,
or villages, they laid their sick in the streets, and prayed him, that they
might touch and it were but the edge of his vesture. And as many as touched him
were safe.
The .vij.
Chapter.
And the pharisees came together unto him,
and divers of the scribes which came from Ierusalem. And when they saw certain
of his disciples eat bread with common hands (that is to say, with unwashen
hands) they complained. For the pharisees, and all the jews, except they wash
their hands often, eat not, observing the traditions of the seniors. And when
they come from the market, except they wash themselves they eat not. And many
other things there be, which they have taken upon them to observe, as the
washing of cups and cruses, and of brazen vessels, and of tables.
Then asked him the pharisees and scribes:
why walk not thy disciples according to the traditions of the seniors, but eat
bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them: well prophesied hath
Esaias of you hypocrites as it is written: This people honoureth me with their
lips, but their heart is far from me: In vain they worship me, teaching
doctrines which are nothing but the commandments of men, for ye lay the commandment
of God apart, and ye observe the traditions of men as the washing of cruses and
of cups, and many other such like things ye do.
And he said unto them: well, ye put away
the commandment of God, to maintain your own traditions. For Moses said: Honour
thy father and thy mother: and whosoever saith evil of his father or mother,
let him die for it. But ye say: a man shall say to his father or mother Corban,
that is, whatsoever thing I offer, that same doeth profit thee. And ye suffer
no more that a man do anything for his father or mother, and thus have ye made
the commandment of God of none effect through your own traditions which ye have
ordained. And many such things ye do.
And he called all the people unto him, and
said unto them: Hearken unto me every one of you and understand: There is
nothing with out a man that can defile him when it entereth into him, but those
things which proceed out of him are those which defile a man. If any man have
ears to hear, let him hear. And when he came into a house away from the people,
his disciples asked him of the similitude, and he said unto them: Do ye than
lack understanding: Do ye not yet perceive, that whatsoever thing from without
entereth into a man, it cannot defile him, because it entereth not into his
heart, but into the belly: and goeth out into the draught that purgeth out all
meats.
And he said that defileth a man which
cometh out of a man. For from within even out of the heart of men, proceed evil
thoughts: advoutry, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, uncleanness, and a wicked eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these
evil things, come from within, and defile a man.
And from thence he rose and went into the
borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would that no man
should have known of him: But he could not be hid. For a certain woman whose
daughter had a foul spirit when she heard of him, came and fell down at his
feet. The woman was a greek out of Syrophenicia, and she besought him that he
would cast out the devil out of her daughter. Iesus said unto her: let the
children first be fed. It is not meet, to take the children's bread, and to
cast it unto whelps. She answered and said unto him: even so Master,
nevertheless, the whelps also eat under the table of the children's crumbs. And
he said unto her: for this saying go thy way, the devil is gone out of thy
daughter. And when she was come home to her house she found the devil departed,
and her daughter lying on the bed.
And he departed again from the coasts of
Tyre and Sidon, and came unto the sea of Galile thorow the midst of the coasts
of the x. cities. And they brought unto him one that was deaf, and stammered in
his speech, and prayed him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from
the people, and put his fingers in his ears, and did spit, and touched his
tongue, and looked up to heaven and sighted, and said unto him: ephatha that is
to say, be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue
was loosed, and he spake plain. And he commanded them that they should tell no
man. But the more he forbade them, so much the more a great deal they published
it. And were beyond measure astonied, saying: He hath done all things well, and
hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.
The
.viij. Chapter.
In those days when there was a very great
company, and had nothing to eat, Iesus called his disciples to him and said
unto them: My heart melteth on this people, because they have now been with me
iij. days, and have nothing to eat: And if I should send them away fasting to
their own houses, they should faint by the way. For divers of them came from
far. And his disciples answered him: from whence might a man suffice them with
bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them: how many loaves have ye? They
said: seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And he took
the vij. loaves, gave thanks, brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before
them. And they set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes. And
he blessed them and commanded them also to be set before them. They ate and
were sufficed, and they took up of the broken meat that was left, vij. baskets
full. They that ate were in number about four thousand. And he sent them away.
And anon he took ship with his disciples,
and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the pharisees came forth, and began
to dispute with him, and sought of him a sign from heaven tempting him, and he
sighed in his spirit and said: why doth this generation seek a sign? Verily I
say unto you, there shall no sign be given unto this generation. And he left
them and went into the ship again, and departed over the water. And they had
forgotten to take bread with them, neither had they in the ship with them more
than one loaf. And he charged them saying: take heed, beware of the leaven of
the pharisees, and of the leaven of Herode. And they reasoned among themselves
saying: we have no bread. And when Iesus knew that he said unto them: why take
ye thought because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand?
Have ye your hearts yet blinded? Have ye eyes and see not? and have ye ears and
hear not? Do ye not remember? When I v. five loaves among v.M. men: How many baskets
full of broken meat took ye up? They said unto him, xij. When I brake vij among
iiij M how many baskets of the leavings of broken meat took ye up? They said,
vij. And he said unto them: how is it that ye understand not?
And he came to Bethsaida, and they brought
a blind man unto him and desired him, to touch him. And he caught the blind by
the hand, and led him out of the town, and spat in his eyes and put his hands
upon him, and asked him if he saw anything, and he looked up and said: I see men,
For I see them walk as they were trees. After that he put his hands again upon
his eyes, and made him see. And he was restored to his sight, and saw every man
clearly. And he sent him home to his own house saying: neither go into the
town, nor tell it any in the town.
And Iesus went out and his disciples into
the towns that long to the city called Cesarea Philippi, and by the way he
asked his disciples saying: whom do men say that I am? They answered: some say
that thou art Ihon Baptist: some say Helias, and some one of the prophets. And
he said unto them: But whom say ye that I am? Peter answered and said unto him:
Thou art very Christ. And he charged them, that they should tell no man of it.
And he began to declare unto them, how that the son of man must suffer many
things, and should be reproved of the seniors and of the high priests and
scribes, and should be killed, and after three days arise again. And he spake
that saying openly. And Peter took him aside, and began to chide him. He turned
about, and looked on his disciples, and rebuked Peter saying: Go after me
Satan. For thou savourest not the things of God but the things of men.
And he called the people unto him, with his
disciples also, and said unto them. Whosoever will follow me, let him forsake
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his
life, shall lose it. But whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
Gospel's, the same shall save it. What shall it profit a man, if he should win
all the world and lose his own soul? or else what shall a man give, to redeem
his soul again? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words,
among this advoutrous and sinful generation: of him shall the son of man be
ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy angels.
The .ix.
Chapter.
And he
said unto them: Verily I say unto you: There be some of them that stand here,
which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come
with power.
And after vj. days Iesus took Peter, Iames,
and Ihon and led them up into an high mountain out of the way alone, and he was
transfigured before them. And his raiment did shine, and was made very white,
even as snow: so white as no fuller can make upon the earth. And there appeared
unto them Helias with Moses: and they talked with Iesu. And Peter answered and
said to Iesu: Master, here is good being for us, let us make iij. tabernacles,
one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Helias. And wist not what he said. For
they were afraid. And there was a cloud that shadowed them. And a voice came
out of the cloud saying: This is my dear son, hear him. And suddenly, they
looked round about them, and saw no man more, but Iesus only.
As they came down from the hill, he charged
them, that they should tell no man what they had seen, till the son of man were
risen from death again. And they kept that saying within them, and demanded one
of another, what that rising from death again should mean? And they asked him
saying: why then Say the scribes, that Helias must first come? He answered and
said unto them: Helias at his first coming, shall bring all things again into
good order: And even so is it written of the son of man, that he shall suffer
many things, and shall be set at nought. And I say unto you, that Helias is
come, and they have done unto him whatsoever pleased them, as it is written of
him.
And he came to his disciples, and saw much
people about them, and the scribes disputing with them. And straightway all the
people beheld him and were amazed, and ran to him, and saluted him. And he said
unto the scribes: What dispute ye with them? And one of the company answered
and said: Master I have brought my son unto thee, which hath a dumb spirit. And
whensoever he taketh him, he teareth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth with his
teeth, and pineth away. And I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him
out, and they could not.
He answered him and said: O generation
without faith, how long shall I be with you. How long shall I suffer you? bring
him unto me. And they brought him unto him. And as soon as the spirit saw him,
he tare him. And he fell down on the ground wallowing: And foaming. And he
asked his father: how long is it ago, since this hath happened him? And he said,
of a child. And often times casteth him into the fire, and also into the water,
to destroy him. But if thou canst do anything, have mercy on us, and help us.
Iesus said unto him: ye if thou couldest believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth. And straight way the father of the child cried with tears
saying: lord I believe, succor mine unbelief.
When Iesus saw that the people came running
together unto him, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him: Thou dumb and
deaf spirit, I charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the
spirit cried, and rent him sore and came out: And he was as one that had been
dead, insomuch that many said, he is dead. But Iesus caught his hand, and lift
him up, and he rose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked
him secretly: why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them: this kind
can by no other means come forth, but by prayer and fasting.
And they departed thence, and took their
journey thorow Galile, and would not, that any man should have known it. For he
taught his disciples, and said unto them: The son of man shall be delivered
into the hands of men, and they shall kill him, and after that he is killed he
shall arise again the third day. But they wist not what that saying meant, and
were afraid to ask him.
And he came to Capernaum, and when he was
come to house, he said to them: what was it that ye disputed between you by the
way? And they held their peace (for by the way they reasoned among themselves,
who should be the chiefest) And he sat down, and called the twelve unto him,
and said to them: if any man desire to be first, the same shallbe last of all,
and servant unto all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them,
and took him in his arms and said unto them: Whosoever receive any such a child
in my name, receiveth me: And whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him
that sent me.
Ihon answered him, saying: Master, we saw
one casting out devils in thy name, which followeth not us and we forbade him,
because he followeth us not. But Iesus said: forbid him not. For there is no
man that shall do a miracle in my name, and can speak lightly evil of me.
Whosoever is not against you, is on your part. And whosoever shall give you a
cup of water to drink for my name's sake because ye are belonging to Christe,
verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
And whosoever shall hurt one of these
little ones, that believe in me, it were better for him, that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand
offend thee, cut him off. It is better for thee, to enter into life maimed,
than to go, with two hands into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched,
where their worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out. And if thy foot
offend thee, cut him off. It is better for thee to go halt into life, than with
ij. feet to be cast into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched: where
their worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out? And if thine eye offend
thee pluck him out. It is better for thee to go into the kingdom of God with
one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth
not, and the fire never goeth out.
Every man therefore shall be salted with fire:
And every sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt. Salt is good. But if the salt
be unsavoury: what shall ye salt therewith? See that ye have salt in
yourselves. And have peace among yourselves, one with another.
The .x.
Chapter.
And he rose from thence, and went into the
coasts of Iewry through the region that is beyond Iordan. And the people
resorted unto him afresh: And as he was wont he taught them again. And the
Pharises came and asked him a question: whether it were lawful for a man to put
away his wife: To prove him. He answered and said unto them: what did Moses bid
you do? And they said: Moses suffered to write a testimonial of her
divorcement, and to put her away. And Iesus answered, and said unto them: For
because of your hard hearts he wrote this precept unto you. But at the first
creation, God made them man and woman, saying: For this thing's sake shall man
leave father and mother, and bide by his wife, and, ij. shall be made one
flesh. So then are they now not twain, but one flesh, therefore that which God
hath coupled, let not man separate.
And in the house his disciples asked him
again of that matter. And he said unto them: Whosoever putteth away his wife,
and marrieth another, breaketh wedlock to herward. And if a woman forsake her
husband, and be married to another, she committeth advoutry.
And they brought children to him that he
should touch them. And his disciples chid those that brought them. When Iesus
saw that, he was displeased, and said to them: Suffer the children to come unto
me and forbid them not. For unto such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I
say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child, he shall
not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, and put his hands upon them,
and blessed them.
And when he was come out into the way,
there came one running and kneeled to him, and asked him: Good Master, what
shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life? Iesus said to him: why callest
thou me good? there is no man good but one, which is God. Thou knowest the
commandments: break not matrimony, kill not, steal not, bear no false witness,
defraud no man, honour thy father and thy mother. He answered and said to him:
master, all these I have observed from my youth. Iesus beheld him, and had a
favour to him, and said unto him: One thing is lacking unto thee Go, and sell
all that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven, and come and follow me, and take thy cross on thee. But he was
discomforted with that saying, and went away mourning, for he had great
possessions.
And Iesus looked round about, and said unto
his disciples: with what difficulty shall they that have riches enter into the
kingdom of God. His disciples were astonied at his words. Iesus answered
again, and said unto them: children, how hard is it for them, that trust in
their riches, to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go
thorow the eye of an needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of
God. And they were astonied out of measure, saying between themselves: who
then can be saved? Iesus looked upon them, and said: with men it is unpossible,
but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
And Peter began to say unto him: Lo, we
have forsaken all, and have followed thee. Iesus answered and said: Verily I
say unto you, there is no man that hath forsaketh house, or brethren, or
sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, other children, or lands, for my sake
and the Gospel's, which shall not receive an hundred fold now in this life,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers and children, and lands with
persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. Many that are first, shall
be last. And the last first. They were in the way going up to Ierusalem. And
Iesus went before them, and they were amazed, and as they followed, were
afraid.
And Iesus took the xij. again, and began to
tell them what things should happen unto him. Behold we go up to Ierusalem, and
the son of man shall be delivered unto the high priests and unto the scribes:
and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the gentiles, and
they shall mock him, and scourge him and spit upon him, and kill him, and the
third day he shall rise again.
And Iames and Ihon the sons of Zebedee,
came unto him, saying: Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us
whatsoever we desire. He said unto them: what would ye I should do unto you?
They said to him: grant unto us that we may sit one on thy right hand, and the
other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Iesus said unto them: Ye wot not what
ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup, that I shall drink of? And be baptised in the
baptism that I shall be baptised in? And they said unto him: that we can. Iesus
said unto them: ye shall drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be
baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised in: But to sit on my right
hand and on my left hand, is not mine to give, but to them for whom it is
prepared.
And when the x. heard that, they began to
disdain at Iames and Ihon. But Iesus called them unto him, and said to them: Ye
know well that they which seem to bear rule among the gentiles, reign as lords
over them. And they that be great among them exercise authority over them. So
shall it not be among you but whosoever of you will be great among you shall be
your minister. And whosoever will be chief, shall be servant unto all. For even
the son of man came, not that other should minister unto him: but to
minister, and to give his life for the redemption of many.
And they came to Hiericho, and as he went
out of Hiericho, with his disciples and a great number of people: Barthimeus
the son of Thimeus which was blind, sat by the highways side begging. And when
he heard that it was Iesus of Nazareth, he began to cry and to say: Iesus the
son of David, have mercy on me. And many rebuked him, because he should hold
his peace. But he cried the more a great deal, thou son of David have mercy on
me. And Iesus stood still, and commanded him to be called, and they called the
blind, saying unto him: Be of good comfort, rise, he called thee. He threw away
his cloak, and rose and came to Iesus: And Iesus answered, and said unto him:
what wilt thou that I do unto thee? The blind said unto him: Master, that I
might see. Iesus said unto him: go thy way, thy faith hath saved thee: And by
and by he received his sight, and followed Iesus in the way.
The .xj.
Chapter.
And when they came nigh to Hierusalem, unto
Bethphage, and Bethani, besides mount Olivete, he sent forth ij. of his
disciples, and said unto them: Go your ways into the town that is over against
you. And as soon as ye be entered into it ye shall find a colt bound, whereon
never man sat: loose him and bring him hither. And if any man say unto you: why
do ye so? say that the lord hath need of him: and straightway he will send him
hither. And they went their way, and found a colt tied by the door without in a
place where two ways met, and they loosed him. And divers of them that stood there,
said unto them: what do ye loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as
Iesus had commanded them. And they let them go. And they brought the colt to
Iesus, and cast their garments on him, and he sat upon him. And many spread
their garments in the way. Other cut down branches of the trees, and strawed
them in the way. And they that went before and they that followed, cried,
saying: Hosianna: blessed be he that cometh in the name of the lord. Blessed be
the kingdom that cometh in the name of him that is lord of our father David.
Hosianna in the highest.
And the lord entered into Hierusalem, and
into the temple. And when he had looked round about upon all things, and now
the eventide was come he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow
when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered, and he spied a fig tree afar
off, having leaves, and went to see whether he might find anything thereon: but
when he came thereto, he found nothing but leaves. For the time of figs was not
yet. And Iesus answered and said to it: never man eat fruit of thee hereafter
while the world standeth. And his disciples heard it.
And they came to Hierusalem, and Iesus went
into the temple, and began to cast out them which sold and bought in the
temple. And overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the stools of them
that sold doves: and would not suffer that any man carried a vessel thorow the
temple. And he taught saying unto them, is it not written, how that mine house
shall be called the house of prayer unto all nations? But ye have made it a den
of thieves.
And the scribes and high priests heard it
and sought how to destroy him. For they feared him because all the people
marvelled at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city. And
in the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up by the roots.
And Peter remembered, and said unto him: master, behold, the fig tree which
thou cursedst, is withered away. And Iesus answered, and said unto them: Have
confidence in God. Verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this
mountain: take away thyself, and cast thyself into the sea, and shall not waver
in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he sayeth shall come to
pass, whatsoever he sayeth shall be done to him. Therefore I say unto you,
whatsoever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye shall have it and it shall
be done unto you. And when ye stand and pray, forgive if ye have anything
against any man: that your father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your
trespasses. And they came again to Hierusalem, and as he walked in the temple,
there came to him the high priests, and the scribes, and the seniors, and said
unto him: by what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority,
to do these things? Iesus answered, and said unto them: I will also ask of you
a certain thing, and answer ye me, and I will tell you by what authority I do
these things. Whether was the baptism of Ihon from heaven, or of men? Answer
me. And they thought in themselves, saying: if we shall say, from heaven, he
will say: why then did ye not believe him? but if we shall say, of men, then
fear we the people. For all men counted Ihon, that he was a very prophet. And
they answered, and said unto Iesu: we cannot tell. And Iesus answered, and said
unto them: neither will I tell you, by what authority I do these things.
The .xij.
Chapter.
And he began to speak unto them in
similitudes. A certain man planted a vineyard, and compassed it with an hedge,
and ordained a winepress, and built a tower in it, and let it out to hire unto
husbandmen, and went into a strange country. And when the time was come he sent
to the tenants a servant that he might receive of the tenants of the fruit of
the vineyard. And they caught him and beat him and sent him again empty. And
moreover he sent unto them another servant, and at him they cast stones and
brake his head, and sent him again all too reviled. And again he sent another,
and him they killed: and many other, beating some, and killing some.
Yet had he one son whom he loved tenderly,
him also sent he at the last unto them, saying: they will fear my son. But the
tenants said within themselves: This is the heir, come let us kill him and the
inheritance shall be ours. And they took him and killed him, and cast him out
of the vineyard. What shall then the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and
destroy the tenants, and let out the vineyard to other. Have ye not read this
scripture? the stone which the builders did refuse, is made the chief stone in
the corner: This was done of the lord, and is marvellous in our eyes. And they
went about to take him, but they feared the people. For they perceived that he
spake that similitude against them. And they left him and went their way.
And they sent unto him certain of the
pharisees with Herode's servants, to take him in his words. And as soon as they
were come, they said unto him: master, we know that thou art true, and carest
for no man: For thou considerest not the degree of men, but teachest the way of
God truly: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or not? ought we to give, or
ought we not to give? He knew their dissimulation, and said unto them: Why
tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought him one. And
he said unto them: Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto
him, Cesar's. And Iesus answered, and said unto them: Then give to Cesar that
which belongeth to Cesar: and give God that which pertaineth to God. And they
marvelled at him.
And the Saduces came unto him, which say,
there is no resurrection. And they asked him saying: Master, Moses wrote unto
us, if any man's brother die, and leave his wife, behind him, and leave no
children: 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 when he
died left no seed behind him. And the second took her, and died: neither left
he any seed, and the third likewise. And seven had her, and left no seed behind
them. Last of all the wife died also. In the resurrection then, when they shall
rise again: whose wife shall she be of them? For seven had her to wife. Iesus
answered, and said unto them: Are ye not therefore deceived because ye know not
the scriptures? Neither the power of God? For when they shall rise again from
death, they neither marry, nor are married: but are as the angels which are in
heaven. As touching the dead, that they shall rise again: have ye not read in
the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him saying: I am the God of
Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob? He is not the God of the
dead, but the God of the living, ye are therefore greatly deceived.
And there came one of the scribes, and when
he had heard them disputing together, and perceived that he had answered them
well, he asked him: Which is the first of all the commandments? Iesus answered
him: the first of all the commandments is. Hear Israhel, our lord God, is one
lord. And thou shalt love thy lord God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first
commandment. And the second is like unto this. Thou shalt love thy neighbor, as
thy self. There is none other commandment greater than these.
And the scribe said unto him: well master,
thou hast said the truth, that there is one God, and that there is none but he.
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the
soul, and with all the strength. And to love a man's neighbor as himself, is a
greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices. And when Iesus saw that he
answered discreetly, he said unto him: Thou art not far from the kingdom of
God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
And Iesus answered, and said teaching in
the temple: how say the scribes, that Christ is the son of David? for David
himself inspired with the holy ghost said: The lord said to my lord, sit on my
right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stool. Then David himself calleth
him lord, and by what means is he then his son? And much people heard him
gladly.
And he said unto them in his doctrine:
beware of the scribes which love to go in long, clothing: and love salutations
in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to sit in the
uppermost rooms at feasts, and devour widows' houses, and under a colour pray
long prayers. These shall have greater damnation.
And Iesus sat over against the treasury,
and beheld how the people put money into the treasury. And many that were rich,
cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto
them: Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all
they which have cast into the treasury. For they all put in of their
superfluity: But she of her poverty, cast in all that she had, even all her
living.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
And as he went out of the temple, one of
his disciples said unto him: Master, see what stones, and what buildings are
here. And Iesus answered, and said unto him: Seest thou these great buildings?
There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And as he sat on mount Olivet over against
the temple, Peter and Iames and Ihon and Andrew asked him secretly, tell us
when these things shall be? And what is the sign, when all these things shall
be fulfilled? And Iesus answered them, and began to say: take heed lest any man
deceive you. For many shall come in my name saying: I am Christ, and shall
deceive many.
When ye shall hear of war, and tidings of
war, be ye not troubled. For such things must needs be. But the end is not yet.
For there shall nation arise against nation, and realm against realm. And there
shall be earthquakes, in all quarters, and famishment, and troubles. These are
the beginning of sorrows.
But take ye heed to yourselves. For they
shall bring you up to the councils and into the synagogues, and ye shall be
beaten, and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings, for my sake, for a
testimonial unto them. And the gospel must first be published among all
nations.
But when they lead you and present you take
no thought, aforehand what ye shall say, neither imagine: but whatsoever is
given you at the same time, that speak. For it shall not be ye that shall
speak, but the holy ghost. Yea and the brother shall deliver the brother to
death. And the father the son, and the children shall rise against their fathers
and mothers, and shall put them to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for
my name's sake. But whosoever shall endure unto the end shall be safe.
Moreover when ye see the abominable
desolation, whereof is spoken by Daniel the prophet, stand where it ought not,
let him that readeth understand it. Then let them that be in Iewry, flee to the
mountains. And let him that is on the housetop, not descend down into the
house, neither enter therein, to fetch anything out of his house. And let him that
is in the field, not turn back again unto those things which he left behind
him, for to take his clothes with him. But woe is then to them that are with
child, and to them that give suck in those days. But pray, that your flight be
not in the winter. For there shall be in those days such tribulation, as was
not from the beginning of creatures, which God created, unto this time, neither
shall be. And except that the lord had shortened those days, no man should be
saved. But for the elects' sake, which he hath chosen, he hath shortened those
days.
And then, if any man say to you: lo, here
is Christ, lo, he is there, believe not. For false christs shall arise, and
false prophets, And shall shew miracles and wonders, to deceive if it were
possible, even the elect. But take ye heed, behold I have shewed you all things
before.
Moreover in those days after that
tribulation, the sun shall wax dark, and the moon shall not give her light, and
the stars of heaven shall fall, And the powers which are in heaven, shall move.
And then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds, with great power
and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his
elect from the four winds, and from the one end of the world to the other.
Learn a similitude of the fig tree. When
his branches are yet tender, and hath brought forth leaves, ye know, that
summer is near. So in like manner when ye see these things come to pass,
understand, that it is nigh even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this
generation shall not pass till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall
pass, but my words shall not pass. But of the day and the hour, knoweth no man:
no not the Angels which are in heaven: neither the son himself, save the father
only.
Take heed, watch, and pray, for ye know not
when the time is. As a man which is gone into a strange country and hath left
his house, and given authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and
commanded the porter to watch. Watch therefore, for ye know not when the master
of the house will come, whether at even, or at midnight, whether at the cock
crowing, or in the dawning: lest if he come suddenly, he should find you
sleeping. And that I say unto you, I say unto all men, watch.
The .xiiij.
Chapter.
After two days followed ester, and the days
of sweet bread. And the high priests and the scribes sought means, how they
might take him by craft and put him to death. But they said: not on the feast
day, least any business arise among the people.
When he was in Bethania, in the house of
Simon the leper, even as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster
box of ointment, called nard, that was pure and costly, and she brake the box
and poured it on his head. And there were some that disdained in themselves,
and said: what needed this waste of ointment? For it might have been sold for
more than two hundred pence, and been given unto the poor. And they grudged
against her.
And Iesus said: let her be in rest, why
grieve ye her? She hath done a good work on me. Yea, and ye shall have poor with
you all ways: and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye shall not
have always. She hath done that she could: she came aforehand to anoint my body
to his buryingward. Verily I say unto you: wheresoever this gospel shall be
preached thorowout the whole world: this also that she hath done, shall be
rehearsed in remembrance of her.
And Iudas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went
away unto the high priests, to betray him unto them. When they heard that, they
were glad, and promised that they would give him money. And he sought, how he
might conveniently betray him.
And the first day of sweet bread, when men
offer the paschal lamb, his disciples said unto him: where wilt thou that we go
and prepare that thou mayest eat the ester lamb? And he sent forth two of his
disciples, and said unto them: Go ye into the city, and there shall a man meet
you bearing a pitcher of water, follow him. And whithersoever he goeth in, say
ye to the good man of the house: the master asketh where is the guest chamber,
where I shall eat the ester lamb with my disciples? And he will shew you a
great parlour, paved, and prepared: there make ready for us. And his disciples
went forth, and came in to the city, and found as he had said unto them, and
made ready the ester lamb.
And at even, he came with the twelve. And
as they sat at board and ate, Iesus said: Verily I say unto you: that one of
you shall betray me, which eateth with me. And they began to mourn, and to say
to him one by one: is it I? And another said: Is it I? he answered, and said
unto them: It is one of the xij. and the same dippeth with me in the platter.
The son of man goeth, as it is written of him: but woe be to that man, by whom
the son of man is betrayed. Good were it for him, if that man had never been
born.
And as they ate, Iesus took bread, gave
thanks, brake it and gave it to them and said: Take, eat, This is my body. And
he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they drank all of it.
And he said unto them: This is my blood of the new Testament, which shall be
shed for many. Verily I say unto you: I will drink no more of this fruit of the
vine, until that day, that I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God. And when
they had said grace, they went out into the mount olivet.
And Iesus said unto them: All ye shall hurt
thorow me this night. For it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the
sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen again I will go into Galile
before you. Peter said unto him: And though all men should be hurt, yet would
not I. And Iesus said unto him: Verily I say unto thee this day even in this
night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he spake bolder:
no, if I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Likewise also said they
all.
And they came into a place named
Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit ye here while I go apart and
pray. And he took with him Peter, Iames, and Ihon, and he began to wax abashed
and to be in an agony. And said unto them: My soul is very heavy even unto the
death, tarry here and watch. And he went forth a little and fell down on the
ground and prayed: That if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he
said: Abba father, all things are possible unto thee, take away this cup from
me. Nevertheless not that I will, but that thou wilt be done.
And he came and found them sleeping, and
said to Peter: Simon sleepest thou? Couldest not thou watch with me one hour?
watch ye, and pray, least ye enter into temptation, the spirit is ready, but
the flesh is weak. And again he went away and prayed, and spake the same words.
And he returned and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy: neither
could they tell what they might answer to him. And he came the third time, and
said unto them: sleep hence forth and take your ease. It is enough. The hour is
come, Behold the son of man shall be delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise
up, let us go. Lo he that betrayeth me, is come nigh.
And immediately while he yet spake came
Iudas, one of the twelve, and with him a great number of people with swords and
staves from the high priests and scribes and seniors. He that betrayed him,
gave them a general token, saying: whosoever I do kiss, he it is, take him, and
lead him away warily. And as soon as he was come, he went straightway to him,
and said unto him: master, master, and kissed him. And they laid their hands on
him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew out a sword, and smote a
servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
And Iesus answered and said unto them: ye
came out as unto a thief with swords and with staves for to take me, I was
daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not, but that the
scriptures should be fulfilled: And they all forsook him and ran away. And
there was a certain young man that followed him clothed in linen upon the bare,
and the young men caught him, and he left his linen and fled from them naked.
And they led Iesus away to the highest
priest of all, and to him came all the high priests and the seniors, and the
scribes. And Peter followed him a great way off even into the palace of the
high priest, and he was there and sat with the servants, and warmed himself at
the fire.
And the high priests and all the council
sought for witness against Iesu, to put him to death, And they found none. Yet
many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And
there arose certain and brought false witness against him, saying: We heard him
say: I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will
build another, made without hands. And their witness agreed not together.
And the highest priest stood up amongst
them all, and asked Iesus saying: answerest thou nothing? How is it that these
bear witness against thee? And he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again
the highest priest asked him, and said unto him: Art thou the Christ the son of
the blessed? And Iesus said: I am. And ye shall see the son of man sit on the
right hand of power, and come in the clouds of heaven. Then the highest priest
rent his clothes and said: what need we any further witness? ye have heard the
blasphemy, what think ye? And they all gave sentence that he was worthy of
death. And some began to spit at him, and to cover his face, and to beat him
with their fists, and to say unto him, aread unto us. And the servants buffeted
him on the face.
And Peter was beneath in the palace, and
there came one of the wenches of the highest priest, And when she saw Peter
warming himself, she looked on him, and said: was not thou also with Iesus of
Nazareth? And he denied it saying: I know him not, neither wot I what thou
sayest: And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew. And a damsel saw
him, and again began to say to them that stood by, this is one of them. And he
denied it again. And anon after, again they that stood by, said to Peter:
surely thou art one of them, for thou art of Galile, and thy speech agreeth
thereto. And he began to curse and to swear, saying: I know not this man of
whom ye speak. And again the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that
Iesus said unto him: before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice, and
began to weep.
The .xv.
Chapter.
And anon in the dawning held the high
priests a council with the seniors and the scribes, And also the whole
congregation, and bound Iesus and led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
And Pilate asked him: art thou the king of the jewes? And he answered, and said
unto him: thou sayest it. And the high priests accused him of many things.
Pilate asked him again, saying: Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things
they lay unto thy charge. Iesus yet answered never a word, so that Pilate
marvelled.
At the feast Pilate was wont to deliver at
their pleasure a prisoner: whomsoever they would desire. And there was one
named Barabas, which lay bound with them, that caused insurrection, and in the
insurrection committed murder. And the people called unto him, and began to
desire of him, according as he had ever done unto them. Pilate answered them,
and said: Will ye that I loose unto you the king of the jewes? For he knew that
the high priests had delivered him of envy. But the high priests had moved the
people that he should rather deliver Barabas unto them.
Pilate answered again, and said unto them:
What will ye then that I do with him, whom ye call the king of the jewes? And
they cried again: crucify him. Pilate said unto them: What evil hath he done?
And they cried the more fervently: Crucify him. Pilate willing to content the
people, lowsed them Barabas, And delivered Iesus scourged for to be crucified.
And the soldiers led him away into the
common hall, and called together the whole multitude, and they clothed him with
purple, and they plaited a crown of thorns and crowned him with all, And began
to salute him: Hail king of the jewes. And they smote him on the head with a
reed, and spat upon him, and kneeled down and worshipped him.
And when they had mocked him, they took the
purple off him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out, to crucify
him. And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (which came
out of the field, and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to bear his cross. And
they brought him to a place named Golgotha (which is by interpretation, the
place of dead men's skulls) and they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh,
but he received it not.
And when they had crucified him, they
parted his garments, casting lots for them, what every man should have. And it
was about the third hour, and they crucified him. And the title of the cause of
his death was written: The king of the jewes. And they crucified with him two
thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left hand. And the
scripture was fulfilled, which sayeth: and he was counted among the wicked.
And they that went by, railed on him:
wagging their heads, and saying: A wretch, that destroyest the temple and
buildest it in three days. Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise
also mocked him the high priests among themselves with the scribes, and said:
He saved other men, himself he cannot save. Let Christ the king of Israel now
descend from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were
crucified with him, checked him also.
And when the sixth hour was come, darkness
arose over all the earth, until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Iesus
cried with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabaththani, which is if it
be interpreted: my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them
that stood by when they heard that said: behold he calleth for Helias. And one
ran, and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it him
to drink, saying: let him alone, let us see whether Helias will come and take
him down.
But Iesus cried with a loud voice, and gave
up the ghost. And the veil of the temple did rent in two parts, from the top to
the bottom. And when the undercaptain which stood before him saw that he so
cried and gave up the ghost, and he said: truly this man was the son of God.
There were also women a good way off beholding him: among whom was Mary
Magdalen, and Mary the mother of Iames the little and of Ioses, and Mary
Salome: which also when he was in Galile, followed him and ministered unto him,
and many other women which came up with him to Hierusalem.
And now when night was come (because it was
the even that goeth before the saboth) Ioseph of Arimathia a noble senator
(which also looked for the kingdom of God) came And went in boldly unto Pilate,
and begged the body of Iesu. Pilate marvelled that he was already dead, and
called unto him the under captain, and asked of him, whether he had been any
while dead. And when he knew the truth of the under captain, he gave the body
to Ioseph. And he bought a linen cloth, and took him down and wrapped him in
the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb, that was hewn out of the rock. And
rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary Iose
beheld where he was laid.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
And when the saboth day was past, Mary
Magdalen, and Mary Iacobi, and Salome, bought ointments, that they might come
and anoint him. And early in the morning the next day after the saboth day,
they came unto the sepulchre, when the sun was risen. And they said one to
another: who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And
when they beheld it, they saw how the stone was rolled away. For it was a very
great one, and they went into the sepulchre, and saw a young man, sitting on
the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were abashed.
He said unto them, be not afraid, ye seek Iesus
of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen, he is not here. Behold the
place, where they put him. But go your way, and tell his disciples, and namely
Peter, that he is gone before you into Galile, there shall ye see him, as he
said unto you. And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre. For they
trembled and were amazed. Neither said they anything to any man, for they were
afraid.
When Iesus was risen the morrow after the
saboth day, he appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he cast seven
devils. And she went, and told them that were with him, as they mourned and
wept. And when they heard, that he was alive, and had appeared to her: they
believed it not. After that, he appeared unto two of them in a strange figure,
as he walked, and went into the country. And they went, and told it to the
remnant. And they believed them neither.
After that he appeared unto the eleven as
they sat at meat: and cast in their teeth their unbelief, and hardness of
heart: because they believed not them which had seen him after his
resurrection. And he said unto them: Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to all creatures: Whosoever believeth, and is baptised, shall be safe:
And whosoever that believeth not, shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that
believe: In my name they shall cast out devils, and shall speak with new
tongues, and shall kill serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall
not hurt them. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then when the lord had spoken unto them, he was received into heaven, and
sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere. And
the lord wrought with them, And confirmed their preaching with miracles that
followed.
The end
of the gospell off S. Marke.
The
gospell of S. Luke
The first
Chapter.
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to
compile a treatise of those things, which are surely known among us, even as
they declared them unto us, which from the beginning saw them with their eyes,
and were ministers at the doing: I determined also, as soon as I had searched
out diligently all things from the beggining, that then I would write unto
thee, good Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things,
whereof thou art informed.
In the time of Herode king of jewry, there
was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abie. And his wife was
of the daughters of Aaron: And her name was Elizabeth. Both were perfect before
God, and walked in all the laws and ordinances of the lord that no man could
find fault with them. And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren,
And both were well stricken in age.
It came to pass, as he executed the
priest's office, before God as his course came (according to the custom of the
priest's office) his lot was to burn odoures. And went into the temple of the
lord, and all the multitude of people were without in their prayers while the
odoures were a burning. There appeared unto him the lord's angel, standing on
the right side of the altar of odoures. And when Zacharias saw him, he was
abashed, and fear came on him.
The angel said unto him: fear not Zacary,
for thy prayer is heard: And thy wife Helizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou
shalt call his name Ihon: And thou shalt have joy and gladness: And many shall
rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of God, and shall
neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the holy
ghost, even in his mother's womb: and many of the children of Israhel shall he
turn to their lord God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of
Helias to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the unbelievers
to the wisdom of the just men: to make the people ready for the lord.
And Zacary said unto the angel: Whereby
shall I know this? seeing that I am old, and my wife well stricken in years.
And the angel answered, and said unto him: I am Gabriel that stand in the
presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee: and to shew thee this glad
tidings. And take heed thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak until the time
that these things be performed, because thou believedst not my words, which
shall be fulfilled in their season.
And the people waited for Zacharias and
marvelled that he tarried in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak
unto them. And they perceived, that he had seen some vision in the temple. And
he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
And it fortuned, as soon as the time of his
office was out, he departed home into his own house. And after those days, his
wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself v. months, saying: This wise hath God
dealt with me in the days when he looked on me, to take from me the rebuke that
I suffered among men.
And in the vj. month the angel Gabriel was
sent from God unto a city of Galile, named Nazareth, to a virgin spoused to a
man, whose name was Ioseph, of the house of David, and the virgins name was
Mary. And the angel went in unto her, and said: Hail full of grace, the lord is
with thee: blessed art thou among women. When she saw him, she was abashed at
his saying: and cast in her mind what manner of salutation that should be. And
the angel said unto her: fear not Mary, thou hast found grace with God. Lo:
thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a child, and shalt call his
name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the highest. And
the lord God shall give unto him the seat of his father David: And he shall
reign over the house of Iacob for ever, and of his kingdom shall be none end.
Then said Mary unto the angel: How shall
this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered, and said unto her:
The holy ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall
overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born, shall be
called the son of God. And mark, thy cousin Elizabeth, hath also conceived a
son in her old age. And this is the. vj. month to her, which was called barren,
for with God shall nothing be unpossible. Mary said: behold the handmaiden of
the lord, be it unto me even as thou hast said. And the angel departed from
her.
Mary arose in those days, and went into the
mountains with haste into a city of jewry, and entered into the house of
Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth: And it fortuned, as Elizabeth heard the
salutation of Mary, the babe sprang in her belly. And Elizabeth was filled with
the holy ghost, and cried with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among
the women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence happeneth this to
me, that the mother of my lord should come to me? Lo, as soon as the voice of
thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe sprang in my belly for joy. And
blessed art thou that believedst: For those things shall be performed which
were told thee from the lord.
And Mary said: My soul magnifieth the lord.
And my spirit rejoiceth in God my saviour: For he hath looked on the poor
degree of his handmaiden. Behold now from hence forth shall all generations
call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and
blessed is his name. And his mercy is always on them that fear him thorow out
all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm, he hath scattered them
that are proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put Down the mighty
from their seats, and hath exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the
hungry with good things: And hath sent away the rich empty. He hath remembered
mercy: and hath holpen his servant Israhel. Even as he promised to our fathers,
Abraham and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about a iij. months,
And returned home again.
Elizabeths time was come that she should be
delivered, And she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins
heard tell how, the lord had magnified his mercy upon her, and they rejoiced
with her.
And it fortuned the eighth day: they came
to circumcise the child: and called his name Zacari after the name of his
father, and his mother answered, and said: not so, but he shall be called Ihon.
And they said unto her: There is none of thy kin, that is named with this name.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked
for writing tables and wrote saying: his name is Ihon. And they marvelled all.
And his mought was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake lauding God.
And fear came on all them that dwelt nigh: And all these sayings were noised
abroad throughout all the hill country of jewry: and all they that heard them
laid them up in their hearts, saying: What manner child shall this be? And the
hand of God was with him.
And his father Zacharias was filled with
the holy ghost, and prophesied saying: Blessed be the lord God of Israhel, for
he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up an horn of
salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David. Even as he promised by
the mouth of his holy prophets which were since the world began. That we should
be saved from our enemies: And from the hands of all that hate us: To shew
mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy promise. That is to say the
oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give us. That we delivered
out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear: all the days of
our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him. And
thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go
before the face of the lord, to prepare his ways: And to give knowledge of
health unto his people, for the remission of sins: Through the tender mercy of
our lord, wherewith hath visited us the day spring from on high: To give light
to them that sat in darkness, and in shadow of death, and to guide our feet
into the way of peace. And the child increased and waxed strong in spirit, and
was in wilderness, till the day came, when he should shew himself unto the
Israhelites.
The
second Chapter.
It followed in those days: that there went
out a commandment from August the Emperor, that all the world should be valued.
This taxing was first executed when Syrenus was leftenant in Syria. And every
man went into his own shire town, there to be taxed. And Ioseph also ascended
from Galilee, out of a city called Nazareth, into jewry: into the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of
David to be taxed with Mary his wedded wife, which was with child.
And it fortuned while they were there, her
time was come that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first
begotten son. And wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them within, in the hostry.
And there were in the same region shepherds
abiding in the field, and watching their flock by night. And lo: the angel of
the lord stood hard by them, and the brightness of the lord shone round about
them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: Be not afraid:
Behold I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall come to all the people: for
unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the
lord. And take this for a sign: ye shall find the child swaddled, and laid in a
manger. And straight way there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers,
lauding God, and saying: Glory to God on high, and peace on the earth: and unto
men rejoicing.
And it fortuned, as soon as the angels were
gone away into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: let us go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing that is happened, which the lord hath shewed unto
us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Ioseph, and the babe laid in a
manger. And when they had seen it, they published abroad the saying, which was
told them of that child. And all that heard it wondered, at those things which
were told them of the shepherds. But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered
them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, praising and lauding God for all
that they had heard and seen, even as it was told unto them.
And when the eighth day was come that the
child should be circumcised, his name was called Iesus, which was named of the
Angel before he was conceived in the mother's womb.
And when the time of their purification
(after the law of Moses) was come they brought him to Hierusalem, to present
him to the lord (As it is written in the law of the lord: every man child that
first openeth the matrix, shall be called holy to the lord) and to offer (as it
is said in the law of the lord) a pair of turtle doves, or ij. young pigeons.
And behold there was a man in Hierusalem,
whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God, and longed for
the consolation of Israhel, and the holy ghost was in him. And an answer was
given him of the holy ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen
the lord's Christ. And he came by inspiration into the temple.
And as the father and mother brought in the
child Iesus, to do for him after the custom of the law: Then took he him up in
his arms and said. Lord Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according
to thy promise. For mine eyes have seen the saviour sent from thee: Which thou
hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israhel. And his father and mother marvelled at
those things, which were spoken of him: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto
Mary his mother: behold, this child shall be the fall, and resurrection of many
in Israhel: And a sign which shall be spoken against. And moreover the sword
shall pierce the very heart of thee, that the thoughts of many hearts may be
opened.
And there was Anna, a prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel of tribe of Aser. And she was of a great age, and had lived
with an husband. vij. years from her virginity. And this widow about iiij.
score and iiij. years of age, which went never out of the temple, but served
there with fasting and prayer night and day. And she came forth that same hour,
and praised God, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in
Hierusalem.
And as soon as they had performed all
things according to the law of the lord, they returned into Galile into their
own city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was full
of wisdom, and the favour of God was with him.
And his father and mother went to
Hierusalem every year at the feast of ester. And when he was xij. years old,
they went up to Hierusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had
fulfilled the days, as they returned home, the child Iesus bode still in
Hierusalem, unknowing to his father and mother. For they supposed he had been
in the company. They came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk
and acquaintance, and found him not They went back again to Hierusalem, and
sought him. And it fortuned after iij. days, they found him in the temple
sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and posing them. And
all that heard him marvelled at his wit and answers.
And when they saw him, they were
astonied. And his mother said unto him: son why hast thou thus dealt with us?
Behold thy father and I have sorowed and sought thee. And he said unto them:
how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must go about my father's
business? And they understood not the saying that he spake to them. And he went
with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother kept all
these things in her heart. And Iesus increased in wisdom and age, and in favour
with God and man.
The .iij.
Chapter.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of
Tiberius the Emperor, Pontius Pilate being leftenant of Iewry, and Herod being
Tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip Tetrarch in Iturea, and in the
region of Traconitis, and Lysanias the Tetrarch of Abyline: When Anna and
Cayphas were the high priests: The commandment of God was published unto Ihon
the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the coasts about
Iordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is
written in the book of the sayings of Esayas the prophet, which sayeth: The
voice of a crier in wilderness, prepare the way of the lord, make his paths
straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be
brought low: And crooked things shall be made straight: and the rough ways
shall be made smooth. And all flesh shall see the saviour sent of God.
Then said he to the people, that were come
to be baptised of him. O generation of vipers: who hath shewed the craft to fly
from wrath to come? Bring forth due fruits of repentance, And begin not to say
in yourselves, we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you: God is able
of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Now also is the axe laid
unto the root of the trees. Every tree therefore, which bringeth not forth good
fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And the people asked him, saying: What
shall we do then. He answered and said unto them: He that hath ij. coats, let
him part with him that hath none: And he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Then came there publicans to be baptised,
and said unto him: Master, what shall we do? He answered unto them: require no
more than that, which is appointed unto you.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him,
saying: and what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man:
neither trouble any man wrongfully: And be content with your wages.
As the people were in a doubt, and all men
disputed in their hearts of Ihon: Whether he were very Christ, Ihon answered
and said to them all: I baptise you with water, but a stronger then cometh,
whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to unloose: he will baptise you with the
holy ghost, and with fire, which hath his fan in his hand, and will purge his
floor, and will gather his corn into his barn: And the chaff will he burn with
fire that never shall be quenched. And many other things in his exhortation
preached he unto the people.
Then Herod the Tetrach (when he was rebuked
of him for Herodias his brother Philippe's wife, and for all the evils which
Herod had done) added this above all, and laid Ihon prison.
And it fortuned as all the people received
baptism (And when Iesus was baptised and did pray) that heaven was opened, and
the holy ghost came down in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, And a voice
came from heaven, saying: Thou art my dear son, In thee do I delight.
And Iesus himself was about thirty year of
age when he began, being as men supposed the son of Ioseph: which Ioseph was
the son of Heli: which was the son of Mathat: which was the son of Levi: which
was the son of Melchi: which was the son of Ianna: which was the son of Ioseph:
which was the son of Matatthias: which was the son of Amos: which was the son
of Nahum: which was the son of Esli: which was the son of Nagge: which was the
son of Maath: which was the son of Matathias: which was the son of Semei: which
was the son of Ioseph: which was the son of Iuda: which was the son of Iohanna:
which was the son of Rhesya: which was the son of Zorobabel: which was the son
of Salathiel: which was the son of Neri: which was the son of Melchi: which was
the son of Addi: which was the son of Cosam: which was the son of Helmadam:
which was the son of Her: which was the son of Ieso: which was the son of
Helieser: which was the son of Ioram: which was the son of Mattha: which was
the son of Levi: which was the son of Simeon: which was the son of Iuda: which
was the son of Ioseph: which was the son of Ionam: which was the son of
Heliacim: which was the son of Melea: which was the son of Menam: which was the
son of Matathan: which was the son of Nathan: which was the son of David: which
was the son of Iesse: which was the son of Obed: which was the son of Boos:
which was the son of Salmon: which was the son of Naason: which was the son of
Aminadab: which was the son of Aram: which was the son of Esrom: which was the
son of Phares: which was the son of Iuda: which was the son of Iacob: which was
the son of Ysaac: which was the son of Abraham: which was the son of Tharra:
which was the son of Nachor: which was the son of Saruch: which was the son of
Ragau: which was the son of Phalec: which was the son of Heber: which was the
son of Sala: which was the son of Cainan: which was the son of Arphaxad: which
was the son of Sem: which was the son of Noe: which was the son of Lameth:
which was the son of Mathusala: which was the son of Enoch: which was the son
of Iareth: which was the son of Malalehel: which was the son of Cainan: which was
the son of Enos: which was the son of Seth: which was the son of Adam: which was
the son of God.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Iesus then full of the holy ghost, returned
from Iordan, and was carried of the spirit into a wilderness, and was xl. days
tempted of the devil. And in those days ate he nothing: And when they were ended, he afterward
hungered. And the devil said unto him: if thou be the son of God, command this
stone that he be bread. And Iesus answered him, saying: It is written: man
shall not live by bread only, but by every word of God.
And the devil took him up into an high
mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the earth, even in the twinkling
of an eye. And the devil said unto him: all this power will I give thee every
whit, and the glory of them (for that is delivered to me, and to whosoever I
will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, they shall be all thine.
Iesus answered and said unto him: hence from me Satan. For it is written. Thou
shalt honour thy lord God, and him only serve.
And he carried him to Ierusalem, and set
him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him: If thou be the son of God,
cast thyself down from hence. For it is written, he shall give his angels
charge over thee, to keep thee, and with their hands they shall stay thee up,
that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone. Iesus answered and said unto him,
it is said, thou shalt not tempt the thy lord God. And as soon as the devil had
ended all his temptations, he departed from him for a season.
And Iesus returned by the power of the
spirit into Galile, and the fame of him went thorow out all the region round
about. And he taught in their synagogues, and was commended of all men.
And he came to Nazareth where he was
nursed, and as his custom was, went into the synagogue on the saboth days, and
stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet
Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place, where it was
written: The spirit of the lord upon me, because he hath anointed me, To preach
the gospell to the poor he hath sent me, And to heal which are troubled in
their hearts: To preach deliverance to the captive, And sight to the blind, And
freely to set at liberty them that are bruised, And to preach the acceptable
year of the lord.
And he closed the book, and gave it again
to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all that were in the synagogue,
were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them. This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears. And all they bare him witness, and wondered at the
gracious words, which proceeded out of his mouth, and said: Is not this
Ioseph's son?
And he said unto them: Ye may very well say
unto me this proverb. Physician, heal thyself. Whatsoever we have heard done in
Capernaum, do the same likewise in thine own country. And he said: Verily I say
unto you: No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you of a truth, Many widows were
in Israhell in the days of Helyas, when heaven was shut three years and six
months, when great famishment was throughout all the land, And unto none of
them was Helyas sent, save into Sarepta besides Sydon unto a woman that was a
widow. And many lepers were in Israhel in the time of Heliseus the prophet, and
yet none of them was healed, saving Naaman of Siria.
And as many as were in the synagogue when
they heard that, were filled with wrath and rose up, and thrust him out of the
city, and led him even unto the edge of the hill, whereon their city was built,
to cast him down headlong. But he went his way even thorow the midst of them:
and came into Capernaum a city of Galile, and there taught them on the saboth
days. And they were astonied at his doctrine: for his preaching was with power.
And in the synagogue there was a man, which
had a foul spirit within him, and cried with a loud voice, saying: let me
alone, what hast thou to do with us, thou Iesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to
destroy us? I know thee what thou art, thou art the holy man of God. And Iesus
rebuked him, saying: hold thy peace, and come out of him. And the devil threw
him in the midst of them and came out of him, and hurt him not. And fear came
on them all, And they spake among themselves, saying: what manner a thing is
this? For with authority and power he commandeth the foul spirits and they come
out? And the fame of him spread abroad thorow out all places of the country
round about.
And he rose up and came out of the
synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's motherinlaw was taken
with a great fever, And they made intercession to him for her. And he stood
over her, and rebuked the fever: and it left her. And immediately she rose and
ministered unto them.
When the son was down, all they that had
sick, taken with divers diseases, brought them unto him: and he laid his hands
on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many of
them, crying and saying: thou art Christ the son of God. And he rebuked them,
and suffered them not to speak, for they knew that he was Christ.
As soon as it was day, he departed and went
away into a desert place, and the people sought him and came to him, and kept
him that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them: I must to other
cities also preach the word of God, for therefore am I sent. And he preached in
the synagogues of Galilee.
The .v.
Chapter.
It came to pass as the people pressed upon
him, to hear the word of God, that he stood by the lake of Genazareth: and saw
two ships stand by the lakeside, for the fishermen were gone out of them, and
were washing their nets. Iesus entered into one of the ships, which pertained
to Simon, and prayed him, that he would carry him a little from the land. And
he sat down and taught the people out of the ship.
When he had left speaking, he said unto
Simon: Carry us into the deep, and let slip thy net to make a draught. And
Simon answered, and said to him: Master we have laboured all night, and have
taken nothing. Yet now at thy word I will loose forth the net. And when they
had so done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes. And the net brake: and
they made signs to their fellows which were in the other ship, that they should
come and help them. And they came, and they filled both the ships, that they
sunk again.
When Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at
Iesus' knees saying: lord go from me, for I am a sinful man. For he was utterly
astonied, and all that were with him at the draught of fish which they took:
and so was also Iames and Ihon the sons of Zebedei, which were partakers with
Simon. And Iesus said unto Simon: fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch
men. And they brought the ships to land, and forsook all, and followed him.
And it fortuned as he was in a certain
city, and behold there was a man full of leprosy: and when he had spied Iesus,
he fell on his face and besought him saying: lord if thou wilt, thou canst make
me clean. And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him saying: I will, be
thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he warned him,
that he should tell no man: but that he should go and shew himself to the
priest, and offer for his cleansing according as Moses commandment was, for a
witness unto them.
But his name spread the more abroad, and
the people came together to hear, and to be healed of him, of infirmities. And
he kept himself apart in the wildernesses, and gave himself to prayer.
And it happened on a certain day, that he
taught, and there sat the pharisees, and doctors of law, which were come out of
all the towns of Galile, Iewry, and Ierusalem, and the power of the lord was to
heal them. And behold, men brought a man lying in his bed, which was taken with
a palsy, and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And
when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the
press, they went up on the top of the house, and let him down thorow the
tiling, bed and all in the midst before Iesus. When he saw their faith he said
unto him: man thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes, and the pharisees,
began to think saying: What fellow is this: which speaketh blasphemy? Who can
forgive sins, but God only?
When Iesus perceived their thoughts, he
answered and said unto them: What think ye in your hearts? Whether is easier to
say, thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say: Rise and walk? That ye may know
that the son of man hath power to forgive sins on earth, he said unto the sick
of the palsy: I say to thee, arise, take up thy bed and go home to thy house.
And immediately he rose up before them all, and took up his bed whereon he lay,
and departed to his own house praising God. And they were ail amazed, and they
lauded God, and were filled with fear, saying: We have seen strange things
today.
And after that he went forth, and saw a
publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him:
follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And that same Levi made
him a great feast at home in his own house. And there was a great company of publicans,
and of other that sat at meat with him. And the scribes and pharisees murmured
against his disciples, saying: Why eat ye and drink ye, with publicans and
sinners? Iesus answered and said unto them: They that are whole, need not of
the physician: but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous to
repentance: but the sinners.
They said unto him: Why do the disciples of
Ihon fast often and pray: and the disciples of the pharisees also: and thine
eat and drink? To whom he said: Can ye make the Children of the wedding fast,
as long as the bridegroom is present with them? The days will come, when the
bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days.
He spake unto them in a similitude: No man
putteth a piece of a new garment, into an old vesture: for if he do, then
breaketh he the new and the piece that was taken out of the new, agreeth not
with the old. Also no man poureth new wine into old vessels, if he do, the new
wine breaketh the vessels, and runneth out itself, and the vessels perish: But
new wine must be poured into new vessels, and both are preserved. Also no man
that drinketh old wine, straightway can away with new, for he sayeth: the old
is pleasanter.
The .vj.
Chapter.
It happened on an after Sabbath, they went
thorow the corn field, and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and ate
them, and rubbed them in their hands. Certain of the pharisees said unto them:
Why do ye that which is not lawful to be done on the saboth days? Iesus answered
them and said: Have ye not read what David did, when he himself was an
hungered, and they which were with him: how he went into the house of God, and
took and ate the loaves of hallowed bread, and gave also to them which were
with him: which was not lawful to eat, but for the priests only. And he said
unto them: The son of man is lord even of the saboth day.
And it fortuned in another saboth also,
that he entered into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man, whose right
hand was dried up. The scribes, and pharisees watched him, to see whether he
would heal on the saboth day or not, that they might find an accusation against
him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered
hand: Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. He arose, and stepped forth. Then
said Iesus unto them: I will ask you a question: Whether is it lawful on the
saboth days to do good, or to do evil? to save life or for to destroy it? And
he beheld them all in compass, and said unto the man: Stretch forth thy hand.
He did so, and his hand was restored, and made as whole as the other. And they
were filled full of madness, and communed one with another, what they might do
to Iesu.
It fortuned in those days, he went out into
a mountain for to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And as soon
as it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, which also
he called his apostles. Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his
brother, Iames and Ihon, Philip and Bartlemew, Matthew and Thomas, Iames the
son of Alpheus and Simon called Zelotes, and Iudas Iames' son, and Iudas
Iscariot, which same was the traitor.
And he came down with them and stood in the
plain field with the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people
out of all parts of Iury and Ierusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and
Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases, and they
also that were vexed with foul spirits, and they were healed. And all the
people pressed to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them
all.
And he lifted up his eyes upon the
disciples, and said: Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger: for ye shall be satisfied. Blessed are ye that weep:
for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you out of
their company, and rail on you, and abhor your name, as an evil thing, for the
son of man's sake. Rejoice ye then, and be glad: for behold your reward is
great in heaven. After this manner their fathers entreated the prophets.
But woe be to you that are rich: for ye
have therein your consolation. Woe be to you that are full: for ye shall
hunger. Woe be to you that now laugh: for ye shall wail, and weep. Woe be to
you when all men praise you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear: Love your
enemies. Do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you. And pray
for them which wrongfully trouble you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the
one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy gown, forbid not
to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee. And if any man
that take away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should
do to you: so do ye to them likewise.
If ye love them which love you: what thank
are ye worthy of? seeing that the very sinners love their lovers. And if ye do
for them which do for you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners do
even the same. If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive: what thank shall
ye have: for the very sinners, lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Love
ye your enemies, do good, and lend, looking for nothing again: and your reward
shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest: for he is kind
unto the unkind, and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your father is
merciful. Judge not and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not: and ye shall not
be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given
unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall
men give into your bosoms. For with what measure ye mete, with the same shall
men mete to you again.
And he put forth a similitude unto them:
Can the blind lead the blind? Do they not both then fall into the ditch? The
disciple is not above his master. Every man shall be perfect, even as his
master is. Why seest thou a mote in thy brother's eye, and considerest not the
beam that is in thine own eye? Other how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother
let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye: when thou perceivest not the
beam that is in thine own eye? Hypocrite, cast out the beam out of thine own
eye first, and then shalt thou see perfectly, to pull out the mote out of thy
brother's eye.
It is not a good tree that bringeth forth
evil fruit: Neither is that an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit. For
every tree is known by his fruit. Neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of
bushes gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good. And the evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil. For of the abundance of the
heart, the mought speaketh.
Why call ye me Master, Master: and do not
as I bid you? whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doth the
same, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built an
house: which digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock. When the waters
arose, the flood beat upon that house, and could not move it. For it was
grounded upon a rock. But he that heareth and doth not, is like a man, that
without foundation built an house upon the earth, against which, the flood
beat: and it fell by and by. And the fall of that house was great.
The .vij.
Chapter.
When he had ended all his sayings in the
audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And the servant of a certain
Centurion was sick, and ready to die, whom he made much of. And when he heard
of Iesu, he sent unto him the seniors of the jewes, beseeching him that he
would come and heal his servant. And they came to Iesus and besought him
instantly, saying: He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him. For he
loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. And Iesus went with them.
And when he was not far from the house, the
Centurion sent to him his friends, saying unto him: lord trouble not thyself,
for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter into my house. Wherefore I thought
not myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word and my servant shall be
whole. For I likewise am a man under power, and have under me soldiers, and I
say unto one, go: and he goeth. And to another, come: and he cometh. And to my
servant, do this: and he doeth it. When Iesus heard this, he marvelled at him,
and turned him about and said to the people that followed him: I say unto you,
I have not found so great faith, no not in Israhel, certainly. And they that
were sent, turned back home again, and found the servant that was sick whole.
And it fortuned after that, he went into a
city called Naym, and his disciples went with him, and a great number of
people. When he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man
carried out, which was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and
much people of the city was with her. And the lord saw her, and had compassion
on her, and said unto her: weep not. And went and touched the coffin, and they
that bare him stood still. And he said: Young man, I say unto thee, arise. And
the dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And
there came a fear on them all. And they glorified God saying: a great prophet
is risen among us, and God hath visited his people. And this rumor of him went
forth throughout all Iewry, and thorowout all the regions which lie round
about.
And unto Ihon shewed his disciples of all these things. And
Ihon called unto him two of his disciples, and sent them to Iesus saying: Art
thou he that shall come: or shall we look for another? When the men were come
unto him, they said: Ihon baptist sent us unto thee saying: Art thou he that
shall come: or shall we wait for another? At that same time, he cured many of
their infirmities and plagues, And of evil spirits, and unto many that were
blind, he gave sight. And he answered, and said unto them: Go your ways and
shew Ihon, what things ye have heard and seen: how that the blind see, the halt
go, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead arise: To the poor is the
gospell preached, and happy is he that falleth not, by reason of me.
When the messengers of Ihon were departed,
he began to speak unto the people of Ihon: What went ye out for to see into the
desert? went ye to see a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to
see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold they which are gorgeously
apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye forth
to see? A prophet? Yea I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom
it is written: Behold I send my messenger before thy face, to prepare thy way
before thee. I say unto you: a greater prophet than Ihon, among women's
children, is there none. Nevertheless one that is less in the kingdom of God,
is greater than he.
And all the people that heard, and the
publicans justified God, which were baptised in the baptism of Ihon. But the
Pharises and scribes despised the counsel of God, against themselves, and were
not baptised of him.
And the lord said: Whereunto shall I liken
the men of this generation, and what thing are they like? They are like unto
children sitting in the market place, and crying one to another, and saying: We
have piped unto you, and ye have not danced: We have mourned to you, and ye
have not wept. For Ihon baptist came unto you neither eating bread, nor
drinking wine, and ye say: he hath the devil. The son of man is come and eateth
and drinketh, and ye say: behold a man which is a glutton, and a drinker of
wine, the friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom justified of all her
children.
And one of the pharisees desired him that
he would eat with him. And he went into the pharisee's house, and sat down to
meat. And behold a woman in that city, which was a sinner, as soon as she knew
that Iesus sat at meat in the pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster box of
ointment, and she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his
feet, with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his
feet, and anointed them with ointment.
When the Pharise which bade him to his
house, saw that, he spake within himself: saying: If this man were a prophet,
he would surely have known who and what manner woman this is which toucheth
him, for she is a sinner. And Iesus answered, and said unto him: Simon I have
somewhat to say unto thee. And he said: Master say on. There was a certain
lender, which had two debtors, the one ought five hundred pence, and the other
fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them tell
me, will love him most? Simon answered, and said: I suppose that he to whom he
forgave most. And he said unto him: Thou hast truly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto
Simon: Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, and thou gavest me no
water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with
the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came
in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint:
but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee: many
sins are forgiven her, because she loved much. To whom less is forgiven, the
same doeth less love.
And he said unto her thy sins are forgiven
thee. And they that sat at meat with him, began to say within themselves: Who
is this which forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath
saved thee, Go in peace.
The
.viij. Chapter.
And it fortuned after that, he himself went
throughout cities and towns, preaching, and shewing the kingdom of God, and the
twelve with him. And also certain women, which were healed of evil spirits, and
infirmities: Mary called Magdalen, out of whom went seven devils, and Ioanna
the wife of Chusa, Herod's steward, And Susanna, And many other: which
ministered unto him of their substance.
When much people were gathered together,
and were come to him out of the cities, he spake by a similitude: A sower went
out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was
trodden under feet, and the fowls of the air devoured it up. And some fell on
stone, and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked
moistness. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it, and
choked it. And some fell on good ground, and sprang up and bare fruit, an
hundred fold. And as he said these things, he cried: He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
And his disciples asked him, saying: what
manner similitude this should be. And he said: unto you is it given to know the
secrets of the kingdom of God: but to other in similitudes, that when they see,
they should not see, and when they hear they should not understand.
The similitude is this. The seed is the
word of God. Those that are beside the way, are they that hear, and afterward
cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they
should believe and be saved. They on the stones, are they which when they hear
the word receive it with joy. And these have no roots, which for a while
believe, and in time of temptation go away. That which fell among thorns, are
they which hear, and go forth, and are choked with cares and riches, and
voluptuous living, and bring forth no fruit. That in the good ground, are they
which with a good and pure heart, hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth
fruit with patience.
No man lighteth a candle, and covereth it
under a vessel, neither putteth it under the table: but setteth it on a
candlestick, that they that enter in, may see light. No thing is in secret,
that shall not come abroad: Neither any thing hid, that shall not be known, and
come to light. Take heed therefore how ye hear. For whosoever hath, to him
shall be given: And whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken, even that same
which he supposeth that he hath.
Then came to him his mother and his
brethren, and could not come at him for press. And they told him saying: Thy
mother and thy brethren, stand without, and would see thee. He answered, and
said unto them: my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God,
and do it.
It chanced on a certain day that he went
into a ship, and his disciples also, and he said unto them: Let us go over unto
the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. And as they sailed, he
fell asleep, and there arose a storm of wind in the lake, and they were filled
with water, and were in jeopardy. And they went to him and awoke him, saying:
Master, Master, we are lost. He arose and rebuked the wind, and the tempest of
water, and they ceased, and it waxed calm. And he said unto them: where is your
faith? They feared and wondered, saying one to another: what fellow is this?
for he commandeth both the winds and water, and they obey him? And they sailed
unto the region of the Gaderens, which is over against Galile.
As he went out of the ship to land, there
met him a certain man out of the city, which had a devil long time, and ware no
clothes, neither abode in any house: but among graves. When he saw Iesus, he
cried, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said: What have I to do
with thee Iesus the son of the God most highest? I beseech thee torment me not.
Then he commanded the foul spirit to come out of the man. For often times he
caught him, and he was bound with chains, and kept with fetters: and he brake
the bonds, and was carried of the fiend, into wilderness.
Iesus asked him saying: what is thy name?
And he said: Legion, because many devils were entered into him. And they
besought him, that he would not command them to go out into the deep. There was
there by an herd of many swine, feeding on an hill, and they prayed him, that
he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the
devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: And the herd took their
course, and ran headlong into the lake, and were choked. When the herdsmen saw
what had chanced, they fled, and told it in the city and in the villages.
And they came out to see what was done. And
came to Iesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting
at the feet of Iesus clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. They
also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devil,
was healed. And all the whole multitude of the Gaderens, besought him, that he
would depart from them: for they were taken with great fear. And he gat him
into the ship and returned back again. Then the man out of whom the devils were
departed, besought him, that he might be with him: But Iesus sent him away,
saying: Go home again into thine own house, and shew what things God hath done
to thee. And he went his way, and preached thorowout all the city what things
Iesus had done unto him.
It fortuned that when Iesus was come again,
the people received him. For they all longed for him. And behold there came a
man named Iairus (and he was a ruler of the synagogue) and he fell down at
Iesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house, for he had but
a daughter only, of twelve year of age, and she lay a dying. As he went the
people thronged him.
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve
year (which had spent all her substance among Physicians, neither could be
helped of any) came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment, and
immediately her issue of blood staunched. And Iesus said: Who is it that
touched me? when every man denied, Peter and they that were with him, said:
Master, the people thrust thee and vex thee: and thou sayest, who touched me?
And Iesus said: Somebody touched me. For I perceive that virtue is gone out of
me. When the woman saw, that she was not hid from him, she came trembling, and
fell at his feet, and told him before all the people, for what cause she had
touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her: Daughter
be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made the safe, go in peace.
While he yet spake, there came one from the
rulers of the synagogue's house, which said to him: Thy daughter is dead,
disease not the master. When Iesus heard that, He answered to the maidens
father saying: Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he
came to the house, he suffered no man to go in with him, save Peter, Iames and
Ihon, and the father and the mother of the maiden. Every body wept and sorrowed
for her. And he said Weep not: for she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they
laughed him to scorn. For they knew that she was dead. And he thrust them all
out at the doors, and caught her by the hand, and cried saying: Maid arise. And
her spirit came again, and she rose straightway. And he commanded to give her
meat. And the father and the mother of her were astonied. But he warned that
they should tell no man, what was done.
The .ix.
Chapter.
Then called he the xij. together, and gave
them power, and authority, over all devils. And that they might heal diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to cure the sick. And he
said to them: Take no thing to succor you by the way: neither staff, nor scrip,
neither bread neither money, neither have two coats. And whatsoever house ye
enter into there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you,
when ye depart from that city, shake off the very dust from your feet, for a
testimony against them. They went forth, and went thorow the towns, preaching
the gospel, and healing everywhere.
Herod the tetrarch heard of all that by him
was done, and doubted because that it was said of some, that Ihon was risen
again from death. And of some that Helias had appeared. And of other that one
of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said: Ihon have I beheaded: who
is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
And the Apostles returned, and told him all
that they had done. And he took them and went aside into a solitary place, nigh
to a city called Bethsaida. The people knew of it, and followed him. And he
received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God. And healed them that
had need to be healed. The day began to wear away. Then came the twelve, and
said unto him: send the people away, that they may go into the towns, and
villages roundabout, and lodge, and get meat, for we are here in a place of
wilderness. Then said he unto them: Give ye them to eat. And they said: We have
no more but five loaves and two fishes, except we should go and buy meat for
all this people. And they were about a five thousand men. He said unto his
disciples: Cause them to sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and
made them all sit down. He took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looked
up to heaven, and blessed them, and brake, and gave to his disciples, to set
before the people. And they all ate, and were satisfied. And there was taken up
of that remained to them, twelve baskets full of broken meat.
It fortuned as he was alone praying, his
disciples were with him, and he asked them saying: Who say the people that I
am? They answered and said: Ihon baptist. Some say Helias. And some say, one of
the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them: Who say ye that I am? Peter
answered and said: thou art the Christ of God. He warned and commanded them,
that they should tell no man that thing, saying: That the son of man must
suffer many things, and be reproved of the seniors, and of the high priests and
scribes, and be slain, and the third day rise again.
And he said to them all, if any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take his cross on him daily, and
follow me. Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it. And whosoever shall
lose his life, for my sake, the same shall save it. For what shall it advantage
a man, to win the whole world, if he lose himself: or run in damage of himself?
For whosoever is ashamed of me, and of my sayings: of him shall the son of man be
ashamed, when he cometh in his own majesty, and in the majesty of his father,
and of the holy angels. I tell you of a surety: Some there are of them that
here stand, which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.
And it followed about an viij. days after
those sayings, he took Peter, Iames, and Ihon, and went up into a mountain to
pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was changed, and his
garment was white and shone. And behold, two men talked with him, and they were
Moses and Helias, which appeared gloriously, and spake of his departing, which
he should end at Ierusalem. Peter and they that were with him, were heavy
asleep. And when they woke, they saw his majesty, and two men standing with
him.
And it chanced as they departed from him,
Peter said unto Iesus: Master, it is good being here for us. Let us make three
tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Helias. And wist not
what he said. While he thus spake there came a cloud and shadowed them and they
feared when they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the
cloud saying: This is my dear son, hear him. And as soon as the voice was past,
Iesus was found alone. And they kept it close: and told no man in those days
any of those things, which they had seen.
It chanced on the next day as they came
down from the hill, much people came and met him. And behold a man of the
company cried out saying: Master, I beseech thee behold my son, for he is all
that I have: and see, a spirit taketh him, and suddenly he crieth, and he
teareth him that he foameth again, and uneth departeth he from him, when he
hath rent him: And I have besought thy disciples to cast him out, and they
could not. Iesus answered, and said: O generation without faith, and crooked:
how long shall I be with you? And shall suffer you? Bring thy son hither. As he
yet was a coming, the fiend rent him, and tare him. Iesus rebuked the unclean
spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him to his father. And they were all
amazed at the mighty power of God.
While they wondered every one at all things
which he did: He said unto his disciples: Let these sayings sink down into your
ears. The time will come, when the son of man shall be delivered into the hands
of men. But they wist not what that word meant, and it was hid from them that
they understood it not. And they feared to ask him of that saying.
Then there arose a disputation among them,
who should be the greatest. When Iesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts,
he took a child, and set him hard by him, and said unto them: Whosoever
receiveth this child in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever receiveth me,
receiveth him that sent me. For he that amongst you, is the least, the same
shall be great.
Ihon answered and said: Master we saw one
casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not
with us. And Iesus said unto him: forbid ye him not. For he that is not against
you, is with you. {us}
And it followed when the time was come that
he should be received up and that he determined himself to go to Ierusalem: and
sent messengers before him. And they went, and entered into a city of the
Samaritans to make ready for him. And they would not receive him, because his
face was as though he would go to Ierusalem. When his disciples, Iames, and
Ihon, saw that, they said: lord, wilt thou that we command, that fire come down
from heaven, and consume them, even as Helias did? Iesus turned about, and
rebuked them saying: ye wot not what manner spirit ye are of. The son of man is
not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another
town.
It chanced as he went on their journey, a
certain man said unto him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou go. Iesus said
unto him: foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests: but the son of man
hath not whereon to lay his head.
And he said unto another: follow me. And
the same said: lord suffer me first to go and bury my father. Iesus said unto
him. Let the dead, bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another said: I will follow thee lord:
But let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. Iesus
said unto him: No man that putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is
apt to the kingdom of God.
The .x.
Chapter.
After that, the lord appointed other
seventy also, and sent them, two and two, before his face, into every city, and
place, whither he himself would come. And said unto them: the harvest is great:
but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the lord of the harvest, to send forth
laborers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you forth as lambs
among wolves. Bear no wallet, neither scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man by
the way. In whatsoever house ye enter in, first say: Peace be to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him, if not, it
shall return to you again. And in the same house tarry still eating and
drinking, such as they have. For the laborer is worthy of his reward.
Go not from house to house: and into
whatsoever city ye enter, if they receive you, eat whatsoever is set before
you, and heal the sick that are there, and say unto them: the kingdom of God is
come nigh upon you. But into whatsoever city ye shall enter, if they receive
you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say: even the very
dust, which cleaveth on us of your city, we wipe off against you:
Notwithstanding, mark this, that the kingdom of God was come nigh upon you. Yea
and I say unto you: that it shall be easier in that day, for Sodom than for
that city.
Woe be to thee Chorazin: woe be to thee
Bethsaida. For if the miracles had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been
done in you, they had a great while agone repented, sitting in hair and ashes.
Nevertheless it shall be easier for Tyre and Sidon, at the judgement, than for
you. And thou Capernaum which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to
hell. whosoever heareth you, heareth me: And whosoever despiseth you, despiseth
me. And he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.
The seventy returned again with joy saying:
lord even the very devils are subdued to us thorow thy name. And he said unto
them: I saw sathan, as it had been lightning, fall down from heaven. Behold I
give unto you power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and upon all manner
power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, in this rejoice
not, that the spirits are under your power: But rejoice because your names are
written in heaven.
That same time rejoiced Iesus in the
spirit, and said: I praise {confess} thee father lord of heaven and earth, because thou
hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast opened them to the
foolish. Even so father, for so pleased it thee. All things are given me of my
father. And no man knoweth who the son is, but the father: neither who the
father is, save the son, and he to whom the son will shew him.
And he turned to his disciples, and said
secretly: Happy are the eyes, which see that ye see. For I tell you that many
prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not
seen them: And to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them:
And mark, A Certain Lawyer stood up, and tempted
him saying: Master what shall I do, to inherit eternal life? He said unto him:
What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answered and said: Thou
shalt love thy lord God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself. And he
said unto him: Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live. He
willing to justify himself, said unto Iesus: Who is then my neighbor?
Iesus answered and said: A certain man
descended from Ierusalem into Ierico, And fell into the hands of thieves, which
robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead.
And it chance that there came a certain priest that same way, and saw him, and
passed by. And like wise a levite, when he was come nigh to the place, went and
looked on him, and passed by. Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
nigh unto him, and beheld him, and had compassion on him, and came to hime, and
bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and laid him on his beast,
and brought him to a common hostry, and drest him. And on the morrow when he
departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him:
Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest above this, when I come again I
will recompense thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto
him that fell into the thieves hands? And he answered: he that shewed mercy on
him. Then said Iesus unto him. Go and do thou likewise.
It fortuned as they went, that he entered
into a certain town. And a certain woman named Martha, received him into her
house. And this woman had a sister called Mary, which sat at Iesus' feet, and
heard Iesus preaching: Martha was cumbered about much serving, and stood and
said: Master, dost thou not care, that my sister hath left me to minister
alone? Bid her therefore, that she help me. And Iesus answered, and said unto
her: Martha, Martha, thou art busied, and troublest thyself, about many things:
verily one is needful, Mary hath chosen her a good part, which shall not be
taken away from her.
The .xj.
Chapter.
And it fortuned as he was praying in a
certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him: Master teach
us to pray, As Ihon taught his disciples. And he said unto them: When ye pray,
say: Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom
come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread
give us this day. And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that
trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil Amen.
And he said unto them: which of you shall
have a friend and shall go to him at midnight, and say unto him: friend lend me
four loaves for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have
nothing to set before him: And he within should answer and say: Trouble me not,
now is the door is shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot
rise and give them to thee. I say unto you: though he would not arise and give
him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and
give him as many as he needeth.
And I say unto you: ask, and it shall be
given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For
every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that
knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you which is
his father: will he proffer him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he give him a
serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he proffer him a scorpion? If ye then which
are evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children? How much more shall
your father celestial, give a good spirit to them, that desire it of him.
And he was a casting out a devil, which was
dumb. And it followed when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake, and the
people wondered. Some of them said: he casteth out devils by the power of
Belzebub, the chief of the devils. And other tempted him seeking of him a sign
from heaven. He knew their thoughts, and said unto them: Every kingdom, at
debate within itself shall be desolate: and one house shall fall upon another.
So if Satan be at variance within himself: how shall his kingdom endure? Be
cause ye say that I cast out devils by the power of Belzebub? If I by the power
of Belzebub cast out devils: by whose power, do your children cast them out?
Therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out
devils, no doubt, the kingdom of God is come upon you.
When a strong man armed watcheth his house:
That he possesseth, is in peace. But when a stronger than he cometh upon him,
and overcometh him: he taketh from him, his harness, wherein he trusted, and
divideth his goods. He that is not with me is against me. And he that gathereth
not with me scattereth.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a
man, he walketh through waterless places seeking rest. And when he findeth
none, he sayeth: I will return again unto my house whence I came out. And when
he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh seven
other spirits with him worse than himself, and they enter in, and dwell there.
And the end of that man, is worse than the beginning.
It fortuned as he thus spake, a certain
woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him: Happy is the womb
that bare thee and the paps, which gave thee suck. But he said: Happy are they
that hear the word of God, and keep it.
When the people were gathered thick
together: He began to say: This is an evil nation. They seek a sign, and there
shall no sign be given them, but the sign of Ionas the prophet. For as Ionas
was a sign to the Ninivites, so shall the son of man be to this nation. The
queen of the south shall rise at the judgement, with the men of this
generation, and condemn them. For she came from the end of the world, to hear
the wisdom of Salomon: and behold a greater than Salomon is here. The men of
Nineveh shall rise at the judgement, with this generation, and shall condemn them:
for they repented at the preaching of Ionas: And behold, a greater than Ionas
is here.
No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in
a privy place, neither under a bushel: But on a candlestick, that they that
come in, may see the light. The light of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when
thine eye is single: then is all thy body full of light. But if thine eye be
evil: then shall all thy body also be full of darkness. Take heed therefore
that the light which is in thee, be not darkness. For if all thy body shall be
light, having no part dark: then shall all be full of light, even as when a
candle doeth light thee with his brightness.
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee
besought him to dine with him: and Iesus went in, and sat down to meat. When
the Pharisee saw that he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
And the lord said to him: Now do ye, O pharisees, make clean the outside of the
cup, and of the platter: but your inward parts are full of ravening and
wickedness. Ye fools did not he that made that which is without: make that
which is within also? Nevertheless ye give of that ye have, and behold all is
clean to you.
But woe be to you pharisees, for ye tithe
the mint, and rue, and all manner herbs, and pass over judgement, and the love
of God. These ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Woe be to you pharisees: for ye love the
uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Woe be to you scribes and pharisees
hypocrites, for ye are as graves which appear not, And men that walk over them,
are not ware of them.
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said
unto him: Master, thus saying, thou puttest us to rebuke also. Then he said:
Woe be to you also ye lawyers: for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be
born, and ye yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.
Woe be to you that build the sepulchers of
the prophets: for your fathers killed them: Truly ye bear witness, that ye
allow the deeds of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their
sepulchers.
Therefore said the wisdom of God: I will
send them prophets and Apostles, and of them they shall slay and persecute:
That the blood of all prophets, which was shed from the beginning of the world,
may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel unto the blood of
Zacary, which perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say unto you:
it shall be required of this nation.
Woe be to you lawyers: for ye have taken
away the key of knowledge, ye entered not in yourselves, and them that came in
ye forbade.
When he thus spake unto them, the lawyers,
and the pharisees, began to wax busy about him and to stop his mought with many
questions, Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something of his mouth,
whereby they might accuse him.
The .xij.
Chapter.
As there gathered to gether an innumerable
multitude of people (insomuch that they trod one another) he began to say unto
his disciples: First of all beware of the leaven of the pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be uncovered: neither
hid, that shall not be known. Wherefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness:
that same shall be heard in light. And that which ye have spoken in the ear,
even in secret places, shall be preached even on the top of the houses.
I say unto you my friends: fear ye not them
that kill the body, and after that have nothing that he can more do. I will
shew you, whom ye shall fear. Fear him which after he hath killed, hath power
to cast into hell. Yea I say unto you, him fear. Are not five sparrows bought
for two farthings? and none of them is forgotten of God. Yea the very hairs of
your heads are numbered. Fear not therefore: Ye are more of value, than many
sparrows.
I say unto you: Whosoever confesseth me
before men, even him shall the son of man confess also before the angels of
God. And he that denieth me before men: shall be denied before the angels of
God. And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man it shall be forgiven
him. But unto him that blasphemeth the holy ghost, it shall not be forgiven.
When they bring you unto their synagogues,
and unto their rulers, and officers, take no thought how or what thing ye shall
answer, or what ye shall speak. For the holy ghost shall teach you in the same
hour, what ye ought to say.
One of the company said unto him: Master,
bid my brother divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him: Man, who
made me a judge, or a divider over you? Wherefore he said unto them: take heed,
and beware of covetousness. For no man's life standeth in the abundance of the
things which he possesseth. And he put forth a similitude unto them
saying: The lands of a certain man
brought forth fruits plenteously, and he thought in himself saying: what shall
I do? because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will
I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all
my fruits, and my goods: and I will say to my soul: Soul thou hast much goods
laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry. But
God said unto him: Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again
from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is it
with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God.
And he spake unto his disciples: Therefore
I say unto you: Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat: Neither for
your body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is
more than raiment. Mark well the ravens, for they neither sow, nor reap, which
neither have storehouse nor barn, and yet God feedeth them. How much are ye
better then the fowls.
Which of you with taking thought can add to
his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least:
why take ye thought for the remnant? Consider the lilies how they grow: They
labor not: They spin not: and I say unto you, Salomon in all his royalty was
not clothed like unto one of these.
If God then so clothe the grass which is to
day in the fields, and tomorrow shall be cast into the furnace: how much more
will he clothe you, o ye endued with little faith? And ask not what ye shall
eat, or what ye shall drink, neither climb ye up on high: for all such things
the heathen people of the world seek for. Your father knoweth that ye have need
of such things. Wherefore seek ye after the kingdom of heaven, and all these
things shall be ministered unto you.
Fear not little flock, for it is your
father's pleasure, to give you a kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms. And
make you bags, which wax not old, and treasure that faileth not in heaven,
where no thief cometh, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is,
There will your hearts be also.
Let your loins be girded about, and your
lights burning, and ye yourselves, like unto men, that watch for their master
when he will return from a wedding: that as soon as he cometh and knocketh,
they may open unto him. Happy are those servants, which their lord, when he
cometh, shall find walking, Verily I say unto you, he will gird himself about,
and make them sit down to meat, and walk by them, and minister unto them. And
if he come in the second watch, ye if he come in the third watch, and shall
find them so, happy are those servants.
This shall ye understand, that if the good
man of the house, had known what hour the thief would have come, he would
surely have watched: and not have suffered his house to have been broken up. Be
ye prepared therefore for the son of man will come at an hour when ye think,
not.
Then Peter said unto him: Master tellest
thou this similitude unto us, or to all men? And the lord said: who is a
faithful steward, and a discreet, whom his lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their duetie of meat, at due season. Happy is that
servant, whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say
unto you: that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if the evil
servant shall say in his heart: My master will defer his coming, and shall
begin to smite the servants, and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be
drunken: the lord of that servant will come in a day, when he thinketh not, and
at an hour when he is not ware, and will divide him, and will give him his
reward, with the unbelievers.
The servant that knew his master's will,
and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten
with many stripes. But he that knew not, and hath committed things worthy of
stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whom much is given: of him
shall be much required. And to whom men much commit, the more of him will they
ask.
I am come to send fire on earth: and what
is my desire but that it were al ready kindled? Notwithstanding I must be
baptised with a baptism. And how am I pained till it be ended? Suppose ye that
I am come to send peace on earth? I tell you, nay: but rather debate. For
henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two
against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against
the father. The mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the
mother. The motherinlaw against the daughterinlaw, and the daughter in law
against the motherinlaw. Then said he to the people: when ye see a cloud rise
out of the west straightway ye say: we shall have a shower, and so it is. And
when ye se the south wind blow, ye say: we shall have heat, and it cometh to
pass. Hypocrites, ye can skill of the fashion of the earth, and of the sky: but
what is the cause, that ye cannot skill of this time? Yea and why judge ye not
of yourselves, that which is rightwise?
While thou goest with thine adversary to
the ruler: as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered
from him, least he bring thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the
jailer, and the jailer cast thee into prison. I tell thee thou departest not
thence, till thou have made good the utmost farthing.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
There were present at the same season, that
shewed him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their own
sacrifice. And Iesus answered, and said unto them: Suppose ye that these
Galileans, were greater sinners than all the other Galileans because they
suffered such punishment? I tell you nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish. Or think ye that those xviij. upon whom the tower in Siloe
fell and slew them, were sinners above all men that dwell in Ierusalem? I tell
you nay: But except ye repent, ye all shall likewise perish.
He put forth this similitude, A certain man
had a fig tree in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found
none. Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard: Behold this three year have
I come and sought fruit in this fig tree, and find none, cut it down: why
cumbereth it the ground? And he answered and said unto him: lord let it alone
this year also, till I dig round about it, and dung it, to see whether it will
bear fruit: if not, then after that, cut it down.
He taught in one of their synagogues on the
saboth days. And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity
xviij. years: and was bowed together, and could not well lift up herself. When
Iesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her: woman, thou art delivered
from thy disease. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God. The ruler of the synagogue answered with
indignation (because that Iesus had healed on the saboth day) And said unto the
people: There are six days in the week, in which men ought to work, in them
come and be healed, and not on the saboth day.
Then answered him the lord and said:
Hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the saboth day, loose his ox, or his
ass, from the stall, and lead him to the water? And ought not this daughter of
Abraham, be loosed from this bond on the saboth day, whom Sathan hath bounde
lo, xviij. years?
And when he thus said, all his adversaries
were ashamed, and all the people rejoiced on all the excellent deeds, that were
done by him.
Then said he: What is the kingdom of God
like? or whereto shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which
a man took and sowed in his garden: and it grew, and waxed a great tree, and
the fowls of the air built in the branches of it.
And again he said: whereunto shall I liken
the kingdom of , God? It is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three
bushels of flour, till all was thorow leavened. And he went thorow cities and
towns teaching, and took his journey towards Ierusalem.
Then said one unto him: lord, are there few
that shall be saved? And he said unto them: strive with your selves to enter in
at the strait gate: For many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall
not be able. When the goodman of the house is risen up, and hath shut fast the
door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door saying: lord,
lord, open unto us: and he shall answer and say unto you: I know not whence ye
are. Then shall ye begin to say: We have eaten, and drunk in thy presence, and
thou hast taught in our streets. And he shall say: I tell you, I know you not
whence ye are: depart from me all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be
weeping, and gnashing of teeth: when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and
Iacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out a
doors. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the
north, and from the south, and shall rest in the kingdom of God. And behold,
there are last, which shall be first: And there are first which shall be last.
The same day there came certain of the
pharisees, and said unto him: Get thee out of the way, and depart hence: for Herod
will kill thee. And he said unto them: Go ye and tell that fox, behold I cast
out devils, and heal the people to day and tomorrow, and the third day I make
an end. Nevertheless, I must walk today and tomorrow, and the day following:
For it cannot be, that a prophet perish any other where, save at Ierusalem. O
Ierusalem, Ierusalem, which killest prophets, and stonest them that are sent to
thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together, as the hen her
nest under her wings, but thou wouldest not. Behold your habitation shall be
left unto you desolate. For I tell you, ye shall not see me until the time come
that ye shall say, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the lord.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
And it chanced that he went into the house
of one of the chief pharisees to eat bread, on a saboth day: and they watched
him. And behold there was a man before him, which had the dropsy. And Iesus
answered and spake unto the lawyers and pharisees, saying: is it lawful to heal
on the saboth day? And they held their peace. He took the man and healed him,
and let him go: And answered them saying: which of you shall have an ass, or an
ox, fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the saboth day?
And they could not answer him again to that.
He put forth a similitude to the guests,
when he marked how they pressed to the highest rooms, and said unto them: When
thou art bidden to a wedding of any man, sit not down in the highest room, lest
a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade both him and
thee, come and say to thee: give this man room. And thou then begin with shame
to take the lowest room. But rather when thou art bidden, go and sit in the
lowest room, that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee: friend
sit up higher. Then shalt thou have praise in the presence of them that sit at
meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he
that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.
Then said he also to him that had desired
to him to dinner: When thou makest a dinner, or a supper: call not thy friends,
nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor yet rich neighbours: lest they bid
thee again, and make thee recompense. But when thou makest a feast, call the
poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind, and thou shalt be happy: For they
cannot recompense thee. But thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of
the just men.
When one of them that sat at meat also
heard that, he said unto him: happy is he that eateth bread in the kingdom of
God. Then said he to him: A certain man ordained a great supper, and bade many,
and sent his servant at supper time, to say to them that were bidden, come: for
all things are now ready. And they all at once began to make excuse. The first
said unto him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go and see it, I pray
thee have me excused. And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I
must go to prove them, I pray thee have me excused. The third said: I have
married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant went again, and
brought his master word thereof.
Then was the good man of the house
displeased, and said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and
quarters of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the
halt, and the blind. And the servant said: lord it is done as thou commandedst,
and yet there is room. And the lord said to the servant: Go out into the
highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my
supper.
There went a great company with him, and he
turned and said unto them: If a man come to me, and hate not his father and
mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, moreover and his own
life, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever bear not his cross, and come
after me cannot be my disciple.
Which of you is he that is disposed to
build a tower, and sitteth not down before and counteth the cost: Whether he
have sufficient to perform it? lest after he hath laid the foundation, and is
not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him saying: This man
began to build, and was not able to make an end. What king goeth to make battle
against another king, and sitteth not down first, and casteth in his mind,
whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with
twenty thousand, or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send
ambassadors, and desire peace. So likewise, none of you that forsaketh not all
that he hath, can be my disciple.
Salt is good, but if salt be corrupt, what
shall be seasoned therewith? It is neither good for the land, nor yet for the
dunghill, men cast it out at the doors. He that hath ears to hear, let him
hear.
The .xv.
Chapter.
Then resorted unto him all the publicans
and sinners, for to hear him. And the pharisees, and scribes grudged 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 him
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 than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance. Other what woman having x. 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 shall be 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 thorowout 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 himself and said: how many
hired servants at my father's 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, now am I not worthy to be called thy son, make
me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. When he
was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran unto
him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him: father I
have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, neither am I worthy henceforth to
be called thy son. Then said the father to his servants: bring forth 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 make good chear.
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. 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.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
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 thee? Give accounts of thy stewardship. For thou mayest be no longer my
steward. The steward said within himself: 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 my stewardship, they may receive me
into their houses.
Then called he all his master's debtors,
and said unto the first: how much owest thou unto my master? And he said: an
hundred tuns of oil, and he said to him: take thy bill, and sit down quickly,
and write fifty. Then said he to another: what owest thou? And he said: an
hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy 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 than the children of light.
And I say also unto you: make you friends of the wicked mammon, that when ye
shall have need 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 ye have not been faithful in the wicked
mammon? who will believe you in that which is true? and if ye have not been
faithful in another man's 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. Ye cannot serve God, and
mammon.
All these things heard the pharisees also
which were covetous. And they mocked him, and he said unto them: Ye are they,
which justify yourselves before men: but God knoweth your hearts. For that
which men magnify, is abominable in the sight of God.
The law, and the prophets reigned until the
time of Ihon: Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man
striveth to go in.
Sooner shall heaven and earth perish, than
one tittle of the law shall perish. Whosoever forsaketh his wife, and marrieth
another, breaketh matrimony. And every man which marrieth her that is divorced
from her husband committeth advoutry also.
There was a certain rich man, which was
clothed in purple, and fine rayons, 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 man's board.
Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the
beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man
also died, and was buried in hell.
When he lift up his eyes, as he was in
torments, and he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, And 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. Abraham said unto him: Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime
receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he
comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this between you and us there is a
great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither
from thence come hither.
And he said: I pray thee therefore father,
send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest
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: nay father Abraham,
but if one from the dead came unto them 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.
The
.xvij. Chapter.
Then said he to his disciples, it cannot be
avoided, but that occasions of evil come. Nevertheless woe be to him thorow
whom they come. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and that he were cast into the sea, rather than he should offend one of
these little ones. Take heed to your selves, if thy brother trespass against
thee, rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him. And though he sin against thee
seven times in one day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying: it
repenteth me, forgive him.
And the Apostles said unto the lord:
increase our faith. The lord said: if ye had faith like a grain of mustard
seed, and should say unto this sycamine tree, pluck thyself up by the roots,
and plant thyself in the sea: he should obey you.
Which of you having a servant a plowing, or
feeding cattle, would say unto him when he were come from the field: Go quickly
and sit down to meat. And rather sayeth not to him, dress wherewith I may sup,
and appoint thyself and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk: and afterward,
eat thou, and drink thou? Doeth he thank that servant because he did that which
was commanded unto him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye have done all those
things which are commanded unto you: say, we are unprofitable servants. We have
done that which was our duty to do.
And it chanced as he went to Ierusalem,
that he passed thorow 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: Iesu master, have mercy on us. When he saw them,
he said unto them: Go and shew yourselves to 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.
Iesus 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 thy way, thy faith hath saved
thee.
When he was demanded of the pharisees, when
the kingdom of God should come: he answered them and said: The kingdom of God
cometh not with waiting for. Neither shall men say, Lo here, lo there. For
behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
And he said unto the disciples: The days
will come, when ye shall desire to see one day of the son of man, and ye 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 appeareth out of the one part of the
heaven, and shineth 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 reproved 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 ensamples, shall the day be, 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
Lot's wife. Whosoever will go about to save his life, shall lose it: And
whosoever shall lose his life, shall quicken it.
I tell you: In that night, there shall be
two in one bed, the one shall be received, and the other shall be forsaken. Two
shall be also a grinding together: the one shall be received, and the other
forsaken. And they answered, and said to him: where lord? And he said unto
them: wheresoever The body shall be, thither will the eagles resort.
The
.xviij. Chapter.
He put forth a similitude unto them,
signifying that men ought always to 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 a great while he would not. Afterward he said unto
himself: Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow
troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest at the last she come, and rail on me.
And the lord said: hear what the
unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night
and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and
that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye, that he
shall find faith on earth.
And he put forth this similitude, unto
certain which trusted in themselves, 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 himself. God I thank
thee that I am not as other are, extortioners, unjust, advoutrers, and even as
the publican is. 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 a sinner. I tell you: this man
departed home to his house justified more than the other. For every man that
exalteth himself, shall be brought low: And he that humbleth himself, shall be
exalted.
They brought unto him also babes, that he
should touch them. When his disciples saw that, they rebuked them. But Iesus
called them unto him, and said: Suffer children to come unto me, and forbid
them not. For unto such, belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto
you: whosoever receiveth 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? Iesus said unto him: Why
callest thou me good? No man is good, save God only. Thou knowest the
commandments: Thou shalt not commit advoutry, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt
not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father, and thy
mother. And he said: All these have I kept from my youth. When Iesus heard
that, he said unto him: Yet lackest thou one thing. Sell all that thou hast,
and distribute it unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and
come, and follow me. When he heard that, he was heavy, for he was rich.
When Iesus saw him mourn, he said: with
what difficulty shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God:
Easier it is for a camel to pass thorow a needles eye, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God. Then said they that heard that: And who shall
then be saved? He said: Things which are unpossible with men: are possible with
God.
Then Peter said: Lo we have forsaken all,
and have followed thee. He said unto them: Verily I say unto you, there is no
man that forsaketh house, other father and mother, other brethren, or wife, or
children, for the kingdom of God's 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: Lo we go up to Ierusalem, 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, shall he arise again. They understood none
of these things. And this saying was hid from them. And they perceived not the
things which were spoken.
It came to pass, as they were come nigh
unto Iericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging. And when he
heard the people pass by, he asked what it meant. They said unto him that Iesus
of Nazareth, went by. And he cried, saying: Iesus the son of David, have mercy
on me. And they which went before rebuked him, because he should hold his
peace. And he much the more cried, The son of David, have mercy on me. Iesus
stood still, and commanded him, to be brought unto him. And when he was come
near, he asked him saying: What wilt thou, that I do unto thee? And he said:
lord, that I may receive my sight. Iesus said unto him: Receive thy sight: Thy
faith hath saved thee. And immediately he saw, and followed him, praising God.
And all the people, when they saw it, gave laud to God.
The .xix.
Chapter.
And he entered in, and went thorow Iericho.
And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, which was a ruler among the
publicans, and rich also. And he made means to see Iesus, what he should be:
and he could not for the press, because he was of a low stature. And he ran
before, and ascended up, into a sycomore tree, to see him. For he would come
that same way. And when Iesus 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 thy house. And
hastily he came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw that, they
all grudged saying: He is gone, into tarry with a man that is a sinner.
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. Iesus said to him: This day is health
come unto this house, forasmuch as it 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 nigh to Ierusalem, And because also, they
thought that the kingdom of God should shortly appear. He said therefore: A
certain noble man, went into a far country, to receive a kingdom, and then to
come again. 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 his 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, thy pound hath increased ten pounds. And he said unto him: Well
good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing, Take thou
authority over ten cities. And the other came saying: lord thy pound, hath
increased five pounds. And to the same he said: And be thou also ruler over
five cities. And the third came, and said: lord, behold here thy pound, which I
have kept in a napkin, for I feared thee, because thou art a strait man: thou
takest up that thou laidst not down, And reapest that thou didst not sow. And
he said unto him: Of thine own mouth judge I thee thou evil servant. Knewest
thou that I am a strait man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I
did not sow? Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank? And then at
my coming should I have required mine own, with vantage. And he said to them
that stood by: Take from him that pound, and give it him that hath ten pounds.
And they said unto him: lord he hath ten pounds. I say unto you, that unto all
them that have, it shall be given: and from him that hath not, even that he
hath shall be taken away. Moreover those mine enemies, which would not, that
should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And when he had
thus spoken, he proceeded forth before them, and went up to Ierusalem.
And it fortuned, when he was come nigh to
Bethphage and Bethany, besides mount Olivete, he sent two of his disciples
saying: Go ye in to the town which is over against you. In the which as soon as
ye are come, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon, yet never man sat. Loose him
and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, why that ye loose him: thus say
unto him, The lord hath 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 ye the colt? And they said: for the lord hath
need of him. And they brought him to Iesus. And they cast their raiment on the
colt, and set Iesus thereon. And as he went they spread their clothes in the way.
When he was 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 cometh 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 thy disciples. He answered, and said unto them: I
tell you, if these hold their peace, the stones will cry.
And when he was come near, he beheld the
city, and wept on it saying: If thou hadst known those things which belong unto
thy peace, even at this day? But now are they hid from thine eyes. For the days
shall come upon thee, And thine enemies shall compass thee about with a bank.
And shall besiege thee round about, and keep thee in on every side, And make
thee even with the ground, with thy children which are in thee. And they shall
not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of
thy visitation.
And he went into 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 ye 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.
The .xx.
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 unto him with the seniors, And spake unto him, saying: Tell us
by what authority thou doest these things? Other who is he that gave thee this
authority? He answered and said unto them: I also will ask you a question, and
answer me: was the baptism of Ihon, from heaven, or of men? They thought within
themselves saying: If we shall say from heaven: he will say: Why then believed
ye him not? But and if we shall say of men, all the people will stone us. For
they surely believe that Ihon was a prophet. And they answered that they could
not tell whence it was. And Iesus 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 himself into a strange country for a great season. And when the time came,
he sent a servant to his tenants that they should give him of the fruits, of
the vineyard. The tenants beat him: and sent him away empty. And he ceased not
thereby but sent yet another servant. And they beat him, and foul entreated him
also, and sent him away empty. Moreover, he sent the third Also, And him they
wounded, and cast him 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.
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.
He beheld them and said: what meaneth this
then that is written: The stone that the builders refused, is made the head
cornerstone? whosoever stumble at that stone, shall be bruised: but on
whosoever it fall, it will also break him. 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 president. And they asked him saying:
Master, we know that thou sayest, and teachest right, neither considerest thou
any man's degree, but teachest 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 ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They
answered and said: Cesar's. And he said unto them: Give then unto Cesar, that
which belongeth unto Cesar: And to God, that which pertaineth to God. And they
could not reprove his saying before the people. And 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 man's 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 vij had her to wife.
Iesus answered and said unto them: The
children of this world marry wives, and are married, but they which shall be
worthy of 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, inasmuch 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 Iacob. For
he is not the God of the dead, but of them which live. For all live in him.
Certain of the pharisees answered and said: Master, thou hast 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 David's son? And David him self saith in the book of the Psalms: The
lord said unto my lord, Sit on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy
foot stool. David then calleth him lord: How is he also 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 pray
long under a colour: The same shall receive greater damnation.
The .xxj.
Chapter.
As he beheld, he saw the rich men, how they
cast in their offerings into the treasury. He saw also a certain poor widow,
which cast in thither two mites. And he said: of a truth I say unto you, this
poor widow hath put in more than they all. For they all have of their
superfluity added unto the offering of God: But she, of her penury, hath cast
in all the substance that she had.
As some spake of the temple, how it was
garnished with goodly stones, and jewels, he said. The days will come, when of
these things which ye see, shall not be left stone upon stone that shall not be
thrown down. And they asked him, saying: Master when shall these things be. And
what signs will there be, when such things shall come to pass.
And he said: take heed, that ye be not
deceived. For many will come in my name, saying of themselves, I am he. And the
time draweth near. Follow ye not them therefore. But when ye hear of war, and
of dissension: be not afraid, for these things must first come: but the end
followeth not by and by. Then said he unto them: Nation shall rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in all
quarters, and hunger, and pestilence, and fearful things. And great signs shall
there be from heaven.
But before all these, they shall lay their
hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up, to the synagogues, and into
prison, and bring you before kings, And rulers for my name's sake. And this
shall chance you for a testimonial. Let it stick therefore fast in your hearts,
not once to study before, what ye shall answer for yourselves: For I will give
you a mouth and wisdom, where against, all your adversaries shall not be able
to speak nor resist. Yea and ye shall be betrayed of your fathers and mothers,
and of your brethren, and kinsmen, and lovers. And some of you shall they put
to death. And hated shall ye be of all men for my name's sake. Yet there shall
not one hair of your heads perish. With your patience, possess your souls.
And when ye see Ierusalem besieged with an
host, then understand, that the desolation of the same is nigh. Then let them
which are in jewry fly to the mountains. And let them which are in the midst of
it, depart out. And let not them that are in other countries, enter there in.
For these be the days of vengeance, to fulfil all that are written. But woe be
to them that be with child, and to them that give suck in those days, for there
shall be great trouble in the land: and wrath over all this people. And they
shall fall on the edge of the sword. And they shall be led captive into all
nations. And Ierusalem shall be trodden underfoot of the gentiles, until the
time of the gentiles be fulfilled.
And there shall be signs, in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars: and in the earth the people shall be in such
perplexity, that they shall not tell which way to turn themselves. The sea and
the waves shall roar, and men's hearts shall fail them for fear, and for
looking after those things which shall come on the earth. For the powers of
heaven shall move. And then shall they see the son of man come in a cloud with
power and great glory. When these things begin to come to pass: then look up,
and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.
And he shewed them a similitude: behold the
fig tree, and all other trees, when they shoot forth their buds, ye see and
know of your own selves that summer is then nigh at hand. So likewise ye (when
ye see these things come to pass) understand, that the kingdom of God is nigh.
Verily I say unto you: this generation shall not pass, till all be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass.
Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts
be overcome, with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this world: and
that, that day come on you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them
that sit on the face of the earth. Watch therefore continually and pray, that
ye may scape all this that shall come. And that ye may stand before the son of
man. In the day time taught he in the temple, and at night, he went out, and
had abiding in the mount olivete. And all the people came in the morning to him
in the temple, for to hear him.
The
.xxij. Chapter.
The feast of sweet bread drew nigh which is
called ester, and the high priests, and scribes sought how to kill Iesus, but
they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Iudas, whose sur name was
Iscariot (which was of the number of the twelve) and he went his way, and
communed with the high priests and officers, how he would betray him to them.
And they were glad: and promised to give him money. And he consented, and
sought opportunity to betray him unto them, when the people were away.
Then came the day of sweet bread, when of
necessity the ester lamb must be offered. And he sent Peter, and Ihon saying:
Go and prepare us the ester lamb, that we may eat. They said to him. Where wilt
thou, that we prepare? And he said unto them. Behold as ye be entered into the
city, there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water, him follow into
the same house that he entereth in, and ye shall say unto the good man of the
house. The master sayeth: Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat mine
ester lamb with my disciples? And he shall shew you a great parlour paved.
There make ready. They went and found, as he had said unto them: and made ready
the ester lamb.
And when the hour came, he sat down and the
twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them: I have inwardly desired to eat
this ester lamb with you before that I suffer. For I say unto you: henceforth,
I will not eat of it any more, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And
he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Receive this, and divide it among
you. For I say unto you: I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the
kingdom of God be come.
And he took bread, gave thanks, and brake
it, and gave it unto them, saying: This is my body which is given for you. This
do in the remembrance of me. Likewise also, when they had supped, he took the
cup saying: This is the cup, the new testament, in my blood, which shall for
you be shed.
Yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth
me, is with me on the table. And the son of man goeth as it is appointed: But
woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed. And they began to enquire among
themselves, which of them it should be, that should do that.
And there was a strife among them, which of
them should seem greatest. And he said unto them: The kings of the gentiles
reign over them, And they that bear rule over them, are called gracious lords.
But ye shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you, shall be as the
youngest: And he that is chief, shall be as the minister. For whether is
greater, he that sitteth at meat: or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at
meat? And I am among you, as he that ministereth. Ye are they which have bidden
with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my father hath
appointed to me: that ye may eat, and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit
on seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israell. And the lord said: Simon,
Simon, behold Satan hath desired you, to sift you, as it were wheat: But I have
prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him. lord, I am ready to go with thee
into prison, and to death. And he said: I tell thee Peter, the cock shall not
crow this day, till thou have thrice denied that thou knewest me.
And he said unto them: when I sent you
without wallet, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said,
nothing. And he said to them: But now he that hath a wallet let him take it,
and likewise his scrip. And he that hath no sword, let him sell his coat and
buy one. I say unto you that yet, that which is written must be performed in me
(Even with the wicked was he numbered) for those things which are written of me
have an end. And they said: lord, behold here are two swords. And he said unto
them: it is enough.
And he came out, and went as he was wont to
mount Olivete. And the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place,
he said to them: Pray lest ye fall into temptation.
And he gat himself from them, about a
stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying: Father if thou wilt,
withdraw this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, But thine be fulfilled.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, comforting him. And he was in
agony, and prayed somewhat longer. And his sweat was like drops of blood,
trickling down to the ground. And he rose up from prayer, and came to his
disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them: Why sleep
ye? Rise, and pray lest ye fall into temptation.
While he yet spake: behold, there came a
company, and he that was called Iudas, one of the twelve, went before them, and
pressed nigh unto Iesus to kiss him. Iesus said unto him: Iudas betrayest thou
the son of man with a kiss? When they which were about him saw what would
follow, they said unto him. lord, shall we smite with a sword. And one of them
smote a servant of him which was the chief priest of all, and smote off his
right ear. Iesus answered and said: Suffer ye thus far forth. And he touched
his ear, and healed him.
Iesus said unto the high priests and rulers
of the temple and the seniors which were come to him. Be ye come out, as unto a
thief with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye
stretched not forth hands against me. But this is even your very hour, and the
power of darkness. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him to the high
priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
When they had kindled a fire in the midst
of the palace, and were set down together, Peter also sat down among them. And
one of the wenches, as he sat, beheld him by the light and set good eyesight on
him, and said: This same was also with him. Then he denied him saying: Woman I
know him not. And after a little while, another saw him and said: Thou art also
of them. And Peter said: Man I am not. And about the space of an hour after
another affirmed saying: Verily even this fellow was with him, for he is of
Galile, Peter said: Man I wot not what thou sayest. And immediately while he
yet spake, the cock crew. And the lord turned back and looked upon Peter. And
Peter remembered the words of the lord, how he said unto him, before the cock
crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
And the men that stood about Iesus, mocked
him, and smote him, and blindfolded him, and smote his face. And asked him
saying: Areed who it is that smote thee? And many other things despitefully
said they against him.
And as soon as it was day, the seniors of
the people, and the high priests and scribes, came together, and led him into
their council saying: Art thou very Christ? tell us. And he said unto them: if
I shall tell you, ye will not believe. And if also I ask you, ye will not
answer me. Neither let me go. Hereafter shall the son of man sit on the right
hand of the power of God. Then said they all: Art thou then the son of God? He
said: Ye say that I am. Then said they: What need we any further witness? We
ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
The
.xxiij. Chapter.
And the whole multitude of them arose, and
led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him saying: We have found his
fellow, perverting the people, and forbidding to pay tribute to Cesar: And
sayeth that he is Christ a king. And Pilate opposed him saying: Art thou the
king of the jewes? He answered him, and said: thou sayest. Then said Pilate to
the high priests, and to the people: I find no fault in this man. And they were
the more fierce, saying: He moveth the people teaching thoroout jewry, and
began at Galile, even to this place.
When Pilate heard mention of Galile, he
asked whether the man were of Galilee. And as soon as he knew that he was of
Herode's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herode, which was at that time in
Ierusalem also. When Herode saw Iesus, he was marvelously glad. For he was
desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him,
and trusted to have seen some miracle done by him. Then questioned he with him
of many things: But he answered him not one word. The high priests and scribes,
stood forth and accused him straitly. And Herod, with his men of war, despised
him, and mocked him, And arrayed him in white, and sent him again to Pilate.
And the same day Pilate, and Herod were made friends together. For before, they
were at variance.
Pilate called together the high priests,
and rulers, and the people, and said unto them: Ye have brought this man unto
me, as one that perverted the people. And lo I examined him before you, and
have found no fault in this man, of those things whereof ye accuse him. No nor
yet Herode. For I sent you to him: and lo no thing worthy of death is done to
him. I will therefore chasten him and let him loose. For of necessity, he must
have let one loose unto them at that feast.
And all the people cried at once, saying:
away with him, and deliver to us Barabbas. (which for insurrection made in the
city, and murder, was cast into prison) Pilate spake again to them willing to
let Iesus loose. And they cried, saying: Crucify him, Crucify him. He said unto
them the third time: What harm hath he done? I find no cause of death in him. I
will therefore chasten him, and let him go loose. And they cried with loud voice,
and required that he might be crucified. And the crying of the high priests
prevailed.
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be
as they required, and let loose unto them, him that for insurrection, and
murder was cast into prison, whom they desired: and delivered Iesus to do with
him what they would. And as they led him away, they caught one Simon of Syrene,
coming out of the field: And on him laid they the cross to bear it after Iesus.
There followed him a great company of
people, and of women, which women bewailed, and lamented him. Iesus turned back
unto them, and said: Daughters of Ierusalem, weep not for me: but weep for
yourselves, and for your children. For mark, the days will come, when men shall
say: happy are the barren and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which
never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: fall on us. and
to the hills cover us. For if they do this to a green tree: what shall be done,
to the dry?
There were two evil doers led with him to
be slain. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there
they crucified him, and the evil doers, one on right hand, and the other on the
left hand. Then said Iesus: Father forgive them, for they wot not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood and beheld.
And the rulers mocked him with them saying:
He help other men, let him help himself if he be Christ the chosen of God. The
soldiers also mocked him, and came and gave him vinegar and said: if thou be
that king of the jewes, save thyself. His superscription was written over him,
in greek, latin, and hebreu letters: This is the king of the jewes.
The one of the malefactors which hanged,
railed on him, saying: If thou be Christ save thyself and us. The other
answered and rebuked him saying: Neither fearest thou God because thou art in
the same damnation? We are righteously punished, for we receive according to
our deeds: But this man hath done no thing amiss. And he said unto Iesus: lord
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Iesus said unto him: Verily
I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
And it was about the sixth hour. And there
came a darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour, and the sun was
darkened. And the veil of the temple rent even thorow the midst. And Iesus
cried with a great voice and said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
And when he thus had said, he gave up the ghost. When the Centurion saw, what
had happened, he glorified God saying: Of a surety this man was perfect. And
all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which
were done: smote their breasts, and returned home. And all his acquaintance
stood afar off, and the women, which followed him from Galile, beholding these
things.
And behold there was a man named Ioseph a
senator, which was a good man and a just, He did not consent to their counsel
and deed, which was of Aramathia, a city of the jews. Which same also, waited
for the kingdom of God: he went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Iesus. And
took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in an hewn tomb,
wherein was never man before laid. And that day was the saboth even, And the
saboth drew on. The women that followed after which came with him from Galile,
beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared
odours, and ointments, And the saboth day they rested, according to the
commandment.
The
.xxiiij. Chapter.
On the morrow after the saboth, early in
the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had
prepared, and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from
the sepulchre, and went in: but found not the body of the lord Iesu. And it
happened, as they were amazed thereat: lo two men stood by them, in shining
vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth:
they said to them: why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but
is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galile,
saying: that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and
be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and
returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to
all other. It was Mary Magdalene and Ioanna, and Mary Iacobi, And other that
were with them, which told these things unto the Apostles, and their words
seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter
and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in, And saw the linen clothes laid by
them self. And departed wondering in himself at that which had happened.
And behold, two of them went that same day
to a town, which was from Ierusalem about three score furlongs, called Emaus:
and they talked together of all these things that had happened. And it chanced,
as they communed together, and reasoned, that Iesus himself drew near, and went
with them. But their eyes were holden, that they could not know him. And he
said unto them: What manner of communications are these that ye have one to
another as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them named Cleopas, answered,
and said unto him: art thou only a stranger in Ierusalem, and hast not known
the things which have chanced therein in these days? To whom he said: what
things? And they said unto him: of Iesus of Nazareth which was a prophet,
mighty in deed, and word, before God, and all the people. And how the high
priests, and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death: and have
crucified him. We trusted that it should have been he that should have
delivered Israhell. And as touching all these things, today is even the third
day, that they were done.
Yea and certain women also of our company
made us astonied, which came early unto the sepulchre, and found not his body.
And came saying, that they had seen visions of angels which said that he was
alive. And certain of them which were with us, went their way to the sepulchre,
and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
And he said unto them: O fools, and slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have
suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And he began at Moses, and
at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were
written of him. And they drew nigh unto the town which they went to. And he
made, as though he would have gone further. And constrained him, saying: Abide
with us for it draweth towards night, and the day is far passed. And he went in
to tarry with them.
And it came to pass as he sat at meat with
them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake it and gave it unto them. And
their eyes were opened. And they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight,
and they said between themselves: did not our hearts burn within us, while he
talked with us by the way, and opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up
the same hour, and returned again to Ierusalem, and found the eleven gathered
together, and them that were with them, saying: The lord is risen in deed, and
hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things was done in the way, and how
they knew him, by the breaking of bread.
As they thus spake, Iesus himself stood in
the midst of them, and said unto them: peace be with you. And they were
abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto
them: Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my
hands and my feet. For it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have
not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed
them his hands, and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and
wondered, he said unto them: Have ye here any meat? and they gave him a piece
of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and ate it before them.
And he said unto them: These are the words,
which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled
which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the
psalmes. Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures,
and said unto them: Thus is it written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer,
and to rise again from death the third day. And that repentance, and remission
of sins, should be preached in his name among all nations. And the beginning
must be at Ierusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I will
send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Ierusalem, until
ye be endued with power from on high.
And he led them out into Bethany, and lift
up his hands, and blest them. And it came to pass, as he blessed them, he
departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him,
and returned to Ierusalem with great joy. And were continually in the temple,
praising, and lauding God.
Here
endeth the Gospell off Sainct Luke.
The
gospell of S. Ihon
The first
Chapter.
In the beginning was that word, and that
word was with God: and God was that word. The same was in the beginning with
God. All things were made by it, and without it, was made no thing, that made
was. In it was life, And life was the light of men, And the light shineth in
the darkness, and darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name
was Ihon. The same came as a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all
men through him might believe. He was not that light: but to bear witness of
the light. That was a true light, which lighteneth all men that come into the
world. He was in the world, and the world by him was made: and the world knew
him not.
He came among his own, and his received him
not. Unto as many as received him, gave he power to be the sons of God: in that
they believed on his name: which were born not of blood nor of the will of the
flesh, nor yet of the will of man: but of God.
And that word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of
the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.
Ihon bare witness of him saying: This was
he of whom I spake, he that cometh after me, was before me because he was yer
than I. And of his fullness have all we received, even favour for favour. For
the law was given by Moses, but favour and verity came by Iesus Christ. No man
saw God at any time. The only begotten son, which is in the father's bosom,
hath declared him.
And this is the record of Ihon: When the
jewes sent priests, and levites from Ierusalem, to ask him, what art thou? And
he confessed, and denied not, and said plainly: I am not Christ. And they asked
him: what then? art thou Helias? And he said: I am not. Art thou a prophet? And
he answered no. Then said they unto him: what art thou? That we may give an
answer to them that sent us? what sayest thou of thy self? he said: I am the
voice of a crier in the wilderness, make straight the way of the lord, as said
the prophet Esayas.
And they which were sent, were of the
pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him: why baptisest thou then, if
thou be not Christ, nor Helias, neither a prophet? Ihon answered them saying: I
baptise with water: but one is come among you, whom ye know not, he it is that
cometh after me, which was before me, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to
unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Iordan, where Ihon did
baptise.
The next day, Ihon saw Iesus coming unto
him, and said: behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
This is he of whom I spake: After me cometh a man, which was before me. For he
was yer than I, and I knew him not: but that he should be declared to Israhell,
therefore came I baptising with water.
And Ihon bare record, saying: I saw the
spirit descend from heaven, like unto a dove, and it abode upon him, and I knew
him not: But he that sent me to baptise in water, said unto me: Upon whom thou
shalt see the spirit descend, and tarry still on him, the same is he which
baptiseth with the holy ghost. And I saw it, and bare record, that this is the
son of God.
The next day after Ihon stood again, and
two of his disciples, and he beheld Iesus as he walked by, and said: behold the
lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Iesus.
Iesus turned about, and saw them follow, and said unto them: What seek ye? They
said unto him: Rabbi (which is to say by interpretation, Master) where dwellest
thou? He said unto them: come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt: and
abode with him that day. For it was about the tenth hour.
One of the two which heard Ihon speak, and
followed Iesus, was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. The same found his brother
Simon first, and said unto him: we have found Messias, which is by
interpretation anointed: And brought him to Iesus. And Iesus beheld him and
said: thou art Simon the son of Ionas, thou shalt be called Cephas: which is by
interpretation a stone.
The day following Iesus would go into
Galile, and found Philip, and said unto him, follow me. Philip was of Bethsaida
the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him: We
have found him of whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets: Iesus the son
of Ioseph of Nazareth. And Nathanael said unto him: Can there any good thing
come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see.
Iesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said
of him: Behold a right Israelite, in whom is no guile. Nathanael said unto him:
From whence knewest thou me? Iesus answered and said unto him: Before that Philip
called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered
and said unto him: Rabbi, thou art the son of God, Thou art the king of
Israhel. Iesus answered and said unto him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee
under the fig tree, thou believest. Thou shalt see greater things than these.
And he said unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto you: hereafter shall ye see
heaven open, and the angels of God ascending, and descending over the son of
man.
The
second Chapter.
And the third day, was there a marriage in
Cana a city of Galile. And Iesus mother was there. Iesus was called also and
his disciples unto the marriage. And when the wine failed, Iesus mother said
unto him: they have no wine. Iesus said unto her: woman, what have I to do with
thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother said unto the ministers: whatsoever
he sayeth unto you, do it. And there were standing six waterpots of stone after
the manner of the purifying of the jewes, containing two or three firkins
apiece.
Iesus said unto them: fill the water pots
with water, and they filled them up to the harde brim. And he said unto them:
Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When
the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was turned unto wine, nother
knew whence it was (But the ministers which drew the water knew). He called the
bridegroom, and said unto him: all men at the beginning set forth good wine,
And when men be drunk, then that which is worse: But thou hast kept back the
good wine hitherto.
This beginning of miracles did Iesus in
Cana of Galile, and shewed his glory, and his disciples believed on him. After
that descended he into Capernaum, and his mother, and his brethren, and his
disciples: But continued not long there.
And the jewes' ester was even at hand, And
Iesus went up to Ierusalem, and found sitting in the temple those that sold
oxen and sheep, and doves, and changers of money sitting. And he made a scourge
of small cords, and drave them all out of the temple, both sheep and oxen, and
poured down the changers' money, and overthrew their tables. And said unto them
that sold doves: Have these things hence, and make not my father's house, an
house of merchandise. His disciples remembered, how that it was written: The
zeal of thine house, hath even eaten me.
Then answered the jewes and said unto him:
what token shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou dost these things? Iesus
answered, and said unto them: destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up again. Then said the jewes: In xlvj. years this temple was built: and
wilt thou raise it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. As
soon therefore as he was risen from death again, his disciples remembered that
he thus said unto them. And they believed the scripture, and the words which
Iesus had said.
When he was at Ierusalem, at ester in the
feast, many believed on his name: when they saw the signs which he did: but
Iesus put not himself in their hands, because he knew all men, and needed not,
that any man should testify of man. For he knew what was in man.
The .iij.
Chapter.
There was a man of the pharisees named
Nicodemus a ruler among the jewes. He to Iesus by night, and said unto him:
Master, we know that thou art, a teacher which art come from God. For no man
could do such miracles as thou doest, except God were with him: Iesus answered,
and said unto him: Verily verily I say unto thee: except a man be born a new,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus said unto him: how can a man be
born, when he is old? can he enter into his mother's body and be born again?
Iesus answered: verily, verily I say unto thee: except that a man be born of
water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which
is born of the flesh, is flesh. And that which is born of the spirit, is
spirit. Marvel not that I said to thee, ye must be born a new. The wind bloweth
where he listeth, and thou hearest his sound: but canst not tell whence he
cometh and whither he goeth. So is every man that is born of the spirit. And
Nicodemus answered and said unto him: how can these things be? Iesus answered
and said unto him: Art thou a master in Israhell, and knowest not these things?
Verily verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we know, and testify that we have
seen: And ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things and ye
have not believe: How should ye believe if I shall tell you of heavenly things?
And no man ascendeth up to heaven, but he
that came down from heaven, that is to say, the son of man which is in heaven.
And as Moses lift up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the son of man be lift up, that none which believeth
in him perish: but have eternal life.
God so loved the world, that he gave his
only son for the intent, that none that believe in him, should perish: But
should have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world, to
condemn the world: But that the world through him, might be saved. He that believeth
on him shall not be condemned. But he that believeth not, is condemned all
ready, because he believeth not in the name of the only son of God. And this is
the condemnation: Light is come into the world, and the men have loved darkness
more than light, because their deeds were evil. For every man that evil doeth,
hateth the light: neither cometh to light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds might be known, how
that they are wrought in God.
After that came Iesus and his disciples
into the jewes land, and there abode with them and baptised, and Ihon also
baptised in Enon besides Salim, because there was much water there, and they
came, and were baptised. For Ihon was not yet cast into prison.
There arose a question between Ihon's
disciples and the jewes about purifying. And they came unto Ihon, and said unto
him: Master, behold he that was with thee beyond Iordan, to whom thou barest
witness, baptiseth, and all men come to him. Ihon answered, and said: A man can
receive nothing at all except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves are
witnesses, how that I said: I am not Christ: but am sent before him. He that
hath the bride is the bridegroom: But the friend of the bridegroom which standeth
by and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this
my joy is fulfilled. He must increase: and I must decrease.
He that cometh from on high is above all:
he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaketh of the earth. He that
cometh from heaven, is above all: And testifieth that he hath seen, and heard:
and his testimony no man receiveth. Whosoever receiveth his witness, the same
hath sealed that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of
God. For God giveth not the spirit by measure. The father loveth the son, and
hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the son, hath
everlasting life. And he that beloveth not the son, shall not see life, but
the wrath of God abideth on him.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
As soon as the lord had knowledge, how that
it was come to the ears of the pharisees, that Iesus made and baptised more
disciples then Ihon (though that Iesus himself baptised not: but his disciples)
he left jewry, and departed again in to Galile. And it was so that he must
needs go thorow Samaria. Then came he to a city of Samaria called Sichar
besides the possession that Iacob gave to his son Ioseph, and there was Iacob's
well. Iesus then wearied in his journey, sat thus on the well.
It was about the sixth hour: There came a
woman of Samaria to draw water. Iesus said unto her: Give me drink. (for his
disciples were gone away unto the town to buy meat.) The woman of Samaria said
unto him: how is it, that thou being a jewe askest drink of me, which am a
Samaritan? (for the jewes meddle not with the Samaritans.) Iesus answered and
said unto her: if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is, that sayeth to
thee give me drink: thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given
thee water of life. The woman said unto him: Sir thou hast no thing to draw it
withall, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that water of life?
Art thou greater than our father Iacob, which gave us the well, and he himself
drank thereof and his children and his cattle?
Iesus answered and said unto her: whosoever
drinketh of this water, shall thirst again. But whosoever shall drink of the
water that I shall give him, shall never be more a thirst: But the water that I
shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting
life. The woman said unto him: Sir give me of that water, that I thirst not,
neither come hither to draw. Iesus said unto her: Go and call thy husband, and
come hither. The woman answered and said to him: I have no husband. Iesus said
to her: Thou hast well said, I have no husband. For thou hast had five
husbands, and he whom thou now hast, is not thy husband. That saidst thou
truly.
The woman said unto him: Sir I perceive
that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain: and ye say
that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to pray. Iesus said unto her:
woman trust me, The hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor
yet at Ierusalem, worship the father. Ye worship ye wot nere what: we know what
we worship. For salvation cometh of the jewes. But the hour cometh, and now is,
when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit, and in verity.
For verily such the father requireth to worship him. God is a spirit, and they
that worship him, must honour him, in spirit and verity.
The woman said unto him: I wot well Messias
shall come, which is called Christ. When he is once come, he will tell us all
things. Iesus said unto her: I that speak unto thee, am he. And even at that
point, came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman. Yet no
man said unto him: what meanest thou, or why talkest thou with her? The woman
left her water pot behind her, and went her way into the city, and said to the
men there: Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did. Is not he
Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
In the meanwhile his disciples prayed him
saying: Master eat. He said unto them: I have meat to eat, that ye know not of.
Then said the disciples between themselves: hath any man brought him meat?
Iesus said unto them: My meat is to fulfill the will of him that sent me. And
to finish his work. Say not ye: There are yet four months, and then cometh
harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the regions: For
they are white already unto harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth reward, and
gathereth fruit unto life eternal: That both he that soweth, might rejoice
also, and he that reapeth. And herein is the saying true, that one soweth, And
another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor. Other
men laboured, And ye are entered into their labors.
Many of the Samaritans of that city
believed on him, For the woman's saying, which testified: He told me all things
that ever I did. Then when the Samaritans were come unto him, They besought
him, that he would tarry with them. And he abode there two days. And many more
believed because of his own words. And said unto the woman: Now we believe not
because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is
even indeed Christ the saviour of the world.
After two days, he departed thence, and
went away into Galile. And Iesus himself testified, that a prophet hath none
honour in his own country. Then as soon as he was come into Galile, the
Galileans received him which had seen all things, that he did at Ierusalem on
the feast. For they went also unto the feast day. And Iesus came again into
Cana of Galile, where he turned water into wine.
And there was a certain ruler, whose son
was sick at Capernaum. As soon as the same heard that Iesus was come out of
jewry into Galilee he went unto him, and besought him, that he would descend,
and heal his son: For he was even ready to die. Then said Iesus unto him:
Except ye see signs and wonders, ye believe not. The ruler said unto him: Sir
come away or ever that my child die. Iesus said unto him go thy way, thy son
liveth. And the man believed the words that Iesus had spoken unto him, and went
his way. And anon as he went on his way, his servants met him, and told him,
saying: thy child liveth, Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to
amend. And they said unto him: Yesterday the seventh hour, the fever left him.
And the father knew that it was the same hour in which Iesus said unto him: Thy
son liveth. And he believed, and all his household. This is again the second
miracle, that Iesus did, after he was come out of jewry into Galilee.
The .v.
Chapter.
After that there was a feast of the jewes,
and Iesus went up to Ierusalem. There is at Ierusalem, by the slaughterhouse a
pool called in the Hebrew tongue, bethesda, having five porches, in them lay a
great multitude of sick folk, of blind, halt, and withered, waiting for the
moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool
and stirred the water. Whosoever then first after the stirring of the water
stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was
there, which had been diseased xxxviij. years. When Iesus saw him lie, and knew
that he now long time had been diseased, he said unto him, Wilt thou be whole?
The sick answered him: Sir I have no man when the water is moved, to put me
into the pool. But in the mean time, while I am about to come, another steppeth
down before me.
Iesus said unto him: rise, take up thy bed,
and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and
went. And the same day was the saboth day. The jewes therefore said unto him
that was made whole: It is the saboth day, it is not lawful for thee to carry
thy bed. He answered them: he that made me whole, said unto me: Take up thy
bed, and get thee hence. Then asked they him: what man is that which said unto thee,
take up thy bed and walk? And he that was healed, wist not who it was. For
Iesus had gotten himself away, because that there was press of people in the
place.
After that, Iesus found him in the temple,
and said unto him: Behold thou art made whole, see thou sin no more, lest a
worse thing happen unto thee. The man departed, and told the jewes that it was
Iesus, the which had made him whole. And therefore the jewes did persecute
Iesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on
the saboth day. Iesus answered them: My father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Therefore the jewes sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken
the saboth: but said also that God was his father and made himself equal with
God.
Then answered Iesus and said unto them:
verily, verily, I say unto you: the son can do no thing of himself: but that he
seeth the father do. For whatsoever he doeth, that doeth the son also. For the
father loveth the son, and sheweth him all things, whatsoever he himself doeth.
And he will shew him greater works than these, because ye should marvel. For
likewise as the father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the
son quickeneth whom he will. Neither judgeth the father any man: but hath committed
all judgement unto the son, because that all men should honour the son, even as
they honour the father. He that honoureth not the son, the same honoureth not
the father which hath sent him. Verily verily I say unto you: He that heareth
my words, And believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall
not come into damnation: but is scaped from death unto life.
Verily, verily I say unto you: the time
shall come, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God.
And they that hear, shall live. For as the father hath life in himself, so
likewise hath he given to the son to have life in himself. And hath given him
power also to judge in that he is the son of man. Marvel not at this, that the
hour shall come, in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear his voice,
and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life.
And they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
I can of mine own self do nothing at all.
As I hear I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seek not mine own will:
But the will of the father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my
witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me. And I am sure
that the witness which he beareth of me is true. Ye sent unto Ihon, and he bare
witness unto the truth: but I receive no record of man. Nevertheless, these
things I say, that ye might be safe. He was a burning, and a shining light, and
ye would for a season have rejoiced in his light. But I have greater witness,
than the witness of Ihon. For the works which my father hath given me to
finish: the same works which I do, bear witness of me, that my father sent me.
And my father himself, which hath sent me, beareth witness of me. Ye have not heard
his voice at any time, Nor yet have seen his shape. And his words have ye not
abiding in you: For ye believe not him whom he hath sent.
Search the scriptures, for in them, ye
think ye have eternal life: And they are they which testify of me. And yet will
ye not come to me that ye might have life. I receive not praise of men: But I
know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my father's
name, and ye receive me not. If another shall come in his own name, him will ye
receive. How can ye believe, which receive praise one of another, and seek not
the praise which cometh of God only?
Suppose not, that I will accuse you to my
father. There is one that accuseth you, verily Moses in whom ye trust. For had
ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: For he wrote of me. But when ye
believe not his writing: how shall ye believe my words.
The .vj.
Chapter.
After that went Iesus his way over the sea
of Galile nigh to a city called Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him,
because they had seen his miracles that he did on them that were diseased.
Iesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. (And ester
a feast of the jewes, was nigh.) Then Iesus lift up his eyes, and saw a great
company come unto him, and said unto Philip: whence shall we buy bread that
these might eat: This he said to prove him. For he himself knew what he would
do.
Philip answered him, two hundred pennyworth
of bread are not sufficient for them, that every man have a little. Then said
unto him, one of his disciples (Andrew Simon Peter's brother.) There is a lad
here, which hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what is that among so
many? Iesus said: Make the people to sit down. (There was much grass in the
place.) And the men sat down, in number, about five thousand. Iesus took the
bread, and gave thanks, and gave to his disciples, and his disciples, to them
that were set down. And likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
When they had eaten enough, he said unto
his disciples: gather up the broken meat that remaineth: that nothing be lost.
They gathered it together, and filled twelve baskets with the broken meat, of
the five barley loaves, which broken meat remained unto them that had eaten.
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Iesus did, said: This is of
a truth the same prophet which shall come into the world. Iesus knew well
enough, that they would come, and take him up, to make him king: and therefore
departed he again, into a mountain, himself alone.
When even was come his disciples went unto
the sea, and entered into a ship. And went over the sea unto Capernaum. And
anon it was dark, and Iesus was not come to them. And the sea arose with a
great wind. When they had rowed about a xxv. or a xxx. furlongs, they saw Iesus
walk on the sea, and to draw nigh unto the ship, and they were afraid. And he
said unto them: It is I, be not afraid. Then would they have received him into
the ship, and the ship was by and by at the land whither they went.
The day following, the people which stood
on the other side of the sea, saw that there was none other ship there save
that one wherein his disciples were entered, and that Iesus went not in with
his disciples into the ship: but that his disciples were gone away alone.
(There came other ships from Tiberias nigh unto the place, where they ate
bread, when the lord had blessed.) Then when the people saw that Iesus was not
there neither his disciples, they also took shipping and came to Capernaum
seeking for Iesus.
And when they had found him on the other
side of the sea, they said unto him: Master when camest thou hither? Iesus
answered them and said: verily verily I say unto you: ye seek me, not because
ye saw the miracles: but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Labor
not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat that endureth unto
everlasting life, which meat the son of man shall give unto you. For him hath
God the father sealed.
Then said they unto him: what shall we do
that we might work the works of God? Iesus answered and said unto them: This is
the work of God, that ye believe on him, whom he hath sent. They said unto him:
what sign shewest thou then? that we may see and believe thee? What dost thou
work? our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them
bread from heaven to eat. Iesus said unto them: verily, verily I say unto you:
Moses gave you not bread from heaven: but my father giveth you the true bread
from heaven. For he is the bread of God, which cometh down from heaven, and
giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him: Master ever more
give us this bread. And Iesus said unto them: I am that bread of life. He that
cometh to me, shall not hunger: and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
But I said unto you: that ye have seen me, and yet believe ye not. All that my
father giveth me, cometh to me: and him that cometh to me, cast I not out at
the doors. For I came down from heaven: not to do mine own will: but his will
which hath sent me. And this is my father's will which hath sent me, that of
all which he hath given me, I shall loose no thing: but should raise it up
again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me: That every man
which seeth the son, And believeth on him, have everlasting life. And I will
raise him up at the last day.
The jewes murmured at it, because he said:
I am that bread which is come down from heaven. And they said: Is not this
Iesus the son of Ioseph, whose father, and mother we know? How is it then that
he sayeth, I came down from heaven? Iesus answered and said unto them. Murmur
not between yourselves. No man can come to me except my father which hath sent
me, draw him. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets:
And they shall all be taught of God. Every man which hath heard, and learned of
the father, cometh unto me, not that any man hath seen the father, save he
which is of God. The same hath seen the father.
Verily verily I say unto you, he that believeth
on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat
manna in the wilderness, and are dead? This is that bread which cometh from
heaven, that he which of it eateth, should also not die. I am that living bread
which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live
forever. And the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the
life of the world.
The jewes strove among themselves saying:
How can this fellow give us his flesh to eat? Iesus said unto them: Verily,
verily I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his
blood, ye shall not have life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh
my blood, the same hath eternal life: And I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my
flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him. As my living father
hath sent me, even so live I by my father: and he that eateth me, shall live by
me. This is the bread which came from heaven: not as your fathers have eaten
manna and are dead. He that eateth of this bread, shall live ever.
These things said he in the synagogue as he
taught in Capernaum. Many of his disciples, when they had heard this, said: this
is an hard saying. Who can abide the hearing of it? Iesus knew in himself, that
his disciples murmu red at it, and said unto them: Doth this offend you? what
and if ye shall see the son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the
spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak
unto you are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For
Iesus knew from the beginning, which they were that believed not. And who
should betray him. And he said: Therefore said I unto you: that no man can come
unto me, except it were given unto him of my father.
From that time many of his disciples went
away from him, and companied no more with him. Then said Iesus to the twelve:
will ye also go away? Simon Peter answered him: Master to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life, And we have believed, and known, that thou
art Christ the son of the living God. Iesus answered them: Have not I chosen
you twelve? And yet one of you is the devil? He spake it of Iudas Iscariot the
son of Simon. For he it was that should betray him, and was one of the twelve.
The .vij.
Chapter.
After that Iesus went about into Galile,
and would not go about in jewry, for the jewes sought to kill him. The jewes'
tabernacle feast was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him: Get thyself
hence and go into jewry that thy disciples may see thy works that thou doest.
There is no man that doeth any thing secretly, and he himself seeketh to be
known. If thou do such things, shew thyself to the world. For as yet his
brethren believed not in him.
Then Iesus said unto them: My time is not
yet come, your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you. Me it hateth:
Because I testify of it, that the works of it are evil. Go ye up unto this
feast, I will not go up yet unto this feast, for my time is not yet full come.
These words he said unto them, and abode still in Galile. As soon as his
brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly: but as
it were privily. Then sought him the jewes at the feast, and said: Where is he?
And much murmuring was there of him among the people. Some said: He is good.
Other said nay, but he deceiveth the people. No man spake openly of him, for
fear of the jewes.
In the midst of the feast, Iesus went up
into the temple, and taught. And the jewes marvelled, saying: How knoweth he
the scriptures? seeing that he never learned. Iesus answered them, and said: My
doctrine is not mine: but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he
shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God: or whether I spake of myself.
He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own praise. But he that seeketh his
praise that sent him, he is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Did not Moses give you a law? And yet none
of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? The people answered and
said: Thou hast the devil. Who goeth about to kill thee? Iesus answered, and
said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto
you circumcision, not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers. And yet ye on
the saboth day circumcise a man. If a man on the saboth day receive
circumcision without breaking of the law of Moses: Disdain ye at me, because I
have made a man every whit whole on the saboth day? Judge not after the utter
appearance: but judge righteous judgement.
Then said some of them of Ierusalem: Is not
this he whom they go about to kill? behold he speaketh boldly, and they say
nothing to him. Do not our rulers know indeed, that this is very Christ? But we
know this man whence he is, but when Christ cometh, no man shall know whence he
is.
Then cried Iesus in the temple as he taught
saying: And me ye know, and whence I am ye know: and I am not come of myself.
But he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. I know him: For I am of him, and
he hath sent me. Then sought the jews to take him, but no man laid hands on
him, because his time was not yet come. Many of the people believed on him, and
said: When Christ cometh: Will he do more miracles than this man hath done?
The pharisees heard that the people
murmured such things about him: and the pharisees and scribes sent ministers
forth to take him. Then said Iesus unto them: Yet am I a little while with you,
and then go I unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me:
And where I am, thither can ye not come. Then said the jewes between
themselves: Whither will he go? that we shall not find him. Will he go among
the gentiles, which are scattered all abroad, and teach the gentiles? What
manner of saying is this that he said: ye shall seek me, and shall not find me:
And where I am, thither can ye not come?
In the last day, that great day of the
feast: Iesus stood and cried saying: If any man thirst, let him come unto me
and drink. Whosoever believeth on me, as sayeth the scripture, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of water of life. This spake he of the spirit, which they
that believed on him should receive. For the holy ghost was not yet there,
because that Iesus was not yet glorified. Many of the people, when they heard
this saying said: This is, no doubt, a prophet. Other said: this is Christ.
Some said: shall Christ come out of Galilee? Saith not the scripture that
Christ shall come of the seed of David: and out of the town of Bethlehem where
David was? So was there dissension among the people for his sake. And some of
them would have taken him: but no man laid hands on him.
Then came the ministers to the high
priests, and pharisees. And they said unto them: why have ye not brought him?
The servants answered: never man spake as this man speaketh. Then answered them
the pharisees: are ye also deceived? Doth any of the rulers, or of the
pharisees believe on him? But the common people which know not the law are a
cursed. Nicodemus said unto them (He that came to Iesus by night which was one
of them.) Doth our law judge any man, before it be heard, and known, what he
hath done? They answered, and said unto him: Art thou also of Galile? Search
and look, for out of Galile ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own
house.
The
.viij. Chapter.
Iesus went unto mount olivet, and early in
the morning came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him, And
he sat down, and taught them. The scribes and pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in advoutry, and set her in the midst and said unto him: Master
this woman was taken in advoutry, even as the deed was a doing. Moses in the
law commanded us that such should be stoned: What sayest thou therefore? And
this they said to tempt him: that they might have, whereof to accuse him. Iesus
stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. And while they continued
asking him, he lifted himself up, And said unto them: let him that is among you
without sin, cast the first stone at her. And again he stooped down and wrote
on the ground. As soon as they heard that, they went out one by one the eldest
first. And Iesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Iesus
had lifted up himself again, and saw no man, but the woman, He said unto her:
Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said:
Sir no man. Iesus said: Neither do I condemn thee. Go hence and sin no more.
Then spake Iesus again unto them saying: I
am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness: but
shall have the light of life. The pharisees said unto him: thou bearest record
of thyself, thy record is not true. Iesus answered and said unto them: And if I
bear record of myself, my record is true for I know whence I come, and whither
I go. Ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh,
I judge no man, and if I judge, then is my judgement true. For I am not
alone: but I and my father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that
the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and my
father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Then said they unto him: where is thy
father? Iesus answered: ye neither know me, nor yet my father. If ye had known
me, ye should have known my father also. These words spake Iesus in the
treasury, as he taught in the temple. And no man laid hands on him, For his
time was not yet come. Then said Iesus again unto them: I go my way, and ye
shall seek me, and shall die in your sins. Whither I go thither can ye not
come. Then spake the jewes: will he kill himself, because he saith: whither I
go, thither can ye not come? And he said unto them: ye are from beneath, I am from
above. Ye are of this world, I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you,
that ye shall die in your sins. For except ye believe that I am he, ye shall
die in your sins.
Then said they unto him, who art thou? And
Iesus said unto them: Even the very same thing that I say unto you. I have many
things to say, and to judge of you. But he that sent me is true. And I speak in
the world, those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he
spake of his father.
Then said Iesus unto them: When ye have
lift up on high the son of man then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do
nothing of myself, But as my father hath taught me, even so I speak. And he
that sent me is with me. My father hath not left me alone, For I do always those
things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Then said Iesus to those jewes which
believed on him: If ye continue in my saying, then are ye my very disciples:
and ye shall know the truth: And the truth shall make you free. They answered
him: We be Abraham's seed, and were never bond to any man: why sayest thou
then, ye shall be made free?
Iesus answered them: verily verily I say
unto you, that whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. And the servant
abideth not in the house for ever: But the son abideth ever. If the son
therefore shall make you free, then are ye free in deed. I know that ye are
Abraham's seed: but ye seek means to kill me because my sayings have no place
in you. I speak that I have seen with my father: and ye do that which ye have
seen with your father.
They answered and said unto him: Abraham is
our father. Iesus said unto them. If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do
the deeds of Abraham. But now ye go about to kill me, a man that have told you
the truth, which I have heard of my father. This did not Abraham. Ye do the
deeds of your father. Then said they unto him: we were not born of fornication.
We have one father that is God. Iesus said unto them: if God were your father,
then would ye have loved me. For I proceeded forth and come from God. Neither
came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not know my speech? Because ye
cannot abide the hearing of my words.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the
lusts of your father, ye will follow: He was a murderer from the beginning, And
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a
lie, then speaketh he of his own. For he is a liar, and the father thereof. And
because I tell you the truth, therefore believe ye not me.
Which of you can rebuke me of sin? If I say
the truth, why do not ye believe me? He that is of God, heareth God's words. Ye
therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the jewes and
said unto him: Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast the devil?
Iesus answered: I have not the devil: but I honour my father, and ye have
dishonored me. I seek not mine own praise: There is one that seeketh it and
judgeth.
Verily verily I say unto you, if a man keep
my sayings, he shall never see death. Then said the jewes to him: Now know we
that thou hast the devil. Abraham is dead, and also the prophets, and yet thou
sayest: if a man keep my saying he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater
than our father Abraham? which is dead? and the prophets are dead. Whom makest
thou thyself?
Iesus answered: If I praise myself, mine
praise is nothing worth. It is my father that praiseth me, which ye say is your
God. And yet have ye not known him: but I know him. And if I should say, I know
him not, I should be a liar like unto you, But I know him, and keep his saying.
Your father Abraham was glad to see my day,
and he saw it and rejoiced. Then said the jewes unto him: Thou art not yet
fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Iesus said unto them: Verily
verily I say unto you: yer Abraham was I am. Then took they up stones, to cast
at him. But Iesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
The .ix.
Chapter.
And as Iesus passed by, he saw a man which
was blind from his birth, And his disciples asked him saying. Master, who did
sin: this man, or his father and mother, that he was born blind? Iesus
answered: Neither this man hath sinned, nor yet his father and mother: but that
the works of God should be shewed on him. I must work the works of him that
sent me, while it is day. The night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I
am in the world, I am the light of the world.
As soon as he had thus spoken, he spat on
the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and rubbed the clay on the eyes of
the blind, and said unto him: Go wash thee in the pool of Siloe (which by
interpretation, signifieth sent.) He went his way and washed, and came again
seeing. The neighbours, and they that had seen him before how that he was a
beggar said: Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said: this is he. Other
said: he is like him. He himself said: I am even he. They said unto him: How
are thine eyes opened then? He answered and said: The man that is called Iesus,
made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me: Go to the pool Siloe, and
wash. I went and washed and received my sight. They said unto him: where is he?
He said: I cannot tell.
Then brought they to the pharisees, him
that a little before was blind. (It was the saboth day when Iesus made the
clay, and opened his eyes.) Then again the pharisees also asked him how he had
received his sight. He said unto them: He put clay upon mine eyes, And I
washed, and I see. Then said some of the pharisees: this man is not of God,
because he keepeth not the saboth day. Other said: how can a man that is a
sinner do such miracles? And there was strife among them. Then spake they unto
the blind again: What sayest thou of him, because he hath opened thine eyes?
And he said: He is a prophet.
The jewes did not believe of the fellow,
how that he was blind, and received his sight: until they had called the father
and mother of him that had received his sight. And they asked them saying: Is
this your son, whom ye say was born blind? How doth he now see then? His father
and mother answered them and said: we wot well that this is our son, and that
he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, that can we not tell or who
hath opened his eyes can we not tell. He is old enough, ask him, let him answer
for himself, of things that pertain to himself. Such words spake his father,
and mother, because they feared the jewes, for the jewes had conspired already
that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be excommunicate out
of the Synagogue. Therefore said his father and mother: he is old enough, ask
him.
Then again called they the man that was
blind, and said unto him: Give God the praise, we know that this man is a
sinner. He answered and said: Whether he be a sinner or no, I cannot tell: One
thing I am sure of, that I was blind, and now I see. Then said they to him
again: What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I told
you yerwhile, And ye did not hear. Wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye
also be his disciples? Then rated they him, and said: Thou art his disciple. We
are Moses' disciples. We are sure that God spake with Moses. This fellow we
know not from whence he is.
The man answered, and said unto them: this
is a marvelous thing that ye wot nere whence he is, and yet hath he opened mine
eyes. We know well enough that God heareth no sinners: But if any man be a
worshipper of God: and do what his will is, him heareth he. Since the world
began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
If this man were not of God, he could have done no thing. They answered and
said unto him: thou art altogether born in sin: and dost thou teach us? And
they cast him out.
Iesus heard that they had excommunicated
him: and as soon as he had found him he said unto him: dost thou believe on the
son of God? He answered and said: And who is it lord, that I might believe on
him? And Iesus said unto him: Thou hast seen him, and he it is that talketh
with thee. And he said: lord I believe: And worshipped him. Iesus said: I am
come unto judgement, into this world: that they which see not, might see, and
they which see might be made blind. And some of the pharisees which were with
him, heard these words and said unto him: Are we then blind? Iesus said unto
them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say we see, therefore
your sin remaineth.
The .x.
Chapter.
Verily verily I say unto you: Whosoever
entereth not in by the door, into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other
way: he is a thief and a robber. He that goeth in by the door, is the shepherd
of the sheep. To this man the porter openeth the door, and the sheep hear his
voice, And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out, and when he
hath sent forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him:
For they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but will fly from
him. For they know not the voice of strangers. This manner of saying spake
Iesus unto them. And they understood not, what things they were, which he spake
unto them.
Then said Iesus unto them again: Verily
verily I say unto you: that I am the door of the sheep. All even as many as
came before me, are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am
the door: by me, if any man enter in, he shall be safe, and shall go in and
out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal and kill, and
destroy. I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.
I am a good shepherd, a good shepherd
giveth his life for his sheep. An hired servant which is not the shepherd,
neither the sheep are his own, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep,
and flyeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hired servant
flyeth because he is an hired servant, and careth not for the sheep. I am that
good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As my father knoweth
me: even so know I my father. And I give my life for my sheep, and other sheep
I have, which are not of this fold. Them also must I bring, that they shall
hear my voice. And there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.
Therefore doth my father love me, because I
put my life from me, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me: but
I put it away of myself. I have power to put it from me, and power I have to
take it again. This commandment have I received of my father. Again there was
dissension among the jewes for these sayings, and many of them said: He hath
the devil, and is mad: why hear ye him? other said, these are not the words of
him that hath the devil: Can the devil open the eyes of the blind?
It was at Ierusalem the feast of the
dedication, and it was the winter: And Iesus walked in Solomon's hall. Then
came the jewes round about him, and said unto him: How long dost thou make us
doubt? If thou be Christ, tell us plainly. Iesus answered them: I told you and
ye believe not: The works that I do in my father's name, bear witness of me:
but ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. As I said unto you: my
sheep, hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them
eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of my hand. My father which gave them me, is greater than all men, and no man
is able to take them out of my father's hand. And I and my father are one.
Then the jewes again took up stones, to
stone him withall. Iesus answered them: many good works have I shewed you from
my father: for which of them will ye stone me? The jewes answered him saying:
For thy good works' sake we stone thee not: but for thy blasphemy, and because
that thou being a man, makest thyself God. Iesus answered them: Is it not
written in your law: I have said, ye are gods? If he called them gods unto whom
the word of God was spoken (and the scripture cannot be broken) say ye then to
him, whom the father hath sanctified, and sent into the world: Thou
blasphemest, because I said I am the son of God? If I do not the works of my
father, believe me not. But though ye believe not me, yet believe the works,
that ye may know and believe that the father is in me, and I in him.
Again they went about to take him, but he
escaped out of their hands, and went away again beyond Iordan, into the place
where Ihon before had baptised, and there abode. And many resorted unto him,
and said: Ihon did no miracle: But all things that Ihon spake of this man are
true.. And there many believed on him there.
The .xj.
Chapter.
A certain man was sick, named Lazarus of
Bethania the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which
anointed Iesus with ointment, and wept his feet with her hair, whose brother
Lazarus was sick, and his sister sent unto him saying: lord behold, he whom
thou lovest is sick. When Iesus that heard he said: this infirmity is not unto
death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the
reason of it. Iesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard
that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was.
Then after that said he to his disciples:
let us go into jewry again. His disciples said unto him: Master, the jewes
lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again? Iesus
answered: are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he
stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. If a man walk in the
night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. This said he. And after
that he said unto them: our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out
of sleep. Then said his disciples: lord if he sleep, then shall he do well
enough. Iesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the
natural sleep. Then said Iesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and I am
glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless
let us go unto him. Then said Thomas (which is called Didymus,) unto the
disciples: let us also go, that we may die with him.
Then went Iesus, and found, that he had
lain in his grave four days already. Bethanie was nigh unto Ierusalem, about
xv. furlongs off, And many of the jewes came to Martha and Mary, to comfort
them over their brother. Martha as soon as she heard that Iesus was coming,
went and met him. Mary sat still at home.
Then said Martha unto Iesus: lord if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that
whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee. Iesus said unto her: Thy
brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him: I know well, he shall rise
again in the resurrection at the last day. Iesus said unto her: I am the
resurrection and the life. Whosoever believeth on me, Yea though he were dead,
yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die.
Believest thou this? She said unto him: yea lord: I believe that thou art Christ
the son of God, which shall come into the world. And as soon as she had so said
she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly saying: The master is come
and calleth for thee. She as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came
unto him. Iesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where
Martha met him. The jewes then which were with her in the house, and comforted
her (when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out) followed her
saying: She goeth unto the grave, to weep there. Then when Mary was come, where
Iesus was and saw him she fell down at his feet, saying unto him: lord if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not been dead. When Iesus saw her weep, and the
jewes also weep, which came with her. He groaned in the spirit, and vexed
himself and said: Where have ye laid him? They said unto him: lord come and
see. And Iesus wept. Then said the jewes: Behold how he loved him. Some of them
said: Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that
this man should not have died? Iesus again groaned in himself came to the
grave, it was a cave, and a stone laid on it.
Iesus said: Take ye away the stone. Martha
(the sister of him that was dead) said unto him: lord by this time he stinketh.
For he hath been dead four days. Iesus said unto her: Said I not unto thee,
that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God. Then they took
away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. Iesus lift up his eyes
and said: Father I give thee thanks because that thou hast heard me, I knew
well that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I
said it, that they might believe, that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with
a loud voice, Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead, came forth bound hand
and foot, with bonds after the manner as they were wonte to bind their dead
with all. And his face was bound with a napkin. Iesus said unto them: loose
him, and let him go. Then many of the jewes which came to Mary, and had seen
the things which Iesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways
to the pharisees, and told them what Iesus had done.
Then gathered the high priests and the
pharisees a council and said: what do we? This man doeth many miracles. If we
let him scape thus all men will believe on him. And the Romans shall come and
take away our country and people. And one of them named Caiphas: which was the
high priest that same year, said unto them: Ye perceive nothing at all nor yet
consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and not
that all the people perish. This spake he not of himself: but being high priest
that same year, prophesied he that Iesus should die for the people, and not for
the people only: but that he should gather together in one the children of God
which were scattered abroad. From that day kept they a counsel together for to
put him to death.
Iesus therefore walked no more openly among
the jewes: but went his way thence unto a country nigh to a wilderness into a
city called Ephraim, and there haunted with his disciples. The jewes' ester was
nigh at hand, and many went out of the country up to Ierusalem before the ester
to purify themselves. Then sought they for Iesus, and spake between themselves
as they stood in the temple: What think ye, seeing he cometh not to the feast.
The high priests and pharisees had given a commandment that if any man knew
where he were, he should shew it that they might take him.
The .xij.
Chapter.
Then Iesus before six days of ester, came
to Bethany where Lazarus (which was dead) was,
whom Iesus raised from death. There they made him a supper, and Martha
served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took
Mary a pound of ointment called nardus, perfect and precious, and anointed
Iesus' feet, and wept his feet with her hair, and all the house smelled of the
savour of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples named Iudas Iscarioth,
Simon's son, which afterward betrayed him: why was not this ointment sold for
three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This said he, not that he cared for
the poor: but because he was a thief, and kept the bag, and bare that which was
given. Then said Iesus: Let her alone, against the day of my burying she kept
it. The poor allways shall ye have with you, but me shall ye not allways have.
Much people of the jewes had knowledge that
he was there. And they came not for Iesus' sake only, but that they might see
Lazarus also whom he raised from death. The high priests therefore held a
council that they might put Lazarus to death also, because that for his sake
many of the jewes went away, and believed on Iesus.
On the morrow much people that were come to
the feast (when they heard that Iesus should come to Ierusalem,) took branches
of palm trees and went and met him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that in
the name of the lord cometh, king of Israhell. Iesus got a young ass and sat
thereon, according to that which was written: fear not daughter of Sion: behold
thy king cometh sitting on an asse's colt. These things understood not his
disciples at the first: but when Iesus was glorified, then remembered they that
such things were written of him, and that such things they had done unto him.
The people that was with him, when he
called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from death, bare record.
Therefore met him the people, because they heard that he had done such a
miracle. The pharisees therefore said among themselves: Ye see that we prevail
nothing: lo all the world goeth away after him.
There were certain greeks among them, which
came to pray at the feast, the same came to Philip which was of Bethsaida a
city in Galile, and desired him saying: Sir we would fain see Iesus. Philip
came and told Andrew. And again Andrew and Philip told Iesus. And Iesus
answered them saying: the hour is come that the son of man must be glorified.
Verily verily I say unto you, except the
wheat corn fall into the ground and die, it bideth alone. If it die, it
bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall destroy it: And he
that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man
minister unto me, let him follow me and where I am there shall also my minister
be. And if any man minister unto me, him will my father honour.
Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I
say? Father deliver me from this hour: but therefore came I unto this hour.
Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, I have glorified
it, and will glorify it again. Then said the people that stood by and heard, it
thundereth. Other said: an angel spake to him. Iesus answered and said: this
voice came not because of me: but for your sakes.
Now is the judgement of this world: now
shall the prince of this world be cast out a doors. And I (if were lifted up
from the earth,) will draw all men unto me. This said Iesus signifying what death
he should die. The people answered him: We have heard of the law that Christ
bideth ever: and how sayest thou then that the son of man must be lifted up?
who is that son of man? Then Iesus said unto them: yet a little while is the
light with you: walk while ye have light, lest the darkness come on you. He
that walketh in the dark, wotteth not whither he goeth. While ye have light,
believe on the light that ye may be the children of light.
These things spake Iesus and departed, and
hid himself from them. And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet
believed not they on him, that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be
fulfilled, that he spake. lord who shall believe our saying? And to whom is the
arm of the lord declared? Therefore could they not believe, because that Esaias
saith again: He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they
should not see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and should be
converted and I should heal them. Such things said Esaias when he saw his
glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers many believed on
him, but because of the pharisees they would not be a known of it, lest they
should be excommunicated. For they loved the praise that is given of men, more
than the praise, that cometh of God.
Iesus cried and said: he that believeth on
me believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me, seeth
him that sent me. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on
me should not bide in darkness, and if any man hear my words and believe not, I
judge him not. For I came not to judge the world: but to save the world. He
that putteth me away, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him.
The words that I have spoken shall judge him in the last day. For I have not
spoken of myself: but the father which sent me gave me a commandment what I
should say, and what I should speak. And I know well that his commandment is
life everlasting. Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as my father bade me, so I
speak.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
Before the feast of ester when Iesus knew
that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the
father. When he loved his which were in the world, unto the end he loved them.
And when supper was ended, after that the devil had put in the heart of Iudas
Iscariot Simon's son, to betray him. Iesus knowing that the father had given
all things into his hands: And that he was come from God, and went to God, he
rose from supper, and laid aside his upper garments, and took a towel, and gird
himself. After that poured he water into a basin, and began to wash his
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel, wherewith he was gird.
Then came he to Simon Peter. And Peter said
to him: lord shalt thou wash my feet? Iesus answered and said unto him: what I
do thou wettest not now, thou shalt know here after. Peter said unto him: Thou
shalt not wash my feet while the world standeth. Iesus answered him: if I wash
not thy feet, thou shalt have no part with me. Simon Peter said unto him: lord
not my feet only: but also my hands and my head. Iesus said to him: he that is
washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are
clean: but not all. For he knew his betrayer. Therefore said he: ye are not all
clean.
After he had washed their feet, and
received his clothes, and was set down again, he said unto them: wot ye what I
have done to you? ye call me master and lord, and ye say well, for so am I. If
I then your lord and master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one
another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have
done to you. Verily verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his
master. Neither the messenger greater than he that sent him.
If ye understand these things, happy are ye
if ye do them. I speak not of you all, I know whom I have chosen. But that the
scripture be fulfilled: he that eateth bread with me, Hath lifted up his heel
against me. Now tell I you before it come: that when it is come to pass ye
might believe that I am he. Verily verily I say unto you. He that receiveth
whomsoever I send, receiveth me. And he that receiveth me, receiveth him that
sent me.
When Iesus had thus said, he was troubled
in the spirit, and testified saying: verily verily I say unto you, that one of
you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another doubting of whom
he spake. There was one of his disciples which leaned on Iesus' bosom, whom
Iesus loved. To him beckoned Simon Peter that he should ask who it was of whom
he spake. He then as he leaned on Iesus' breast said unto him: lord who is it?
Iesus answered, he it is to whom I give a sop, when I have dept it. And he wet
a sop, and gave it to Iudas Iscarioth Simon's son. And after the sop Satan
entered into him.
Then said Iesus unto him: that thou dost do
quickly. That wist no man at the table, for what intent he spake unto him. Some
of them thought, because Iudas had the bag, that Iesus had said unto him, buy those
things that we have need of against the feast: or that he should give something
to the poor. As soon then as he had received the sop, he went immediately out.
And it was night. When he was gone out, Iesus said: now is the son of man
glorified. And God is glorified by him. If God be glorified by him, God shall
also glorify him, in himself: and shall straightway glorify him.
Dear children, yet a little while am I with
you. Ye shall seek me, and as I said unto the jewes whither I go, thither can
ye not come. Also to you say I now. A new commandment give I unto you, that ye
love together, as I have loved you, that even so ye love one another. By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye shall have love one to
another. Simon Peter said unto him: lord whither goest thou? Iesus answered
him: whither I go thou canst not follow me now, thou shalt follow me
afterwards. Peter said unto him lord why cannot I follow thee now? I will give
my life for thy sake. Iesus answered him: Wilt thou give thy life for my sake?
Verily verily I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou have denied
me thrice.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
And he said unto his disciples: Let not
your hearts be troubled, believe in God, and believe in me. In my father's
house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you even unto myself,
that where I am, there may ye be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye
know.
Thomas said unto him: lord we know not
whither thou goest. Also how is it possible for us to know the way? Iesus said
unto him I am the way, the verity, and life. No man cometh unto the father, but
by me. If ye had known me ye had known my father also. And now ye know him. And
ye have seen him.
Philip said unto him: lord shew us thy
father and it sufficeth us. Iesus said unto him: have I been so long time with
you: and yet hast thou not known me? Philip, he that hath seen me, hath seen
the father. And how sayest thou then: shew us the father? Believest thou not
that I am in the father, and the father in me? The words that I speak unto you,
I speak not of myself: but the father dwelling in me is he that doeth the
works. Believe that I am in the father, and the father in me. At the least
believe me for the very works' sake.
Verily verily I say unto you whosoever
believeth on me, the works that I do, the same shall he do, and greater works
then these shall he do, because I go unto my father. And whatsoever ye ask in
my name, that will I do, that the father might be glorified by the son. If ye
shall ask any thing in my name I will do it.
If ye love me keep my commandments, and I
will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may bide
with you ever, which is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive,
because the world seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I
will come unto you.
It is
yet a little while and the world seeth me no more: but ye shall see me. For I
live, and ye shall live. That day shall ye know that I am in my father, and my
father in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments and keepeth
them, the same is he that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
father, and I will love him, and will shew mine own self unto him. Iudas said
unto him (not Iudas Iscarioth) lord what is the cause that thou wilt shew
thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Iesus answered and said unto him: if a
man love me and will keep my sayings, my father also will love him, and we will
come unto him, and will dwell with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my
sayings. And the words which ye hear are not mine, but my father's, which sent
me.
This have I spoken unto you being yet
present with you. But that comforter which is the holy ghost (whom my father
will send in my name) shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be
grieved, neither fear ye. Ye have heard how I said unto you: I go and come
again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would verily rejoice, because I said, I go
unto the father. For the father is greater than I. And now have I shewed you,
before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Here after will I not talk many words unto
you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me. But that
the world may know that I love my father, And as the father gave me
commandment, even so do I. Rise let us go hence.
The .xv.
Chapter.
I am the true vine, and my father is an
husbandman. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, He will take away. And
every branch that beareth fruit will he purge that it may bring more fruit. Now
are ye clean, be that means of the words which I have spoken unto you. Bide in
me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it bide in
the vine: no more can ye except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For
without me can ye do nothing. If a man bide not in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and
they burneth. If ye bide in me, and my words also bide in you: ask what ye
will, and it shall be given you. Here in is my father glorified, that ye bear much
fruit, and be made my disciples.
As the father hath loved me, even so have I
loved you. Continue in my love. If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall bide
in my love, even as I have kept my father's commandments, and bide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love together as I have
loved you. Greater love than this hath no man, than that a man bestow his life
for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth call I you not servants: For the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth. But you have I called friends: For all things that I have heard of my
father, I have opened to you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you and ordained you that ye go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit
remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of my father in my name he should give it
you.
This command I you, that ye love together.
If the world hate you, ye know that he hated me before he hated you. If ye were
of the world, the world would love his own. Because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore hateth you the world.
Remember the saying, that I said unto you: the servant is not greater than the
lord. If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept
my saying, so will they keep yours.
But all these things will they do unto you
for my name's sake, because they have not known him that sent me. If I had not
come and spoken unto them, they should have no sin: but now have they nothing
to cloak their sin with all. He that hateth me, hateth my father. If I had not
done works among them which none other man did, they should be without sin. But
now have they seen, and yet have hated both me and my father: Even that the
saying might be fulfilled that is written in their law: they hated me without a
cause. But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
father, which is the spirit of verity, which proceedeth of the father, he shall
testify of me. And ye shall bear witness also, because ye have been with me
from the beginning.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
These things have I said unto you because
ye should not be hurt in your faith. They shall excommunicate you: yea the time
shall come, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth God true
service. And such things will they do unto you, because they have not known the
father neither yet me. These things have I told you, that when that hour is
come, ye might remember then, that I told you so. These things said I not unto
you at the beginning, because I was present with you.
But now go I my way to him that sent me,
and none of you asketh me: whither goest thou? but because I have said such
things unto you, your hearts are full of sorrow. Nevertheless I tell you the
truth it is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, that
comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will rebuke the world of sin, and of righteousness, and
of judgement. Of sin, because they believe not on me: Of righteousness, because
I go to my father, and ye shall see me no more: And of judgement, because the
chief ruler of this world, is judged all ready.
I have yet many things to say unto you: but
ye cannot bear them away now. When he is once come (I mean the spirit of
verity,) he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will shew you things to
come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew unto
you. All things that my father hath are mine. Therefore said I unto you that he
shall take of mine and shew unto you.
After a while ye shall not see me, and
again after a while ye shall see me: For I go to my father. Then said some of
his disciples between themselves: what is this that he saith unto us, after a
while ye shall not see me, and again after a while ye shall see me: and that I
go to my father. They said therefore: what is this that he saith after a while?
we cannot tell what he saith. Iesus perceived, that they would ask him, and
said unto them: This is it that ye enquire of between yourselves, that I said,
after a while ye shall not see me, and again after a while ye shall see me.
Verily verily I say unto you: ye shall weep and lament, and the world shall
rejoice. Ye shall sorrow: but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.
A woman when she travaileth hath sorrow,
because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of her child she
remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And
ye now are in sorrow: but I will see you again, and your hearts shall rejoice,
and your joy shall no man take from you. And in that day shall ye ask me no
question. Verily verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the father in
my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name. Ask
and ye shall receive it: that your joy may be full.
These things have I spoken unto you in
proverbs. The time will come when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs: but
I shall shew you plainly from my father. At that day shall ye ask in mine name.
And I say not unto you that I will speak unto my father for you. For my father
himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out
from God. I went out from the father, and came into the world: and I leave the
world again, and go to the father.
His disciples said unto him: lo now speakest
thou plainly, and thou usest no proverb. Now know we that thou understandest
all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee any question.
Therefore believe we that thou camest from God. Iesus answered them: Now ye do
believe. Behold the hour draweth nigh, and is already come, that ye shall be
scattered every man his ways, and shall leave me alone. And yet am I not alone.
For my father is with me. These words have I spoken unto you that in me ye
might have peace. In the world shall ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
The
.xvij. Chapter.
These words spake Iesus and lift up his
eyes to heaven, and said: father the hour is come glorify thy son that thy son
may glorify thee. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should
give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. This is life eternal that
they might know thee that only very God: and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ.
I have glorified thee on the earth. I have
finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now glorify me thou father
in thine own presence, with the glory which I had with thee yer the world
was. I have declared thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the
world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy
sayings. Now have they known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me, are
of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they
have received them, and know surely that I came out from thee: and do believe
that thou didst send me.
I pray for them. I pray not for the world:
but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine, and all mine are
thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now am I no more in
the world, but they are in the world, and I come to thee. Wholly father keep in
thine own name them which thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name. Those that thou
gavest me, have I kept, and none of them is lost, but that lost child, that the
scripture might be fulfilled.
Now come I to thee, and these words speak I
in the world, that they might have my joy full in them. I have given them thy
doctrine, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. I desire not that thou shouldest take them out
of the world: but that thou keep them from evil. They are not of the world, as
I am not of the world. Sanctify them in thy truth. {with thy trueth}
Thy saying is verity. As thou didst sent me into the world, even so have I sent
them into the world, And for their sakes sanctify I myself, that they also might
be sanctified thorow the truth.
I pray not for them alone: but for them
also which shall believe on me thorow their preaching, that they all may be
one, as thou father art in me, and I in thee, that they may be also one in us,
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And that glory that thou
gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one. I am in them
and thou art in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Father I will that they which thou hast
given me, be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which thou hast
given me. For thou lovedest me before the making of the world. O righteous
father the very world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these
have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and
will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, be in them, and
that I be in them.
The
.xviij. Chapter.
When Iesus had spoken these words, he went
forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden into the
which he entered with his disciples.
(Iudas also which betrayed him knew the
place, for Iesus oftentimes resorted thither with his disciples.) Iudas then
after he had received a bond of men, and ministers of the high priests, and of
the pharisees came thither with lanterns, and firebrands, and weapons. Then
Iesus knowing all things that should come on him, went forth and said unto
them: whom seek ye? They answered him: Iesus of Nazareth. Iesus said unto them:
I am he.
Iudas also which betrayed him, stood with
them. As soon as he had said unto them I am he, they went backwards and fell to
the ground. And he asked them again: whom seek ye? They said: Iesus of
Nazareth. Iesus answered, I said unto you, I am he. If ye seek me, let these go
their way. That the saying might be fulfilled which he spake: of them which
thou gavest have I not lost one.
Simon Peter had a sword, and drew him out,
and smote the high priests servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's
name was Malchus. Then said Iesus unto Peter: put up thy sword into the sheath:
shall I not drink of the cup which my father had given me? Then the company,
and the Captain, and the ministers of the jewes, took Iesus and bound him, and
led him away to Anna first: For he was father-in-law unto Caiphas, which was
the high priest that same year. Caiphas was he that gave counsel to the jewes
that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Simon Peter followed Iesus, and another
disciple, that disciple was known of the high priest, and went in with Iesus
into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then
went out that other disciple which was known unto the high priest, and spake to
the damsel that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then said the damsel that
kept the door unto Peter: Art not thou one of this man's disciples? He said: I
am not. The servants and the ministers stood there, and had made a fire of
coals. For it was cold, and they warmed themselves. Peter also stood among them
and warmed himself.
The high priest asked Iesus of his
disciples, and of his doctrine. Iesus answered him: I spake openly in the
world. I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple whither all the jewes
resorted: and in secret have I said nothing: why askest thou me? Ask them which
heard me what I said unto them. Behold they can tell what I said. When he had
thus spoken, one of the ministers which stood by, smote Iesus on the face
saying: Answerest thou the high priest so? Iesus answered him: If I have evil spoken,
bear witness of the evil: if I have well spoken, why smitest thou me? Annas
sent him bound unto Caiphas the high priest.
Simon Peter stood and warmed himself, and
they said unto him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and
said: I am not. One of the servants of the high priest (his cousin whose ear
Peter smote off ) said unto him: did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter denied it again: and immediately the cock crew. Then led they Iesus from
Caiphas into the hall of judgement. It was in the morning, and they themselves
went not into the judgement house lest they should be defiled, but that they
might eat the Pascha. Pilate then went out unto them and said: What accusation
bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him: If he were not an
evil doer, we would not have delivered him unto thee. Then said Pilate unto
them: take him unto you, and judge him after your own law. The jewes said unto
him. It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. That the words of Iesus
might be fulfilled which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
Then Pilate entered into the judgement
house again, and called Iesus, and said unto him: Art thou king of the jewes?
Iesus answered: sayest thou that of thyself, or did other tell it thee of me?
Pilate answered: Am I a jew? Thine own nation and high priests have delivered
thee unto me. What hast thou done? Iesus answered: my kingdom is not of this
world. If my kingdom were of this world then would my ministers surely fight,
that I should not be delivered to the jewes, but now is my kingdom not from
hence. Pilate said unto him: Art thou a king then? Iesus answered: Thou sayest
that I am a king. For this cause was I born, and for this cause came I into the
world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. And all that are of the truth
hear my voice. Pilate said unto him: what is truth? And when he had said that, he went out
again unto the jewes, and said unto them: I find in him no cause at all. Ye
have a custom among you, that I should deliver you one loose at ester. Will ye
that I loose unto you the king of the jewes. Then cried they all again saying:
Not him, but Barabas. Barabas was a robber.
The .xix.
Chapter.
Then Pilate took Iesus and scourged him.
And the soldiers wound a crown of thorns and put it on his head. And they did
on him a purple garment, and said: hail king of the jewes. And they smote him
on the face. Pilate went forth again, and said unto them: behold I bring him
forth to you, that ye may know, that I find no fault in him. Then came Iesus
forth wearing a crown of thorns and a robe of purple. And Pilate said unto
them: Behold the man. When the high priests and ministers saw him, they cried
saying: crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them. Take ye him and
crucify him: For I find no cause in him. The jewes answered him. We have a law,
and by our law he ought to die: because he made himself the son of God.
When Pilate heard that saying, he was the
more afraid, and went again into the judgement house, and said unto Iesus:
whence art thou? Iesus gave him none answer. Then said Pilate unto him:
Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee,
and have power to loose thee? Iesus answered: Thou couldest have no power at
all against me, except it were given unto thee from above. Therefore he that
delivered me unto thee, is more in sin. And from thenceforth sought Pilate
means to loose him: but the jewes cried saying: if thou let him go, thou art
not Cesar's friend. Whosoever maketh himself a king, is against Cesar.
When Pilate heard that saying he brought
Iesus forth, and sat down to give sentence, in a place called the pavement: But
in the Hebrew tongue, Gabbatha. (It was the saboth even which falleth in the
ester feast, and about the sixth hour) And he said unto the jewes: Behold your
king. They cried, away with him, away with him, Crucify him. Pilate said unto
them: Shall I crucify your king? The high priests answered: We have no king but
Cesar. Then delivered he him unto them to be crucified.
And they took Iesus, and led him away. And
he bare his cross, and went forth into a place called the place of dead men's
skulls (which is named in hebrew, Golgotha) where they crucified him. And with
him two other, on either side one, and Iesus in the midst. Pilate wrote his
title, and put it on the cross: The writing was, Iesus of Nazareth, king of the
jewes. This title read many of the jewes. For the place where Iesus was
crucified, was nigh to the city. And it was written in hebrew, greek and latin.
Then said the high priests of the jewes to Pilate: write not, king of the
jewes, but that he said, I am king of the jewes. Pilate answered: what I have
written, that have I written.
The soldiers, when they had crucified
Iesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also
his coat. The coat was without seam woven upon thorow and thorow. And they said
one to another: Let us not divide it: but cast lots who shall have it. That the
scripture might be fulfilled which saith. They parted my raiment among them,
and on my coat did cast lots. And the soldiers did such things in deed.
There stood by the cross of Iesus his
mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Iesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said
unto his mother: Woman behold thy son. Then said he to the disciple: behold thy
mother. And from that hour the disciple took her for his own.
After that when Iesus perceived that all
things were performed, that the scripture might be fulfilled: he said: I
thirst. There stood a vessel full of vinegar by. They filled a sponge with
vinegar, and wound it about with hyssop, and put it to his mouth. As soon as
Iesus had received of the vinegar, he said: It is finished, and bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost.
The jewes then because it was the saboth
even that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the saboth day (For
that saboth day was an high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be
broken and that they might be taken down. Then came the soldiers and brake the
legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with Iesus. When they
came to Iesus and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but
one of the soldiers with a spear, thrust him into the side, and forthwith came
there out blood and water.
And he that saw it bare record, and his
record is true. And he knoweth that he saith true that ye might believe also.
These things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled: Ye shall not
break a bone of him. And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him,
whom they pierced.
After that, Ioseph of Arimathia (which was
a disciple of Iesus: but secretly for fear of the jewes) besought Pilate that
he might take down the body of Iesus. And Pilate gave him license. And there
came also Nicodemus which at the beginning came to Iesus by night, and brought
of myrrh and aloes mingled together about an hundred pound weight. Then took
they the body of Iesu and wound it in linen clothes with those confections as
the manner of the jewes is to bury. In the place where Iesus was crucified, was
a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man laid. There
laid they Iesus because of the jewes' saboth even, for the sepulchre was nigh
at hand.
The .xx.
Chapter.
The morrow after the saboth day came Mary
Magdalene early when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and saw the stone
rolled away from the tomb. Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the
other disciple whom Iesus loved, and said unto them: They have taken away the
lord out of the tomb and we cannot tell where they have laid him. Peter went
forth and that other disciple, and came unto the sepulchre. They ran both
together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the
sepulchre. And he stooped down and saw the linen clothes, yet went he not in.
Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the
linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head not lying with the
linen cloth, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that
other disciple which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw and believed. For
as yet they knew not the scriptures, that he should rise again from death. And
the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Mary stood without at the sepulchre
weeping: As she wept, she bowed herself into the sepulchre and saw two angels
clothed in white sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where
they had laid the body of Iesus. They said unto her: woman why weepest thou?
She said unto them: They have taken away my lord, and I wot not where they have
laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Iesus
standing, and knew not that it was Iesus. Iesus said unto her: woman why
weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing that he had been the gardener,
said unto him: Sir if thou have borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid
him, that I will take him away. Iesus said unto her: Mary. She turned herself,
and said unto him: Rabboni which is to say master. Iesus said unto her: touch
me not, for I have not yet ascended to my father. But go to my brethren and say
unto them, I ascend unto my father, and your father: my God and your god. Mary
Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the lord, and that he
had spoken such things unto her.
The same day at night, which was the morrow
after the saboth day, when the doors were shut (where the disciples were
assembled to gether for fear of the jewes,) came Iesus and stood in the midst,
and said to them: peace be with you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto
them his hands and feet, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they
saw the lord. He said unto them again: peace be with you. As my father sent me,
even so send I you. And when he had said that, he blew on them, and said unto
them: Receive the holy ghost. whosoevers sins ye remit, they are remitted unto
them: And whosoevers sins ye retain, they are retained.
Thomas one of the twelve, called Didymus,
was not with them when Iesus came. The other disciples said unto him: we have
seen the lord. And he said unto them: except I see in his hands the print of
the nails, and put my finger in the holes of the nails, and thrust my hand into
his side, I will not believe.
And after viij days again, his disciples
were with in, and Thomas was with them. Iesus came when the doors were shut,
and stood in the midst and said: peace be with you:
Than said he to Thomas: put in thy finger
here, and see my hands, and put forth thy hand and thrust him into my side, and
be not without faith: but believe. Thomas answered and said unto him: my lord,
and my God. Iesus said unto him: Thomas, because thou hast seen me, therefore
hast thou believed: Happy are they that have not seen, and yet believe.
And many other signs did Iesus in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. These are
written that ye might believe that Iesus is Christ the son of God. And that ye
in believing ye might have life thorow his name.
The .xxj.
Chapter.
After that Iesus shewed himself again at
the sea of Tiberias. And on this wise shewed he himself. There were together
Simon Peter and Thomas, which is called Didymus: and Nathanael of Cana a city
of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of the disciples, Simon
Peter said unto them: I go a fishing. They said unto him: we also will go with
thee. They went their way and entered into a ship straightway, and that night
caught they nothing. When the morning was now come, Iesus stood on the shore,
Nevertheless the disciples knew not that it was Iesus. Iesus said unto them:
Sirs, have ye any meat? They answered him no. And he said unto them: cast out
your net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast out, and
anon they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then said the
disciple whom Iesus loved unto Peter: It is the lord. When Simon Peter heard
that it was the lord, he gird his mantle to him (for he was naked) and sprang
into the sea. The other disciples came by ship: For they were not far from
land, but as it were two hundred cubits, And they drew the net with fishes. As
soon as they were come to land, they saw hot coals laid and fish laid thereon,
and bread. Iesus said unto them: bring of the fishes which ye have now caught.
Simon Peter stepped forth and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an
hundred and .liij. And for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Iesus said unto them: come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him:
what art thou? For they knew that it was the lord. Iesus then came and took
bread, and gave them, and fish likewise. And this is now the third time that
Iesus appeared to his disciples, after that he was risen again from death.
When they had dined, Iesus said to Simon
Peter: Simon Ioanna, lovest thou me more than these? He said unto him: yea lord,
thou knowest, that I love thee. He said unto him: feed my lambs. He said to him
again the second time: Simon Ioanna, lovest thou me? He said unto him: yea lord
thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him: feed my sheep. He said unto
him the third time: Simon Ioanna, lovest thou me? Peter sorrowed because he
said to him the third time, lovest thou me, and said unto him: lord, thou
knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Iesus said unto him: feed my
sheep.
Verily verily I say unto thee, when thou
wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when
thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee,
and lead thee whither thou wouldest not. That spake he signifying by what death
he should glorify God.
And when he had said thus, he said to him:
Follow me. Peter turned about, and saw that disciple whom Iesus loved following
(which also leaned on his breast at supper) and said: lord which is he that
shall betray thee? When Peter saw him, he said to Iesus: lord what shall he
here do? Iesus said unto him: If I will have him to tarry till I come, what is
that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren,
that that disciple should not die. And Iesus said not to him, he shall not die:
but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? The same
disciple is he, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things. And
we know, that his testimony is true. There are also many other things which
Iesus did: the which if they should be written every one, I suppose the world
could not contain the books that should be written.
Here
endeth the Gospell off Sainct Ihon.
The acts
of the apostles written by S. Luke
The first
Chapter.
In my first treatise (Dear friend Theophilus)
I have written of all that Iesus began to do and teach, until the day in the
which he was taken up, after that he thorow the holy ghost, had given
commandments unto the Apostles, which he chose: to whom also he shewed himself
alive, after his passion by many tokens, appearing unto them forty days, and
spake of the kingdom of God, and gathered them together, and commanded them,
that they should not depart from Ierusalem: but to wait for the promise of the
father, whereof ye have heard of me. For Ihon baptised with water but ye shall
be baptised with the holy ghost, and that within this few days.
When they were come together, they asked of
him, saying: Master wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israhel? He said unto them: It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons
which the father hath put in his own power: but ye shall receive power of the
holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in
Ierusalem, and in all Iewery, and in Samary, and even unto the world's end.
And when he had spoken these things, while
they beheld he was taken up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight.
And as they fastened their eyes in heaven, as he went, lo two men stood by them
in white clothing, which also said: ye men of Galile, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven? This same Iesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so
come, even as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Then returned they unto Ierusalem from
mount Olivete, which is nigh to Ierusalem, containing a saboth day's journey.
And when they were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter
and Iames, Ihon and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartlemew and Matthew, Iames the
son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Iudas Iames' son. These all continued
with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the
mother of Iesu. And with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the
midst of the disciples and said (The number of names were about an hundred and
twenty) Ye men and brethren, this scripture must needs be fulfilled which the
holy ghost thorow the mouth of David spake before of Iudas, which was guide to
them that took Iesus. For he was now numbered with us and obtained fellowship
in this ministration. And the same hath now possessed a plot of ground with the
reward of iniquity. And when he was hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all
his bowels gushed out. And it is known unto all the inhabiters of Ierusalem.
Insomuch that that field is called in their mother tongue, Acheldema, that is
to say the blood field.
It is written in the book of psalms: His
habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein: and his bishopricke let
another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us (all the time
that the lord Iesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of Ihon
unto that same day that he was taken up from us) must one be ordained to be a
witness with us of his resurrection.
And they appointed two, Ioseph called
Barsabas (whose surname was Iustus) and Matthias. And they prayed saying: Thou
lord which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether thou hast chosen of
these two, that the one may take the room of this ministration, and apostleship
from the which Iudas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell on Mathias. And he was counted
with the eleven apostles.
The
second Chapter.
When the fiftieth day was come, they were
all with one accord gathered together in one place. And suddenly there came a
sound from heaven as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they sat. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, as they
had been fire, and it sat upon each of them: and they were all filled with the
holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them
utterance.
There were dwelling at Ierusalem jewes,
devout men, which were of all nations under heaven. When this was noised about,
the multitude came together and were astonied, because that every man heard
them speak his own tongue. They wondered all, and marvelled saying among
themselves: Look, are not all these which speak of Galile? And how hear we
every man his own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites
and the inhabiters of Mesopotamia, of Iury, Capadocia, Ponthus, and of Asia,
Phrigia, Pamphlia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Libia, which is beside
Syrene, And strangers of Rome, Iewes and Proselites, greeks and Arabians: We
have heard them speak with our own tongues the great works of God. They were
all amazed, and wondered saying one to another: what meaneth this? Other mocked
them saying: They are full of new wine.
Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and
lift up his voice, and said unto them: Ye men of Iewry, and all ye that inhabit
Ierusalem: be this known unto you, and with your ears hear my words. These are
not drunken, as ye wene: For it is yet but the third hour of the day: but this
is that which was spoken by the prophet Ioel: It shall be in the last days
(saith God) of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and
your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions. And your old
men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my hand maidens I will pour
out of my spirit in those days, And they shall prophesy. And I will shew
wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood and fire, and
the vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before that great, and notable day of the lord come. And the time shall come
that whosoever shall call on the name of the lord, shall be saved. Ye men of
Israhel, hear these words. Iesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you
with miracles and wonders, and signs which God did by him in the midst of you,
as ye yourselves know: him have ye taken by the hands of unrighteous persons,
after he was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and
have crucified and slain him, whom God hath raised up and lowsed the sorrows of
death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. David speaketh
of him: Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my right hand, that
I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad.
Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope because thou shalt not leave my soul
in hell, neither shalt suffer thy saint to see corruption. Thou hast shewed me
the ways of life, Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto
you of the patriarch David: For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre
remaineth with us unto his day. Therefore since he was a prophet, and knew that
God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins should sit on
his seat: He saw before, and spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul
should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see corruption. This Iesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Since now that he by the right hand of God
exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he
hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into
heaven, but he said: The lord said to my lord sit on my right hand, until I
make thy foes, thy foot stool. So therefore let all the house of Israhel know
for a surety, that God hath made the same Iesus whom ye have crucified, lord
and Christ.
When they heard this, they were pricked in
their hearts, and said unto Peter, and unto the other apostles: Ye men and
brethren, what shall we do? Peter said unto them: Repent and be baptised every
one of you in the name of Iesus Christ, For the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the holy ghost. For the promise was made unto you, and to
your children, and to all that are afar, even as many as our lord God shall
call. And with many other words bare he witness, and exhorted them saying: Save
yourselves from this untoward generation. They that gladly received his preaching
were baptised, And the same day, there were added unto them about a three
thousand souls.
And they continued in the Apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. And fear came
over every soul. And many wonders and signs were shewed by the Apostles. And
all that believed gathered then together, and had all things common. And sold
their possessions and goods, and departed them to all men, as every man had
need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and brake bread
in every house, and ate their meat together with gladness, and singleness of
heart praising God, and had favour with all the people, and the lord added to
the congregation daily them that should be saved.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Peter and Ihon went up together into the
temple at the ninth hour of prayer: And there was a certain man halt from his
mother's womb, whom they brought and laid at the gate of the temple called
beautiful, to ask his alms of them that entered into the temple. When he saw
Peter and Ihon, that they would into the temple, he desired to receive an alms,
Peter fastened his eyes on him with Ihon and said: look on us, and he gave heed
unto them, trusting to receive something of them. Then said Peter: Silver and
gold have I none, such as I have give I thee. In the name of Iesus Christ of
Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him
up. And immediately his feet and anklebones received strength, and he sprang,
stood, and also walked, and entered with them into the temple walking, and
leaping, and lauding God.
And all the people saw him walk and laud
God. And they knew him, that it was he which sat and begged at the beautiful
gate of the temple. And they wondered, and were sore astonied at that which had
happened unto him. As the halt which was healed held Peter and Ihon, all the
people ran amazed unto them in Solomon's hall.
When Peter saw that, he answered unto the
people: Ye men of Israhell, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so
steadfastly on us, as though by our own power, or holiness we had made this man
go? God of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his
son Iesus, whom ye betrayed, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had
judged him to be lowsed: but ye denied the holy and just, and desired that he
should give you a murderer, and killed the lord of life whom God hath raised
from death, of the which we are witnesses: And his name thorow the faith of his
name hath made this man sound whom ye see and know. And the faith which is by
him, hath to this man given this health, in the presence of you all.
And now brethren I wot well that thorow
ignorance ye have done it, as did also your heads. But God which shewed before
by the mouth of all his prophets that Christ should suffer, hath thuswise
fulfilled it. Repent ye therefore and turn that your sins may be done away when
the time of comfort cometh, which we shall have of the presence of the lord,
and when God shall send him, which before was preached unto you, that is to wit
Iesus Christ, which must heaven receive until the time that all things be
restored again, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets
since the world began.
For Moses said unto the fathers: A prophet
shall your lord God raise up unto you, one of your brethren, like unto me, him
shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. For the time will
come, that every soul which shall not hear that same prophet, shall be exiled
from the people. Also all the prophets from Samuel, and thenceforth, as many as
have spoken, have in likewise told of these days. Ye are the children of the
prophets, and to you pertaineth the testament that God hath made unto our
fathers saying to Abraham: Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth
be blessed. First unto you hath God raised up his son Iesus, and him he hath
sent to bless you, that every one of you should turn from his wickedness.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
As they spake unto the people, the priests
and the ruler of the temple, and the saduces came upon them, taking grievously
that they taught the people and preached in the name of Iesus the resurrection
from death. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the next
day. For it was now eventide. Many of them which heard the words believed, and
the number of the men was about five thousand.
It chanced on the morrow that their rulers,
and seniors, and scribes, as Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and Ihon and
Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered
together at Ierusalem, and set them in the midst, and asked by what power, or
in what name have ye done this sirs? Then Peter full of the holy ghost said
unto them. Ye rulers of the people, and seniors of Israhel, if we this day are
examined of the good deed done to the sick man by what means he is made whole:
be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israhel, that in the name of
Iesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, and whom God raised from death
again, this man standeth here present before you whole. This is the stone cast
aside of you builders which is set in the chief place of the corner. Neither is
there health in any other. Nor yet also is there any other name given to men
wherein we must be saved.
When they saw the boldness of Peter and
Ihon, And knew that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled, and
they knew them, that they were with Iesu: Seeing also the man which was healed
standing with them, they could not say against it, but commanded them to go
aside out of the council, And communed among themselves saying: what shall we
do to these men? For a manifest sign is done by them, and is openly known to
all them that dwell in Ierusalem, and we cannot deny it: But that it be noised
no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them that they speak
henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them
that in no wise they should speak or teach in the name of Iesu. But Peter and
Ihon answered unto them and said: whether it be right in the sight of God to
obey you more than God judge ye. For we cannot but speak that which we have
seen and heard. So threatened they them and let them go, And found no thing how
to punish them, because of the people: For all men lauded God for the miracle
which was done. For the man was above forty year old, on whom this miracle of
healing was shewed.
As soon as they were let go they came to
their fellows, and shewed all that the high priests and seniors had said. When
they heard that, with one mind they lift up their voices to God and said: lord,
thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is,
which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said: Why did the heathen grudge,
and the people imagine vain things. The kings of the earth stood up and the
rulers came together against the lord, And against his Christ.
For of a truth against thy holy child
Iesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate with the
gentiles, and the people of Israhel, gathered themselves to gether for to do
whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now lord
behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all confidence to
speak thy word. So that thou stretch forth thy hand that healing, and signs,
and wonders be done by the name of thy holy child Iesus. And as soon as they
had prayed, the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were
all filled with the holy ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.
The multitude of them that believed, were
of one heart, And of one soul. Also none of them said, that any thing of those
which he possessed was his own: But had all things common. And with great power
gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the lord Iesu. And great grace
was with them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as
were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the
things that were sold, and laid it down at the Apostles' feet. And distribution
was made unto every man according as he had need.
And Ioses which was also called of the
Apostles Barnabas (that is to say the son of consolation, being a Levite, and
of the country of Cipers) had land, and sold it, and laid the price down at the
Apostles' feet.
The .v.
Chapter.
A certain man named Ananias with Saphira
his wife sold a possession, and kept away part of the price (his wife also
being of counsel) and brought a certain part, and laid it down at the Apostles'
feet. Then said Peter: Ananias how is it that Satan hath filled thine heart,
that thou shouldest lie unto the holy ghost, and keep away part of the price of
thy livelihood: Pertained it not unto thee only? And after it was sold, was not
the price in thine own power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in
thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. When Ananias heard
these words, he fell down and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all them
that these things heard. And the young men rose up, and put him apart, and
carried him out, and buried him. It fortuned as it were about the space of iij.
hours after, that his wife came in ignorant of that which was done. Peter said
unto her: Tell me, sold ye the land for so much? And she said: ye for so much.
Peter said unto her: why have ye agreed together, to tempt the spirit of the
lord? Lo, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and
shall carry thee out, Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up
the ghost. The young men came in and found her dead, and carried her out and
buried her by her husband. And great fear came on all the congregation. And on
as many as heard it.
By the hands of the Apostles were many
signs and wonders shewed among the people. And they were all together with one
accord in Solomon's hall. And of other durst no man join himself to them: but
the people magnified them. The number of them that believed in the lord both of
men and women grew more and more insomuch that they brought their sick into the
streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that at the leastway the shadow of
Peter when he came by, might shadow some of them. There came also a multitude
out of the cities round about unto Ierusalem, bringing with them sick and them
which were vexed with unclean spirits. And they were healed every one.
The chief priest rose up and they that were
with him (which is the sect of the Saduces) and were full of indignation, and
laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison: but the angel of
the lord by night opened the prison door, and brought them forth, and said: go
step forth, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and
taught.
The chief priest came and they that were
with him and called a council together, and all the seniors of the children of
Israhel, and sent to the prison to fetch them. When the ministers came and found
them not in the prison, they came again and told saying: The prison found we
shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but
when we had opened we found no man within. When the chief priest of all and the
ruler of the temple, and the high priests heard these things, they doubted of
them, whereunto this would grow.
Then came one and shewed them: Lo the men
that ye put in prison stand in the temple, and preach to the people. Then went
the ruler of the temple with ministers, and brought them without violence. For
they feared the people lest they should have been stoned. And when they had
brought them, they set them before the council. And the chief priest asked them
saying: did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?
and behold ye have filled Ierusalem with your doctrine, and ye intend to bring
this man's blood upon us.
Peter and the other Apostles answered, and
said: We ought more to obey God than men. The God of our fathers raised up Iesus,
whom ye slew and hanged on tree. Him being a ruler and a saviour hath God
exalted with his right hand, for to give repentance to Israhell and forgiveness
of sins. And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy
ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that they
clave asunder, and sought means to slay them. Then stood there up one in the
council, a pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among the
people and commanded to put the Apostles aside a little space, and said unto
them: Men of Israhell take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching
these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas boasting himself, to whom
resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, which was slain, and they all
which believed him were scattered abroad, and brought to nought. After this man
arose there up one Iudas of Galile, in the time when tribute began, and drew
away much people after him. He also perished: and all even as many as harkened
to him are scattered a broad.
And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves
from these men, let them alone: For if this counsel or work be of men, it will
come to nought: but and if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest haply ye be
found to strive against God. And to him they agreed, and called the apostles,
and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Iesu,
and let them go.
And they departed from the council
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. And
daily in the temple, and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching
Iesus Christ.
The .vj.
Chapter.
In those days as the number of the
disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the greeks against the Hebrews,
because their widows were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve
called the multitude of the disciples together and said: it is not meet that we
should leave the word of God and serve at the tables, wherefore brethren look
ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy ghost and
wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful business: but we will give
ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word. And the
saying pleased the whole multitude well. And they chose Stephen a man full of
faith, and of the holy ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nichanor, and
Timon, and Permenas, and Nicholas a proselite of Antioch, which they set before
the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased, and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Ierusalem greatly. And a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith. Stephen full of faith and power did
great wonders, and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the
Synagogue, which are called libertines, and Sirenens, and Alexandrians, and
Cilicilians, and Asians, and disputed with Steven. And they could not resist
the wisdom, and the spirit, with which he spake. Then sent they in men which
said: we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God,
and they moved the people, and the seniors, and the scribes: and they came upon
him and caught him, and brought him to the council, and brought forth false
witnesses which said: This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against
this holy place and the law, for we heard him say: This Iesus of Nazareth shall
destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances which Moses gave unto us.
And all that sat in the council looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face as
it had been the face of an angel.
The .vij.
Chapter.
Then said the chief priest: is it even so?
And he said: ye men, brethren, and fathers, hearken to. The God of glory
appeared unto our father Abraham while he was yet in Mesopotamia, before he
dwelt in Charran, and said unto him: come out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew unto thee. Then came he out
of the land of Caldey, and dwelt in Charran. And after that as soon as his
father was dead, he brought him into this land, wherein ye now dwell, and he
gave him none inheritance in it, no not one foot of ground. And promised that
he would give it to him and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
God verily spake on this wise, thy seed
shall be a dweller in a strange land, and they shall put them in bondage, and
entreat them evil .iiij. C. years. And the nation to whom they shall be in
bondage, will I judge (said God) and after that shall they come forth, and
serve me in this place. And gave him the testament of circumcision, and he
begat Isaac, and circumcised him the viij. day, and Isaac begat Iacob, and
Iacob the twelve patriarchs.
And the patriarchs having indignation sold
Ioseph into Egypt, and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his
adversities, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharao king of
Egypt, And Pharao made him governor over Egypt, and over all his household.
Then came there a dearth over all the land
of Egypt, and Canaan, and great affliction, that our fathers found no
sustenance. When Iacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers
first, and when he had sent them the second time, Ioseph was known of his
brethren, and Ioseph's kindred was made known unto Pharao. Then sent Ioseph and
caused his father to be brought and all his kin, three score and xv. souls. And
Iacob descended into Egypt, and died both he and our fathers, and were
translated into Sichem, and were put in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for
money of the sons of Emor, at Sichem.
When the time of the promise drew nigh
(which God had promised with an oath to Abraham) the people grew and multiplied
in Egypt till another king arose which knew not of Ioseph. The same dealt
subtly with our kindred, and evil intreated our fathers, and made them to cast
out their children, that they should not remain alive. The same time was Moses
born, and was a proper child in the sight of God, which was nourished up in his
father's house three months. When he was cast out Pharaoh's daughter took him
up, and nourished him up for her own son. And Moses was learned in all manner
wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in deeds and in words.
When he was full forty year old, it came
into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israhel. And when he saw
one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged his quarrel that had the
harm done to him, and smote the Egyptian. For he supposed his brethren would
have understood how that God by his hands should give them health: but they
understood not.
And the next day he shewed himself unto
them as they strove, and would have set them at one again saying: Sirs ye are
brethren why hurt ye one another? But he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust
him away saying: Who made thee a ruler and a judge among us? What wilt thou
kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday? Then fled Moses at that word,
and was a stranger in the land of Madian, Where he begat two sons.
When xl. years were expired, there appeared
to him in the wilderness of mount Sina the angel of the lord in a flame of fire
in a bush. When Moses saw it he wondered at the sight, and as he drew near to
behold it. And the voice of the lord came unto him: I am the God of thy
fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob. Moses
trembled and durst not behold. Then said the lord to him put off thy shoes from
thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have perfectly
seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their
groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come and I will send thee
into Egypt.
The same Moses whom they forsook saying:
who made the a ruler and a judge: God sent both a ruler and a deliverer, by the
hands of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. This man brought them out
shewing wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the reed sea, and in the wilderness
xl. years. This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israhell: A
prophet shall your lord God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me,
him shall ye hear.
This is he that was in the congregation, in
the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with
our fathers. This man received the word of life to give unto us, to whom our fathers
would not obey: But cast it from them, and in their hearts turned back again
into Egypt, saying unto Aaron: Make us gods to go before us. For we wot not
what is become of this Moses that brought us out of the land of Egypt. And they
made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the image, and rejoiced
in the works of their own hands.
Then God turned himself, and gave them up,
that they should worship the stars of the sky, as it is written in the book of
the prophets: O ye of the house of Israhell: have ye given unto me offerings or
sacrifice, by the space of xl. years in the wilderness? And ye took unto you
the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye
made to worship them. And I will translate you beyond Babylon.
Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony
in the wilderness, as he had appointed them speaking unto Moses, that he should
make it according to the fashion that he had seen, which tabernacle our fathers
received, and brought it in with Iosue into the possession of the gentiles,
which gentiles God drave out before the face of our fathers unto the time of
David, which found favour before God, and desired that he might find a
tabernacle for the God of Iacob. And Solomon built him an house.
But
he that is highest of all dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the
prophet: Heaven is my seat, and earth is my foot stool, what house will ye
build for me saith the lord? or what resting place? hath not my hand made all
these things? Ye stiffnecked and of uncircumcised hearts and ears: ye have
allways resisted the holy ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the
prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which
shewed before of the coming of that Just, whom ye have betrayed and murdered.
And ye also have received a law by the ordinance of angels, and have not kept
it.
When they heard these things, their hearts
clave asunder, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. He being full of the
holy ghost looked up with his eyes into heaven and saw the majesty of God, and
Iesus standing on the right hand of God, and said: lo, I see the heavens open,
and the son of man stand on the right hand of God. Then they gave a shout with
a loud voice, and stopped their ears and all ran upon him at once, and cast him
out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a
young man's feet named Saul. And they stoned Steven calling on and saying: lord
Iesu receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice: lord
impute not this sin unto them, For they wote not what they do. And when he had
thus spoken he fell asleep.
The
.viij. Chapter.
Saul had pleasure in his death. At that
time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at
Ierusalem, and they were all scattered abroad thorowout the regions of Iury and
Samaria, except the apostles. Then devout men dressed Steven, and made great
lamentation over him. Saul made havoc of the congregation entering into every
house, and drew out both man and woman, and thrust them into prison. They that
were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then came Philip
into a city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people gave heed
unto those things which Philip spake with one accord, in that they heard and
saw the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits crying with loud voice, came
out of many which were possessed of them. Many taken with palsies, and many
that halted were healed. And there was great joy in that city. And there was a
certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the same city, used witchcraft
and bewitched the people, saying that he was a man that could do great things.
Whom they regarded, from the least to the greatest saying: this is that
power of God, which is called great. Him they set much by, because of long time
with sorcery he had deluded their wits. As soon as they believed Philips
preaching of the kingdom of God and of the name of Iesu Christ, they were
baptised both men and women. Then Simon himself believed and was baptised. And
continued with Philip, and wondered beholding the miracles and signs, which
were shewed.
When the Apostles which were at Ierusalem
heard say that Samaria had received the word of God: they sent unto them Peter
and Ihon, which when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive
the holy ghost. For as yet he was come on none of them: But they were baptised
only in the name of Christ Iesu. Then laid they their hands on them, and they
received the holy ghost.
When Simon saw that thorow laying on of the
Apostles' hands on them, the holy ghost was given: he offered them money
saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive
the holy ghost. Then said Peter unto him: Perish thou and thy money together.
For thou wenest that the gift of God may be obtained with money? thou hast
neither part nor fellowship in this business. For thy heart is not right in the
sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God that the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art full
of bitter gall, and wrapped in iniquity.
Then answered Simon and said: Pray ye to
the lord for me that none of these things which ye have spoken fall on me. And
they when they had testified, and preached the word of the lord returned to
Ierusalem and preached the gospel in many cities of the Samaritans.
Then the angel of the lord spake unto
Philip saying: Arise and go towards midday unto the way which leadeth from
Ierusalem unto Gaza, which is in the desert. He arose and went on, and behold a
man of Ethiopia which was gelded, and of great authority with Candace queen of
the Ethiophians, which had the rule of all her treasure, came to Ierusalem for
to pray. As he returned home again sitting in his chariot he read Esay the
prophet.
Then the spirit said unto Philip: Go near
and join thyself to yonder chariot. Philip ran to him, and heard him read Esay
the prophet and said: Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said: how
can I, except I had a guide? And he desired Philip that he would come up and
sit with him. The tenor of the scripture which he read was this. He was led as
a sheep to be slain: And like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not
his mouth, in that he submitted himself, his judgement was exalted: who shall
declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. The gelded man
answered Philip and said: I pray thee of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself?
or of some other man?
Philip opened his mouth, and began at the
same scripture, and preached unto him Iesus. And as they went on their way,
they came unto a certain water, and the gelded man said: See here is water,
what shall let me to be baptised? Philip said unto him: If thou believe with
all thine heart, thou mayst. He answered saying: I believe that Iesus Christ is
the son of God. And commanded the chariot to stand still. And they went down
both into the water: both Philip and also the gelded man. And he baptised him.
As soon as they were come out of the water the spirit of the lord caught away
Philip. And the gelded man saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing:
but Philip was found at Azotus. And he walked thorow out the country preaching
in their cities, till he came to Cesarea.
The .ix.
Chapter.
Saul yet breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples of the lord, went unto the high priest, and
desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any of
this way whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto
Ierusalem. As he went on his journey, it fortuned that he drew nigh to
Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he
fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou me? And he said what art thou lord? The lord said, I am Iesus whom thou
persecutest, it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick. He both
trembling and astonied said: lord what wilt thou have me to do? And the lord
said unto him: Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou
shalt do.
The men which accompanied him on his way
stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. Saul arose from the
earth, And when he had opened his eyes he saw no man. Then led they him by the
hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was iij. days without sight, and
neither ate nor drank.
There was a certain disciple at Damascus
named Ananias, to him said the lord in a vision: Ananias. And he said: I am
here lord. And the lord said to him: arise and go into the street which is
called straight, and seek in the house of Iudas after one called Saul of the
city of Tharsus. For behold he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named
Ananias coming in unto him, And putting his hands on him, that he might receive
his sight.
Ananias answered: lord I have heard by many
of this man, how much hurt he hath done to thy saints at Ierusalem: and in this
place he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name.
The lord said unto him: Go thy ways: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear
my name before the gentiles, and kings and the children of Israhel: For I will
shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Ananias went his way and entered into the
house and put his hands on him and said: brother Saul, the lord that appeared
unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive
thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost. And immediately there fell from
his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was
baptised. And received meat and was comforted.
Then was Saul a certain days with the
disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the
Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and
said: is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Ierusalem?
And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high
priests? Saul increased in strength, And confounded the jews which dwelt at
Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.
After a good while, the jews took counsel
among themselves to kill him. But their layings wait were known of Saul.
And they watched at the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples
took him by night, and put him thorow the wall and let him down in a basket.
When Saul came to Ierusalem he assayed to
couple himself with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him and believed
not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the
apostles and told them how he had seen the lord in the way and had spoken with
him: and how he had done boldly at Damascus in the name of Iesu, And he had his
conversation with them at Ierusalem, and quit himself boldly in the name of the
lord Iesu. And he spake and disputed with the greeks and they went about to
slay him. When the brethren knew of that, they brought him to Cesarea, and sent
him forth to Tharsus. Then had the congregations rest thorowout all jewry and
Galile and Samary, and were edified, and walked in the fear of the lord, And
multiplied by the comfort of the holy ghost.
It chanced that as Peter walked throughout
all quarters, he came to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a
certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed viij. years sick of the palsy.
Then said Peter unto him: Eneas, the lord Iesus Christ make thee whole: Arise
and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and
Assaron, saw him, and turned to the lord.
There was at Ioppa a certain woman (which
was a disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas) she was
full of good works and alms deeds, which she did. It chanced in those days that
she was sick and died. When they had washed her and laid her in a chamber:
Because Lydda was nigh to Ioppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was
there, they sent unto him, desiring him that he would not be grieved to come
unto them.
Peter arose and came with them: when he was
come, they brought him into the chamber, and all the widows stood round about
him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was
with them. Peter put them all forth and kneeled down and prayed and turned him
to the body, and said: Tabitha, arise. She opened her eyes, and when she saw
Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lift her up, and called the
saints and widows and shewed her alive. And it was known thorow out all Ioppa,
and many believed on the lord. And it fortuned that he tarried many days in
Ioppa with one Simon a tanner.
The .x.
Chapter.
There was a certain man in Cesarea called
Cornelius, a captain of the soldiers of Italy, a devout man, and one that
feared God with all his household, which gave much alms to the people, and
prayed God always. The same man saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour
of the day the angel of God coming in unto him, and saying unto him: Cornelius,
when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said: what is it lord? He said unto
him: Thy prayers and thy alms are come up into remembrance in the presence of
God. And now send men to Ioppa, and call for one Simon named also Peter. He
lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He shall tell
thee, what thou oughtest to do. When the Angel which spake unto Cornelius was
departed, he called two of his household, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him, to whom he told all the matter, and sent them to Ioppa.
On the morrow as they went on their journey
and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up into the uppermost part of the house
to pray, about the vj. hour. Then waxed he an hungered, and would have eaten.
while they made ready for him. He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened,
and a certain vessel come down unto him, as it had been a great sheet, knit at
the iiij. corners, and was let down to the earth, wherein were all manner of
iiij. footed beasts of the earth and vermin and worms, and fouls of the air.
And a voice spake unto him from heaven: Rise Peter Kill and eat. Peter said:
God forbid lord, for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time: What God hath cleansed that
make thou not common. This was done thrice, And the vessel was received up
again into heaven.
While Peter mused in himself what this
vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius,
had made inquirance for Simon's house, and stood before the door. And called
out one and asked whether Simon which was also called Peter, were lodged there.
While Peter thought on this vision, the spirit said unto him: Lo, men seek
thee: arise therefore, get thee down, and go with them, and doubt not. For I
have sent them. Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius, and said: Lo, I am he, whom ye seek, what is the cause wherefore ye
are come? They said unto him: Cornelius the captain a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the people of the jews was warned by
an holy angel, to send for thee in to his house, and to hear words of thee.
Then called he them in, and lodged them.
On the morrow Peter went with them, and
certain brethren from Ioppa accompanied him. And the third day entered they
into Cesaria. Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen,
and special friends. And as it chanced Peter to come in, Cornelius met him, and
fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. Peter took him up, saying: Even I
myself am a man. And as he talked with him he came in, and found many that were
come together. And he said unto them: Ye do know how that it is an unlawful
thing for a man that is a jew to company or come unto an alien: But God hath
shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean: therefore came I
unto you without scruple, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore: for what
intent have ye sent for me?
And Cornelius said: This day now. iiij.
days I fasted, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man
stood before me in bright clothing, and said: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard,
and thine alms deeds are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore
to Ioppa, and call for Simon which is also called Peter. He is lodged in the
house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside, the which as soon as he is come,
shall speak unto thee. Then sent I for thee immediately, and thou hast well
done for to come. Now are we all here, present before God to hear all things
that are commanded unto thee of God.
Peter opened his mought and said: Of a truth
I perceive, that God is not partial, but in all people he that feareth him and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Ye know the preaching that God sent unto
the children of Israhell, preaching peace by Iesus Christe (which is lord over
all things.) which preaching was published thorowout all Iewery, and began in
Galile, after the baptism preached by Ihon, After that God had anointed Iesus
of Nazareth with the holy ghost, and with power, he went about doing good, and
healing all that were oppressed with devils, for God was with him. And we are
witnesses of all things which he did in the land of the jewes and at Ierusalem,
whom they slew, and hung on tree. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed
him openly, not to all the people, but unto us witnesses chosen before of God,
which ate and drank with him, after he arose from death. And he commanded us to
preach unto the people and testify, that it is he that is ordained of God a
judge of quick and dead. To him giveth all the prophets witness, that thorow
his name shall receive remission of sins all that believe in him.
While Peter yet spake these words, the holy
ghost fell on all them which heard his preaching. And they of the circumcision
which believed were astonied, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
gentiles also was shed out the gift of the holy ghost. For they heard them
speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter: can any man forbid
water that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as
well as we? And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the lord. Then
prayed they him, to tarry a few days.
The .xj.
Chapter.
It came to the ears of the Apostles and the
brethren which were in jewry, that the heathen also had received the word of
God. When Peter was come up to Ierusalem, they of the circumcision disputed
with him, saying: Thou wentest in unto men uncircumcised, and atest with them.
Peter began and expounded the thing in
order to them saying: I was in the city of Ioppa praying, and in a trance I saw
a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a large linen cloth, let
down from heaven by the four corners, And it came to me: into the which when I
had fastened mine eyes I considered and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
vermin and worms, and fowls of the air. I heard also a voice saying unto me:
Arise Peter, slay and eat. And I said: God forbid lord, for nothing common or
unclean hath at any time entered into my mought. The voice answered me again
from heaven count not thou those things common, which God hath cleansed. And
this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven.
And behold immediately were there three men
come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. And the spirit said
unto me, that I should go with them, without doubting. Moreover the six
brethren accompanied me. And we entered into the man's house. And he shewed us,
how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him: Send men to
Ioppa, and call for Simon, named also Peter he shall tell thee words, whereby
both thou and all thine house shall be saved. And as I began to preach, the
holy ghost fell on them, as he did on us at the beginning. Then came to my
remembrance the words of the lord, how he said: Ihon baptised with water, but
ye shall be baptised with the holy ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them like
gifts, as he did unto us, when we believed on the lord Iesus Christ: what was I
that I should have withstood God? when they heard this, they held their peace
and glorified God, saying: Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted
repentance unto life.
They which were scattered abroad thorow the
affliction that arose about Steven, walked thorow out till they came unto
Phenice and Cypers and Antioche, preaching the word to no man, but unto the
jews only. Some of them were men of Cypers and of Syrene, which when they were
come into Antioch, spake unto the greeks, and preached the lord Iesus. And the
hand of the lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the
lord.
Tidings of this came unto the ears of the
congregation, which was in Ierusalem, And they sent forth Barnabas that he
should go unto Antioche. Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of the
lord, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
continually cleave unto the lord. For he was a perfect man, and full of the
holy ghost and of faith. And much people was added unto the lord. Then departed
Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him
unto Antioche. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation
with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples
of Antioche were the first that were called Christen.
In those days came prophets from Ierusalem
unto Antioche. There stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the
spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world, which came
to pass in the Emperor Claudius days. Then the disciples every man according to
his ability, purposed to send succour unto the brethren which dwelt in jewry,
which thing they also did, and sent it to the seniors, by the hands of Barnabas
and Saul.
The .xij.
Chapter.
In that time Herod the king layed hands on
certain of the congregation, to vex them. And he killed Iames the brother of
Ihon with a sword: and because he saw that it pleased the jews, he proceeded
further, to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread, and when
he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to iiij. quaternions
of soldiers to be kept, intending after ester to bring him forth to the people.
Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the
congregation unto God for him. When Herod would have brought him out unto the
people, the same night slept Peter between ij. soldiers, bound with two chains,
And the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold the angel of the lord was there
present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and
stirred him up saying: arise up quickly. And the chains fell off from his
hands. And the Angel said unto him: gird thyself and bind on thy sandals, And
so he did. And he said unto him: cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me.
And he came out and followed him, and wist not, that it was truth which was
done by the angel, but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the
first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the
city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed
thorow one street, and by and by the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he
said: now I know of a surety, that the lord hath sent his Angel, and hath
delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people
of the jewes. And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the
mother of one Ihon, which was called Mark also, where many were gathered
together in prayer. As Peter knocked at the entry door, a damsel came forth to
hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the entry
for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the entry. And they
said unto her: thou art mad. And she bare them down that it was even so. Then
said they: it is his angel. Peter continued knocking: When they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonied. He beckoned unto them with his hand to
hold their peace, and told them by what means the lord had brought him out of
the prison. And said: go shew this unto Iames and to the brethren. And he
departed and went into another place.
As soon as it was day there was no little
ado among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. When Herod had called for
him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded to depart. And
he descended from Iewry to Cesarea, and there abode. Herod was displeased with
them of Tyre and Sidon. And they came all at once, and made intercession unto
Blastus the king's chamberlain, and desired peace, because their country was
nourished by the king's land. Upon a day appointed, the king arrayed him in
royal apparel, and set him in his seat, and made an oration unto them. And the
people gave a shout, saying: It is the voice of a God and not of a man. And
immediately the angel of the lord smote him, because he gave not God the
honour, and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned to Ierusalem, and fulfilled their office, and
took with them Ihon, which was also called Marcus.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
There
were at Antioche, in the congregation, prophets and doctors, as Barnabas and
Simeonb called Nyger, And Lucius of Cerene, and Manahen Herod the tetrarkes
nursefellow, and Saul. As they served God, and fasted, The holy ghost said:
separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. Then
fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and let them go.
And they after they were sent of the holy
ghost, came unto Seleutia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they
were come to Solamine, they shewed the word of God in the synagogues, unto the
jewes. And they had Ihon to their minister.
When they had gone over all the Isle unto
the city of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet which was a
jewe, named Bariesu, which was with the ruler of the country one Sergius Paulus
a prudent man. The same ruler called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to
hear the word of God. The sorcerer Elemas (for so was his name by
interpretation) withstood them, and sought to turn away the ruler from the
faith. Then Saul which also is called Paul being full of the holy ghost, set
his eyes on him, and said: O full of all subtlety and deceitfulness the child
of the devil, and the enemy of all righteousness thou ceasest not to pervert
the straight ways of the lord. And now behold the hand of the lord is upon
thee, and thou shalt be blind and not see the sun for a season. And immediately
fell on him a mist and a darkness, And he went about seeking, them that should
lead him by the hand. Then the ruler when he saw what had happened, believed,
and wondered at doctrine of the lord.
When Paul and they that were with him, had
shipped from Paphus, they came to Perga a city of Pamphilia. There departed
Ihon from them, and returned to Ierusalem. But they wandered thorow the
countries, from Perga to Antioche a city of the country of Pisidia, and went
into the synagoge on the saboth day, and sat down. After the lecture of the law
and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them saying: Ye men and
brethren, if ye have any sermon to exhort the people, say on.
Paul stood up and beckoned with his hand
and said: Men of Israhel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this
people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers
in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought them out of it, and about
the time of. xl. years, suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And he
destroyed vij. nations in the land of Canaan, and divided their land to them by
Lott. And afterward he gave unto them judges about the space of. iiij.C. and l.
years unto the time of Samuel the prophet. And after that they desired a king,
and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by
the space of xl. years. And after he had put him down, he set up David to be
their king, to whom he gave witness, saying: I have found David the son of
Iesse, a man after mine own heart, he shall fulfil all my will.
Of this man's seed hath God (according to
his promise) brought forth to the people of Israel a saviour, one Iesus, when
Ihon had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to Israhel.
When Ihon had fulfilled his course, he said: Whom ye think that I am? the same
am I not, but behold there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am
not worthy to lowse.
Ye men and brethren, children of the
generation off Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is this
word of health sent. The inhabiters of Ierusalem, and their rulers because they
knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every saboth
day, have fulfilled them in condemning him. And when they found no cause of
death in him, yet desired they Pilate to kill him. And when they had fulfilled
all that were written of him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a
sepulchre: But God raised him again from death, and he was seen many days of
them, which came with him from Galile to Ierusalem which are his witnesses unto
the people.
And we declare unto you, how that the
promise made unto the fathers, God hath now fulfilled unto us the children, in that
he raised up Iesus again, even as it is written in the first {other second}
psalm: Thou art my son, this same day begat I thee. As concerning that he so
raised him up from death, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this
wise: The holy promises made to David I will keep faithfully. Wherefore he
saith also in another place: Thou shalt not suffer thy saincte to see
corruption. For David after he had in his time fulfilled the will of God, he
slept, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption. But he whom God
raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore ye men and
brethren, that thorow this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins,
And by him are all that believe justified from all things from the which ye
could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore lest that fall on
you, which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold ye despisers, and wonder, and
perish ye: for I do a work in your days, which ye shall not believe, if a man
would declare it you.
When the jews were gone out of the
Synagogue, the gentiles besought them that they would preach the word to them
between the saboth days. When the congregation was broken up, many of the jews
and virtuous proselites followed Paul and Barnabas, which spake to them and
exhorted them to continue in the grace of God.
And the next saboth day came Almost the
whole city together to hear the word of God. When the jews saw the people, they
were full of indignation and spake against those things which were spoken of
Paul, They spake against it, and dispraised it, rayling on it. Then Paul and
Barnabas waxed bold, and said: it was meet that the word of God should first
have been preached to you. But seeing ye put it from you, and think yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the gentiles. For so hath the lord
commanded us: I have made thee a light to the gentiles, that thou be health
unto the end of the world.
The gentiles heard, and were glad and
glorified the word of the lord, and believed even as many as were ordained unto
eternal life. And the word of the lord was published thorowout all the region.
But the jews moved the worshipful and honorable women, and the chief men of the
city. And raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out
of their coasts. But they shook off the dust off their feet against them, and
came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy
ghost.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
It fortuned in Iconium that they went both
together into the synagogue of the jewes, and so spake, that a great multitude
both of the jewes and also of the greeks believed. But the unbelieving jews,
stirred up and unquieted the minds of the gentiles against the brethren. Long
time abode they there and quit themselves boldly with the help of the lord, the
which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, And caused signs and wonders
to be done by their hands. The people of city were divided: and part held with
the jews, and part with the Apostles.
When there was a fault made both of the
gentiles and also of the jewes with their rulers, to put them to shame and to
stone them, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derba, cities of Licaonia,
and unto the region that lieth round about, and there preached the gospell. And
there sat a certain man at Lystra weak in his feet, being halt from his
mother's womb, and never walked. The same heard Paul preach, which beheld him
and perceived that he had faith to be whole, and said with a loud voice: stand
upright on thy feet. And he started up, and walked. When the people saw what
Paul had done, they lift up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia:
Goddes are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas,
Iupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because he was the preacher. Then Iupiters priest,
which dwelt before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the church porch,
and would have done sacrifice with the people. When the Apostles, Barnabas and
Paul heard that, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying
and saying: sirs, why do ye this? We are mortal men like unto you, and preach
unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made
heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is, the which in times past
suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not
himself without witness, in that he shewed his benefits, in giving us rain from
heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And
with these sayings, scarce refrained they the people, that they had not done
sacrifice unto them.
Thither came certain jews from Antioche and
Iconium, and obtained the peoples' consent and stoned Paul, and drew him out of
the city, supposing he had been dead. As the disciples stood round about him,
he arose up and came into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas
to Derba. After they had preached to that city, and taught many, they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioche, and strengthened the disciples
souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming that we must thorow
much adversity enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them
seniors by election in every congregation, after they had prayed and fasted,
they commended them to God on whom they believed.
And they went over all Pisidia and came
into Pamphilia, and when they had preached the word of God in Perga, they
descended into Attalia, and thence departed by ship to Antioche, from whence
they were delivered unto the grace of God, to the work which they had
fulfilled. When they were come and had gathered the congregation together, they
rehearsed all that God had done by them, and how he had opened the door of
faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.
The .xv.
Chapter.
And there came certain from jewry and
taught the brethren: except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye
cannot be saved. Then arose there dissension and disputing not a little unto
Paul and Barnabas against them. And they determined that Paul and Barnabas and
certain other of them should ascend to Ierusalem unto the Apostles and seniors
about this question. After they were brought on their way by the congregation,
they passed over Phenices and Samaria, declaring the conversation {conversion}
of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren. When they
were come to Ierusalem they were received of the congregation and of the apostles and
seniors. And they declared what things God had done by them. Then arose there
up certain of the sect of the pharisees, which did believe saying that it was
needful to circumcise them and to enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. The
Apostles and seniors came together to reason of this matter.
When there was much disputing, Peter rose
up and said unto them: Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago,
God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the
gospell and believe. And God which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, and
gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us, And he put no difference
between them and us, and with faith purified their hearts. Now therefore why
tempt ye God, that ye would put a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our
fathers nor we were able to bear: But we believe that thorow the grace of the
lord Iesu Christ we shall be saved as they do. Then all the multitude was
peaced and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul which told what signs and wonders
God had shewed among the gentiles by them. As soon as they held their peace,
Iames answered saying: Men and brethren hearken unto me, Simeon told how God at
the beginning did visit the gentiles, and received of them people unto his
name. And to this agreeth the words of the prophets, as it is written: After
this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is
fallen down, and that which is fallen in decay of it will I build again and I
will set it up, that the residue of men might seek after the lord, and also the
Gentiles upon whom my name is called saith the lord, which doth all these
things: known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which of the gentiles are
turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain themselves from
filthiness of images, from fornication, from strangled, and from blood. For
Moses of old time in every city hath them that preach him, and he is read in
the synagogues every saboth day.
Then pleased it the apostles and seniors
with the whole congregation to send chosen men of their own company to Antioche
with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Iudas called also Barsabas and Silas which
were chief men among the brethren and gave them letters in their hands after
this manner.
The Apostles, seniors and brethren send
greetings unto the brethren which are of the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and
Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which departed from us, have
troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds saying: Ye must be circumcised
and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed therefore to
us a good thing, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men
unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have jeoparded their
lives, for the name of our lord Iesus Christ. We have sent therefore Iudas and
Sylas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good
to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to you more than these
necessary things, that is to say, that ye abstain from things offered unto
images, from blood, from strangled and fornication. From which if ye keep
yourselves, ye shall do well. So fare ye well.
When they were departed, they came to
Antioche and gathered the multitude together and delivered the pistel. When
they had read it, they rejoiced of that consolation. Iudas and Silas being
prophets, exhorted the people with much preaching, and strengthened them. After
they had tarried there a certain space, they were let go in peace of the
brethren unto the Apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Sylas to abide there
still. Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioche teaching, and preaching the word
of the lord with other many.
But after a certain space Paul said unto
Barnabas: Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city, where we have
shewed the word of the lord, and see how they do. Barnabas gave counsel, to
take with them Ihon called also Marke: But Paul thought it not meet to take him
unto their company which departed from them at Pamphilia, and went not with
them to the worke. So sharp was the dissension between them, that they departed
asunder one from the other. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cypers. Paul
chose Sylas and departed delivered of the brethren unto the grace of God. And
he went thorow all Cyria and Cilicia, stablishing the congregations.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
Then came he to Derba and Listra. And
behold a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, a womans son which was a
jewess and believed, but his father was a greek. Of whom reported well, the
brethren of Listra and of Iconium. Paul would that he should go forth with him,
and took and circumcised him because of the jewes which were in those quarters,
for they knew all that his father was a greek. As they went thorow the cities,
they delivered them the decrees for to keep, ordained of the apostles and
seniors which were at Ierusalem. So were the congregations stablished in the
faith, and increased in number daily.
When they had gone thorowout Phrigia and
the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the holy ghost to preach the word
in Asia, they came to Misia, and sought to go into Bethinia, and the spirit
suffered them not. When they went over Misia, and came down to Troada and a
vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed
him saying: Come into Macedonia and help us. After he had seen the vision
immediately we prepared to go into Macedonia certified that the lord had called
us for to preach the gospell unto them. Then loosed we forth from Troada, and
with a straight course came we to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolim,
and from thence to Philippos, which is the chiefest city in the parts of
Macedonia and a free city.
We were in that city abiding a certain
days. And on the saboth days we went out of the city besides a river where men
were wont to pray, and we sat down and spake unto the women which thither
resorted. And a certain woman named Lidia, a seller of purple, of the city of
Thyatira which worshipped God, gave us audience, whose heart God opened that
she attended unto those things which Paul spake. When she was baptised, and her
household, she besought us saying: If ye think that I believe on the lord come
into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
It fortuned as we went to prayer, a certain
damsel possessed with a spirit that prophesied met us, which brought her master
and masters much vantage with prophesying. The same followed Paul and us
saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the
way of health. And this did she many days. But Paul not content turned about
and said to the spirit: I command thee in the name of Iesu Christ that thou
come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
When her master and mastress saw that the
hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and brought them into
the market place unto the rulers, and delivered them to the officers saying:
These men trouble our city, which are jews and shew new decrees, which are not
lawful for us to receive, neither to observe seeing we are romans. And the
people ran on them, and the officers rent their clothes, and commanded them to
be beaten with rods, and when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into
prison commanding the jailer to keep them surely. Which when he had received
such commandment thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in
the stocks.
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and
lauded God. And the prisoners heard them. Suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and by and by all
the doors opened, and every man's bonds were lowsed. When the keeper of the
prison waked out of his sleep, and saw the prison doors open, he drew out his
sword and would have killed himself, supposing the prisoners had been fled.
Paul cried with a loud voice saying: Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.
He called for a light and sprang in, and
came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and
said, Sirs what must I do to be saved? And they said: believe on the lord
Iesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy household. And they preached unto him
the word of the lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the
same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and was baptised with all that
belonged unto him straight way. When he had brought them into his house, he set
meat before them, and joyed that he with all his household believed on God.
And when it was day the officers sent the
ministers saying: Let those men go. The keeper of the prison told this saying
to Paul: the officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you hence
and go in peace. Then said Paul unto them: They have beaten us openly
uncondemned, for all that we are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now
would they send us away privily? Nay not so, but let them come themselves and
fetch us out. The ministers told these words unto the officers and they feared
when they heard that they were Romans, and came and besought them, and brought
them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. They went out of the
prison and entered into the house of Lidia, and when they had seen the
brethren, they comforted them and departed.
The
.xvij. Chapter.
As they made their journey thorow
Amphipolis, and Apolonia, they came to Thessalonica where was a synagogue of
the jewes. Paul as his manner was went in unto them, and three saboth days
declared out of the scripture unto them, opening and alleging that Christ must
needs have suffered and risen again from death. And that this Iesus was Christ,
whom (said he) I preach to you. And some of them believed and came and
companied with Paul and Silas. Also of the honorable greeks a great multitude,
and of the chief women, not a few.
The jewes which believed not having
indignation took unto them evil men which were vagabonds, and gathered a
company, and set all the city on a roar, and made assault unto the house of
Iason, and sought to bring them out to the people. and when they found them
not, they drew Iason and certain brethren unto the heads of the city crying:
These that trouble the world are come hither also, which Iason hath received
privily. And these all do contrary to the ordinations of Cesar, affirming
another king, one Iesus. And they troubled the people and the officers of the
city when they heard these things. And when they were sufficiently answered of
Iason, and of the other they let them go.
The brethren immediately sent away Paul,
and Silas by night unto Berrea. When they were come thither they entered into
the Synagogue of the jews. These were the noblest among them of Thessalonia,
which received the word with all diligence of mind, and searched the scriptures
daily whether those things were even so. And many of them believed, and of
worshipful women which were greeks, and of men not a few. When the jews of
Thessalonia had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berrea,
they came thither and moved the people, and then by and by the brethren sent
away Paul to go unto the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. They
that guided Paul brought him unto Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas
and Timotheus for to come to him at once. And came their way.
While Paul waited for them at Athens, his
spirit was moved in him to see the city given to worshipping of images. Then he
disputed in the synagogue with the jews, and with the devout persons, And in
the market daily with them that came unto him. Certain Philosophers of the
Epicures, and of the Stoyckes disputed with him. And some there were which
said: what will this babbler say. Other said: he seemeth to be a tidings
bringer of new devils, because he preached unto them Iesus, and the
resurrection, and they took him, and brought him into Marce street saying: may
we not know what is this new doctrine whereof thou speakest. For thou bringest
strange tidings to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean.
For all the Athenians and strangers which were there gave themselves to nothing
else, but either to tell or to hear new tidings.
Paul stood in the midst of Marce street and
said, ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are somewhat
superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld the manner how ye worship your
gods, I found an altar wherein was written: unto the unknown God. Whom ye then
ignorantly worship, him shew I unto you: God that made the world, and all that
are in it, seeing that he is lord of heaven and earth, he dwelleth not in
temples made with hands neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he
needed of any thing. Forasmuch as he giveth to all men life and breath every
where, and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the
face of the earth. And hath assigned times appointed before, And the ends of
their inhabitation, that they should seek God, if they might feel and find him,
though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have
our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation.
Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the
godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of
man.
And the time of this ignorance God regarded
not: but now he biddeth all men everywhere repent, because he hath appointed a
day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that
man, whom he hath appointed, and hath given faith to all men, after that he had
raised him from death. When they heard of the resurrection from death, some
mocked, and other said: we will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul
departed from among them. Certain men clave unto Paul and believed, among the
which was Dionysius a senator, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.
The
.xviij. Chapter.
After that, Paul departed from Athens, and
came to Corinthum, and found a certain jew named Aquila, born in Ponthus,
lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because that the Emperor
Claudius had commanded all jewes to depart from Rome) and he drew unto them.
And because he was of the same craft he abode with them and wrought (their
craft was to make tents.) and he preached in the synagogue every saboth day,
And exhorted the jewes and the gentiles.
When Silas and Timotheus were come from
Macedonia Paul was pained by the spirit, as he testified to the jewes that
Iesus was Christ. When they said contrary and blasphemed, he shook his raiment
and said unto them: your blood upon your own heads. For henceforth I go unto
the gentiles, and he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house
named Iustus which worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
One Crispus a ruler of the synagogue believed on the lord with all his
household. And many of the Corinthians gave audience and believed, and were
baptised.
Then spake the lord to Paul in the night by
a vision: be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee,
and no man shall invade thee that shall hurt thee. For I have much people in
this city. And he rested there a year and six months, and taught them the word
of God.
When Gallio was ruler of the country of Acaia.
The jewes made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to
the judge's seat, saying: This man teacheth to worship God contrary to the law.
And as Paul was about to open his mouth Gallio said unto the jews: if it were a
matter of wrong, or an evil deed (o ye jews) reason would that I should hear
you: but if it be a question of words, or of names, or of your law, look ye to
it yourselves. For I will be no judge in such matters, and he drave them from
his seat. Then took all the greeks Sosthenes a ruler of the Synagogue and smote
him before the judge's seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
Paul after this, tarried there yet a good
while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Ciria,
Priscilla and Aquila accompanying him after that he shore his head in Cenchrea.
For he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus and left them there: but he himself
entered into the Synagogue, and reasoned with the jewes. When they desired him
to tarry longer time with them, he consented not, but bade them fare well
saying: I must needs at this feast that cometh be in Ierusalem: but I will
return again unto you if God will. And departed from Ephesus and came unto
Cesarea: and ascended and saluted the congregation, and departed unto Antioche,
and when he had tarried there a while, he departed, and went over all the
country of Galatacia and Phrigia by order, strengthening all the disciples.
And a certain jewe named Apollos, born at
Alexandria came to Ephesus. An eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures. The
same was informed in the way of the lord, and he spake fervently in the spirit,
and taught diligently the things of the lord, and knew but the baptism of Ihon
only. And the same began to speak boldly in the Synagogue. When Priscilla and
Aquila had heard him: they took him unto them, And expounded unto him the way
of God more perfectly.
When he was disposed to go into Acaia, the
brethren exhorted him thereto, and wrote unto the disciples that they should
receive him. After he was come thither he helped them much, which had believed
thorow grace. And mightily he overcame the jews openly shewing by the
scriptures that Iesus was Christ.
The .xix.
Chapter.
It fortuned, while Apollos was at
Corinthum, that Paul passed over the upper coasts, and came to Ephesus, and
found certain disciples and said unto them: have ye received the holy ghost
after ye believed? And they said unto him: No, neither have we heard if there
be any holy ghost or no. And he said unto them: wherewith were ye then
baptised? And they said: with Ihon's baptism. Then said Paul: Ihon verily
baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they
should believe on him, which should come after him. That is on Christ Iesus.
When they heard that, they were baptised in the name of the lord Iesu, and when
Paul laid his hands upon them, the holy ghost came on them. And they spake with
tongues and prophesied, All the men were about xij.
And he went into the synagogue, and behaved
himself boldly for the space of three months, disputing, and giving them
exhortations of the kingdom of God. When diverse waxed hard hearted, and
believed not, but spake evil of the way of the lord before the multitude: he
departed from them, And severed the disciples away, And taught daily in the
school of one called Tirannus. And this continued by the space of two years: So
that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the lord Iesu, both jewes
and greeks. And God wrought not small miracles by the hands of Paul. So that
from his body were brought unto the sick, napkins or partlets, and the diseases
and evil spirits departed from them.
Certain of the vagabond jewes exorcists,
took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the lord
Iesus saying: We adjure you by Iesu whom Paul preacheth.
There were seven sons of one Sceva a ruler
of the synagogue which did so: and the evil spirit answered and said: Iesus I
know, and Paul I know: but who are ye? And the man in whom the wicked devil
was, ran on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they
fled out of the house naked and wounded. This was known to all the jewes and
greeks also, which dwelt at Ephesus, and fear came on them all. And they
magnified the name of the lord Iesus.
And many that believed came, and confessed
and shewed their works. Many of them which used curious crafts, brought their
books and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and
found it fifty thousand silverlings. So mightily grew the word of God, and
prevailed. After these things were ended Paul purposed in the spirit, to pass
over Macedonia and Acaia, and to go to Ierusalem saying: After I have been
there I must also see Rome. So sent he into Macedonia two of them that
ministered unto him: Timotheus and Erastus: but he himself remained in Asia.
For a season.
The same time there arose no little a do
about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a goldsmith, which made
silver shrines for Diana, was not a little beneficial unto the craftsmen: which
he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said: Sirs ye know
that by this craft we have vantage. Moreover ye see and hear that not alone at
Ephesus: but almost thorow out all Asia, this Paul entiseth, and turned away
much people saying: that they be no gods which are made with hands: so that
not only this our craft cometh into peril to be set at nought: but that also
the temple of great Diana should be despised. And her majesty should be destroyed,
which all Asia, and the world worshippeth.
When they heard these sayings, they were
full of wrath, and cried out saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And all
the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent,
and caught Gaius, and Aristarcus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. When
Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
Certain also of the chief of Asia which were his friends, sent unto him,
desiring him that he would not press into the common hall. Some cried one
thing, and some another and the congregation was all out of quiet, and the more
part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Some of the company drew forth Alexander
(the jewes thrusting him forwards) Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have given the people an answer. When they knew that he was a jewe, there arose
a shout almost for the space of two hours of all men crying, great is Diana of
the Ephesians.
When the town clerk had ceased the people
he said: ye men of Ephesus: what man is it that knoweth not how that the city
of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image
which came from heaven. Seeing then that no man saith here against, ye ought to
be content, and to do nothing rashly, For ye have brought hither these men,
which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet despisers of your goddess.
Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him, have any saying to
any man, the law is open, and there are rulers, let them accuse one another. If
ye go about any other thing, it may be determined in a lawful congregation. For
we are in jeopardy to be accused of this day's business. For as much as there
is no cause whereby we may give a reckoning of this concourse of people. And
when he had thus spoken, he let the congregation depart.
The .xx.
Chapter.
After the rage was ceased, Paul called the
disciples unto him, and took his leave of them, and departed for to go into
Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and given them large
exhortations, he came into Greece. And there abode .iij. months. When the jewes
laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, He purposed to return
through Macedonia. There accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berrea: And of
Thessalonia Aristarcus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derba, and Timotheus: Out of
Asia Tychicus, and Trophimos. These went before, and tarried us at Troas. We
sailed away from Philippos after the ester holidays, and came unto them to Troas
in five days, where we abode seven days.
On a saboth day the disciples came together
for to break bread, and Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow)
and continued the preaching unto midnight. There were many lights in the
chamber where we were gathered together, and there sat in a window a certain
young man named Eutichus, fallen into a deep sleep. And as Paul declared he was
the more overcome with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken
up dead. Paul went down and fell on him, and embraced him, and said: Make
nothing ado. For his life is in him. When he was come up again, he brake bread,
and tasted, and communed a long while even till the morning, and so departed.
They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Then took we shipping, and departed unto
Asson, there to receive Paul. For so had he appointed, and would himself go by
land. When he was come to us unto Asson, we took him in, and came to
Mittilenes. And sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios. And
the day following we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogilon. The next day we
came to Mileton. For Paul had determined to leave Ephesus as they sailed,
because he would not spend the time in Asia. For he hasted to be (if he were
possible) at Ierusalem at the day of Pentecost.
From Mileton he sent to Ephesus, and called
the seniors of the congregation. When they were come to him, he said to them:
Ye know from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been
with you at all seasons, serving God with all humbleness of mind, and with many
tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings wait of the
jewes, and how I kept back nothing that might be for your profit: but that I
have shewed you, and taught you openly and at home in your houses, witnessing
both to the jewes, and also to the greeks, the repentance toward God, and faith
toward our lord Iesu.
And now behold I go bound in the spirit
unto Ierusalem, and know not what shall come of me there, but that the holy
ghost witnesseth in every city saying: that bonds and trouble abide me: but
none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself, that I might
fulfil my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the
lord Iesu to testify the gospell of the grace of God.
And now behold, I am sure that henceforth
ye all (thorow whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face
no more. Wherefore I take you to record this same day, that I am pure from the
blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back: but have shewed you all the
counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers, to rule the congregation of
God, which he hath purchased with his blood. For I am sure of this, that after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, which will not spare the
flock. And of your ownselves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw
disciples after them. Therefore awake and remember, that by the space of iij.
years I ceased not to warn every one of you, both night and day with tears.
And now dear brethren I commend you to God
and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you
an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have desired no man's
silver, gold, or vesture. Ye know well that these hands have ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how
that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the
lord Iesu, how that he said: It is more blessed to give, than to receive.
When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down,
and prayed with them all. And they wept all abundantly, and fell on Paul's
neck, and kissed him sorrowing, most of all, for the words, which he spake,
that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
The .xxj.
Chapter.
And it chanced that as soon as we had
launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course
unto Choon, and the day following unto the Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara.
And we found a ship ready to sail unto Phenices, and went aboard and set forth.
Then appeared unto us Cyprus, and we left it on the left hand, and sailed unto
Syria, and came unto Tyre. For there the ship unladed her burden. And when we
had found brethren, we tarried there. vij. days. And they told Paul thorow the
spirit, that he should not go up to Ierusalem. And when the days were ended we
departed, and went our ways, and they all brought us on our way, with their
wives and children, till we were come out of the city. And we kneeled down in
the shore and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took
ship, and they returned home again.
When we had full ended the course, from
Tyre, we arrived at Ptholomaida, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them
one day. The next day, we that were of Paulus company, came unto Cesarea. And
we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven,
and abode with him. The same man had four daughters virgins, which did
prophesy. And as we tarried there a good many days, there came a certain
prophet from jewry, named Agabus. When he was come unto us, he took Paul's
girdle, and bound his hands and feet and said: Thus saith the holy ghost: So
shall the jewes at Ierusalem, bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall
deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.
When we heard this, both we and other of
the same place, besought him, that he would not go up to Ierusalem. Then Paul
answered, and said: What do ye weeping, and breaking mine heart? I am ready not
to be bound only, but also to die at Ierusalem for the name of the lord Iesu.
When we could not turn his mind, we ceased saying: The will of the lord be
fulfilled. After those days we made ourselves ready, and went up to Ierusalem.
There went with us also certain of his disciples of Cesarea, and brought with
them one Mnason of Cyprus, an olde disciple, with whom we should lodge. And
when we were come to Ierusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the morrow
Paul went in with us unto Iames. And all the seniors came together. And when he
had saluted them, he told by order, what things God had wrought among the
gentiles by his ministration. When they heard it, they glorified the lord, and
said unto him: Thou seest brother, how many thousand jewes there are which
believe, and they are all zealous over the law. And they are informed of thee
that thou teachest all the jewes which are among the gentiles to forsake Moses,
and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to live
after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come
together. For they shall hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say
to thee.
We have iiij. men, which have a vow on
them. Them take and purify thyself with them, and do cost on them, that they
may shave their heads and all shall know that those things which they have
heard of thee are nothing: but that thou thyself also walkest and keepest the
law. As touching the gentiles which believe we have written and concluded, that
they observe no such things: but that they keep themselves from things offered
to idols, from blood, from strangled, and from fornication. Then the next day
Paul took the men and purified himself with them, and entered into the temple,
declaring the fulfilling of the days of purification, until that an oblation
should be offered for every one of them.
And as the seven days should have been
ended, the jewes which were of Asia when they saw him in the temple, they moved
all the people and laid hands on him crying: Men of Israhell help. This is the
man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this
place. Moreover also he hath brought greeks into the temple, and hath polluted
this holy place. For they saw one Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city.
Him they supposed Paul had brought into the temple. And all the city was moved,
and the people swarmed together. And they took Paul, and drew him out of the
temple, and forthwith the doors were shut to.
As they went about to kill him, tidings
came unto the high captain of the soldiers, that all Ierusalem was moved. Which
immediately took soldiers and undercaptains, and ran down unto them. When they
saw the uppercaptain and the soldiers, They left smiting of Paul. Then the
captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains,
and demanded what he was, and what he had done. One cried this, another that,
among the people. And when he could not know the certainty, for the rage: He
commanded him to be carried into the castle. When he came unto a grece, it
fortuned that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. The multitude
of the people followed after crying: away with him.
And as Paul should have been carried into
the castle, He said unto the high captain: May I speak unto thee? Which said:
Canst thou speak greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days,
made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness iiij. thousand men that were
murderers? Paul said: I am a man which am a jewe of Tharsus a city in Cicill, a
citizen of no vile city, I beseech thee suffer me to licence, Paul stood on the
steps, and beckoned with the hand unto the people, and there was made a great
silence. And he spake unto them in Hebrew saying:
The
.xxij. Chapter.
Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hear mine
answer which I make unto you. When they heard that he spake Hebrew unto them,
they kept the more silence. And he said: I am verily a man which am a jewe,
born in Tharsus, a city in Cicill, nevertheless yet brought up in this city, at
the feet of Gamaliel, and informed diligently in the law of the fathers, and
was fervent minded to Godward, as ye all are this same day, and I persecuted
this way unto the death binding, and delivering into prison both men and women,
as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the seniors: of whom also I
received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which
were there bound unto Ierusalem for to be punished.
And it fortuned that as I made my journey,
and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a
great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying
unto me. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered: what art thou
lord? and he said unto me? I am Iesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And
they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not
the voice of him that spake with me. And I said: what shall I do lord? And the
lord said unto me: Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee
of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I saw nothing for
the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me,
and came into Damascus. One Ananias a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law
having good report of all the jewes which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood
and said unto me: Brother Saul receive thy sight. And that same hour I received
my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, the God of our fathers hath ordained
thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is
rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mought: for thou shalt be his
witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now:
why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on
the name of the lord.
And it fortuned, when I was come again to
Ierusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance, And saw him saying
unto me: Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Ierusalem: for they will not
receive the witness that thou bearest of me. And I said: lord they know that I
prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the
blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his
death and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me: depart
for I will send thee afar hence unto the gentiles.
They gave him audience unto this word, and
lifted up their voices and said: away with such a fellow from the earth: it is
pity that he should live. And they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw
dust into the air. The captain bade him to be brought into the castle, and
commanded him to be scourged, and to be examined, that he might know wherefore
they cried on him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto an
undercaptain: Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman uncondemned? When the
centurion heard that, he went to the uppercaptain, and told him saying: What
intendest thou to do? This man is a Roman.
The uppercaptain came to him, and said:
Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said: Yee. {yea} And the captain answered: With much
money obtained I this freedom. And Paul said: I was freeborn. Then straightway
departed from him they which should have examined him. And the captain also was
afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.
On the morrow he lowsed him from his bonds
desiring to know the certainty for what cause he was accused of the jewes, and
commanded the high priests and all the council to come together, and brought
Paul, and set him before them.
The
.xxiij. Chapter.
Paul beheld the council and said: Men and
brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. The
high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mought.
Then said Paul to him: God shall smite thee thou painted wall. Sittest thou and
judgest me after the law: and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
And they that stood by said: Revilest thou god's high priest? Then said Paul: I
wist not brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written thou shalt not
speak evil to the ruler of thy people.
When Paul perceived that the one part were
Saduces, and the other Pharises: He cried out in the council. Men and brethren
I am a pharisaye, the son of a pharisaye. Of hope, and of resurrection from
death I am judged. And when he had so said, there arose a debate between the
pharises and the saduces, and the multitude was divided. For the Saduces say
that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharises
grant both. And there arose a great cry, and the scribes which were of the
Pharises' part strove saying: We find none evil in this man. Though a spirit,
or an angel hath appeared to him, let us not strive against God.
And when there arose great debate, the
captain fearing lest Paul should have been plucked asunder of them, commanded
the soldiers to go down, and to take him from among them, and to bring him into
the castle. The night following God stood by him and said: Be of good cheer
Paul: For as thou hast testified of me in Ierusalem, so must thou bear witness
at Rome.
When day was come, certain of the jewes
gathered themselves together, and made a vow saying: that they would neither
eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. They were about. xl. which had made
this conspiration. And they came to the chief priest and seniors, and said: we
have bound ourselves with a vow, that we will eat nothing until we have slain
Paul. Now therefore give ye knowledge to the upper captain, and to the council
that he bring him forth unto us tomorrow, as though we would know some thing
more perfectly of him. But we (or ever he come near) are ready in the mean
season to kill him.
When Paul's sister's son heard of their
laying await, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul
called one of the under captains unto him, and said: Bring this young man unto
the captain: for he hath a certain thing to shew him. And he took him, and led
him to the high captain, and said: Paul the prisoner called me unto him and
prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, which hath a certain matter to
shew thee.
The high captain took him by the hand, and
went apart with him out of the way: and asked him: what hast thou to say unto
me? And he said: the jewes are determined to desire thee that thou wouldest
bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire
somewhat of him more perfectly. But follow not their minds: for there lay await
for him of them, more than xl. men, which have bound themselves with a vow,
that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now are
they ready, and look for thy promise.
The upper captain let the young man depart
and charged him: See thou tell no man that thou hast told me this. And he
called unto him two under captains, saying: make ready two hundred soldiers to
go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at
the third hour of the night. And deliver them beasts that they may put Paul on,
and bring him safe unto Felix the high debite, and wrote a letter in this
manner.
Claudius Lisias unto the most mighty ruler
Felix sendeth greetings. This man was taken of the jewes, and should have been
killed of them: Then came I with soldiers, and rescued him, and perceived that
he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause, wherefore they accused
him, I brought him forth into their council. There perceived I that he was
accused of questions of their law: but was not guilty of any thing worthy of
death, or of bonds. Afterward when it was shewed me how that the jews laid wait
for the man, I sent him straight way to thee, and gave commandment to his
accusers, if they had ought against him, to tell it unto thee: fare well.
The soldiers as it was commanded them, took
Paul and brought him by night to Antipatras. On the morrow they left horsemen
to go with him, and returned unto the castle. When they came to Cesarea, they
delivered the pistel to the debite, and presented Paul before him. When the
debite had read the letter, he asked of what country he was. And when he
understood that he was of Cicill, I will hear thee (said he) when thine
accusers are come also: And commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.
The
.xxiiij. Chapter.
After v. days, Ananias the high priest
descended, with seniors, and with a certain orator named Tartullus, and
enformed the ruler against Paul. When Paul was called forth, Tartullus began to
accuse him saying: Seeing that we live in great quietness by the means of thee
and that many good things are done unto this nation thorow thy providence: that
allow we ever and in all places, most mighty Felix with all thanks.
Notwithstanding, lest I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou
wouldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.
We have found this man a pestilent fellow,
and a mover of debate among all the jewes thorow out the world, And a
maintainer of the sect of the Nazarens: Which also hath enforced to pollute the
temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law: but the high
captain Lisias came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands,
commanding his accusers to come unto thee, of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt
enquire) know the certain of all these things where of we accuse him. The jewes
likewise affirmed, saying that it was even so.
Then Paul (after that the ruler himself had
beckoned unto him that he should speak) answered: I shall with a more quiet
mind answer for myself, forasmuch as I understand that thou hast been of many
years a judge unto this people, because that thou mayest know that there are
yet but xij. days since I went up to Ierusalem for to pray. And that they
neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, either raising up the
people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. Neither can they prove the
things whereof they accuse me.
But this I confess unto thee, that after
that way (which they call heresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing
all things which are written in the law and the prophets, and have hope towards
God, that the same resurrection from death (which they themselves look for
also) shall be both of just and unjust. And therefore study I to have a clear
conscience toward God, and toward man also.
Many years ago I came and brought alms to
my people and offerings, in the which they found me purified in the temple,
neither with multitude, nor yet with unquietness. There were certain jewes out
of Asia which ought to be here present before thee, and accuse me, if they had
ought against me: or else let these same here say, if they have found any
evildoing in me, while I stand here in the council, except it be for this one
voice, that I cried standing among them of the resurrection from death am I
judged of you this day.
When Felix heard that he deferred them, for
he knew very well of that way and said: when Lisias the captain is come, I will
know the utmost of your matters. And he commanded an undercaptain to keep Paul,
and that he should have rest, and that he should forbid none of his
acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.
After a certain days came Felix, and his
wife Drusilla which was a jewess, and called forth Paul, and heard him of the
faith which is toward Christ. And as he preached of Justice, temperance, and
Judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered: thou hast done enough at this
time, depart, when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee. He hoped
also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose him,
wherefore he called him the oftener, and communed with him. After two year
came Festus Porcius into Felix room, and Felix willing to shew the jewes a
pleasure left Paul in prison bound.
The .xxv.
Chapter.
When Festus was come into the province,
after three days, he ascended from Cesarea unto Ierusalem. Then informed him
the high priests, and the chief of the jews against Paul. And they entreated
him, and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Ierusalem,
and laid wait for him in the way to kill him. Festus answered that Paul should
be kept at Cesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither. Let them
therefore (said he) which among you are able to do it come down with us and
accuse him, if there be any fault in the man.
When he had tarried there more than ten
days he departed unto Cesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgement seat,
and commanded Paul to be brought. When he was come the jewes which were come
from Ierusalem, came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against
Paul, which they could not prove as long as he answered for himself, that he
had neither against the law of the jewes, neither against the temple, nor yet
against Cesar offended any thing at all.
Festus willing to do the jewes a pleasure,
answered Paul, and said: Wilt thou go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of
these things before me? Then said Paul: I stand at Cesar's judgement seat,
where I ought to be judged. To the jewes have I no harm done, as thou verily
well knowest. If I have hurt them, or committed any thing worthy of death, I
refuse not to die. If none of these things are, where of they accuse me, no man
ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Cesar. Then spake Festus with
deliberation, and answered: Thou hast appealed unto Cesar: unto Cesar shalt
thou go.
After a certain days king Agrippa and
Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there a good
season, Festus rehearsed Paul's cause unto the king saying: There is a certain
man left in prison of Felix about whom when I came to Ierusalem the high
priests, and seniors of the jewes informed me, and desired to have judgement
against him. To whom I answered: It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver
any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused, have the accusers
before him, and have license to answer for himself, as pertaining to the crime
whereof he is accused: when they were come hither, without delay on the morrow
I sat to give judgement, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against
whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as
I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition,
and of one Iesus which was dead. whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Because I
doubted of the questions, I asked him whither he would go to Ierusalem, and
there be judged of these matters. Then when Paul had appealed to be kept unto
the knowledge of Cesar. I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to
Cesar.
Agrippa said unto Festus: I would also hear
the man myself. Tomorrow (said he) thou shalt hear him. On the morrow when
Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and were entered into the council
house with the captains and chief men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul
was brought forth, and Festus said: King Agrippa, and all men which are here
present with us: Ye see this man about whom all the multitude of jewes have
been with me, both at Ierusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live
any longer. Yet found I nothing worthy of death that he had committed.
Nevertheless seeing that he hath appealed to Cesar, I have determined to send
him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have
brought him unto you, and specially unto thee, king Agrippa, that after
examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For me thinketh it
unreasonable for to send a prisoner, and not to shew the causes, which are laid
against him.
The
.xxvj. Chapter.
Agrippa said unto Paul: Thou art permitted
to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and answered for
himself: I think myself happy King Agrippa, because I shall answer this day
before thee of all the things whereof I am accused of the jewes, namely because
thou art expert in all customs, and questions, which are among the jewes.
Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
My living of a child, which was at the
first among mine own nation at Ierusalem know all the jewes which knew me from
the beginning, if they would testify it. For after the most straitest sect of
our lay, lived I a pharisaye and now I stand and am judged for the hope of the
promise made of God unto our fathers unto which promise, our xij. tribes
instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king
Agrippa am I accused of the jewes. Why should it be thought a thing incredible
unto you, if God raise again the dead?
I also verily thought in myself, that I
ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Iesus of Nazareth:
which things I also did in Ierusalem. And many of the saints shut I in prison,
moreover I received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to
death I gave the sentence. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and
compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, even unto strange
cities. About the which things as I went to Damascus with authority, and
commission from the high priests, even at mid day (king Agrippa) I saw in the
way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me
and them, which journeyed with me.
When we were all fallen to the earth, I
heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick. And I
said: Who art thou lord? And he said: I am Iesus whom thou persecutest: But
rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose,
to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast
seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering
thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee,
to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith in me.
Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not
disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Ierusalem, and thorowout all the coasts of Iewry, and to the gentiles, that
they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance. For
this cause the jewes caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Nevertheless I obtained help of God, and stood unto this day witnessing both to
small and to great, saying none other things, than those which the prophets and
Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the
first that should rise from death, and should shew light unto the people, and
to the gentiles.
As he thus answered for himself: Festus
said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art besides thyself. Much learning hath made
thee mad. And Paul said: I am not mad most dear Festus: but speak the words of
truth and soberness. The king knoweth of these things, before whom I speak
freely: neither think I that any of these things are hidden from him. For this
thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa believest thou the prophets? I wot
well thou believest. Agrippa said unto Paul: Somewhat thou bringest me in mind
for to become christen. And Paul said: I would to God that not only thou: but
also all that hear me today, were not somewhat only, but altogether such as I
am except these bonds. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the
debite, and Bernice, and they that sat with them. And when they were gone
apart, they talked between themselves saying: This man doth nothing worthy of
death, nor of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus: This man might have been
lowsed if he had not appealed unto Cesar.
The
.xxvij. Chapter.
When it was concluded that we should sail
into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named
Iulius, an undercaptain of Cesar's soldiers. And we entered into a ship of
Adramicium, and lowsed from land, appointed to sail by the coasts of Asia, one
Aristarcus out of Macedonia, of the country of Thessalia, being with us. The
next day came we to Sidon, and Iulius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him
liberty to go unto his friends, and to refresh himself. And from thence
launched we and sailed hard by Cypers, because the winds were contrary. Then
sailed we over the sea of Cicill, and Pamphylia, and came to Myra a city in
Lycia.
And there the undercaptain found a ship of
Alexandry ready to sail into Italy, and put us therein, and when we had sailed
slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Gnydon (because the wind
withstood us) we sailed hard by the coast of Candy, over against Salmo, and
with much work sailed beyond it, and came unto a place called Goode port. Nigh
whereunto was a city called Lasea. When much time was spent and sailing was now
jeopardous, because also that we had overlong fasted, Paul put them in
remembrance, and said unto them: Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with
hurt and damage, not of the lading and ship only: but also of our lives. But
the undercaptain believed the governor, and the master, better than those
things which were spoken of Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to
winter in, many took counsel to depart thence, if by any means they might
attain to Phenices and there to winter, which haven pertaineth to Candy, and
serveth to the southwest, and northwest wind. When the south wind blew, they
supposing to obtain their purpose lowsed unto Asson, and sailed past all Candy.
But anon after there arose (against their
purpose) a flaw of wind out of the northeast. When the ship was caught, and
could not resist the wind, we let her go and drave with the weather. We came
unto an isle named Clauda, And had much work to come by a boat, which they took
up, and used help undergirding the ship, fearing lest we should have fallen
into Syrtes, and we let down a vessel and so were carried. The next day when we
were tossed with an exceeding tempest, they lightened the ship, and the third
day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. When at the last
neither sun nor star in many days appeared, And no small tempest lay upon us,
all hope that we should be saved, was taken away.
Then after long abstinence Paul stood forth
in the midst of them and said: Sirs ye should have heard me, and not have
departed from Candy, neither to have brought unto us this harm and loss. And
now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's
life among you: But of the ship only. For there stood by me this night the
angel of God whose I am, and whom I serve, saying: fear not Paul, for thou must
be brought before Cesar. And lo, God hath given unto thee all that are in the
ship with thee, wherefore sirs be of good cheer, for I believe God that so it
shall be even as it was told me, and we must be cast into a certain island.
But when the fourteenth night was come as
we were carried in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that there appeared
some country unto them, and they sounded, and found it xx. fathoms. they went a
little further and sounded again, and found xv. fathoms. Then fearing lest they
should have fallen on some Rocke, they cast iiij. anchors out of the stern, and
wished for the day. As the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, and had
let down the boat into the sea, under a colour as though they would have cast
anchors out of the foreship: Paul said unto the undercaptain and the soldiers:
except these abide in the ship ye cannot be safe. Then the soldiers cut off the
rope of the boat, and let it fall away.
And in the meantime, betwixt that and day,
Paul besought them all to take meat, saying: this is the fourteenth day that ye
have tarried and continued fasting receiving nothing at all, wherefore I pray
you to take meat: for this no doubt is for your health, for there shall not an
hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken he took
bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and brake it, and began to
eat. Then were they all of Good cheer, and they also took meat. We were all
together in the ship, two hundred and three score and sixteen souls. When they
had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea.
When it was day they knew not the land, but
they spied a certain reach with a bank, into the which they were minded (if it
were possible) to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors,
they committed themselves unto the sea, and lowsed the rudder bonds and hoised
up the main sail to the wind and drew to land, but they fell into a place,
which had the sea on both the sides, and thrust in the ship. And the fore part
stuck fast, and moved not, but the hinderpart brake with the violence of the
waves.
The soldiers' counsel was to kill the
prisoners lest any of them, when he had swum out should flee away: but the
undercaptain willing to save Paul kept them from their purpose, and commanded
that they that could swim should cast themselves first in to the sea, and scape
to land. And the other he commanded to go, some on boards, and some on broken
pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they came all safe to land.
The
.xxviij. Chapter.
And when they were scaped they knew that
the isle was called Mileta. The people of the country shewed us no little
kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us every one because of the
present rain, and because of cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks,
And put them into the fire, a viper (because of the heat) crept out leapt on
his hand. When the men of the country saw the worm hang on his hand, they said
among themselves: this man must needs be a murderer: Whom (though he have
escaped the sea) yet vengeance suffereth not to live. and he shook off the
vermin into the fire, and felt no harm. They waited when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly. But after they had looked a great while,
and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a
God.
In the same quarters, the chief man of the
isle whose name was Publius, had a lordship: which received us, and lodged us
three days courteously. It fortuned that the father of Publius lay sick of a
fever, and of a bloody flux to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his
hands on him and healed him. When this was done, other also which had diseases
in the isle, came and were healed: And they did us great honour. And when we
departed, they laded us with things necessary.
After three months we departed in a ship of
Alexandry, which had wintered in the isle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux.
And when we came to Ciracusa, we tarried there iij. days, from whence we sailed
about and came to Regium. And after one day the south wind blew, and we came
the next day to Putiolus where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry
with them seven days, and so came we to Rome. and from thence, when the
brethren heard of us, they came to Apiphorum, and three taverns, and met us.
When Paul saw them he thanked God, and waxed bold. When he came to Rome, the
undercaptain delivered the prisoners to the chief captain of the host: but Paul
was suffered to dwell alone with one Soldier that kept him.
It fortuned after three days Paul called
the chief of the jewes to gether. When they were come, he said unto them: Men
and brethren, though I have committed no thing against the people, or laws of
our fathers: yet was I delivered prisoner from Ierusalem into the hands of the
romans. Which when they had examined me, would have let me go, because they
found no cause of death in me: but when the jewes cried contrary: I was
constrained to appeal unto Cesar. Not because I had ought to accuse my people
of. For this cause have I called for you to see you, and to speak with you. For
I because of the hope of Israhel, am bound with this chain.
And they said unto him: We neither received
letters out of Iewry pertaining unto thee, neither came any of the brethren
that shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we will hear of thee what thou thinkest.
For we have heard of this sect, that everywhere it is spoken against. When they
had appointed him a day, there came many unto him into his lodging: to whom he
expounded and testified the kingdom of God. and preached unto them of Iesu:
both by the law of Moses, and also out by the prophets from morning to night.
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
When they agreed not among themselves, they
departed, after that Paul had spoken one word: well spake the holy ghost by
Esay the prophet unto our fathers, saying: Go unto this people and say: with
your ears shall ye hear, and shall not understand: and with your eyes shall ye
see and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and
their ears wex thick of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their
hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore
unto you, that this consolation of God is sent to the gentiles, and they shall
hear it. And when he had said that, the jewes departed from him, and had great
despicions among themselves.
But Paul dwelt two years in his lodging.
And received all that came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching
those things which concerned the lord Iesus with all confidence, no man
forbidding him.
Here
endeth the Actes off the Apostles.
The
epistle of S. Paul to the Romans
The first
Chapter.
Paul the servant of Iesus Christ, called
unto the office of an apostle, put apart to preach the Gospell of God, which he
promised afore by his prophets, in the holy scriptures that make mention of his
son, the which was begotten of the seed of David, as pertaining to the flesh:
and declared to be the son of God with power of the holy ghost, that
sanctifieth, since the time that Iesus Christ our lord rose again from death,
by whom we have received grace and apostleship, that all gentiles should obey
to the faith which is in his name, of the which number are ye also, which are
Iesus Christe's by vocation.
To all you of Rome beloved of God, and
saints by calling. Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from
the lord Iesus Christ.
First verily I thank my God thorow Iesus
Christ for you all, because your faith is published throughout all the worlde.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit, in the gospell of his son
that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, beseeching
that at one time or another, a prosperous journey (by the will of God) might
fortune me to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I might bestow among
you some spiritual gift, to strengthen you with all (that is) that I might have
consolation together with you, through the common faith, which both ye and I
have.
I would that ye should know, brethren, how
that I have oftentimes purposed to come unto you (but have been let hitherto)
to have some fruit among you, as I have among other of the gentiles. For I am
debtor both to the greeks, and to them which are no greeks, unto the learned
and also unto the unlearned. Likewise, as much as in me is, I am ready to
preach the Gospell to you of Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospell of
Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe,
namely to the jewe, and also to the gentile. For by it the righteousness which
cometh of God is opened, from faith to faith. As it is written: The just shall
live by faith.
For the wrath of God of heaven appeareth
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men which withhold the truth in
unrighteousness, seeing that that, which may be known of God, is manifest among
them. For God did shew it unto them. For his invisible things (that is to say,
his eternal power and godhead) are understood and seen, by the works from the
creation of the world. So that they are without excuse, in as much as when they
knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but waxed full
of vanities in their imaginations. And their foolish hearts were blinded. When
they counted themselves wise, they became fools and turned the glory of the
immortal God, unto the similitude of the image of mortal man, and of birds, and
four footed beasts and serpents.
For this cause God gave them up unto their
hearts' lusts, unto uncleanness to defile their own bodies between themselves:
which turned his truth unto a lie, and worshipped and served the creatures more
then the maker, which is blessed forever Amen. For this cause God gave them up
unto shameful lusts. For even their women did change the natural use unto the
unnatural. And likewise also the men left the natural use of the woman, and
brent in lust one on another among themselves. And man with man wrought
filthiness, and received in themselves the reward of their error as it was
according.
And as it seemed not good unto them to be
aknown of God, even so God delivered them up unto a leawde mind, that they
should do those things which were not comely, being full of all unrighteous
doing, of fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, evil conditioned whisperers, backbiters, haters of God,
doers of wrong, proude, boasters, bringers up of evil things, disobedient to
fathers and mothers, without understanding, covenant breakers, unloving,
stubborn and merciless. Which men, though they knew the righteousness of God,
how that they which such things commit are worthy of death, yet not only do the
same, but also had pleasure in them that did them.
The
Second Chapter.
Therefore art thou inexcusable o man
whosoever thou be that judgest. For in the same wherein thou judgest another,
thou condemnest thyself. For thou that judgest doest even the same self things.
But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth, against them
which commit such things. Thinkest thou O thou man that judgest them which do
such things and yet doest even the very same, that thou shalt escape the
judgement of God? Other despisest thou the riches of his goodness and patience,
and long sufferance? and rememberest not how that the kindness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?
But thou after thine hard heart that cannot
repent, heapest thee together the treasure of wrath against the day of
vengeance, when shall be opened the righteous judgement of God, which will
reward every man according to his deeds, that is to say praise, honour, and
immortality, to them which continue in good doing, and seek eternal life: But
unto them that are rebellious, and disobey the truth, yet follow iniquity,
shall come indignation, and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon the soul of
every man that doth evil. Of the jewe first And also of the gentile. To every
man that doth good shall come praise, honour and peace, to the jewe first, and
also to the gentile. For there is no partiality with God: But whosoever hath
sinned without law, shall perish without law. And as many as have sinned under
the law, shall be judged by the law. For before God they are not righteous
which hear the law: but they which do the law shall be justified. For if the
gentiles which have no law, do of nature the things contained in the law: then
they having no law, are a law unto themselves, which shew the deed of the law
written in their hearts: While their conscience beareth witness unto them, and
also their thoughts, accusing one another, or excusing at the day when God
shall judge the secrets of men, by Iesus Christ according to my Gospell.
Behold, thou art called a Iewe, and trustest
in the law and rejoicest in God, and knowest his will, and hast experience of
good and bad, in that thou art informed by the law: And believest that thou
thyself art a guide unto the blind, a light to them which are in darkness, an
informer of them which lack discretion, a teacher of the unlearned, which hast
the ensample of that which ought to be known, and of the truth in the law. Now
teachest thou another: but teachest not thyself. Thou preachest, a man should
not steal: and yet thou stealest. Thou sayest, a man should not commit advoutry
and thou breakest wedlock. Thou abhorrest images, and robbest God of his
honour. Thou rejoicest in the law, and thorow breaking the law dishonourest
God. For the name of God is evil spoken of among the gentiles thorow you as it
is written.
Circumcision verily availeth if thou keep
the law: But if thou break the law thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the right things contained in the law:
shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not
uncircumcision which is by nature (if it keep the law) judge thee, which being
under the letter and circumcision, dost transgress the law? For he is not a
Iewe, which is a Iewe outward. Neither is that thing circumcision, which is
outward in the flesh: But he is a Iewe which is hid within, and the
circumcision of the heart is the true circumcision, which is in the spirit, and
not in the letter: whose praise is not of men but of God.
The Third
Chapter.
What preferment than hath the Iewe? other
what advantageth circumcision? Surely very much. First unto them was committed
the word of God. What then though some of them did not believe? shall their
unbelief make the promise of God without effect? God forbid. Let God be true,
and all men liars, as it is written: That thou mightest be justified in thy
sayings and shouldest overcome when thou art judged. If our unrighteousness
make the righteousness of God more excellent: what shall we say? Is God
unrighteous which taketh vengeance? (I speak after the manner of men.) God
forbid. For how then shall God judge the world? if the verity of God appear
more excellent thorow my lie, unto his praise, why am I hence forth judged as a
sinner? and say not rather (as men evil speak of us, and as some affirm that we
say) let us do evil, that good may come thereof. Whose damnation is just.
What say we then? Are we better than they?
no, in no wise. For we have all ready proved how that both jewes and gentiles
are all under sin, as it is written: There is none righteous, no not one: There
is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God, they are all
gone out of the way, they are all made unprofitable, there is none that doeth
good, no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues they
have deceived: the poison of Aspes is under their lips. whose mouths are full
of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and
wretchedness are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known. There
is no fear of God before their eyes.
Yea and we know that whatsoever the law
saith, he saith it to them which are under the law: That all mouths may be
stopped, and all the world be subdued to God, because that by the deeds of the
law, shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God. For by the law cometh the
knowledge of sin.
Now verily is the righteousness that cometh
of God declared with out the fulfilling of the law having witness yet of the
law, and of the prophets. The righteousness no doubt which is good before God
cometh by the faith of Iesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe.
For there is no difference, all have
sinned, and lack the praise that is of valour before God: but are justified
freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Iesu, whom God
hath made a seat of mercy thorow faith in his blood, to shew the righteousness
which before him is of valour, in that he forgiveth the sins that are passed,
which God did suffer to shew at this time: the righteousness that is allowed of
him, that he might be counted just, and a justifier of him which believeth on
Iesus.
Where is then thy rejoicing? It is
excluded. By what law? by the law of workes? Nay: but by the law of faith.
We
suppose therefore that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law. Is he the God of the jewes only? Is he not also the God of the gentiles?
He is no doubt, God also of the gentiles. For it is God only which justifieth
circumcision, which is of faith: and uncircumcision thorow faith. Do we then
destroy the law thorow faith? God forbid. We rather maintain the law.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
What shall we say then, that Abraham our
father as pertaining to the flesh did find? If Abraham were justified by deeds,
then hath he wherein to rejoice: but not with God. For what saith the
scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of favour: but of duty. To him
that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, is faith
counted for righteousness. Even as David describeth the blessedfulness of a
man, unto whom good {God} ascribeth righteousness without deeds: Blessed are they,
whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is
that man to whom the lord imputeth not sin.
Came this blessedness then upon the
circumcised or upon the uncircumcised? We say verily how that faith was
reckoned to Abraham, for righteousness. How was it reckoned? in the time of
circumcision? or in the time before he was circumcised? Not in time of
circumcision: but when he was yet uncircumcised. And he received the sign of
circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness which is by faith, which faith he
had yet being uncircumcised, that he should be the father of all them that
believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to
them also, And that he might be the father of the circumcised: not because they
are circumcised only: but because they walk also in the steps of that faith,
which was in our father Abraham before the time of circumcision.
For the promise that he should be heir of
the world was not given to Abraham, or to his seed thorow the law: but thorow
the righteousness which cometh of faith. For if they which are of the law be
heirs, then is faith but vain, and the promise of none effect. Because the law
causeth wrath. For where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore by
faith is the inheritance given, that it might come of favour: and that the
promise might be sure to all the seed. Not to them only which are of the law:
but also to them which are of the faith of Abraham, which is the father of us
all. As it is written: I have ordained thee a father to many nations, before
God whom thou hast believed, which quickeneth the dead and calleth those things
which be not as though they were.
Which Abraham, contrary to hope, believed
in hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which
was spoken: So shall thy seed be. And he fainted not in the faith, nor yet
considered his own body, which was now dead, even when he was almost an hundred
year old. Neither considered he the barrenness of Sara. He staggered not at the
promise of God thorow unbelief: But was made strong in the faith, and gave
honour to God and steadfastly believed, that he which had made the promised was
able also to make it good. And therefore was it reckoned to him for
righteousness.
It is not written for him only, that it was
reckoned to him for righteousness: but also for us, to whom it shall be counted
for righteousness so we believe on him that raised, up Iesus our lord from
death. Which was delivered for our sins, and rose again for to justify us.
The .v.
Chapter.
Because therefore that we are justified by
faith we are at peace with God thorow our lord Iesus Christ: by whom we have a
way in thorow faith unto this faveour wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of
the praise that shall be given of God. Neither do we so only: but also we
rejoice in tribulation: For we know that tribulation bringeth patience,
patience bringeth feeling, feeling bringeth hope. and hope maketh not ashamed,
because the love that God hath unto us, is shed abroad in our hearts, by the
holy ghost, which is given unto us.
For when we were yet weak according to the
time: Christ died for us which were ungodly. Yet scarce will any man die for a
righteous man. Peradventure for a good man durst a man die. But God setteth out
his love that he hath to us, Seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us. Much more then now (seeing we are justified in his blood) shall we be
preserved from wrath thorow him.
For if when we were enemies, we were
reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more, seeing we are reconciled,
we shall be preserved by his life. Not only so, but we also joy in God by the
means of our lord Iesus Christ, by whom we have received this atonement.
Wherefore as by one man sin entered into
the worlde, and death by the means of sin. And so death went over all men,
insomuch that all men sinned. For even unto the time of the law was sin in the
worlde: but sin was not regarded, as long as there was no law: nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them also that sinned not, with
like transgression as did Adam: which is the similitude of him that was {is} to come.
But the gift is not like as the sin. For if
thorow the sin of one, many be dead: much more plenteous upon many was the
faveour of God and gift by faveour: which faveour was given by one man Iesus
Christ.
And the gift is not over one sin, as death
came thorow one sin of one that sinned. For damnation came of one sin unto
condemnation: But the gift came to justify from many sins. For if by the sin of
one, death reigned by the means of one, much more shall they which receive
abundance of faveour and of the gift of righteousness reign in life by the
means of one (that is to say) Iesus Christe.
Likewise then as by the sin of one,
condemnation came on all men: even so by the justifying of one cometh the
righteousness that bringeth life, upon all men. For as by one man's
disobedience many became sinners: so by the obedience of one shall many be made
righteous.
The law in the mean time entered in that
sin should increase. And where abundance of sin was, there was more
plenteousness of grace. That as sin had reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign thorow righteousness unto eternal life, by the help of Iesu Christ.
The .vj.
Chapter.
What shall we say then? shall we continue
in sin, that there may be abundance of grace? God forbid. How shall we that are
dead as touching sin live any longer therein? Remember ye not that all we which
are baptised in the name of Christ Iesu, are baptised to die with him? We are
buried with him by baptism for to die: That as Christ was raised up from death
by the glory of the father: even so we also should walk in a new life. For if
we be graft in death like unto him: even so must we be in the resurrection.
This we must remember, that our old man is crucified with him also, that the
body of sin might utterly be destroyed, that henceforth we should not be
servants of sin. For he that is dead, is justified from sin.
Wherefore if we be dead with Christ, we
believe that we shall live with him: remembering that Christ once raised from
death, dieth no more. Death hath no more power over him. For as touching that
he died, he died as concerning sin once. And as touching that he liveth, he
liveth unto God. Likewise imagine ye also, that ye are dead concerning sin: but
are alive unto God thorow Iesus Christ our lord. Let not sin reign therefore in
your mortal bodies, that ye should thereunto obey in the lusts of it. Neither
give ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: But give
yourselves unto God, as they that are alive from death. And give your members
as instruments of righteousness unto God. Sin shall not have power over you.
For ye are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? Shall we sin, because we are not
under the law: but under grace? God forbid. Remember ye not how that to
whomsoever ye commit yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey: whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness? God be thanked. Ye were once the servants of sin: But now have
obeyed with your hearts unto the form of doctrine where unto ye were delivered.
Ye are then made free from sin, and are become the servants of righteousness.
I
will speak grossly because of the infirmity of your flesh. As ye have given
your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, from iniquity unto
iniquity: even so now give your members servants unto righteousness, that ye
may be sanctified. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were not under
righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things, where of ye are now
ashamed. For the end of those things is death. But now are ye delivered from
sin, and made the servants of God, and have your fruit that ye should be
sanctified, and the end everlasting life. For the reward of sin is death: but
eternal life is the gift of God, thorow Iesus Christ our lord.
The .vij.
Chapter.
Remember ye not brethren (I speak to them
that know the law) how that the law hath power over a man as long as it
endureth: For the woman which is in subjection to a man, is bound by the law to
the man, as long as he liveth. If the man be dead, she is lowsed from the law
of the man. So then if while the man liveth she couple herself with another
man, she shall be counted a wedlock breaker. But if the man be dead she is free
from the law: so that she is no wedlock breaker, though she couple herself with
another man.
Even so ye my brethren, ye also are made
dead as concerning the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be coupled to
another (I mean to him that is risen again from death) that we should bring
forth fruit unto God. When we were in the flesh, the lusts of sin which were
stirred up by the law, reigned in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death.
But now are we delivered from the law, and dead from it, whereunto we were in
bondage, that we should serve in a new conversation of the spirit, and not in
the old conversation of the letter.
What shall we say then? is the law sin? God
forbid: but I knew not what sin meant but by the law. For I had not known what
lust had meant, except the law had said, thou shalt not lust. But sin took an
occasion by the means of the commandment, and wrought in me all manner of
concupiscence. For verily without the law sin was dead. I once lived without
law: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I was dead. And the very
same commandment which was ordained unto life, was found to be unto me an
occasion of death. For sin took occasion by the means of the commandment and so
deceived me, and by the self commandment slew me. Wherefore the law is holy,
and the commandment holy, just, and good.
Was that then which is good made death unto
me? God forbid. Nay sin was death unto me, that it might appear how that sin by
the means of that which is good, had wrought death in me: that sin which is
under the commandment, might be out of measure sinful. For we know that the law
is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin: because I wot not what I do. For
what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I. If I do now that which
I would not, I grant to the law that it is good. So then now it is not I that
do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is to say in my
flesh) dwelleth no good thing. To will is present with me: but I find no means
to perform that which is good. For I do not that good thing which I would: but
that evil do I, which I would not. Finally, if I do that I would not, then is
it not I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me doeth it. I find then by the
law that when I would do good, evil is present with me. I delight in the law of
God, as concerning the inner man. But I see another law in my members rebelling
against the law of my mind, and subduing me unto the law of sin, which is in my
members. O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me from this body of
death? I thank God by Iesus Christ our lord: So then I myself in my mind serve
the law of God, and in my flesh the law of sin.
The
.viij. Chapter.
There is then no damnation to them which
are in Christ Iesu, which walk not after the flesh: but after the spirit. For
the law of the spirit, wherein is life thorow Iesus Christ hath delivered me
from the law of sin, and death. For what the law could not do in as much as it
was weak because of the flesh: that performed God, and sent his son in the
similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh: that the
righteousness required of the law, might be fulfilled in us, which walk not
after the flesh: but after the spirit.
For they that are carnal, are carnally
minded. and they that are spiritual are ghostly minded. To be carnally minded
is death. and to be spiritually minded is life, and peace: because that the fleshly
mind is emnity against God: For it is not obedient to the law of God, neither
can be. So then they that are given to the flesh, cannot please God.
But ye are not given to the flesh, But to
the spirit: If so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. If there be any man
that hath not the spirit of Christ, the same is none of his. If Christ be in
you, the body is dead because of sin: But the spirit is life for righteousness'
sake. Wherefore if the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from death, dwell in
you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal
bodies, because that his spirit dwelleth in you.
Therefore brethren we are now debtors, not
to the flesh, to live after the flesh: For if ye live after the flesh, ye must
die. But if ye mortify the deeds of the body, by the help of the spirit, ye
shall live, for as many as are led by the spirit of God, are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear any more, but ye have
received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father. The same spirit
certifieth our spirit that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, we are also
heirs (the heirs I mean of God) and heirs annexed with Christ, if so be that we
suffer together, that we may be glorified together.
For I suppose that the afflictions of this
life, are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed upon us. Also the
fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall
appear because the creatures are subdued to vanity against their will: but for
his will which subdued them in hope. For the very creatures shall be delivered
from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain
even unto this time.
Not they only, but even we also which have
the first fruits of the spirit mourn in ourselves and wait for the adoption,
and look for the deliverance of our bodies. For we are saved by hope. But hope
that is seen is no hope. For how can a man hope for that which he seeth? but
and if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience abide for it.
Likewise the spirit also helpeth our
infirmities. For we know not, what to desire as we ought: but the spirit maketh
intercession mightily for us with groanings which cannot be expressed with
tongue. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the meaning of the
spirit: for he maketh intercession for the saints according to the pleasure of
God. For we know well that all things work for the best unto them that love
God, which also are called of purpose. For those which he knew before, he also
ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son,
that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren. Moreover which he
appointed before, them he also called. And which he called, them also he
justified. which he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say unto these things?
if God be on our side: who can be against us? which spared not his own son, but
gave him for us all: How shall he not with him give us all things also? Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God's chosen? It is God that justifieth:
who then shall condemn? it is Christ which is dead, Ye rather which is risen again,
which is also on the right hand of God and maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from God's love?
shall tribulation? or anguish? or persecution, other hunger? other nakedness?
other peril? other sword? As it is written: For thy sake are we killed all day
long, and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. Nevertheless in all these
things we overcome strongly thorow his help that loved us. Yea and I am sure
that neither death, neither life, neither angell, nor rule, neither power, neither
things present, neither things to come, neither heyth, neither lowth, neither
any other creature shall be able to depart us from God's love, which is in
Christ Iesu our lord.
The .ix.
Chapter.
I Say the truth in Christ and lie not, in
that whereof my conscience beareth me witness in the holy ghost, that I have
great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart. For I have wished myself to
be cursed from Christ for my brethren, which are my kinsmen as pertaining to
the flesh. Which are the Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the testaments, and the ordinance of the law, and the service of
God, and the promises, whose also are the fathers, and they of whom (as
concerning the flesh) Christ came: which is God over all things blessed forever
Amen.
I speak not these things as though the
words of God had took none effect. For they are not all Israelites which came
of Israhel, Neither are they all children straightway because they are the seed
of Abraham: But in Isaac shall thy seed be called, that is to say, They which
are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God. But the children of
promise are counted the seed. For this is a word of promise, about this time
will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
Neither was it to with her only: but also
when Rebecca was with child by one, I mean by our father Isaac, yer the
children were born, when they had neither done good neither bad (that the
purpose of God which is by election, might stand) it was said unto her, not by
the reason of works, but by grace of the caller, the elder shall serve the
younger. As it is written: Iacob he loved, but Esau he hated.
What shall we say then? is there any
unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses: I will shew mercy
to whom I shew mercy: And will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So
lieth it not then in a man's will, or running, but in the mercy of God. For the
scripture saith unto Pharaoh: Even for this same purpose have I stirred thee
up, to shew my power on thee, and that my name might be declared thorowout all
the world. So hath he mercy on whom he will. And whom he will he maketh hard
hearted.
Thou wilt say then unto me: why then
blameth he us yet? For who can resist his will? But o man what art thou, which
disputest with God? shall the work say to the workman: why hast thou made me on
this fashion? Hath not the potter power over the clay, even of the same lump to
make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Even so, God willing
to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, suffered with long patience the
vessels of wrath, ordained to damnation, that he might declare the riches of
his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared unto glory: that is to
say, us which he called, not of the jewes only, but also of the gentiles. As he
saith in Osee: I will call them my people which were not my people: and her
beloved which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it
was said unto them: Ye are not my people, that there shall be called the sons
of the living God.
But Esaias crieth for Israhel, though the
number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet shall a remnant
be saved. He finisheth the work verily and maketh it short in righteousness.
For a short word will God make on earth. And as Esaias said before: Except the
lord of saboth had left us seed, we had been made as Zodoma, and had been
likened to Gomorra.
What shall we say then? we say that the
gentiles which followed not righteousness, have overtaken righteousness I mean
the righteousness which cometh of faith. But Israel which followed the law of
righteousness, could not attain unto the law of righteousness. And wherefore?
Because they sought it not by faith: but as it were by the works of the law.
For they have stumbled at the stumbling stone. As it is written: Behold I put
in Syon a stumbling stone, and a rock which shall make men fall. And none that
believe on him, shall be ashamed.
The .x.
Chapter.
Brethren my heart's desire, and prayer to
God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they
have a fervent mind to Godward, but not according to knowledge. For they are
ignorant of the righteousness which is allowed before God, and go about to
establish their own righteousness and therefore are not obedient unto the
righteousness which is of value before God. For Christ is the end of the law to
justify all that believe.
Moses describeth the righteousness which
cometh of the law, how that the man which doth the things of the law shall live
therein. But the righteousness which cometh of faith, speaketh on this wise:
Say not in thine heart: who shall ascend into heaven? (That is nothing else
than to fetch Christ down.) Other who shall descend into the deep? That is
nothing else but to fetch up Christ from death. But what saith the scripture?
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thine heart.
This word is the word of faith which we
preach. For if thou shalt knowledge with thy mouth that Iesus is the lord, and
shalt believe with thine heart that God raised him up from death, thou shalt be
safe. For the belief of the heart justifieth: and to knowledge with the mought
maketh a man safe. For the scripture saith: whosoever believeth on him, shall
not be ashamed.
There is no difference between the jewe and
the gentile. For one is lord of all, which is rich unto all that call on him.
For whosoever shall call on the name of the lord shall be safe. How shall they
call on him, on whom they believed not? how shall they believe on him of whom
they have not heard? how shall they hear with out a preacher? And how shall
they preach except they be sent? As it is written: how beautiful are the feet
of them which bring glad tidings of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things. But they have not all obeyed to the gospell. For Esaias saith: lord who
shall believe our sayings? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing cometh
by the word of God. But I ask: have they not heard? No doubt, their sound went
out into all lands: and their words into the ends of the world.
But I demand whether Israhel did know or
not? First Moses saith: I will provoke you for to envy by them that are no
people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. Esaias after that is bold and
saith. I am found of them that sought me not, and have appeared to them that
asked not after me. And against Israhel he saith: All day long have I stretched
forth my hands unto a people that believeth not, but speaketh against me.
The .xj.
Chapter.
I say then: hath God cast away his people?
God forbid. For even I verily am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham, and of
the tribe of Benjamin, God hath not cast away his people which he knew before.
Other wot ye not what the scripture saith by the mouth of Helias, how he spake
to God against Israhel, saying: lord they have killed thy prophets and digged
down thine altars: and I am left only, and they seek my death. But what saith
the answer of God to him again? I have reserved unto me seven thousand men
which have not bowed their knees to baal. Even so at this time is there a
remnant left thorow the election of grace. If it be of grace then is it not by
the deserving of works. For then were faveour no more faveour. If it be by the
deserving of works, then is there no faveour. For then were deserving no
deserving.
What then? Israhel hath not obtained that
that he sought. No but yet the election hath obtained it. The remnant are
blinded, according as it is written: God hath given them the spirit of
unquietness: eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear,
even unto this day. And David saith: Let their table be made a snare to take
them with all, and an occasion to fall, and a reward unto them. Let their eyes
be blinded that they see not: and ever bow down their backs.
I say then: Have they therefore stumbled
that they should but fall only? God forbid: but thorow their fall is health
happened unto the gentiles for to provoke them with all. Wherefore if the fall
of them, be the riches of the world: and the minishing of them the riches of
the gentiles: How much more should it be so if they all believed. I speak to
you gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the gentiles I will magnify mine
office that might provoke them which are my flesh: and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them, be the reconciling of the worlde: what shall
the receiving of them be, but life again from death? For if one piece be holy,
the whole heap is holy. And if the root be holy, the branches are holy also.
Though some of the branches be broken off,
and thou being a wild olive tree art graft in among them, and made part taker
of the root, and fatness of the olive tree, boast not thyself against the
branches. For if thou boast thyself, remember that thou bearest not the root,
but the root thee. Thou wilt say then: the branches are broken off, that I
might be graft in. Thou sayest well: because of unbelief they are broken off,
and thou standest steadfast in faith. Be not high minded, but fear: seeing that
God spared not the natural branches, lest haply he also spare not thee.
Behold the kindness and rigorousness of
God: on them which fell, rigorousness: but towards thee kindness, if thou
continue in his kindness. Or else thou shalt be hewn off, and they if they bide
not still in unbelief shall be grafted in again. For God is of power to graft
them in again. For if thou wast cut out of a natural wild olive tree, and wast
graffed contrary to nature in a true olive tree: how much more shall the
natural branches be graffed in their own olive tree again.
I would not that this secret should be hid
from you my brethren (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that partly
blindness is happened in Israhell, until the fullness of the gentiles be come
in. And so all Israhell shall be saved. As it is written: There shall come out
of Sion he that doth deliver, and shall turn away the ungodliness of Iacob. And
this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning
the gospell, They are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election,
they are loved for the fathers' sakes.
For verily the gifts and calling of God are
such, that it cannot repent him of them, for look, as ye in time passed have
not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy thorow their unbelief: even so
now have they not believed the mercy which is happened unto you, That they also
may obtain mercy. God hath wrapped all nations in unbelief, that he might have
mercy on all. O the deepness of the abundant wisdom and knowledge off God: how
incomprehensible are his judgements, and his ways unsearchable. For who hath
known the mind of the lord? or who was his counsellor? other who hath given
unto him first, that he might be recompensed again? For of him, and thorow him,
and unto him are all things. To him be glory forever Amen.
The .xij.
Chapter.
I beseech you therefore brethren by the
mercifulness of God that ye make your bodies a quick sacrifice, holy and acceptable
unto God which is your reasonable serving of God. and fashion not yourselves
like unto this worlde: But be ye changed in your shape, by the renewing of your
wits, that ye may feel what thing that good, that acceptable, and perfect will
of God is. For I say (thorow the grace that unto me given is) to every man
among you, that no man esteem of himself more than it becometh him to esteem:
But that he discreetly judge of himself according as God hath dealt to every
man the measure of faith.
As we have many members in one body: and
all members have not one office: So we being many are one body in Christ: and
every man (among ourselves) one another's members. Seeing that we have divers
gifts according to the grace that is given unto us, if any man have the gift of
prophecy, let him have it that it be agreeing unto the faith. Let him that hath
an office, wait on his office. Let him that teacheth take heed to his doctrine.
Let him that exhorteth give attendance to his exhortation. If any man give, let
him do it with singleness. Let him that ruleth do it with diligence. If any man
shew mercy let him do it with cheerfulness.
Let love be without dissimulation. Hate
that which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good. Be kind one to another,
with brotherly love. In giving honour go one before another. Let not that
business which ye have in hand be tedious to you. Be fervent in the spirit.
Apply yourselves to the time. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation,
continue in prayer. Distribute unto the necessity of the saints. Bless them
which persecute you: bless but curse not. Be merry with them that are merry.
Weep with them that weep. Be of like affection one towards another. Be not high
minded, but make yourselves equal to them of the lower sort. Be not wise in
your own opinions. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide aforehand things
honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, yet on your part have peace
with all men.
Derly beloved avenge not yourselves but
give room unto the wrath of God. For it is written: vengeance is mine, and I
will reward saith the lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him:
if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on
his head: Be not overcome of evil: But overcome evil with goodness.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
Let every soul submit himself unto the
authority of the higher powers. There is no power but of God. The powers that
be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the
ordinance of God. They that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. For
rulers are not to be feared for good works but for evil. Wilt thou be without
fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same. For
he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear:
for he beareth not a sword for nought. for he is the minister of God, to take
vengeance on them that do evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not for fear of
vengeance only: but also because of conscience. Even for this cause pay ye
tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose.
Give to every man therefore his duetie:
Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom
fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth. Owe no thing to any man: but
to love one another. For he that loveth another, fulfilleth the law. For these
commandments: Thou shalt not commit advoutry: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt
not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not desire: and so
forth if there be any other commandment, are all comprehended in this saying:
Love thine neighbor as thyself. Love hurteth not his neighbor: Therefore is
love the fulfilling of the law.
This also we know, I mean the season, how
that it is time that we should now awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed. The night is passed and the day is come nigh. Let
us therefore cast away the deeds of darkness, and let us put on the armour of
light. Let us walk honestly as it were in the daylight: not in eating and
drinking: neither in chambering and wantonness: neither in strife and envying:
but put ye on the lord Iesus Christ. And make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfill the lusts of it.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
Him that
is weak in the faith, receive unto you, not in disputing and troubling his
conscience. One believeth that he may eat all things. Another which is weak
eateth herbs, Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not. And let not
him which eateth not judge him that eateth. For God hath received him. What art
thou that judgest another man's servant? Whether he stand or fall, that
pertaineth unto his master. Yee, he shall stand. For God is able to make him
stand.
This man putteth difference between day and
day: another man counteth all days alike. See that no man waver in his own
mind. He that observeth one day more than another, doth it for the lord's
pleasure. And he that observeth not one day more than another, doth it to
please the lord, for he giveth God thanks. and he that eateth not, eateth not
to please the lord with all, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth his
own servant: and also none of us dieth his own servant. If we live, we live to
be at the lord's will. And if we die, we die at the lord's will. Whether we
live therefore or die, we are the lord's. For Christ therefore died and rose
again, and revived, that he might be lord both of dead and quick.
But why doest thou then judge thy brother?
other why dost thou despise thy brother? We shall all be brought before the
judgement seat of Christ. For it is written: As truly as I live saith the lord,
all knees shall bow to me, and all tongues shall give a knowledge to God. So
shall every one of us give accounts of himself to God. Let us not therefore,
judge one another any more.
But judge this rather, that no man put a
stumbling block, or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. For I know, and
surely believe in the lord Iesus, that there is nothing common of itself: but
unto him that judgeth it to be common, to him it is common. If thy brother be
grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with
thy meat, for whom Christ died. Suffer ye not that your treasure be evil spoken
of. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and
joy, in the holy ghost. For whosoever in these things serveth Christ, pleaseth
well God: and is commended of men.
Let us follow those things which make for
peace: and things wherewith one may edify another. Destroy not the work of God
for a little meat's sake. All things are pure: but it is evil for that man,
which eateth with hurt of his conscience. It is good neither to eat flesh,
neither to drink wine, neither anything, whereby thy brother stumbleth, other
falleth, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it with thyself before God.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. For he
that maketh conscience, is damned if he eat: Because he doth it not of faith.
For whatsoever is not of faith, that same is sin.
The .xv.
Chapter.
We which are strong ought to bear the
frailness of them which are weak, and not to stand in our own conceits. Let
every man please his neighbor unto his wealth and edifying. For Christ pleased
not himself: but as it is written: The rebukes of them which rebuked thee, fell
on me. Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning
that we thorow patience and comfort of the scripture should have hope.
God which is lord of patience and
consolation, give unto every one of you, that ye be like likeminded one towards
another after the ensample of Iesu Christ, that ye all agreeing together, may
with one mouth praise God the father of our lord Iesus. Wherefore receive ye
one another as Christ received us, to the praise of God.
And I say that Iesus Christ was a minister
of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the
fathers. And let the gentiles praise God for his mercy. As it is written: For
this cause I will praise thee among the gentiles, and sing in thy name. And
again he saith: ye gentiles rejoice with his people. Again, praise the lord all
ye gentiles, and laud him all nations. And in another place Esaias saith: there
shall be the root of Iesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the gentiles:
in him shall the gentiles trust. The God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that ye may be rich in hope thorow the power of the holy
ghost.
I myself am full certified of you my
brethren that ye yourselves are full of goodness, and filled with all
knowledge, and are able to counsel one another. Nevertheless brethren I have
somewhat boldly written unto you, as one that putteth you in remembrance, for
the grace which is given me of God for this purpose that I should be the
minister of Iesu Christ among the gentiles, and should minister the glad
tidings of God, that the gentiles might be an acceptable offering, sanctified
by the holy ghost. I have therefore whereof I may rejoice in Christ Iesu, in
those things which pertain to God. For I dare not speak of any of those things
which Christ hath not wrought by me (to make the gentiles obedient) with word
and deed, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God, so
that from Ierusalem and the coasts round about, unto Illiricum, I have filled
all countries with glad tidings of Christ.
So have I enforced myself to preach the
gospell, not where Christ was named, lest I should have built on another man's
foundation: but as it is written: To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see:
and they that heard not, shall understand. For this cause I have been ofte let
to come unto you: but now seeing I have no more to do in these countries, and
also have been desirous many years to come unto you, when I shall take my
journey into Spayne, I will come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and
to be brought on my way thitherward by you after that I have somewhat enjoyed
you.
Now go I unto Ierusalem, and minister unto
the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain
distribution upon the poor saints which are at Ierusalem. It hath pleased them
verily, and their debtors are they. For if the gentiles be made partakers of
their spiritual things, their duty is to minister unto them in carnal things.
When I have performed this, and have shewed them this fruit, I will come back
again by you into Spayne. And I am sure when I come, that I shall come with
abundance of the blessing of the gospell of Christ.
I beseech you brethren for our lord Iesu
Christe's sake, and for the love of the spirit, that ye help me in my business,
with your prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from them which
believe not in Iewry. and that this my service, which I have to Ierusalem, may
be accepted of the saints, that I may come unto you with joy, by the will of
God, and may with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with all you Amen.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
I commend unto you Phebe our sister (which
is a minister of the congregation of Cencrea) that ye receive her in the lord
as it becometh saints, and that ye assist her, in whatsoever business she
needeth of your aid. For she hath succoured many, and mine own self also. Greet
Prisca and Aquila my helpers in Christ Iesu, which have for my life laid down
their own necks. Unto whom not I only give thanks: but also the congregations
of the gentiles. Likewise greet all the company that is in their house. Salute
my well beloved Epenetes, which is the firstfruit among them of Achaia. Greet
Mary which bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus, and Iunia my cousins,
which were prisoners with me also, which are well taken among the apostles, and
were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the lord. Salute Urban
our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apellas approved in
Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobolus' household. Salute Herodion my
kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus which are in the lord. Salute
Triphena and Triphosa, which women did labour in the lord. Salute the beloved
Persis, which laboured much in the lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the lord, and
his mother and mine. Greet Asincritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Mercurius,
and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus and Iulia, Nereus and
his sister, and Olimpha, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one
another among yourselves with an holy kiss. The congregations of Christ salute
you.
I beseech you brethren mark them which
cause division, and give occasions of evil contrary to the doctrine which ye
have learned: and avoid them. For they that are such serve not the lord Iesus
Christ: but their own bellies. And with sweet preachings and flattering words
deceive the hearts of the innocents: for your obedience is spoken of among all
men. I am glad no doubt of you. But yet I would have you wise unto that which
is good. And to be innocent as concerning evil. The God of peace tread Satan
under your feet in short time. The grace of our lord Iesu Christ be with you.
Timotheus my work fellow, and Lucius, and
Iason, and Sopater, my kinsmen salute you. I Tercius salute you, which wrote
this epistle in the lord. Gaius mine host and the host of all the
congregations, saluteth you. Erastus saluteth you, the chamberlain of the city.
And Quartus a brother, saluteth you. The grace of our lord Iesu Christ be with
you all Amen.
To him that is of power to establish you
according to my gospell, wherewith I preach Iesus Christ, in opening of the
mystery which was kept close since the world began, and now is opened at this
time and declared in the scriptures of prophecy, at the commandment of the
everlasting God, to stir up obedience to the faith published among all nations:
To the same God, which alone is wise, be praise thorow Iesus Christ for ever
Amen.
To the
Romayns. Sent from Corrinthum by Phebe, she that was the minister unto the
congregacion at Chenchrea.
The first
pistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians
The first
Chapter.
Paul by vocation an Apostle of Iesus Christ
thorow the will of God, and brother Sostenes. Unto the congregation of God
which is at Corinthum. To them that are sanctified in Iesus Christ, saints by
calling, with all that call on the name of our lord Iesus Christ in every
place, both of theirs and of ours.
Grace be with you and peace from God our
father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf for
the faveour of God which is given you by Iesus Christ, that in all things ye
are made rich by him, in all speach and in all knowledge (even as the testimony
of Iesus Christ was confirmed in you,) so that ye are behind in no gift, and
wait for the appearing of our lord Iesus Christ which shall strength you unto
the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our lord Iesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto
the fellowship of his son Iesus Christ our lord.
I beseech you brethren in the name of our
lord Iesus Christ, that ye all speak one thing, and that there be no dissension
among you: but be ye perfect in one mind, and one meaning: It is shewed unto me
(my brethren) of you by them that are of the house of Cloe, that there is
strife among you, I speak of that which everyone of you sayth: I hold of Paul,
Another sayth: I hold of apollo: Another saith: I hold of Cephas: and another
saith I hold of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? other
were ye baptised in the name of Paul? I thank God that I christened none of you,
but Crispus and Gaius, lest any should say that I in mine own name had
baptised. I baptised also the house of Stephana. Furthermore know I not whether
I baptised any man or no.
For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to
preach the gospell, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should
have been made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it
is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will cast away the
understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise man? where is the scribe?
where is the searcher of this world? Hath not God made the wisdom of this world
foolishness?
For when the world thorow wisdom knew not
God, in the wisdom of God: it pleased God thorow foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe. For the jews require a sign, and the greeks seek after
wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the jews an occasion of falling
and unto the greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called both of Iews
and greeks we preach Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
For Godly foolishness is wiser than men:
And Godly weakness is stronger than are men.
Brethren look on your calling how that not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many of high degree are
called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the
wise. And hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound things which
are mighty. And vile things of the world, and things which are despised, hath
God chosen yee and things of no reputation, for to bring to nought things of
reputation, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence. And unto him pertain
ye, in Christ Iesu, which of God is made unto us wisdom, and also
righteousness, and sanctifying, and redemption. That according as it is
written: he which rejoiceth, should rejoice in the lord.
The .ij.
Chapter.
And I brethren when I came to you, came not
in gloriousness of words or of wisdom, shewing unto you the testimony of God.
Neither shewed I myself that I knew any thing among you save Iesus Christ, even
the same that was crucified. And I was among you in weakness, and in fear, and
in much trembling. And my words, and my preaching were not with enticing words
of man's wisdom: but in shewing of the spirit and of power, that your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men: but in the power of God.
We speak that which is wisdom among them
that are perfect: not the wisdom of this world neither of the rulers of this
world (which goeth to nought,) but we speak the wisdom of God, which is in
secret and lieth hid, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which
wisdom none of the rulers of the world knew. For had they known it, they would
not have crucified the lord of glory: but as it is written: The eye hath not
seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath opened them unto us by his
spirit. For the spirit searcheth all things, yee the bottom of God's secrets.
For what man knoweth the things of a man: save the spirit of a man which is
within him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God.
And we have not received the spirit of the world: but the spirit which cometh
of God, for to know the things that are given to us of God, which things also
we speak, not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words
of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things. For the
natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God: For they are but
foolishness unto him. Neither can he perceive them because he is spiritually
examined: but he that is spiritual discusseth all things: yet he himself is
judged of no man. For who knoweth the mind of the lord, other who shall inform
him? but we understand the mind of Christ.
The .iij.
Chapter.
And I could not speak unto you brethren as
unto spiritual: but as unto carnal, even as it were unto babes in Christ. I
gave you milk to drink and not meat. For ye then were not strong, no neither
yet are strong. For ye are yet carnal. As long verily as there is among you
envying, strife and dissension: are ye not carnal, and walk after the manner of
men? As long as one saith: I hold of Paul, and another, I am of apollo, are ye
not carnal? What is Paul? what thing is apollo? but ministers by whom ye
believed even as the lord gave every man grace. I have planted: Apollo watered:
but God gave increase. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither
he that watereth: but God which gave the increase.
He that planteth, and he that watereth, are
neither better than the other. Every man yet shall receive his reward according
to his labour. We are God's laborers: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's
building. According to the grace of God given unto me, as a wise builder have I
laid the foundation, another hath built thereon: but let every man take heed how
he buildeth upon. For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid,
which is Iesus Christ. If any man build on this foundation, gold, silver,
precious stones, timber, hay, or stubble: every man's work shall appear. For
the day shall declare it, and it shall be shewed in fire, and the fire shall
try every man's work what it is. If any man's work that he hath built upon,
bide, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss:
but he shall be safe himself: nevertheless yet as it were thorow fire.
Are ye not ware that ye are the temple of
God, and how that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the
temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which
temple are ye. Let no man deceive himself. If any man seem wise among you, let
him be a fool in this world, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world
is foolishness with God. For it is written: he compasseth the wise in their
craftiness. And again, God knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they be vain.
Therefore let no man rejoice in men. For all things are yours, whether it be
Paul, other Apollo, either Cephas: whether it be the world, either life, either
death, whether they be present things or things to come: all are yours, and ye
are Christe's, and Christ is God's.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Let men this wise esteem us, even as the
ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God. Furthermore it is
required of the disposers that they be found faithful. With me is it but a very
small thing, that I should be judged of you, either of man's day. No I judge
not mine own self. I know nought by myself: yet am I not thereby justified. It
is the lord that judgeth me. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the
lord come, which will lighten things that are hid in darkness: and open the
counsels of the hearts. And then shall every man have praise of God.
These things brethren I have described in
mine own person, and Apollos: for your sakes, that ye might learn by us that no
man count of himself beyond that which is above written: that one swell not
against another for any man's cause. For who preferreth thee? What hast thou,
that thou hast not received? if thou have received it: why rejoicest thou as
though thou haddest not received it? Now ye are full: now ye are made rich: ye
reign as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we might reign
with you.
Me thinketh that God hath shewed us which
are apostles, for the hindmost of all, as it were men appointed to death. For
we are a gazingstock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men, we are
fools for Christe's sake, and ye are wise thorow Christ: we are weak, and ye
are strong. Ye are honorable, and we are despised. Even unto this day we hunger
and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain
dwelling place, and labour working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet
we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of, and we pray.
We are made as it were the filthiness of the world, the offscouring of all
things, even unto this time.
I write not these things to shame you: but
as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in
Christ: yet have ye not many fathers. In Christ Iesu, I have begotten you
thorow the gospell. Wherefore I desire you to counterfeit me. For this cause
have I sent unto you Timotheus, which is my dear son, and faithful in the lord,
which shall put you in remembrance of my ways which I have in Christ, even as I
teach everywhere in all congregations. Some swell as though I would come no
more at you: but I will come to you shortly, if God will, and will know, not
the words of them which swell, but the power. For the Kingdom of God is not in
words, but in power. What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or else in
love, and in the spirit of meekness?
The .v.
Chapter.
There goeth a common saying that there is
fornication among you, and such fornication as is not once named among the
gentiles: that one should have his father's wife. And ye swell and have not
rather sorrowed, that he which hath done this deed might be put from among you.
For I verily as absent in body, even so present in spirit, have determined
already (as though I were present) of him that hath done this deed, in the name
of our lord Iesu Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the
power of the lord Iesus Christ, to deliver him unto Satan, for the destruction
of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the lord Iesus.
Your rejoicing is not good. Know ye not
that a little leaven sowereth the whole lump of dough? Purge therefore the old
leaven, that ye may be new dough as ye are sweet bread. For Christ our ester
lamb is offered up for us. Therefore let us keep holyday, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of maliciousness and wickedness but with the sweet
bread of pureness and truth.
I wrote unto you in the pistel that ye
should not company with fornicators. And I meant not at all of the fornicators
of this world, either of the covetous, or of extortioners, either of idolaters:
for then must ye needs have gone out of the world: but now I have written unto
you that ye company not together. If any that is called a brother, be a
fornicator, or covetous, or a worshipper of images, either a railer, either a
drunkard, or an extortioner: with him that is such see ye eat not. For what
have I to do to judge them which are without? Do ye not judge them that are
within? Them that are without, God shall judge. Put away from among you that
evil person.
The .vj.
Chapter.
How dare one of you having business with
another, go to law under the wicked? and not rather under the saints? Do ye not
know that the saints shall judge the world? If the world shall be judged by
you: are ye not good enough to judge small trifles. Know ye not how that we
shall judge the angels? How much more may we judge things that pertain to the
life? If ye have judgements of worldly matters, take them which are despised in
the congregation, and make them judges. This I say to your shame. Is there
utterly no wise man among you? what not one at all? that can judge between
brother and brother? but one brother goeth to law with another: and that under
the unbelievers?
Now therefore there is utterly a fault
among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why rather suffer ye not
wrong? why rather suffer ye not yourselves to be robbed? Nay ye yourselves do
wrong, and rob: and that the brethren. Do ye not remember how that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. For neither
fornicators, neither worshippers of images, neither whoremongers, neither
weaklings, neither abusers of themselves with mankind, neither thieves, neither
the covetous, neither drunkards, neither cursed speakers, neither pillers,
shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were ye verily: but ye are washed:
ye are sanctified: ye are justified by the name of the lord Iesus: And by the
spirit of our God.
All things are lawful unto me: but all
things are not profitable. I may do all things: but I will be brought under no
man's power. Meats are ordained for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God
shall destroy both him and them. Let not the body be applied unto fornication,
but unto the lord, and the lord unto the body. God hath raised up the lord, and
shall raise us up by his power. Either remember ye not, that your bodies are
the members of Christe? Shall I now take the members of Christ, and make them
the members of an harlot? God forbid. Do ye not understand that he which
coupleth himself with an harlot, is become one body? For two (saith he) shall
be one flesh: but he that is joined unto the lord is one spirit.
Flee fornication. All sins that a man doth,
are without the body. But he that is a fornicator, sinneth against his own
body. Know ye not how that your bodies are the temple of the holy ghost, which
is in you, whom he have of God, and how that ye are not your own? For ye are
dearly bought. Therefore glorify ye God in your bodies and in your spirits, for
they are God's.
The .vij.
Chapter.
As concerning the things whereof ye wrote
unto me: It is good for a man, not to touch a woman. Nevertheless to avoid
fornication, let every man have his wife: and let every woman have her husband.
Let the man give unto the wife due benevolence. Likewise also the wife unto the
man. The wife hath not power over her own body: but the husband: And likewise
the man hath not power over his own body: but the wife. Withdraw not your
selves one from another except it be with consent for a time, for to give
yourselves to fasting and prayer, and afterward come again to the same thing,
lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.
This I say of favour, not of commandment.
For I would that all men were as I my self am: but every man hath his proper
gift of God, one after this manner, another after that. I say unto the
unmarried men, and widows: it is good for them if they abide even as I do: but
and if they cannot abstain, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to
burn.
Unto the married command not I, but the
lord: that the wife separate not herself from the man. If she separate herself,
let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled unto her husband again. And let not
the husband put away his wife from him.
To the remnant speak I, and not the lord:
if any brother have a wife that believeth not, if she be content to dwell with
him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath to her husband an
infidel, if he consent to dwell with her, let her not put him away. For the
unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife: and the unbelieving wife is
sanctified by the husband. Or else were your children unclean: but now are they
pure. But and if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister
is not in subjection to such. God hath called us in peace. For how knowest thou
o woman, whether thou shalt save thy husband or not? Other how knowest thou o
man, whether thou shalt save the wife or not? but even as God hath distributed
to every man.
As the lord hath called every person, so
let him walk: and so ordain I in all congregations. If any man be called being
circumcised, let him add nothing thereto. If any be called uncircumcised: let
him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing: but
the keeping of the commandments of God is altogether. Let every man abide in
the same state wherein he was called. Art thou called a servant? care not for
it. Nevertheless if thou mayst be free, use it rather. For he that is called in
the lord being a servant, is the lord's freeman. Likewise he that is called
being free, is Christe's servant. Ye are dearly bought, be not men's servants.
Brethren let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
As concerning virgins, I have no
commandment of the lord: yet give I counsel as one that hath obtained of the
lord to be faithful. I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For
it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be lowsed.
Art thou lowsed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou take a wife, thou
hast not sinned. Likewise if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless
such shall have trouble in their flesh: but I favor you.
This say I brethren, the time is short. It
remaineth that they which have wives, be as though they had none: and they that
weep, be as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, be as though they
rejoiced not: And they that buy, be as though they possessed not: And they that
use this world, be as though they used it not: For the fashion of this world
goeth away.
I would have you without care, the single
man careth for the things of the lord, how he may please the lord: but he that
hath married, careth for the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
There is difference between a virgin and a wife. The single woman careth for
the things of the lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit:
but she that is married, careth for the things of the world, how she may please
her husband. This speak I for your profit, not to tangle you in a snare: but
for that which is honest and comely unto you And that ye may quietly cleave
unto the lord without separation.
If any man think that it is uncomely for
his virgin if she pass the time of marriage, and if so need require, let him do
what he listeth, he sinneth not: let them be coupled in marriage. Nevertheless,
he that purposeth surely in his heart, having none need: but hath power over
his own will: and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin,
doth well. So then he that joineth his virgin in marriage doth well. And he
that joineth not his virgin in marriage doth better. The wife is bound to the
law as long as her husband liveth. If her husband sleep, she is at liberty to
marry with whom she will only in the lord. But she is happier if she so abide,
in my judgement. And I think verily that I have the spirit of God.
The
.viij. Chapter.
To speak of things dedicate unto idols, we
are sure that we all have knowledge. Knowledge maketh a man swell: but love
edifieth. If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as
he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
To speak of meat dedicat unto idols, we are
sure that there is none idol in the world: and that there is none other God but
one. And though there be that are called goddes, whether in heaven or in earth
(as there be goddes many and lords many) but unto us is there one God, which is
the father, of whom are all things, and we in him: and one lord Iesus Christ,
by whom are all things, and we by him.
But every man hath not knowledge. For some
suppose that there is an idol, until this hour, and eat as of a thing offered
unto the idol, and so their consciences being yet weak are defiled. Meat maketh
us not acceptable to God: Neither if we eat are we the better: Neither if we
eat not are we the worse.
But take heed that your liberty cause not
the weak to fall. For if some man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in
the idol's temple shall not the conscience of him which is weak be boldened to
eat those things which are offered unto the idol? And so thorow thy knowledge
shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died. When we sin so against the
brethren and wound their weak consciences, we sin against Christ. Wherefore if
meat hurt my brother, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, because I
will not hurt my brother.
The .ix.
Chapter.
Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I
not seen Iesus Christ our lord? Are not ye my work in the lord. If I be not an
Apostle unto other, yet am I unto you. For the seal of mine Apostleship are ye
in the lord. Mine answer to them that ask me, is this: Have we not power to eat
and to drink? Either have we not power to lead about a sister to wife as well
as other Apostles, and as the brethren of the lord, and Cephas? Either only I
and Barnabas have not power this to do? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
cost? who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit? or who feedeth a
flock and eateth not of the milk?
Say I these things after the manner of men?
or sayth not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou
shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take
thought for oxen? Either saith he it not all together for our sakes? For our
sakes no doubt this is written: that he which eareth should ear in hope: and
that he which throsheth in hope, should be part taker of his hope. If we sow
unto you spiritual things: is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things?
If other be part takers of this power over you? wherefore are not we rather.
Nevertheless we have not used this power:
but suffer all things lest we should hinder the gospell of Christ. Do ye not
understand how that they which minister in the temple: have their finding of
the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even
so also did the lord ordain, that they which preach the gospell, should live of
the gospell: But I have used none of these things.
Neither wrote I these things that it should
be so done unto me. It were better for me to die than any man should take this
rejoicing from me. In that I preach the gospell I have nothing to rejoice of.
For necessity is put unto me. Woe is it unto me if I preach not the gospell. If
I do it with a good will, I have a reward. If I do it against my will, an
office is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that when I preach
the gospell, I make the gospell of Christ free, that I misuse not mine
authority in the gospell.
For though I be free from all men, yet have
I made myself servant unto all men, that I might win the more. And unto the
jewes, I became as a jewe, to win the jewes. To them that were under the law,
was I made as though I had been under the law, to win them that were under the
law. To them that were without law, became I as though I had been without law
(when I was not without law as pertaining to God, but under a law as concerning
Christ) to win them that were without law. To the weak became I as weak, to win
the weak. In all thing I fashioned myself to all men, to save at the leastway
some. And this I do for the gospell's sake, that I might have my part thereof.
Perceive ye not how that they which run in
a course, run all, yet but one receiveth the reward? So run that ye may obtain.
Every man that proveth masteries abstaineth from all things. And they do it to
obtain a corruptible crown: but we to obtain an everlasting crown: I therefore
so run, not as at an uncertain thing. So fight I, not as one that beateth the
air: but I tame my body and bring him into subjection, lest after that I have
preached to other, I myself should be a castaway.
The .x.
Chapter.
Brethren I would not that ye should be
ignorant of this, how that our fathers were all under a cloud, and all passed
thorow the sea, and were all baptised under Moses in the cloud and in the sea:
and did all eat of one spiritual meat, and did all drink of one manner of
spiritual drink. And they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them,
which rock was Christ. But in many of them had God no delight. For they were
overthrown in the wilderness.
These are examples to us that we should not
lust after evil things, as they lusted. Neither be ye worshippers of images as
were some of them according as it is written: The people sat down to eat and
drink, and rose up again to play. Neither let us commit fornication as some of
them committed fornication, and were destroyed in one day xxiij. thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted and were destroyed of
serpents. Neither murmur ye as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer.
All these things happened upon them for
ensamples, and were written to put us in remembrance, whom the ends of the
world are come upon. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed
lest he fall. There hath none other temptation taken you, but such as followeth
the nature of man. God is faithful, which shall not suffer you to be tempted
above your strength: but shall in the midst of the temptation make a way to
escape out. Wherefore my dear beloved, flee from worshipping of idols.
I speak as unto them which have discretion,
judge ye what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless, partaking of
the blood of Christ? is not the bread which we break, partaking of the body of
Christ? because that we (though we be many) yet are one bread, and one body in
as much as we all are partakers of one bread. Behold Israhell which walketh
carnally. Are not they which eat of the sacrifice, partakers of the altar?
What say I then? that the image is
anything? or that it which is offered to images is anything? Nay, but I say,
that those things which the gentiles offer, they offer to devils, and not to
God. And I would not that ye should have fellowship with the devils. Ye cannot
drink of the cup of the lord, and of the cup of the devils. Ye can not be
partakers of the lord's table, and of the table of devils. Other shall we
provoke the lord? other are we stronger than he? All things are lawful unto me,
but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful, but all things edify
not. Let no man seek his own profit: but let every man seek his neighbors
wealth.
Whatsoever is sold in the market, that eat,
and ask no questions for conscience sake. For the earth is the lord's, and all
that therein is. If any of them which believe not bid you to a feast, and if ye
be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you eat, asking no question for
conscience sake. but and if any man say unto you: this is dedicate unto idols,
eat not of it for his sake that shewed it, and for hurting of conscience: the
earth is the lord's and all that therein is. Conscience I say, not thine: but
the conscience of that other. Why should my liberty be judged of another man's
conscience? For if I take my part with thanks: why am I evil spoken of for that
thing wherefore I give thanks?
Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the praise of God. See that ye give none occasion
of evil, neither to the jewes, nor yet to the gentiles, neither to the
congregation of God: even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine
own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved.
The .xj.
Chapter.
Follow me
as I do Christ.
I commend you brethren that ye remember me
in all things, and keep the ordinances which I gave to you. I would ye knew
that Christ is the head of every man. and the womans head is the man. and
Christe's head is God. Every man praying or prophesying having any thing on his
head, shameth his head. Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth bare headed,
dishonesteth her head. For it is even all one, and the very same thing even as
though she were shaven. If the woman be not covered, let her also be shaven. If
it be shame for a woman to be shaven or shorn, let her cover her head.
A man ought not to cover his head,
forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God. The woman is the glory of the
man. For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the
man created for the woman's sake: but the woman for the man's sake. For this
cause ought the woman to have power in {on} her head, for the angels' sake.
Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without
the man in the lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man by the
woman: but all is of God.
Judge in yourselves whether it be comely
that a woman pray unto God bareheaded. Or else doth not nature teach you, that
it is a shame for a man, if he have long hair: and a praise to a woman if she
have long hair? For her hair is given her to cover her with all. If there be
any man among you that lusteth to strive, let him know that we have no such
customes, neither the congregations of God.
This I warn you of, and commend not that ye
come together after a worse manner, and not after a better. First of all when
ye come together in the congregation, I hear that there is dissension among
you: And I partly believe it. For there must be sects among you, that they
which among you are perfect might be known. When ye come together in one place,
a man cannot eat the lord's supper. For every man beginneth afore to eat his own
supper. And one is hungry, and another is drunken. Have ye not houses to eat
and to drink in? Or else despise ye the congregation of God? and shame them
that have not? what shall I say unto you? shall I praise you? in this praise I
you not.
That which I gave unto you I received of
the lord. For the lord Iesus the same night in the which he was betrayed, took
bread: and thanked and brake, and said. Take ye, and eat ye this is my body
which is broken for you. This do ye in the remembrance of me. After the same
manner he took the cup when supper was done saying: This cup is the new
testament in my blood, this do as oft as ye drink it, in the remembrance of me.
For as often as ye shall eat this bread,
and drink this cup, ye shall shew the lord's death, till he come. Wherefore
whosoever shall eat of this bread, or drink of the cup unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the lord. Let a man therefore examine himself,
and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he that eateth or
drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh his own damnation, because he maketh
no difference of the lord's {lordis} body.
For this cause many are weak and sick among
you, and many sleep. If we had truly judged ourselves, we should not have been
judged. When we are judged of the lord we are chastened, because we should not
be damned with the world. Wherefore my brethren, when ye come to gether to eat,
tarry one for another. If any man hunger, let him eat at home, that ye come not
together unto condemnation. Other things will I set in order when I come.
The .xij.
Chapter.
In spiritual things brethren I would not
have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were gentiles, and went your ways unto dumb
idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I declare unto you that no man speaking
in the spirit of God defieth Iesus. Also no man can say that Iesus is the lord:
but by the holy ghost.
There are diversities of gifts verily, yet
but one spirit. And there are differences of administrations, and yet but one
lord. And there are divers manners of operations, and yet but one God, which
worketh all things that are wrought in all creatures. The gifts of the spirit
are given to every man to profit the congregation. To one is given the
utterance of wisdom: to another is given the utterance of knowledge by the same
spirit: to another is given faith, by the same spirit. To another the gifts of
healing, by the same spirit. To another power to do miracles: To another
prophecy, To another judgement of spirits, To another diverse tongues: To
another the interpretation of tongues: and these all worketh even the self same
spirit, dividing to every man several gifts even as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of one body though they be many, yet are but one
body: even so is Christ. For in one spirit are we all baptised to make one
body, whether we be jewes or gentiles: whether we be bond or free, and have all
drunk of one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot say:
I am not the hand, therefore I am not of the body: is he therefore not of the
body? and if the ear say I am not the eye: therefore I am not of the body: is
he therefore not of the body? if all the body were an eye: where were then the
ear? if all were hearing: where were the smelling?
But now hath God disposed the members,
every one of them in the body, at his own pleasure. If they were all one
member: where were the body? Now are there many members, yet but one body. And
the eye cannot say unto the hand: I have no need of thee: nor the head also to
the feet: I have no need of you. Yea rather a great deal those members of the
body which seem to be most feeble, are most necessary. And upon those members
of that body which we think least honest, put we most honesty on. And our
ungodly parts have most beauty on. For our honest members need it not: but God
hath so disposed the body, and hath given most honour to that part which
lacked, lest there should be any strife in the body: but that the members
should indifferently care for one another. And if one member suffer all suffer
with him: if one member be had in honour, all members be glad also.
Ye are the body of Christ, and members one
of another. And God hath also ordained in the congregation, first the Apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles, after that,
the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues.
Are all Apostles? are all prophets? Are all
teachers? are all doers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? Do all
speak with tongues? do all interpret? Covet after the best gifts. And yet shew
I unto you a more excellent way.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
Though I spake with the tongues of men and
angels, and yet had no love, I were even as sounding brass: and as a tinkling
cymbal. And though I could prophesy, and understood all secrets, and all
knowledge: yee, if I had all faith so that I could move mountains out of their
places, and yet had no love, I were nothing. And though I bestowed all my goods
to feed the poor, and though I gave my body even that I burned, and yet had no
love, it profiteth me nothing.
Love suffereth long, and is courteous. Love
envieth not. Love doth not frowardly, swelleth not, dealeth not dishonestly,
seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh not evil rejoiceth not
in iniquity: but rejoiceth in the truth, suffereth all things, believeth all
things hopeth all things, endureth in all things. Though that prophesying fail,
or tongues shall cease, or knowledge vanish away: yet love falleth never away.
For our knowledge is unperfect, and our
prophesying is unperfect: but when that which is perfect is come: then that
which is unperfect shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child,
I understood as a child, I imagined as a child: but as soon as I was a man I
put away childishness. Now we see in a glass even in a dark speaking: but then
shall we see face to face. Now I know unperfectly: but then shall I know even
as I am known. Now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the
chief of these is love.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
Labour for love, and covet spiritual gifts:
and most chiefly for to prophesy. For he that speaketh with tongues speaketh
not unto men, but unto God. No man heareth him: For in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men, for their edifying, and
comfort. He that speaketh with tongues, profiteth himself: he that prophesieth
edifieth the congregation. I would that ye all spake with tongues: but rather
that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh
with tongues, except he expound it also, that the congregation may have
edifying. Now brethren if I come unto you speaking with tongues: what shall I profit
you? except I speak unto you, either by revelation, or knowledge, or
prophesying, or doctrine.
Moreover when things without life give
sound: whether it be a pipe, or an harp: except they make a distinction in the
sounds: how shall it be known what is piped or harped? And also if the trumpet
give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself to fight? Even so likewise
when ye speak with tongues, except ye speak words that have signification, how
shall it be understood what is spoken? For ye shall but speak in the air.
Many kinds of voices are in the world, and
none of them are without signification. If I know not what the voice meaneth, I
shall be unto him that speaketh an alien: and he that speaketh shall be an
alien unto me. Even so ye (for a much as ye covet spiritual gifts) seek that ye
may have plenty unto the edifying of the congregation.
Wherefore let him that speaketh with
tongues, pray that he may interpret also. If I pray with tongues, my spirit
prayeth: but my mind is without fruit. What is it then? I will pray with my
spirit, and will pray with my mind also. I will sing with my spirit, and will
sing with my mind also.
For else when thou blessest with the
spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say amen at thy
giving of thanks? seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? Thou verily
givest thanks well: but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with
tongues more than ye all. Yet had I lever in the congregation to speak five
words with my mind to the information of other, rather than ten thousand words
with the tongue.
Brethren, be not children in wit: as
concerning maliciousness be children: but in wit be perfect. In the law it is
written, with other tongues, and with other lips will I speak unto this people,
and yet for all that will they not hear me saith the lord. Wherefore tongues
are for a sign, not to them that believe: but to them that believe not.
Contrariwise prophesying serveth not for them that believe not: but for them which
believe.
If therefore when all the congregation is
come together, and all speak with tongues, there come in they that are
unlearned, or they which believe not: will they not say that ye are out of your
wits? But and if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is reproved of all men, and is judged of every man: and so are
the secrets of his heart opened: and then falleth he down on his face, and
worshippeth God, and saith that God is with you indeed.
How is it then brethren? when ye come
together every man hath his song, hath his doctrine, hath his tongue, hath his
revelation, hath his interpretation: Let all things be unto edifying. If any
man speak with tongues, let it be two at once: or at the most three at once:
and that by course, and let another interpret it: But if there be no
interpreter, let him keep silence in the congregation, and let him speak to
himself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak two at once, or
three at once, and let other judge. If any revelation be made to another that
sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one,
that all may learn, and all may have comfort. For the spirits of the prophets
are in the power of the prophets. For God is not causer of strife: but of
peace, as he is in all other congregations of the saints.
Let your wives keep silence in the
congregations. For it is not permitted unto them to speak: but let them be
under obedience, as saith the law: if they will learn any thing, let them ask
their husbands at home. For it is a shame for women to speak in the
congregation. Sprang the word of God from you? Either came it unto you only? If
any man think himself a prophet either spiritual: let him understand, what
things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the lord. But and if
any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore brethren covet to prophesy,
and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done honestly and in
order.
The .xv.
Chapter.
Brethren as pertaining to the gospell which
I preached unto you, which ye have also accepted, and in the which ye continue:
by the which also ye are saved, I do you to wit after what manner I preached
unto you, if ye keep it, except ye have believed in vain.
For first of all I delivered unto you that
which I received: how that Christ died for our sins, agreeing to the
scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day
according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the
twelve, After that he was seen of more than five hundred brethren at once: of
which many remain unto this day, and many are fallen asleep. After that
appeared he to Iames, then to all the Apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me, as of one
that was born out of due time. For I am the least of all the Apostles, which am
not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the congregation of
God: But by the faveour of God I am that I am. And his faveour which is in me
was not in vain: but I laboured more abundantly than they all, not I, but the
faveour of God which is with me. Whether it were I or they, so have we preach,
and so have ye believed.
If Christ be preached how that he rose from
death: how say some that are among you, that there is no resurrection of the
dead? If there be no rising again of death: then is Christ not risen. If Christ
be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain. Yee,
and we are found false witnesses of God. For we have testified against God how that he
raised up Christ, whom he raised not up, if it be so that the dead rise not up
again. For if the dead rise not again, then is Christ not risen again. If it be
so that Christ rose not, then is your faith in vain, and yet are ye in your sins.
And they which are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only
we believe on Christ, then are we of all men the miserablest.
Now is Christ risen from death, and is
become the first fruits of them that slept. For by a man came death, and by a
man came resurrection of death. For as by Adam all die: even so by Christ,
shall all be made alive, and every man in his own order: The first is Christ,
then they that are Christi's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he hath
delivered up the kingdom to God the father, when he hath put down all rule,
authority, and power. For he must rule till he have put all his enemies under
his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things
are put under him, it is manifest, that he is excepted, which did put all
things under him. When all things are subdued unto him: then shall the son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all
in all things. Other else what do they which are baptised over the dead, if the
dead rise not at all? why are they baptised over the dead? And why stand we in
jeopardy every hour? by our rejoicing which I have in Christ Iesu our lord, I
die daily. That I have fought with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men,
what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not again? Let us eat and drink,
tomorrow we shall die. Be not deceived: malicious speakings corrupt good
manners. Awake truly out of sleep, and sin not. For some have not the knowledge
of God. I speak this unto your rebuke.
But some man will say: how shall the dead
arise? with what body shall they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest, is
not quickened except it die. And what sowest thou? Thou sowest not that body
that shall be: but bare corn (I mean either of wheat, or of some other) and God
giveth it a body at his pleasure, to every seed a several body.
All flesh is not one manner of flesh: but
there is one manner flesh of men, another manner flesh of beasts, another
manner flesh of fishes, and another of birds. There are celestial bodies, and
there are bodies terrestrial: But the glory of the celestial is one, and the
glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one manner glory of the sun, and another
glory of the moon, an another glory of the stars. For one star differeth from
another in glory. So is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption,
and riseth in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, and riseth in honour. It
is sown in weakness, and riseth in power. It is sown a natural body, and riseth
a spiritual body.
There is a natural body and there is a
spiritual body. as it is written: The first man Adam was made a living soul:
and the last Adam was made a quickening spirit: but that is not first which is
spiritual: but that which is natural, and then that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy: The second man is from heaven, heavenly. As
is the earthy, such are they that are earthy: And as is the heavenly, such are
they that are heavenly. And as we have born the image of the earthy, so shall
we bear the image of the heavenly.
This say I brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Neither doth corruption inherit
uncorruption. Behold I shew a mystery unto you: we shall not all sleep: but we
shall all be changed, and that in a moment, and in the twinkling of an eye, at
the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall
rise incorruptible: And we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruptibility: and this mortal must put on immortality.
When this corruptible hath put on
incorruptibility: and this mortal hath put on immortality: then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is consumed into victory.
Death where is thy sting? Hell where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin.
The strength of sin is the law: But thanks
be unto God, which hath given us victory thorow our lord Iesus Christ.
Therefore my dear brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable, always rich in the
works of the lord, forasmuch as ye know how that your labour is not in vain in
the lord.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
Of the gathering for the saints, as I have
ordained in the congregations of Galacia, even so do ye. In some saboth day let
every one of you put aside at home, and lay up whatsoever he thinketh meet,
that there be no gatherings when I come. When I am come, whosoever ye shall
allow by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto
Ierusalem. And if it be meet that I go, they shall go with me. I will come unto
you after I have gone over Macedonia. For I will go thorowout Macedonia. With
you peradventure I will abide a while: or else winter, that ye may bring me on
my way whithersoever I go.
I will not see you now in my passage: but I
trust to abide a while with you, if God shall suffer me. I will tarry at
Ephesus until witsontide: For a great door and a fruitful is opened unto me:
and there are many adversaries. If Timotheus come, see that he be without fear
with you. For he worketh the work of the lord as I do. Let no man despise him:
but convey him forth in peace, that he may come unto me. For I look for him
with the brethren.
To speak of brother Apollo: I greatly desired
him to come unto you with the brethren, but his mind was not at all to come at
this time. He will come when he shall have convenient time. Watch ye, stand
fast in the faith, quit you like men, and be strong. Let all your business be
done in love.
Brethren (ye know the house of Stephana how
that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have appointed
themselves to minister unto the saints:) I beseech you that ye be obedient unto
such, and to all that help and labour. I am glad of the coming of Stephana,
Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have
supplied. They have comforted my spirit and yours. Look therefore that ye know
them that are such.
The congregations of Asia salute you.
Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the lord, and so doeth the congregation
that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with
an holy kiss. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand: If any man love not
the lord Iesus Christ, the same be anathema maranatha. The faveour of the lord
Iesus Christ be with you all. My love be with you all in Christ Iesu,
Amen.
The
pistle unto the Corrinthyans sent from Philippos, By Stephana, and Fortunatus,
and Acaichus, and Timotheus.
The
second pistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians
The first
Chapter.
Paul an apostle of Iesus Christ by the will
of God, and brother Timotheus.
Unto the congregation of God, which is at
Corinthum, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Grace be with you and
peace from God our father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
Blessed be God the father of our lord Iesus
the Christ, father of mercy, and the God of all comfort, which comforteth us in
all our tribulation, insomuch that we are able to comfort them which are
troubled, in whatsoever tribulation it be, with the same comfort wherewith we
our selves are comforted of God. For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous
in us: even so is our consolation plenteous by Christ.
Whether we be troubled for your
consolation, and health, which health sheweth her power in that ye suffer the
same afflictions which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted for your
consolation and health: yet our hope is steadfast for you inasmuch as we know
how that as ye have your part in afflictions, so shall ye be part takers of
consolation.
Brethren I would not have you ignorant of
our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure
passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life. Also we received
an answer of death in ourselves, and that was done because we should not put
our trust in ourselves: but in God, which raiseth the dead to life again: Which
delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, on whom we trust, that
yet hereafter he will deliver us, by the help of your prayer for us: That by
the means of many occasions, thanks may be given of many on our behalf, For the
grace given unto us.
Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that we with out doubleness, but with godly pureness: not in
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, have had our conversation in the
world, and most of all to youwards. We write no other things unto you, than
that ye read and also know. Yee and I trust ye shall find us unto the end even
as ye have found us partly, for we are your rejoicing, even as ye are ours in
the day of the lord Iesus.
And in this confidence was I minded the
other time to have come unto you (that ye might have had a double
pleasure,) and to have passed by you into Macedonia, and to have come again out
of Macedonia unto you, and to have been led forth to Iewryward of you.
When I thuswise was minded: Did I use
lightness? Or think I carnally those things which I think? that with me should
be yea yea, and nay nay. God is faithful: For our preaching unto you, was not yea
and nay. For God's son Iesus Christ which was preached among you by us (that is
to say by me and Silvanus and Thimotheus) was not yea and nay: but in him it was
Yea: For all the promises of God, in him are Yea: and are in him Amen, unto the
laud of God thorow us. It is God which stablisheth us and you in Christ, and
hath anointed us, which hath also sealed us, and hath given the earnest of the
spirit into our hearts.
I call God for a record unto my soul, that
for to favor you with all, I came not any more unto Corinthum. Not that we be
lords over your faith: but helpers of your joy. For by faith ye stand.
The .ij.
Chapter.
But I
determined this in myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For
if I make you sorry: who is it that should make me glad, but the same which is
made sorry by me? And I wrote this same pistel unto you, lest if I came, I
should take heaviness of them, of whom I ought to rejoice. Certainly this
confidence have I in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For in great
affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears: not to make
you sorry, but that ye might perceive the love which I have most specially unto
you.
If any man hath caused sorrow, the same
hath not made me sorry: but partly, lest I should grieve you all. It is
sufficient unto the same man that he was rebuked of many. So that now
contrarywise ye ought to forgive him and comfort him: lest that same should be
swallowed up with overmuch heaviness. Wherefore I exhort you, that love may
have strength over him. For this cause verily did I write, that I might know
the proof of you, whether ye should be obedient in all things. To whom ye
forgive any thing, I forgive also. And verily if I forgive any thing, to whom I
forgave it for your sakes forgave I it, in the room of Christ, lest Satan
should prevent us. For his thoughts are not unknown unto us.
When I was come to Troada for Christ's
Gospel's sake (and a great door was opened unto me of the lord) I had no rest
in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but took my leave of them
and went away into Macedonia. Thanks be unto God which always giveth us the
victory in Christ, and openeth the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.
For we are unto God the sweet savor of Christ, both among them that are saved,
and also among them which perish: to the one part are we the savor of death
unto death: unto the other part are we the savor of life unto life. And who is
meet unto these things? For we are not as many are which chop and change with
the word of God: but as they which speak of pureness, and as they which speak
off God in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.
The .iij.
Chapter.
We
begin to praise ourselves again. Need we as some other of pistels of
recommendation unto you? or letters of recommendation from you? Ye are our
pistel written in our hearts, which is understood and read of all men, in that
ye are known, how that ye are the pistel of Christ, ministered by us and
written, not with ink: but with the spirit of the living God, not in tables of
stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust have we thorow Christ to
Godward, not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as it were
of ourselves: but our ableness cometh of God, which hath made us able to
minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit: For the
letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
If the ministration of death thorow the
letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could
not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance (which glory
nevertheless is done away) why shall not the ministration of the spirit be much
more glorious? For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more
doth the administration of righteousness exceed in glory. For no doubt that
which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding
glory. Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which
remaineth be glorious.
Seeing then that we have such trust we use
great boldness, and do not as Moses, which put a veil over his face that the
children of Israell should not see for what purpose that served which is put
away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same
covering untaken away in the old testament when they read it, which in Christ
is put away: But even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil hangeth before
their hearts. Nevertheless when they turn to the lord, the veil shall be taken
away. The lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the lord is, there
is liberty. And now the lordis glory appeareth in us all, as in a glass: and we
are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the lord
which is a spirit.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Therefore seeing that we have such an
office, even as mercy is come on us, we faint not: but have cast from us the
cloaks of unhonesty, and walk not in craftiness, neither corrupt we the word of
God: but walk in open truth, and report ourselves to every man's conscience in
the sight of God.
If our Gospell be yet hid, it is hid among
them that are lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest should shine unto them the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, for we preach not ourselves, but
Christ Iesus the lord, and preach ourselves your servants for Iesus' sake. For
it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined
in our hearts, for to give the light of knowledge of the glorious God, in
the face of Iesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels that the excellent power of it might appear to be of God, and not of
us. We are troubled on every side, yet are we not without shift. We are in
poverty: but not utterly without somewhat. We are persecuted: but are not
forsaken. We are cast down: nevertheless we perish not. And we always bear in
our bodies the dying of the lord Iesus, that the life of Iesu might appear in
our bodies. For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Iesus' sake,
that the life also of Iesu might appear in our mortal flesh. So then death
worketh in us, and life in you. Seeing then that we have the same spirit of
faith, according as it is written (I believed and therefore have I spoken) we
also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that he which raised up the lord
Iesus, shall raise up us also by the means of Iesus, and shall set us with you,
for all things I do for your sakes, that the plenteous grace by thanks given of
many, may redound to the praise of God.
Wherefore we are not wearied, but though
our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our
exceeding tribulation, which is momentary and light, prepareth an exceeding,
and eternal weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are
seen, but on the things which are not seen. For things which are seen, are
temporal: but things which are not seen are eternal.
The .v.
Chapter.
We know surely if our earthy mansion
wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God,
an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven: And herefore sigh we,
desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven: if it happen that
we be found clothed, and not naked. For as long as we are in this tabernacle,
we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed
upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. He that hath ordained us
for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the
spirit.
We are always of good cheer, and know well
that as long as we are at home in the body we are absent from God. For we walk
in faith and see not. Nevertheless we are of good comfort, and had lever to be
absent from the body and to be present with God. Wherefore we endeavor
ourselves, whether we be at home or from home, to please God. For we must all
be brought before the judgement seat of Christ that every man may receive the
works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad?
Seeing then that we know how the lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men.
For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your
consciences.
We praise not ourselves again unto you, but
give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have somewhat against them,
which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart. For if we be too fervent, to
God are we to fervent: if we keep measure, for your cause keep we measure. For
the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, if one be dead for
all, that then are all dead, and that he died for all, because that they which
live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for
them and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after
the flesh. Insomuch that though we have known Christ after the flesh, now
henceforth know we him so no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.
Nevertheless all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by
Iesus Christ, and hath given unto us the office to preach the atonement. For
God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and him self, and
imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the
atonement.
Now then are we messengers in the room of
Christ: even as though God did beseech you thorow us: So pray we you in
Christe's stead, that ye be at one with God: for he hath made him to be sin for
us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness which
before God is allowed.
The .vj.
Chapter.
We as helpers therefore exhort you, that ye
receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: I have heard thee in a time
accepted: and in the day of health, have I succoured thee. Behold now is that
well accepted time: behold now is the day of health. Let us give no man
occasion of evil, that in our office be found no fault: but in all things let
us behave ourselves as the ministers of God.
In much patience, in afflictions, in
necessity, in anguish, in stripes, in prisonment, in strife, in labour, in watch,
in fasting, in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the
holy ghost, in love unfeigned, in the words of truth, in the power of God, by
the armour of righteousness of the right hand and on the left hand, in honour
and dishonour, in evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, as
unknown, and yet known: as dying and behold we yet live: as chastened and not
killed: as sorrowing and yet alwaye merry: as poor and yet make many rich: as
having no thing and yet possessing all things.
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto
you. Our heart is made large: ye are not brought into cumbrance by us, though
that ye vex yourselves of a true meaning. I speake unto you as unto children,
which have like reward with us: Stretch yourselves therefore out. bear not the
yoke with the unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? What company hath light with darkness? What concord hath
Christ with beliall? Either what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? how
agreeth the temple of God with images? And ye are the temple of the living God,
as said God: I will dwell among them, and walk among them, and will be their
God: and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and
separate yourselves (saith the lord) and touch none unclean thing: so will I
receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be unto me sons and
daughters, saith the lord almighty.
The .vij.
Chapter.
Seeing that we have such promises derely
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God. Understand us: we have hurt no
man: we have corrupted no man: we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to
condemn you: for I have shewed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and
live with you. I am very bold over you, and rejoice greatly in you. I am filled
with comfort, my joy exceeding in all our tribulations. For when we were come
into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side:
Outward was fighting, inward was fear. Nevertheless he that comforteth the
abject, comforted us at the coming of Titus.
And not with his coming only: but also with
the consolation wherewith he was comforted of you. For he told us your desire,
your mourning, your fervent mind to meward: So that I now rejoice the more.
Wherefore though I made you sorry with a letter I repent not: though I did
repent. For I perceive that that same Epistle made you sorry though it were but
for a season. But I now rejoice, not that ye were sorry, but that ye so
sorrowed, that ye repented. For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing were ye
hurt by us. For godly sorrow causeth repentance unto health, not to be repented
of: when worldly sorrow causeth death.
Behold what diligence this godly sorrow
that ye took hath wrought in you: yee it caused you to clear yourselves. It
caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind,
it caused punishment. For in all things ye have shewed yourselves that ye were
clear in that business. Wherefore though I have written unto you, I did it not
for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our
good mind which we have toward you in the sight of God, might appear unto you.
Therefore we are comforted, because ye are
comforted: yee and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had:
because his spirit was refreshed of you all. I am therefore not now ashamed,
though I boasted myself to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto
you are true, even so is our boasting, that I boasted myself to Titus with all,
found true. And now is his inward affection more abundant toward you, when he
remembereth the obedience of every one of you: how with fear and trembling ye
received him. I rejoice that I may be bold over you in all things.
The
.viij. Chapter.
I do you to wit brethren of the grace of
God, which is given in the congregations of Macedonia, how that the abundance
of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And how that
their poverty, though it be deep, yet hath followed over, and is be come unto
them riches in singleness. For to their powers (I bear them record) yee and
beyond their power, they were willing of their own accord, and prayed us with
great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be part
takers with other in ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we
looked for: but gave their own selves first to the lord, and after unto us by
the will of God: so that we could not but desire Titus to accomplish the same
benevolence among you also, even as he had begun.
Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts,
in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have
to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence. This say I not as
commanding: but because other are so fervent, therefore prove I your love,
whether it be perfect or no. Ye know the liberality of our lord Iesus Christ,
which though he were rich, yet for your sakes became poor: that ye thorow his
poverty might be made rich.
And I give counsel hereto: For this is
expedient for you, which began, not to do only: but also to will, a year ago.
Now therefore perform the deed, that as there was in you a readiness to will,
even so ye may perform the deed, of that which ye have. For if there be first a
willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to
that he hath not.
It is not my mind that other be set at
ease, and ye brought into cumbrance: but that there be egalness. Let your
abundance succour their lack at this present time of dearth: that their
abundance may supply your lack: that there may be equality, agreeing to that
which is written: He that gathered much had never the more abundance, and he
that gathered little, had nevertheless. Thanks be unto God, which put in the
heart of Titus the same good mind toward you. For he accepted our request. yee
rather he was so well willing, that of his own accord came unto you.
We have sent with him that brother whose
laud is in the gospel thorow out all the congregations: and not so only, but is
also chosen of the congregations to be a fellow with us in our journey, as
concerning this benevolence that is ministered by us unto the praise of the
lord, and to stir up your prompt mind. And this we eschew that any man should
rebuke us in this abundance, that is ministered by us, and make provision for
honest things, not in the sight of God only, but also in the sight of men.
We have sent with them a brother of ours
whom we have oft times proved diligent in many things, but now much more
diligent. The great confidence which I have in you hath caused me this to do:
partly for Titus' sake which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you: partly
because of other which are our brethren, and the messengers of the
congregations, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew unto them the proof of
your love, and of the rejoicing that we have of you, that the congregations may
see it.
The .ix.
Chapter.
Of the ministering to the saints, it is but
superfluous for me to write unto you: for I know your readiness of mind,
whereof I boast myself unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared
a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many. Nevertheless yet have I
sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this
behalf, and that ye (as I have said) prepare yourselves, lest peradventure if
they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made
in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you.
Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort
the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing
promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a
defrauding. This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap
little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. And let every
man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of
necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver.
God is able to make you rich in all grace,
that ye in all things having sufficient unto the utmost, may be rich unto all
manner good works, as it is written: He that sparse abroad and hath given to
the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever. He that findeth the sower seed,
shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the
fruits of your righteousness that on all parts, ye may be made rich in all
singleness, which causeth thorow us, thanks giving unto God.
For the office of this ministration, not
only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for
this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many, which praise
God for the obedience in knowledging the gospel of Christ, and for your
singleness, in distributing to them, and to all men. and in their prayers to
God for you, long after you, for the abundant grace of God given unto you.
Thanks be unto God for his ineffable gift.
The .x.
Chapter.
I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness
and softness of Christ, which when I am present among you, am of no reputation,
but am bold toward you being absent. I beseech you that I need not to be bold
when I am present (with that same confidence, wherewith I am supposed to be
bold) against some which repute us as though we walked carnally. Nevertheless
though we walk compassed with the flesh, yet we war not fleshly. For the
weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God to cast down
strongholds, wherewith we overthrow imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity all
understanding to the obedience of Christ, and are ready to take vengeance on all
disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Look ye on things after the
utter appearance.
If any man trust in himself that he is
Christi's, let the same also consider of himself, that as he is Christi's, even
so are we Christe's. And though I should boast myself somewhat more of our
authority which the lord hath given us to edify and not to destroy you, it
should not be to my shame. This say I, lest I should seem as though I went
about to make you afraid with letters. For the pistels (saith he) are sore and
strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech homely. Let him that is
such think on this wise, that as we are in words by letters when we are absent,
such are we in deeds when we are present.
For we cannot find in our hearts to make
ourselves of the number of them, or to compare ourselves to them, which laud
themselves: but while they measure themselves with themselves, and compare
themselves with themselves, they understand nought. But we will not rejoice
above measure: but according to the quantity of the measure which God hath
distributed unto us, a measure that reacheth even unto you. For we stretch not
out ourselves beyond measure as though we had not reached unto you. For even
unto you have we come with the gospel of Christ, and we boast not ourselves out
of measure in other men's labors: yee and we hope, When your faith is increased
among you, to be magnified according to our measure more largely: And to preach
the gospel in those regions which are beyond you: and not to rejoice of that
which is by another man's measure prepared all ready. Let him that rejoiceth,
rejoice in the lord. For he that praiseth himself, is not allowed: but he whom
the lord praiseth.
The .xj.
Chapter.
Would to God, ye could suffer me a little
in my foolishness: yee, and I pray you forbear me. For I am jealous over you
with godly jealousy. For I coupled you to one man, to make you a chaste virgin
to Christ: But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve, thorow his subtlety,
even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ. For
if he that cometh to you preach another Iesus than him whom we preached: or if
ye receive another spirit than that which ye have received: either another
gospel than that ye have received, ye might right well have been content.
I suppose that I was not behind the chief
Apostles. Though I be rude in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge. How be it
among you we are known to the utmost what we are in all things. Did I therein
sin, because I submitted myself, that ye might be exalted? and because I
preached the gospel to you free? I robbed other congregations, and took
wages of them, to do you service with all. And when I was present with you and
had need, I was grievous to no man. For that which was lacking unto me, the
brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I kept myself
that I should not be grievous to you: and so will I keep myself.
If the truth of Christ be in me, this
rejoicing shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore?
because I love you not? God knoweth. Nevertheless what I do, that will I do to
cut away occasion from them which desire occasion, that they might be found
like unto us in that wherein they rejoice: For these false apostles are
deceitful workers, and fashion them selves like unto the Apostles of Christ.
And no marvel, for Satan himself is changed into the fashion of an angel of
light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers fashion themselves
as though they were the ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be
according to their deeds.
I say again lest any man think that I am
foolish: or else even now take me as a fool, that I may boast myself a little.
That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the lord: but as it were
foolishly, while we are now come to boasting. Seeing that many rejoice after
the flesh I will rejoice also. For ye suffer fools gladly because that ye
yourselves are wise. For ye suffer even if a man bring you into bondage: if a
man devour: if a man take: if a man exalt himself: if a man smite you on the
face. I speak as concerning rebuke, as though we had been weak.
Whereinsoever any man dare be bold (I speak
foolishly) I dare be bold also. They are Hebrews, so am I: They are Israelites,
even so am I: They are the seed of Abraham, even so am I. They are the
ministers of Christ (I speak as a fool) I am more: In labors more abundant: In
stripes above measure: In prison more plenteously: In death often. Of the Iewes
five times received I every time xl.
stripes, one except. Thrice was I beaten with rods. I was once stoned. I
suffered thrice shipwreck. Night and day have I been in the deep of the sea. In
journeying often: In perils of waters In perils of robbers. In jeopardies of
mine own nation: In jeopardies among the heathen. I have been in perils in
cities, in perils in wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false
brethren, in labour and travail, in watching often, in hunger, in thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and in nakedness.
Beside the things which outwardly happen
unto me, I am cumbered daily and do care for all congregations. Who is sick:
and I am not sick? Who is hurt in the faith: and my heart burneth not? If I
must needs rejoice, I will rejoice of mine infirmities.
God the father of our lord Iesus Christ,
which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In the city of
Damaschon, the governor of the people under king Aretas, laid watch in the city
of the Damascens, and would have caught me, and at a window was I let down in a
basket thorow the wall, and so escaped his hands.
The .xij.
Chapter.
It is not expedient for me no doubt to
rejoice, Nevertheless I will come to visions and revelations of the lord. I
know a man in Christ above xiiij years agone (whether he were in the body I
cannot tell, or whether he were out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth)
which was taken up into the third heaven. And I know the same man (whether in
the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth) how that he was taken
up into paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which no man can utter. Of
this man will I rejoice, of myself will I not rejoice, except it be of mine
infirmities: and yet though I would rejoice I should not be a fool: for I would
say the truth. Nevertheless I spare, lest any man should think of me above that
he seeth me to be, or heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted out of measure
thorow the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me of God unquietness
of the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me: because I should not be
exalted out of measure. For this thing besought I the lord thrice, that it
might depart from me: and he said unto me: my grace is sufficient for thee. For
my strength is made perfect thorow weakness. Very gladly therefore will I
rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore
have I delectation in infirmities, in rebukes, in need, in persecutions, in
anguish, for Christi's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
I am made a fool in boasting myself. Ye
have compelled me: I ought to have been commended of you. For in nothing was I
inferior unto the chief apostles, though I be nothing, yet the tokens of an
apostle were wrought among you with all patience: with signs, and wonders, and
mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferiors unto other
congregations? except it be therein that I was not grievous unto you. Forgive
me this wrong done unto you. Behold now the third time I am ready to come unto
you, neither will I be grievous unto you. For I seek not yours but you. Also
the children ought not to lay up for the fathers and mothers: but the fathers
and mothers for the children.
I will very gladly bestow, and will be
bestowed for your souls: though the more I love you, the less I am loved again.
But be it that I grieved you not: nevertheless I was crafty and took you with
guile. Did I pill you by any of them which I sent unto you? I desired Titus,
and with him I sent a brother: Did Titus defraud you of any thing? walked we
not in one spirit? walked we not in like steps? Again, think ye that we excuse
ourselves? we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
But we do all things dearly beloved for
your edifying. For I fear lest it come to pass, that when I come, I shall not
find you such as I would: and I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: I
fear lest there be found among you lawynge, envying, wrath, strife,
backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and debate. I fear lest when I come again,
God bring me low among you, and I be constrained to bewail many of them which
have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication,
and wantonness which they have committed.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
Now come I the third time unto you: in the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand. I told you before, and
tell you before, as I said when I was present with you the second time, so
write I now being absent to them which in time past have sinned, and to all other:
If I come again, I will not spare seeing that ye seek experience of Christ
which speaketh in me, which among you is not weak, but is mighty in you. And
verily though it came of weakness that he was crucified, yet liveth he thorow
the power of God: and we no doubt are weak in him: but we shall live with him,
by the might that God gave us to youward.
Prove yourselves whether ye are in the
faith or not. Examine your own selves: know ye not your own selves, how that
Iesus Christ is in you? except ye be castaways. I trust that ye shall know that
we are not castaways. I desire before God that ye do none evil, not that we
should seem commendable: but that ye should do, that which is honest: and let
us be counted as lewd persons. We can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. We are glad when we are weak, and ye strong. This also we wish for, even
that ye were perfect. Therefore write I these things being absent, lest when I
am present I should use sharpness according to the power which the lord hath
given me, to edify, and not to destroy.
Furthermore brethren fare ye well, be
perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love
and peace, shall be with you. Greet one another in an holy kiss. All the saints
salute you. The faveour of our lord Iesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the holy ghost, be with you all Amen
The
second pistle to the Corinthians. Sent from Phillippos a citie in Macedonia by
Titus and Lucas.
The
pistel of S. Paul to the Galathians.
The first
Chapter.
Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by
man, but by Iesus Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death,
and all the brethren which are with me.
Unto the congregations of Galacia. Grace be
with you and peace from God the father, and from our lord Iesus Christ, which
gave himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil world, thorow
the will of God our father, to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen.
I marvel that ye are so soon turned from
him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto another gospell, which is
nothing else, but that there be some which trouble you, and intend to pervert
the gospell of Christ. Nevertheless though we ourselves, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospell unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, hold him as accursed. As I said before, so say I now again, if any man
preach any other thing unto you, than that ye have received, hold him accursed.
Seek I now the faveour {or doctrine} of men, or of God? Other go I about to
please men? If I studied to please men, I were not the servant of Christ.
I certify you brethren, that the gospell
which was preached of me, was not after the manner of men, neither received I
it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Iesus
Christ. Ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Iewes' ways, how
that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God, and spoiled it: and
prevailed in the jewes' law, above many of my companions, which were of mine
own nation, and was a much more fervently maintained the traditions of the
elders.
But when it pleased God, which separated me
from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, for to declare his son by
me, that I should preach him among the heathen: Immediately I commended not of
the matter with flesh and blood, neither returned to Ierusalem to them which
were Apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto
Damascus. Then after three years, I returned to Ierusalem unto Peter and abode
with him xv days, no other of the Apostles saw I, save Iames the lord's
brother. The things which I write, behold, God knoweth I lie not.
After that I went into the coasts of Siria
and Cicill: and was unknown as touching my person unto the congregations of
Iewry, which were in Christ. But they heard only, that he which persecuted us
in time past, now preacheth the faith, which before he destroyed. And they
glorified God in me.
The
second Chapter.
Then xiiij. years there after, I went up
again to Ierusalem with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also. Yee, and I went
up by revelation, and commended with them of the gospell, which I preach among
the gentiles: but apart with them that are counted chief, lest it should have
been thought that I should run, or had run in vain. Also Titus which was with
me, though he were a greek, yet was not compelled to be circumcised, and that
because of incomers being false brethren, which came in among others to spy out
our liberty which we have in Christ Iesus, that they might bring us into
bondage. To whom we gave no room, no not for the space of an hour, as
concerning to be brought into subjection: and that because that the truth of
the gospell might continue with you.
Of them which seemed to be great (what they
were in time passed it maketh no matter to me: God looketh on no man's person)
nevertheless they which seem great, added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when
they saw that the gospell over the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the
gospell over circumcision was unto Peter (For he that was mighty in Peter in
the Apostleship over the circumcision, the same was mighty in me among the
gentiles:) and as soon as Iames, Cephas, and Ihon, which seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas their
hands, and agreed with us that we should preach among the heathen, and they
among the Iewes: warning only that we should remember the poor, which thing
also I was diligent to do.
When Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood
him in the face, for he was worthy to be blamed. For yer that certain came from
Iames, he ate with the gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and
separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision, and the other
Iewes dissembled likewise, In so much that Barnabas was brought into their
simulation also. But when I saw that they went not the right way after the
truth of the gospell, I said unto Peter, before all men, if thou being a Iewe,
livest after the manner of the gentiles, and not as do the Iewes: why causest
thou the gentiles to follow the Iewes? we which are Iewes by nature and not
sinners of the gentiles, know that a man is not justified by the deeds of the
law: but by the faith of Iesus Christ: and we have believed on Iesus Christ,
that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the deeds of the
law: because that no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the law: If
then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found
sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build
again that which I destroyed, then make I my self a trespasser. But I thorow
the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with
Christ. I live verily, yet now not I, but Christ liveth in me. The life which I
now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, which loved me,
and gave himself for me. I despise not the grace of God: For if righteousness come
of the law, then is Christ dead in vain.
The .iij.
Chapter.
O foolish Galatians: who hath bewitched
you, that ye should not believe the truth? to whom Iesus Christ was described
before the eyes, and among you crucified? This only would I learn of you,
received ye the spirit by the deeds of the law? or else by preaching of the
faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now
end in the flesh? So many things ye have suffered in vain. If it be so that ye
have suffered in vain. Which ministered to you the spirit, and worketh miracles
among you doth he it thorow the deeds of the law? or by preaching of the faith?
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was ascribed to him for righteousness.
Understand therefore, that they which are of faith, are the children of
Abraham.
The scripture saw aforehand, that God would
justify the heathen thorow faith, and shewed beforehand glad tidings unto
Abraham: In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith,
are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are under the deeds of the
law, are under malediction. For it is written: cursed is every man that
continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil
them. That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For
the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but the man that
fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them. Christ hath
delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made a cursed for us (for it is
written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth on tree) that the blessing of Abraham
might come on the gentiles thorow Iesus Christ, that we might receive the
promise of the spirit thorow faith.
Brethren I will speak after the manner of men.
Though it be but a man's testament, yet no man despiseth it, or addeth any
thing thereto when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the
promises made. He saith not, in thy seeds as in many: But in thy seed, as in
one, which is Christ. This I say that the law which began afterward, beyond
iiij. C. and xxx. years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed of
God unto Christward, to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance
come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by
promise.
Wherefore then serveth the law? The law was
added because of transgression (till the seed came to which the promise was
made) and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. A mediator is
not a mediator of one. But God is one. Is the law then against the promise of
God? God forbid. If there had been a law given which could have given life:
then no doubt righteousness should have come by the law: but the scripture
concluded all things under sin, that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ,
should be given unto them that believe. Before that faith came, we were kept
and shut up under the law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto
the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith. But after that
faith is come, now are we no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the
sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Iesus. For all ye that are
baptised, have put Christ on you. Now is there no Iewe, neither greek: there is
neither bond, neither free: there is neither man, neither woman: for all are
one thing in Christ Iesu. If ye be Christe's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and
heirs by promise.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
And I say that the heir as long as he is a
child differeth not from a servant, though he be lord of all, but is under
tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, as
long as we were children, were in bondage under the ordinances of the world: But
when the time was full come, God sent his son born of a woman, and made bond
unto the law, to redeem them which were under the law: that we thorow election
should receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons. Because ye
are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, which crieth
Abba father. Wherefore now art thou not a servant, but a son. If thou be the
son, thou art also the heir of God thorow Christ.
Notwithstanding, when ye knew not God, ye
did service unto them, which by nature were no goddes: But now seeing ye know
God (yee rather are known of God) how is it that ye turn again unto the weak
and beggarly ceremonies, whereunto again ye desire afresh to be in bondage? Ye
observe the days, and months, and times, and years. I fear of you, lest I have
bestowed on you labour in vain.
Brethren I beseech you, be ye as I am: for
I am as ye are. Ye have not hurt me. Ye know well how that thorow infirmity of
the flesh, I preached the gospell unto you at the first: and my temptation
which I suffered by reason of my flesh, ye despised not, neither abhorred: but
received me as an Angel of God: yee as Christ Iesus. How happy were ye then?
for I bear you record that if it had been possible, ye would have digged out
your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I so greatly become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth?
They are jealous over you amiss. Yee they
intend to exclude you that ye should be fervent to themward. It is good always
to be fervent, so it be in a good thing, and not only when I am present with
you.
My little children (of whom I travail in
birth again until Christ be fashioned in you) I would I were with you now, and
could change my voice, for I stand in a doubt of you. Tell me ye that desire to
be under the law: have ye not heard of the law? For it is written that Abraham
had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. Yee and he
which was of the bondwoman, was born after the flesh: but he which was
of the freewoman, was born by promise. Which things betoken mystery. For these
women are two testaments, the one from the mount Sina, which gendreth unto
bondage, which is Agar. (For mount Sinai is called Agar in Arabia, and
bordereth upon the city which is now Ierusalem) and is in bondage with her
children.
But Ierusalem, which is above, is free:
which is the mother of us all. For it is written: rejoice thou barren, that
bearest no children: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the
desolate hath many more children, than she which hath an husband. Brethren we
are after the manner of Isaac children of promise: But as then he that was born
carnally, persecuted him that was born spiritually, Even so is it now.
Nevertheless what saith the scripture: Cast a way the bondwoman and her son.
For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
So then brethren we are not children of the bondwoman: but of the freewoman.
The .v.
Chapter.
Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and wrap not
yourselves again in the yoke of bondage. Be hold I Paul say unto you, that if
ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing at all. I testify again to
every man which is circumcised that he is bound to keep the whole law. Ye are
gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from
grace. We look for and hope to be justified by the spirit which commeth of
faith. For in Iesu Christ, neither is circumcision anything worth, neither yet
uncircumcision, but faith which by love is mighty in operation. Ye did run
well. Who was a lett unto you, that ye should not obey the truth? Even that
counsel that is not of him that called you. A little leaven doth leaven the
whole lump of dough.
I have trust toward you in God, that ye
will be none otherwise minded. He that troubleth you shall bear his judgement,
whatsoever he be. Brethren if I yet preach circumcision: why do I then yet
suffer persecution? For then had the offense which the cross giveth ceased. I
would to God they were sundered from you which trouble you. Brethren ye were
called into liberty, only let not your liberty be an occasion unto the flesh
but in love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which
is this: Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself. If ye bite and devour one
another: take heed lest ye be consumed one of another.
I say walk in the spirit, and fulfil not
the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the
spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye
cannot do that which ye would. But and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye
not under the law. The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these,
advoutry, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
lawyinge, zeal, wrath, strife, sedition, parte takings, envying, murder,
drunkenness, gluttony, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have
told you in time past, that they which commit such things shall not be
inheritors the kingdom of God: but the fruit of [the] spirit is, love, joy, peace,
longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperancy: Against
such there is no law. They that are Christi's, have crucified the flesh with
the appetites and lusts. If we live in the spirit let us walk in the spirit.
Let us not be vain glorious, provoking one another, and envying one another.
The .vj.
Chapter.
Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance
into any fault: ye which are spiritual, help to amend him, in the spirit of
meekness: considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's
burden: and so fulfil the law of Christ. If a man seem to himself that he is
somewhat when indeed he is nothing, the same deceiveth himself in his imagination.
Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in his own
self, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
Let him that is taught in the word,
minister unto him that teacheth him in all good things. Be not deceived, God is
not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. He that soweth in
his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth in the spirit
shall, of the spirit reap life everlasting. Let us do good, and let us not faint.
For when the time is come we shall reap without weariness. While we have
therefore time let us do good unto all men, and specially, unto them which are
of the household of faith.
Behold how large a letter I have written
unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire with utward appearance to please
carnally, they constrain you to be circumcised, only because they would not
suffer persecution with the cross of Christ. For they them selves which are
circumcised keep not the law: but desire to have you circumcised that they
might rejoice in your flesh. God forbid that I should rejoice but in the cross
of our lord Iesu Christ, whereby the world is crucified as touching me, and I
as concerning the world. For in Christ Iesu nether circumcision availeth any
thing at all nor uncircumcision: but a new creature. And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon Israhel that
pertaineth to God. From hence forth, let no man put me to business. For I bear
in my body the marks of the lord Iesu. Brethren the grace of our lord Iesu
Christe be with your spirit, Amen.
Unto the
Galathyans written from Rome.
The
pistel of S. Paul to the Ephesians.
The first
Chapter.
Paul an apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will
of God.
To the saints at Ephesus, and to them which
believe on Iesus Christ.
Grace be with you and peace from God our
father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
Blessed be God the father of our lord Iesus
Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in
heavenly things by Christ, according as he had chosen us in him thorow love,
before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and
without blame in his sight. And ordained us before unto him self that we should
be chosen to heirs thorow Iesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace, where with he hath made us accepted in the
beloved.
By whom we have redemption thorow his
blood, that is to say the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace, which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and prudency. And
hath opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his pleasure, and
purposed the same in himself to have it declared when the time were full come,
that all things, both the things which are in heaven, and also the things which
are in earth, should be gathered together, even in Christ: that is to say in
him in whom we are made heirs, and were thereto predestinate according to the
purpose of him which worketh all things after the purpose of his own will: that
we should be unto the praise of his glory, which before hoped in Christ.
In whom also ye (after that ye heard the
word of truth, I mean the gospell of your health, wherein ye believed) were
sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our
inheritance, to redeem the possession purchased unto the laud of his glory.
Wherefore even I (after that I heard of the
faith which ye have in the lord Iesu, and love unto all the saints) cease not
to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of
our lord Iesus Christ, and the father of glory, might give unto you the spirit
of wisdom, and open to you the knowledge of himself, and lighten the eyes of
your minds, that ye might know what thing that hope is, whereunto he hath
called you, and how glorious the riches of his inheritance is upon the saints,
and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward, which believe
according to the working of that his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ,
when he raised him from death, and set him on his right hand in heavenly
things, above all rule, power, and might, and domination, and above all names
that are named, not in this world only, but also in the world to come. And hath
put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things, the head of
the congregation, which is his body, and fullness of him, that filleth all in
all things.
The .ij.
Chapter.
And hath quickened you also that were dead
in trespass and sin, in the which in time passed ye walked, according to the
course of this world, and after the governor, that ruleth in the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of unbelief, among which we also had
our conversation in time past, in the lusts of our flesh, and fulfilled the
will of the flesh, and of the mind: and were naturally the children of wrath,
even as well as other.
But God which is rich in mercy thorow his
great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead by sin, hath quickened
us with Christ (For by grace are ye saved) and with him hath raised us up, and
with him hath made us sit in heavenly things, thorow Iesus Christ, For to shew
in times to come the exceeding riches of his grace, in kindness to usward,
thorow Christ Iesus. For by grace are ye made safe thorow faith, and that not
of your selves: For it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any
man should boast himself. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesu
unto good works, unto the which God ordained us before, that we should walk in
them.
Wherefore remember that ye being in time
past gentiles in the flesh, and were called uncircumcision of them which are
called circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands: Remember
I say, that ye were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from
the common wealth of Israhel, and were fremed from the testaments of promise,
and had no hope, and were without God in this world. But now in Christ Iesu, ye
which a while ago were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, which hath made of
both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between
us, and hath also put away thorow his flesh, the cause of hatred (that is to
say, the law of commandments contained in the law written,) for to make of
twain one new man in himself, so making peace: and to reconcile both unto God
in one body thorow his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached
peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For thorow him we
both have an open way in, in one spirit unto the father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners: but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Iesus Christ being the
head cornerstone, in whom every building coupled together, groweth unto an holy
temple in the lord, in whom ye also are built together, and made an habitation
for God in the spirit.
The .iij.
Chapter.
For this cause I Paul the servant of Iesus
am in bonds, For your sakes which are gentiles. If ye have heard of the
ministration of the grace of God which is given me to youward: For by
revelation shewed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words,
whereby, when ye read ye may know mine understanding in the ministry of Christ,
which mystery in times passed was not opened unto the sons of men as it is now
declared unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit: that the gentiles
should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise
that is in Christ, by the means of the gospell, whereof I am made a minister,
by the gift of the grace of God given unto me, after the working of his power.
Unto me the least of all saints is this
grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ, and to give light to all men, that they might know what is the
fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid
in God which made all things thorow Iesus Christ, to the intent, that now unto
the rulers and powers in heaven might be known by the congregation the manyfold
wisdom of God, according to that eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ
Iesu our lord, by whom we are bold to draw nigh in that trust, which we have by
faith on him. Wherefore I desire, that ye faint not because of mine
tribulations which I suffer for you: which is your praise.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the father
of our lord Iesus Christ, which is father over all that is called father In
heaven and in earth, that he would grant you according to the riches of his
glory, that ye may be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and
grounded in love, might be able to comprehend with all saints, what is that
breadth and length, depth and height: and to know what is the love of Christ,
which love passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of
fullness which cometh of God.
Unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh
in us, be praise in the congregation by Iesus Christ, thorow out all generations
from time to time. Amen.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
I therefore which am in bonds for the
lord's sake exhort you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called, in all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing
one another thorow love, and that ye be diligent to keep the unity of the
spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling. Let there be but one lord, one faith, one
baptism: one God and father of all, which is above all, thorow all, and in us
all.
Unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: He is gone
up on high, and hath led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men. That
he ascended: what meaneth it, but that he also descended first into the lowest
parts of the earth? He that descended, is even the same also that ascended up,
even above all heavens, to fulfil all things.
And the very same, made some Apostles, some
prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: that the saints
might have all things necessary to work and minister withall, to the edifying
of the body of Christ, till we everyeachone (in the unity of faith, and knowledge
of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which
is in the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children wavering
and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness of men and craftiness,
whereby they lay a wait for us to deceive us.
But let us follow the truth in love, and in
all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say Christ, in whom all
the body is coupled and knit together, in every joint, wherewith one
ministereth to another (according to the operation as every part hath his
measure) and increaseth the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.
This I say herefore, and testify in the
lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in vanities of their
mind, blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which is in
God, thorow the ignorancy that is in them, because of the blindness of their
hearts: which being past repentance have given themselves unto wantonness, to
work all manner of uncleanness even with greediness. But ye have not so learned
Christ, If so be ye have heard of him, and are taught in him, even as the truth
is in Iesu: so then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from you
that old man, which is corrupt thorow the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed
in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after a godly wise,
is shapen in righteousness, and true holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and
speak every man truth unto his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of
another. Be angry, but sin not: let not the son go down upon your wrath, give
no place unto the backbiter, let him that stole steal no more, but let him
rather labour with his hands some good thing, that he may have to give unto him
that needeth.
Let no filthy communication proceed out of
your mouths: but that which is good to edify withall, when need is: that it may
have favour with the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye
are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, fierceness and
wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from you, with all
maliciousness. Be ye courteous one to another, be merciful forgiving one
another, even as God for Christe's sake forgave you.
The .v.
Chapter.
Be ye followers of God as dear children,
and walk in love even as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering
and a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God. So that fornication, and all
uncleanness, or covetousness, be not once, named among you, as it becometh
saints: neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither jestings, which
are not comely: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no
whoremonger, either unclean person, or covetous person (which is the worshipper
of images) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words. For
thorow such things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be
not therefore companions with them. Ye were once darkness, but are now light in
the lord.
Walk as children of light. For the fruit of
the spirit is, in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Accept that which is
pleasing to the lord: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness: but rather rebuke them. For it is shame even to name those things
which are done of them in secret: but all things, when they are rebuked of the
light, are manifest. For whatsoever is manifest, that same is light. Wherefore
he saith: awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from death, and Christ shall
give thee light.
Take heed therefore that ye walk
circumspectly: not as fools: but as wise, redeeming the time: for the days are
evil: wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the lord is,
and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the
spirit, speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing and playing to the lord in your hearts, giving thanks allways for all
things in the name of our lord Iesu Christ to God the father: submitting
yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Women submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the lord. For the husband is the wife's head, even as Christ
is the head of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, likewise let the
wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things. Husbands love your
wives, even as Christ loved the congregation, and gave himself for it, to
sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water thorow the word, to make
it unto himself, a glorious congregation without spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing: but that it should be holy and without blame.
So ought men to love their wives, as their
own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet, hated
his own flesh: But nourisheth, and cherisheth it: even as the lord doth the
congregation: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall continue with his
wife, and two shall be made one flesh. This is a great secret, but I speak
between Christ and the congregation. Nevertheless do ye so that every one of
you love his wife truly even as himself: And let the wife see that she fear her
husband.
The .vj.
Chapter.
Children obey your fathers and mothers in
the lord: for so is it right. Honour father and mother, that is the first
commandment that hath any promise, that thou mayst be in good estate, and live
long on the earth. Fathers, move not your children to wrath: but bring them up
with the nurture and information of the lord. Servants be obedient unto your
carnal masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your hearts, as unto
Christ: not with service in the eye sight, as men pleasers: but as the servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will, even as though
ye served the lord, and not men. And remember that whatsoever good thing any
man doeth, that shall he receive again of the lord, whether he be bond or free.
And ye masters, do even the same things unto them, putting away threatenings:
and remember that even your master also is in heaven, neither is there any
respect of person with him.
Finally, my brethren be strong in the lord,
and in the power of his might. Put on the armour of God, that ye may stand
steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, and against worldly rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things.
For this cause take unto you the armour of
God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all
things.
Stand therefore and your loins gird about
with verity, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod with shoes
prepared by the gospell of peace. Above all take to you the shield of faith,
wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet
of health, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and pray always
with all manner prayer and supplication: and that in the spirit: and watch
thereunto with all instance and supplication for all saints, and for me, that
utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mought boldly, to utter the
secrets of the gospell, whereof I am a messenger in bonds, that therein I may
speak freely, as it becometh me to speak.
But that ye may also know that condition I
am in, and what I do, Tichicus my dear brother and faithful minister in the
lord, shall shew you of all things, whom I sent unto you for the same purpose,
that ye might know what case I stand in, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Peace be with the brethren, and love with
faith from God the father, and from the lord Iesu Christ. Grace be with all
them which love our lord Iesus Christ in pureness, Amen.
Sent from
Rome unto the Ephesyans by Tichicus.
The
pistel of S. Paul to the Philippians
The first
Chapter.
Paul and
Timotheus the servants of Iesu Christ. To all the saints in Christ Iesu which
are at Philippos, with the bishops and deacons.
Grace be with you and peace from God our
father, and from the lord Iesus Christe.
I thank my God with all remembrance of you,
always in all my prayers for you all, and pray with gladness, because of the
fellowship which ye have in the gospell from the first day unto now, and am
surely certified of this, that he which began a good work in you shall perform
it until the day of Iesus Christ, as it becometh me so to judge of you all,
because I have you in my heart, and have you also every one companions of grace
with me, even in my bonds as I defend, and stablish the gospell.
God beareth me record how greatly I long
after you all from the very heart root in Iesus Christ. And this I pray, that
your love may increase more and more in knowledge, and in all fealing, that ye
might accept things most excellent, that ye might be pure and such as should
hurt no man's conscience, until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of
righteousness, which fruits come by Iesus Christ unto the glory and laud of
God.
I would ye understood brethren that my
business is happened unto the greater furthering of the gospell. So that my
bonds in Christ are manifest thorow out all the judgement hall: and in all other
places, In so much that many of the brethren in the lord are boldened thorow my
bonds, and dare more largely speak the word without fear. Some there are which
preach Christ of envy and strife, and some of goodwill. The one part preacheth
Christ of strife, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds.
The other part of love, because they see that I am set to defend to Gospell.
What thing is this? Notwithstanding by all
manner ways, whether it be by occasion or of truth, yet Christ is preached: and
therefore I joy. Yee and will joy. For I know that this shall be for my health,
thorow your prayer, and ministering of the spirit of Iesu Christ, as I heartily
look for and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed: but that with all confidence,
as always in times past, even so now Christ shall be magnified in my body,
whether it be thorow life, or else death. For Christ is to me life, and death
is to me advantage.
If it chance me to live in the flesh, that
is to me fruitful for to work, and what to choose I wot not. I am constrained
of two things: I desire to be lowsed, and to be with Christ, which thing is
best of all: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And
this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for the
furtherance and joy of your faith, that ye may more abundantly rejoice in Iesus
Christ thorow me, by my coming to you again.
Only let your conversation be, as it
becometh the gospell of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be
absent, I may yet hear of you, that ye continue in one spirit, and in one soul
laboring as we do to maintain the faith of the gospell, and in nothing fearing
your adversaries: which is to them a token of perdition, and to you a sign of
health, and that of God. For unto you it is given, that not only ye should
believe on Christ: but also suffer for his sake, and have even the same fight
which ye saw me have and now hear of me.
The .ij.
Chapter.
If there be among you any consolation in
Christ, if there be any comfortable love, if there be any fellowship of the
spirit, if there be any compassion of mercy: fulfil my joy, that ye draw one
way, having one love, being of one accord, and of one mind, that nothing be
done thorow strife or vain glory, but in meekness of mind. Let every person
think every other man better than himself, so that ye consider every man, not
what is in himself: But what is in other men.
Let the same mind be in you the which was
in Christ Iesu: Which being in the shape of God, and thought it not robbery to
be equal with God. Nevertheless he made himself of no reputation, and took on
him the shape of a servant, and became like unto men, and was found in his
apparel as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient unto the death, even
the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath exalted him, and given him a name
above all names: that in the name of Iesus should every knee bow, both of
things in heaven, and things in earth and things under earth, and that all
tongues should confess that Iesus Christ is the lord unto the praise of God the
father.
Wherefore my dearly beloved, as ye have
always obeyed, not when I was present only, but now much more in mine absence,
even so perform your own health with fear and trembling. For it is God which
worketh in you, both the will and also the deed, even of good will.
Do all thinge without murmuring and
disputing, that ye may be faultless, and pure, and the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked, and a perverse nation, among which see that
ye shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, unto my
rejoicing in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have
laboured in vain. Yee and though I be offered up on your sacrifice and of your serving
of God in the faith: I rejoice and rejoice with you all. For the same cause
also, rejoice ye, and rejoice ye with me.
I trust in the lord Iesus for to send
Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know
what case ye stand in. For I have no man that is so like minded to me, which
with so pure affection careth for your matters. For all others seek their own,
and not that which is Iesus Christe's. Ye know the proof of him, how that as a
son with the father, so with me bestowed he his labour upon the gospell. Him I
hope to send as soon as I know how it will go with me. I trust in the lord that
I also myself shall come shortly.
I supposed it necessary to send brother
Epaphreditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellowsoldier, your Apostle,
and my minister at my needs. For he longed after you, and was full of
heaviness, because that ye had heard say that he should be sick, and no doubt
he was sick, and that nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him: not on him only,
but on me also, lest I should have had sorrow upon sorrow.
I sent him therefore the diligentlier, that
when ye should see him, ye might rejoice again, and I might be the less
sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the lord with all gladness, and make much
of such: because that for the work of Christ he went so far, that he was nigh
unto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfil that service which was lacking
on your part toward me.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Moreover brethren mine, rejoice in the
lord. It grieveth me not to write the very same things unto you. For to you it
is a sure thing. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Beware of dissension:
For we are circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Iesu, and have no confidence in the flesh: though I have whereof I might
rejoice in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might
trust in the flesh: much more I: circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of
Israhell, of the tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew born of the Hebrews: as concerning
the law, a Pharisee, and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the
congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law I was such
a one as no man could complain on.
But the things that were winning unto me I
counted loss for Christe's sake. Yee I think all things but loss for that
excellent knowledge's sake of Christ Iesu my lord. For whom I have counted all
thing loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ, and might be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law: But that
which springeth of the faith which is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which
cometh of God thorow faith in knowing him, and the virtue of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his passions, that I might be conformable unto his death,
if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from death.
Not as though I had all ready received it,
either were all ready perfect: but I follow, if that I may comprehend that,
wherein I am comprehended of Christ Iesu. Brethren I count not myself that I
have gotten it: but one thing I say: I forget that which is behind me, and
stretch myself unto that which is before me and press unto that mark appointed,
to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Iesu. Let us
therefore as many as be perfect be thus wise minded: and if ye be other wise
minded, I pray God open even this unto you. Nevertheless in that whereunto we
are come, let us proceed by one rule, that we may be of one accord.
Brethren be followers of me, and look on them
which walk even so, as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk (of whom I
have told you often, and now tell you weeping) that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ, whose end is damnation, whose God is their belly and glory to
their shame, which are worldly minded. But our conversation is in heaven, from
whence we look for the saviour Iesus Christ, which shall change into another
fashion our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious
body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto
himself.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Herefore brethren dearly beloved and longed
for, my joy and crown, so continue beloved in the lord. I pray Euodias, and
beseech Sintiches that they be of one accord in the lord. Yee and I beseech
thee faithful yokefellow, help the women which laboured with me in the gospell,
and with Clement also, and with other my labourfellows, whose names are in the
book of life. Rejoice in the lord alway, and again I say rejoice. Let your
softness be known unto all men. The lord is even at hand. Be not carefull: but
in all things shew your petition unto God in prayer and supplication with
giving of thanks. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep
your hearts, and minds in Christ Iesu.
Furthermore brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things pertain to love, whatsoever things are of
honest report, if there be any virtuous thing, if there be any laudable thing,
those same have ye in your mind, which ye have both learned and received, heard
and also seen in me: those things do, and the God of peace shall be with you. I
rejoice in the lord greatly, that now at the last ye are revived, and are waxed
mindfull of me again in that wherein ye were also mindfull, but ye lacked
opportunity. I speak not because of necessity. For I have learned in whatsoever
estate I am, therewith to be content. I can both cast down myself, I can also
exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to
be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need. I can do all things thorow the
help of Christ, which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that
ye bare part with me in my tribulation.
Ye of Philippos know that in the beginning
of the gospell, when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation bare part with
me as concerning giving and receiving but ye only. For when I was in Thessalonica,
ye sent once, and afterward again, unto my needs: not that I desire gifts: but
I desire abundant fruit on your part. I received all, and have plenty. I was
even filled after that I had received of Epaphroditus, that which came from
you, an odor that smelleth sweet, a sacrifice accepted and pleasant to God. My
God fulfil all your needs thorow his glorious riches in Iesu Christ.
Unto God and our father be praise for ever
more Amen. Salute all the saints in Christ Iesu. The brethren which are with me
greet you. All the saints salute you: and most of all they which are of the
emperors household. The grace of our lord Iesu Christ be with you all
Amen.
Sent from
Rome by Epaphroditus.
The
pistel of S. Paul to the Collossians
The first
Chapter.
Paul an apostle of Iesu Christ by the will
of God, and brother Timotheus.
To the saints which are at Colossa, and
brethren that believe in Christ.
Grace be with you and peace from God our
father, and from the lord Iesu Christ.
We give thanks to God the father of our
lord Iesus Christ alway praying for you in our prayers, since we heard of your
faith which ye have in Christ Iesu: and of the love which ye bear to all saints
for the hope's sake which is laid up in store for you in heaven, of which hope
ye have heard by the true word of the gospell, which is come unto you, even as
it is into all the world, and is fruitful as it is among you, from the first
day in the which ye heard of it, and had experience in the grace of God in the
truth, as ye learned of Epaphra our dear fellow servant, which is for you a
faithful minister in Christ, which also declared unto us your love, which ye
have in the spirit.
For this cause we also, since the day we
heard of it have not ceased praying for you, and desiring that ye might be
fulfilled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding, that ye might walk worthy of the lord in all things that please,
being fruitful in all good works and increasing in the knowledge of God
strengthed with all might, thorow his glorious power, unto all patience, and
long suffering, with joyfulness, giving thanks into the father which hath made
us meet to be part takers of the inheritance of saints in light.
Which hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son, in whom we
have redemption thorow his blood, that is to say, forgiveness of sins, which is
the image of the invisible God, first begotten before all creatures: for by him
were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in
earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or
lordship, either rule or power. All things are created by him, and in him, and
he is before all things, and in him all things have their being.
And he is the head of the body, that is to
wit of the congregation, he is the beginning and first begotten of the dead,
that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the father
that in him should all fullness dwell, and by him to reconcile all thinge unto
himself, and to set at peace by him thorow the blood of his cross both things
in heaven and things in earth.
And you (which were in times past strangers
and enemies, because your minds were set in evil works) hath he now reconciled
in the body of his flesh thorow death, to make you holy, and such as no man
could complain on, and without fault in his own sight, if ye continue grounded
and stablished in the faith, and be not moved away from the hope of the
gospell, whereof ye have heard, how that it is preached among all creatures,
which are under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister.
Now joy I in my passions which I suffer for
you, and fulfil that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh
for his body's sake, which is the congregation, whereof am I made a minister
according to the ordinance of God, which ordinance was given me unto you ward,
to fulfil the word of God, that mystery hid since the world began, and since
the beginning of generations: But now is opened to his saints, to whom God
would make known the glorious riches of this mystery among the gentiles, which
riches is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach warning all men, and
teaching all men in all wisdom, to make all men perfect in Christ Iesu: Wherein
I also labour and strive, even as far forth as his working worketh in me
mightily.
The
second Chapter.
I would ye knew what fighting I have for
your sakes and for them of Laodicia, and for as many as have not seen my person
in the flesh, that their hearts might be comforted and knit together in love,
and in all riches of full understanding, for to know the mystery of God the
father and of Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
This I say lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be
absent in the flesh, yet am I present with you in the spirit joying and
beholding the order that ye keep, and your steadfast faith in Christ. As ye have
therefore received Christ Iesu the lord, even so walk rooted and built in him,
and steadfast in the faith, as ye have learned: and therein be plenteous in
giving thanks.
Beware lest any man come and spoil you
thorow philosophy and deceitful vanity, thorow the traditions of men, and
ordinances after the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are full in him, which is the head of
all rule and power, in whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made
without hands, by putting off the sinful body off the flesh, thorow the
circumcision that is in Christ, in that ye are buried with him thorow baptism,
in whom ye are also risen again thorow faith, that is wrought by the operation
of God which raised him from death.
And hath with him quickened you also which
were dead in sin in the uncircumcision of your flesh, and hath forgiven our
trespasses, and hath put out the obligation that was against us, made in the
law written, and that hath he taken out of the way, and hath fastened it on his
cross, and hath spoiled rule and power, and hath made a shew of them openly,
and hath triumphed over them in his own person.
Let no man therefore trouble your
consciences about meat and drink: or for a piece of an holyday, as the holyday
of the new moon or of the saboth daye, which are nothing but shadows of things
to come: but the body is in Christ. Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark,
which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of
angels, things which he never saw: causeless puffed up with his fleshly mind,
and holdeth not the head, whereof all the body by joints and couples receiveth
nourishment, and is knit together, and increaseth with the increasing that
cometh of God.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from doctrine of the world: Why as
though ye yet lived in the world, are ye led with traditions of them that say?
Touch not, Taste not, Handle not: which all perish with the using of them, and
are after the commandments, and doctrines of men: which things have the
similitude of wisdom in chosen holiness, and humbleness, and in that they spare
not the body, and do the flesh no worship unto his need.
The .iij.
Chapter.
If ye be then risen again with Christ seek
those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things that are above, and not on things which are on the
earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ
which is our life shall shew himself, then shall ye also appear with him in
glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are on
the earth, fornication, uncleanness, unnatural lust, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness which is worshipping of idols: for which thing's sakes the wrath
of God falleth on the children of unbelief. In which things ye walked once,
when ye lived in them.
But now put ye also away from you all
things, wrath, fierceness, maliciousness, cursed speaking, filthy speaking out
of your mouths. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man
with his works, and have put on the new, which is renewed in knowledge, after
the image of him that made him, where is neither greek nor jewe, circumcision
nor uncircumcision, Barbarous or Sithian, bond or free: But Christe is all in
all things.
Now therefore as elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of minde, meekness, long
suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another (if any man have a
quarrel to another) even as Christ forgave you, even so do ye. Above all these
things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness, and the peace of God rule
in your hearts, to the which peace ye are called in one body: and see that ye
be thankful.
Let the word of God dwell in you
plenteously in all wisdom. Teach and exhort your own selves, in psalms, and
hymns, and spiritual songs which have favour with them, singing in your hearts
to the lord. And all things (whatsoever ye do in word or deed) do in the name
of the lord Iesu, giving thanks to God the father by him.
Wives submit your own selves unto your own
husbands, as it is comely in the lord. Husbands love your wives and be not
bitter unto them. Children obey your fathers and mothers, in all things, for
that is well pleasing unto the lord. Fathers rate not your children, lest they
be of a desperate mind. Servants be obedient unto your bodily masters in all
things: not with eye service as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart
fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as though ye did it to the
lord, and not unto men, remembering that of the lord ye shall receive the
reward of inheritance, for ye serve the lord Christ. But he that doth wrong
shall receive for the wrong that he hath done: for there is no respect of
persons.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Ye
masters do unto your servants that which is just and egal, remembering that ye
have also a master in heaven.
Continue in prayer and watch in the same
with thanksgiving, praying also for us that God open unto us the door of
utterance, that we may speak the mystery of Christ (wherefore I am also in
bonds) that I may utter it, as it becometh me to speak. Walk wisely to them
that are without, and redeem the time. Let your speech alwaye have faveoure
with it and be salted, that ye may know how to answer every man.
The dear brother Tichicos shall tell you of
all my business, which is a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the lord,
whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know how ye do,
and might comfort your hearts, with one Onesimus a faithful, and a beloved
brother, which is one of you. They shall shew you of all things which are a
doing here.
Aristarchus my prison fellow saluteth you,
And Marcus Barnabas' sister's son: touching whom, ye received commandments. If
he come unto you receive him: and Iesus which is called Iustus, which are of
the circumcision. These only are my workfellows unto the kingdom of God, which
were unto my consolation. Epaphras the servant of Christ, which is one of you,
saluteth you, and always laboureth fervently for you in prayers that ye may
stand perfect, and full in all that is the will of God. I bear him record that
he hath a fervent mind toward you, and toward them of Laodicia and them of
Hierapolis. Dear Lucas the physician greeteth you, and Demas. Salute the
brethren which are of Laodicia, and salute Nymphas, and the congregation which
is in his house. And when the pistel is read of you, make that it be read in
the congregation of the Laodicians also: and that ye likewise read the pistel
of Laodicia. And say to Archippus: Take heed to thine office that thou hast
received in the lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me
Paul. Remember my bonds Grace be with you, Amen.
Sent from
Rome by Tichicus, and Onesimus.
The first
pistel of S. Paul unto the Tessalonians
The first
Chapter.
Paul Silvanus and Timotheus.
Unto the congregation of the Thessalonians,
in God the father, and in the lord Iesus Christ. Grace be with you, and peace
from God our father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
We give God thanks alwaye for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing, and call to remembrance
your work in the faith, and labour in love and perseverance in the hope of our
lord Iesus Christ, in the sight of God our father: because we know brethren
beloved of God, how that ye are elect. For our gospell came not unto you in
word only, but also in power, and also in the holy ghost and in much certainty,
as ye know that we behaved ourselves among you, for your sakes.
And ye counterfeited us, and of the lord:
and received the word in much affliction, with joy of the holy ghost: so that
ye were an example to all that believe in Macedonia, and Achaia. For from you
sounded out the word of the lord, not in Macedonia and in Achaia only: but your
faith also which ye have unto God, spread herself abroad in all quarters, so
greatly that it needeth not us to speak anything at all: for they themselves
shew of you what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to
God from images for to serve the living and true God, and for to look for his
son from heaven, whom he raised from death: I mean Iesus which delivereth us
from wrath to come.
The .ij.
Chapter.
For ye yourselves brethren know of our
entrance in unto you, how that it was not in vain: but even after that we had
suffered before and were shamefully entreated at Philippos (as ye well know)
then were we bold in our God to speak unto you the gospell of God, with much
striving. Our exhortation was not to bring you to error, nor yet to
uncleanness, neither was it with guile: but as we were allowed of God, that the
gospell should be committed unto us: even so we speak, not as though we
intended to please men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Neither was our conversation at any time
with flattering words (as ye well know) neither in cloaked covetousness, God is
record: neither sought we praise of men, neither of you, nor yet of any other,
when we might have been chargable, as the Apostles of Christ: but were tender
among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children, so was our affection toward
you our good will was to have dealt unto you, not the gospell of God only: but
also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Ye remember brethren our labour and
travail. For we laboured day and night, because we would not be grievous unto
any of you, and preached you the gospell of God. Ye are witnesses, and so is
God, how holily and justly (that no man could blame us) we behaved ourselves
among you that believe, as ye know how that we exhorted and comforted, and
besought every one of you, as a father his children, that ye would walk worthy
of the lord, which hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
For this cause thank we God without
ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was
preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was in deed,
the word of God, which worketh in you that believe. For ye brethren did
counterfeit the congregations of God which in jewry are in Christ Iesu: for ye
have suffered like things of your kinsmen, as we our selves have suffered of
the Iewes, which as they killed the lord Iesus and their own prophets, even so
have they persecuted us, and God they please not, and are contrary to all men:
and forbid us to preach unto the gentiles, that they might be saved, to fulfil
their sins: For the wrath of God is come on them, even to the utmost.
For as much brethren as we are kept from
you for a season, as concerning the bodily presence but not in the heart, we
enforced the more to see you personally with great desire, and therefore we
would have come unto you, I Paul once and again: but Satan withstood us. For
what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not ye it in the presence
of our lord Iesus Christ at his coming? yes ye are our glory and joy.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Wherefore since we could no longer forbear,
it pleased us to remain at Athens alone, and sent Timotheus our brother and
minister of God, and our labourfellow in the gospell of Christ, to stablish
you, and to comfort you over your faith, that no man should be moved in these
afflictions. For ye yourselves know that we are even appointed thereunto. For
verily when I was with you, I told you before that we should suffer tribulation
even as it came to pass, and as ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer
forbear, I sent that I might have knowledge of your faith, lest haply the
tempter had tempted you, and that our labour had been bestowed in vain.
Now lately when Timotheus came from you
unto us and declared to us your faith, and your love, and how that ye have good
remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, as we desire to see you.
Therefore brethren had I consolation in you, in all our adversity, and
necessity through your faith. For now are we alive if ye stand steadfast in the
lord. For what thanks can we recompense to God again for you, over all the joy
that we joy for your sakes before our God, while we night and day pray
exceedingly, that we might see you presently, and might fulfil that which is
lacking in your faith.
God himself our father, and our lord Iesus
Christ guide our journey unto you: and the lord increase you, and make you flow
over in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you,
to stablish your hearts that they might be without ought to be complained on,
in sanctifying {holiness} before God our father, at the coming of our lord Iesus Christ, with
all his saints.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Furthermore we beseech you brethren, and
exhort you in the lord Iesus, that ye increase more and more, even as ye have
received of us, how ye ought to walk and to please God. Ye remember what
commandments we gave you in the name of our lord Iesu. For this is the will of
God, which is your sanctifying, that ye should abstain from fornication, that
every one of you should know how to keep his vessel in holiness and honour, and
not in the lust of concupiscence, as do the heathen, which know not God, that
no man go beyond, and defraud his brother in bargaining, because the lord is
avenger of all such things: as we told you before time, and testified unto you.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness: but unto sanctifying. He therefore
that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, which hath sent his holy spirit
among you.
But as touching brotherly love, ye need not
that I write unto you. For ye are taught of God to love one another. Ye and
that thing verily ye do unto all the brethren, which are thorowout all
Macedonia. We beseech you brethren that ye increase, more and more, and that ye
study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business, and to work with your
own hands, as we commanded you: that ye may behave yourselves honestly toward
them that are without and that nothing be lacking unto you.
I would not brethren have you ignorant
concerning them which are fallen asleep, that ye sorrow not as other do which
have no hope. For if we believe that Iesus died, and rose again: even so them
also which sleep by Iesus, will God bring again with him. And this say we unto
you in the word of the lord, that we which live and are remaining in the coming
of the lord, shall not come yer they, which sleep. For the lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and trompe of
God. And the dead in Christe shall arise first: then shall we which live and
remain, be caught up with them also in the clouds to meet the lord in the air.
And so shall we ever be with the lord. Wherefore comfort your selves one
another with these words.
The .v.
Chapter.
Of the times and seasons brethren ye have
no need that I write unto you: for ye your selves know perfectly, that the day
of the lord shall come even as a thief in the night. When they shall say peace
and no danger, then cometh on them sudden destruction, as the travailing of a
woman with child, and they shall not escape. But ye brethren are not in
darkness, that that day should come on you as it were a thief. Ye are all the
children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
neither of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep as do other: but
let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they
that be drunken, are drunken in the night. But let us which are of the day be
sober, armed with the breast plate of faith and love, and with hope of health,
as an helmet. For God hath not appointed us unto wrath: but to obtain health by
the means of our lord Iesu Christ, which died for us: that whether we wake or
sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and
edify one another, even as ye do.
We beseech you brethren, that ye know them
which labour among you, and have the oversight of you in the lord, and give you
exhortation, that ye have them the more in love: For their work's sake, and be
at peace with them. We desire you brethren warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feeble minded, forbear the weak have continual patience toward all men. See
that none recompense evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is
good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice ever. Pray continually. In
all thing give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Iesu toward you.
Quench not the spirit, despise not
prophesying. Examine all things. Reap that which is good. Abstain from all
suspicious things. The very God of peace sanctify you thorowout. And I pray God
that your whole spirit, soul, and body, be kept faultless unto the coming of
our lord Iesus Christ. Faithful is he, which called you: which will also do it.
Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you
in the lord, that this pistel be read unto all the wholly brethren. The grace
of the lord Iesus Christe be with you. Amen.
The first
pistle unto the Tessalonyans written from Athens.
The
second pistel of S. Paul to the Tessalonians
The first
Chapter.
Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus.
Unto the congregation of the Thessalonians,
which are in God our father, and in the lord Iesus Christ.
Grace be with you and peace from God our
father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
We are bound to thank God always for you
brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and every
one of you swimmeth in love toward another between yourselves, so that we
ourselves rejoice of you in the congregations of God, over your patience and
faith in all your persecutions, and tribulations that ye suffer: which is a
token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye are counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. It is verily a righteous thing with
God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you: and to you which are
troubled rest with us, when the lord Iesus shall shew himself from heaven, with
his mighty angels, in flaming fire, rendering vengeance unto them that know not
God, and to them that obey not unto the gospell of our lord Iesus Christ, which
shall be punished with everlasting damnation, from the presence of the lord,
and from the glory of his power, when he shall come to be glorified in his
saints, and to be made marvelous in all them that believe: because our
testimony that we had unto you, was believed even the same day that we preached
it. Wherefore we pray always for you that our God make you worthy of the
calling, and fulfil all delectation of goodness, and the work of faith, with
power: that the name of our lord Iesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye
in him, thorow the grace of our God, and of the lord Iesus Christ.
The
second Chapter.
We beseech you brethren by the coming of
our lord Iesu Christ, and in that we shall assemble unto him, that ye be not
suddenly moved from your mind, and be not troubled, neither by spirit, neither
by words, nor yet by letter, which should seem to come from us, as though the
day of Christ were at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means, for the lord
cometh not, except there come a departing first, and that that sinful man be
opened, the son of perdition which is an adversary, and is exalted above all
that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he shall sit in the temple
of God, and shew himself as God.
Remember ye not, that when I was yet with
you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth: even that he
might be uttered at his time. For already the mystery of iniquity worketh. Only
he that holdeth, let him now hold, until it {hit} be taken out of the way, and then
shall that wicked be uttered, whom the lord shall consume with the spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy with the appearance of his coming, even him whose
coming is by the working of Satan, with all lying power, signs, and wonders:
and in all deceivableness of unrighteousness, among them that perish: because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might have been saved. And
therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe lies:
that all they might be damned which believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.
We are bound to give thanks alwaye to God
for you brethren beloved of the lord, for because that God hath from the
beginning chosen you to health, thorow sanctifying of the spirit, And thorow believing
the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospell, to obtain the glory that
cometh of our lord Iesu Christ.
Therefore brethren stand fast and keep the
ordinations, which ye have learned: whether it were by our preaching, or by
oour pistel: Our lord Iesu Christ himself, and God our father, which hath loved
us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope thorow grace,
comfort your hearts, and establish you in all saying, and good doing.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Furthermore brethren pray for us, that the
word of God may have free passage, and be glorified, as it is with you: and
that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men. For all men have not
faith: but the lord is faithful, which shall stablish you, and keep you from
evil. We have confidence thorow the lord to youward, that ye both do, and will
do, that which we command you. And the lord guide your hearts unto the love of
God, and patience of Christ.
We require you brethren in the name of our
lord Iesu Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
inordinately, and not after the institution which ye received of us. Ye
yourselves know how ye ought to counterfeit us: For we behaved not ourselves
inordinately among you. Neither took we bread of any man for nought: but
wrought with labour and travail night and day, because we would not be grievous
to any of you: not but that we had authority: but to make ourselves an ensample
unto you, to counterfeit us. For when we were with you, this we warned you of,
that if there were any which would not work, that the same should not eat. We
have heard say no doubt that there are some which walk among you inordinately,
and work not at all, but are busybodies. Them that are such, we command and
exhort in the name of our lord Iesu Christ, that they work with quietness, and
eat their bread. Brethren be not weary in well doing. If any man obey not our
sayings, send us word of him by a letter: and have no company with him, that he
may be ashamed: And count him not as an enemy: but warn him as a brother.
The very lord of peace, give you peace
always, by all means. The lord be with you all. The salutation of me Paul with
mine own hand. This is the token in all pistels. So I write. The grace of our
lord Iesus be with you all Amen.
Sent from
Athens.
The first
pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
The first
Chapter.
Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, by the
commandment of God our saviour, and of the lord Iesu Christ, which is our hope.
Unto Timothy his natural son in the faith.
Grace mercy and peace from God our father,
and from the lord Iesu Christ.
As I besought thee to abide still in
Ephesus when I departed into Macedonia, even so do that thou command some that
they teach no other wise: neither give heed to fables and genealogies, which
are endless, and breed doubts, more than Godly edifying which is by faith: for
the end of the commandment is love that cometh of a pure heart and of a good
conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from the which things, some have erred,
and have turned unto vain jangling, because they would be doctors in the
scripture, and yet understand not what they speak, neither whereof they affirm.
We know that the law is god, {good} if a man use
it lawfully, understanding this, how that the law is not given unto a righteous
man, but unto the unrighteous and disobedient, to the ungodly and to sinners,
to unholy and unclean, to murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, to
manslayers and whoremongers: to them that defile themselves with mankind: to
menstealers: to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing
that is contrary to wholesome doctrine according to the glorious gospell of the
holy God, which gospel is committed unto me.
And I thank him that hath made me strong in
Christ Iesu our lord: for he counted me true, and put me in office, when before
I was a blasphemer, and a persecuter, and a tyrant. Nevertheless I obtained
mercy because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief: but the grace of our lord was
more abundant, with faith and love, which is in Christ Iesu.
This is a true saying, and by all means
worthy to be received, that Christ Iesus came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am chief: Notwithstanding unto me was mercy given, that Iesus Christ
should first shew on me all long patience, unto the ensample of them which
shall in time to come believe on him unto eternal life. So then unto God, king
everlasting, immortal, invisible, and wise only, be honour and praise for ever
and ever Amen.
This commandment commit I unto thee son
Timotheus, according to the prophecies which in time past were prophesied of
thee, that thou in them shouldest fight a good fight, having faith and good
conscience, which some have put away from them, and as concerning faith have
made shipwreck. Of whose number is Himeneus, and Alexander, which I have
delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
The .ij.
Chapter.
I exhort therefore that above all things
prayers, supplications, petitions, and giving of thanks, be had for all men:
for kings, and for all that are in preeminence, that we may live a quiet and a
peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. For that is good and accepted in
the sight of god our saviour, which would have all men saved, and come unto the
knowledge of the truth. For there is one god, and one mediator between God and
man, which is the man Christ Iesus, which gave himself a ransom for all men,
that it should be preached at his time, whereunto I am appointed a preacher,
and an apostle (I tell the truth in Christ and lie not) being the teacher of
the gentiles in faith and verity.
I woll therefore that the men pray every
where, lifting up pure hands without wrath, or arguing. Likewise also the women
that they array themselves in mannerly apparel with shamefastness, and honest
behavior, not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls, or costly array: but
with such as becometh women that profess the worshipping of God thorow good
works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. I suffer not a woman
to teach, neither to have authority over the man: but for to be in silence. For
Adam was first formed, and then Eve. Also Adam was not deceived, but the woman
was deceived, and was in transgression. Notwithstanding they shall be saved
thorow bearing of children, if they continue in the faith and in love, and in
sanctifying.
The .iij.
Chapter.
This is a true saying: If a man covet the
office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Yea and a bishop must be faultless,
the husband of one wife, sober, of honest behavior, honestly apparelled,
harbourous, apt to teach, not drunken, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre:
but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness, and one that ruleth his
own house honestly, having children under obedience, with all honesty. For if a
man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God.
He may not be a young man, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil
speaker. He must also be well reported of among them which are without forth,
lest he fall into rebuke, and into the snare of the evil speaker.
Likewise must the deacons be honest, not
double tongued, not given unto much drinking, neither unto filthy lucre: but having
the mystery of the faith in pure conscience. And let them first be proved, and
then let them minister, if they be found faultless.
Even so must their wives be honest, not
evil speakers: but sober, and faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the
husbands of one wife and such as rule their children well, and their own
households. For they that minister well, get themselves good degree, and great
liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Iesu.
These things write I unto thee, trusting to
come shortly unto thee. And if I come not, that thou mayst yet have knowledge
how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the
congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. And without nay
great is that mystery of godliness. God was shewed in the flesh, was justified
in the spirit, was seen of angels, was preached unto the gentiles, was believed
on in earth and received up in glory.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
The spirit speaketh evidently that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, and shall give heed unto spirits
of error, and devilish doctrine of them which speak false thorow hypocrisy, and
have their consciences marked with an hot iron, forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with
giving thanks, of them which believe, and know the truth, for all the creatures
of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be received with
thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer. If thou
shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good
minister of Iesu Christ which hast been nourished up in the words of the faith,
and good doctrine, which doctrine thou hast continually followed. But cast away
unghostly and old wives' fables.
Exercise thyself unto godliness. For bodily
exercise profiteth little: But godliness is good unto all things, as a thing
which hath promises of the life that is now, and of the life to come. This is a
sure saying, and of all parties worthy to be received. For therefore we labour
and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God, which is the saviour
of all men: but specially of those that believe. Such things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth: but be unto them that believe, an ensample, in
word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness.
Till I come give attendance to reading, to
exhortation, and to doctrine. Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was
given thee thorow prophecy, and with laying on of the hands of a senior. These
things exercise, and give thyself unto them, that all men may see how thou
profitest. Take heed unto thyself and unto learning, and continue therein. For
if thou shalt so do thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee.
The .v.
Chapter.
Rebuke not a senior: but exhort him as a
father, and the younger men as brethren, the elder women as mothers, the
younger as sisters, with all pureness. Honour widows which are true widows. If
any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to rule their own
houses godly, and to recompense their elders. For that is good and acceptable
before God. She that is a very widow, and friendless, putteth her trust in God,
and continueth in supplication and prayer night and day: but she that liveth in
pleasure, is dead even yet alive. And such things command, that they may be
without fault. If there be any that provideth not for his own, and namely for
them of his household, the same denieth the faith, and is worse than an
infidel.
Let no widow be chosen under threescore
year old, and such a one as was the wife of one man, and well reported of in
good works: if she have nourished children, if she have been liberal to
strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered unto
them which were in adversity, if she were continually given unto all manner
good works. The younger widows refuse. For when they have begun to wax wanton,
to the dishonour of Christ, then will they marry, having damnation, because
they have despised their first faith. And also they learn to go from house to
house idle, yee not idle only, but also trifling and busybodies, speaking
things which are not comely.
I will therefore that the younger women
marry and bear children, and guide the house, and give none occasion to the
adversary to speak evil. For many of them are all ready turned back, and are
gone after Satan. And if any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them
minister unto them, and let not the congregation be charged: that it may have
sufficient for them that are widows in deed.
The seniors that rule well are worthy of
double honour, most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching.
For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And the laborer is worthy of his reward. Against an
senior receive none accusation: but under two or three witnesses. Them that sin
rebuke openly that other may fear.
I testify before God, and the lord Iesus
Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without hasty
judgment, and do nothing partially. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be
part taker of other men's sins: Keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but
use a little wine, for thy stomach's sake, and thine often diseases.
Some men's sins are open beforehand and go
before unto judgement: some men's sins follow after. Likewise also good works
are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.
The .vj.
Chapter.
Let as many servants as are under the yoke
count their masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God, and his
doctrine be not evil spoken of. See that they which have believing masters
despise them not because they are brethren: but so much the rather do service,
for as much as they are believing and beloved and part takers of the benefite.
These things teach and exhort. If any man
teach otherwise, and is not content with the wholesome words of our lord Iesu
Christ, and with the doctrine of godliness, he is puffed up and knoweth
nothing: but wasteth his brains about questions, and strife of words, whereof
spring envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings superfluous disputings in scowls
of men with corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, which think that lucre
is godliness. From such separate thyself. Godliness is great riches, if a man
be content with that he hath. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is
a plain case that we can carry nothing out.
When we have food and raiment, let us
therewith be content. They that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares,
and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition, and
destruction. For covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted
after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. But
thou which art the man of God, fly such things. Follow righteousness,
godliness, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hand on
eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession
before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God,
which quickeneth all things, and before Iesus Christ, which under Pontius
Pilate witnessed a good witnessing, that thou keep the commandment without spot,
so that no man find fault with thee, until the appearing of our lord Iesus
Christ, which appearing (when the time is come) he shall shew that is blessed
and mighty only, king of kings, and lord of lords, which only hath immortality,
and dwelleth in light that no man can obtain, whom never man saw, neither can
see: unto whom be honour and rule everlasting Amen.
Charge them that are rich in this world,
that they be not exceeding wise, and that they trust not in the uncertain
riches, but in the living God, which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy
them, and that they do good and be rich in good works, and ready to give and to
distribute, laying up in store for themselves, a good foundation against the
time to come, that they may obtain eternal life.
O Timothy save that which is given thee to
keep, and avoid unghostly vanities of voices, and oppositions of science
falsely so called, which science, while some professed, they have erred as
concerning the faith. Grace be with thee Amen.
Sent from
Laodicea, which is the chefest cite of Phrigia Pacaciana.
The
second pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
The first
Chapter.
Paul an Apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will
of God, to preach the promise of life, which life is in Christ Iesu.
To Timothy his beloved son. Grace, mercy,
and peace, from God the father, and from Iesus Christ our lord.
I thank God, whom I serve from mine elders
with pure conscience, that without ceasing I make mention of thee in my prayers
night and day, desiring to see thee, mindful of thy tears: so that I am filled
with joy, when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunica: and am assured
that it dwelleth in thee also.
Wherefore I warn thee that thou stir up the
gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not
given to us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of honest
behavior. Be not ashamed to testify our lord, neither be ashamed of me, which
am bound for his sake: but suffer adversity with the gospell also thorow the
power of God, which saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not after our
deeds, but for his purpose and grace, which grace was given us thorow Christ Iesu
before the world was, but is now declared openly by the appearing of our
saviour Iesu Christ, which hath put away death, and hath brought life and
immortality unto light thorow the gospell, whereunto I am appointed a preacher,
and an Apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles: for the which cause I also
suffer this. Nevertheless I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed,
and am sure that he is able keep that which I have committed to his keeping
against that day.
See thou have the example of the wholesome
words which thou heardest of me, in faith and love which is in Iesu Christ.
That good thing which was committed to thy keeping, keep in the holy ghost
which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest how that all they which are in Asia be
turned from me. Of which sort are Phigellos and Hermogenes. The lord give mercy
unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed
of my chain: but when he was at Rome he sought me out very diligently, and
found me. The lord grant unto him that he may find mercy with the lord at that
day. And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very
well.
The
second Chapter.
Thou therefore my son be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Iesu. And what things thou hast heard of me, many
bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach
other. Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Iesu Christ. No
man that warreth, entangleth himself with worldly business, and that because he
would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier. And though a man strive
for a mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman
that laboureth must first receive of the fruits. Consider what I say. The lord
give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Iesus Christ being of the
seed of David, rose again from death according to my gospell, wherein I suffer
trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds. But the word of God was not bound.
Herefore I suffer all things, for the elects' sakes, that they might also
obtain that health which is in Christ Iesu, with eternal glory.
It is a true saying, if we be dead with
him, we also shall live with him. If we be patient, we shall also reign with
him. If we deny him, he also shall deny us. If we believe not, yet abideth he
faithful. He cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, and
testify before the lord, that they strive not about words, which is to no
profit, but to pervert the hearers.
Study to shew thyself laudable unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly.
Unghostly and vain voices pass over. For they shall increase unto greater
ungodliness, and their words shall fret even as doth a cancre: of whose number
is Hymeneos and Philetos, which as concerning the truth have erred, saying that
the resurrection is past all ready, and do destroy the faith of diverse
persons.
But the sure ground of God remaineth, and
hath this seal: the lord knoweth them that are his, and let every man that
calleth on the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Notwithstanding in a great
house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of
earth: Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. If a man purge himself from such
fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the lord, and
prepared unto all good works.
Lusts of youth avoid, and follow
righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with them that call on the lord with
pure heart. Foolish and unlearned questions put from thee, remembering that
they do but make strife. But the servant of the lord must not strive: but must
be peaceable unto all men, and ready to teach, and one that can suffer the evil
in meekness, and can inform them that resist, if that God at any time will give
them repentance for to know the truth: that they may wake out of sleep again,
out of the snare of the devil, which are now taken of him at his will.
The .iij.
Chapter.
This understand, that in the last days
shall come parlous times: For the men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother,
unthankful, unholy, churlish, stubborn, false accusers, rioters, fierce,
despisers of them which are good, traitors, heady, high minded, greedy upon
voluptuousness more than the lovers of God, having a similitude of godly
living, but have denied the power there of. Such abhor. For of this sort are
they which enter into houses, and bring into bondage women laden with sin,
which women are led of divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come unto
the knowledge of the truth.
As Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, even
so do these resist the truth, men they are of corrupt minds, and lewd as
concerning the faith: but they shall prevail no longer. For their madness shall
be uttered unto all men as theirs was: but thou hast seen the experience of my
doctrine, ordinance, purpose, faith, long suffering, love, patience,
persecutions, and afflictions which happened unto me at Antioche, at Iconium,
and at Lystra: which persecutions I suffered patiently, And from them all the
lord delivered me. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Iesu, must suffer
persecutions. But the evil men and deceivers, shall wax worse and worse, while
they deceive, and are deceived themselves.
But continue thou in the things which thou
hast learned, which also were committed unto thee seeing thou knowest of whom
thou hast learned them. and for as much also as thou hast known holy scripture
of a child, which is able to make thee wise unto health thorow faith, which is
in Christ Iesu. For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to
teach, to improve, to inform, and to instruct in righteousness, that the man of
God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
I testify therefore before God, and before
the lord Iesu Christ, which shall judge quick and dead at his appearing in his
kingdom, preach the word, be fervent, be it in season, or out of season.
Improve, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering. For the time will come, when
they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they
(whose ears itch) get them an heap of teachers, and shall turn their ears from
the truth, and shall be given unto fables: But watch thou in all things, and
suffer adversity, and do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thine office unto
the utmost.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departing is at hand. I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled
my course, and have kept the faith. From henceforth is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the lord that is a righteous judge shall give me at
that day: not to me only: but unto all them that love his coming. Make speed to
come unto me at once.
For Demas hath left me, and hath loved this
present world, and is departed into Thessalonica. Crescens is gone to Galatia,
and Titus unto Dalmacea. Only Lucas is with me. Take Mark and bring him with
thee, for he is necessary unto me for to minister. And Tychicus have I sent to
Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troada with Carpus when thou comest bring
with thee, and the books, but specially the parchment. Alexander the
coppersmith did me much evil, the lord reward him according to his deeds, of
whom be thou ware also. For he withstood our preaching sore.
At my first answering for myself, no man
assisted me, but all forsook me. I pray God, that it may not be laid to their
charges: notwith standing the lord assisted me, and strengthed me, that by me
the preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost and that all the gentiles
should hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the lord
shall deliver me from all evil doing, and shall keep me unto his heavenly kingdom.
To whom be praise for ever and ever Amen.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household
of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinthum. Trophimos I left at Miletum sick.
Make speed to come before winter. Eubolus greeteh thee, and Pudes, and Linus,
and Claudia, and all the brethren. The lord Iesus Christ be with thy spirit.
Grace be with you Amen.
The
second pistle written from Rome unto Timothy, when Paul was presented the
second time up, before the Emperor Nero.
The
pistel of S. Paul to Titus
The first
Chapter.
Paul the servant of God and an Apostle of
Iesu Christ, to preach the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of that
truth, which truth is in serving God in hope of eternal life, which life God
cannot lie, hath promissed before the world began: but hath at the time
appointed opened his word by preaching, which preaching is committed unto me,
by the commandment of God our saviour.
To Titus his natural son in the common
faith.
Grace mercy and peace from God the father,
and from the lord Iesu Christ our saviour.
For this cause left I thee in Creta, that
thou shouldest perform that which was lacking and shouldest ordain seniors in
every city as I appointed thee. If any be such as no man can complain on, the
husband of one wife, having faithful children, which are not sclandred of riot,
neither are disobedient. For a bishop must be such as no man can complain on,
as it be cometh the minister of God not stubborn, not angry, no drunkard, no
fighter, not given to filthy lucre: but harbourous, one that loveth goodness,
of honest behavior, righteous, holy temperate, and such as cleaveth unto the
true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learning,
and to improve them that say against it.
For there are many disobedient and talkers
of vanity, and deceivers of minds, namely they of the circumcision, whose
mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they
ought not, because of filthy lucre. One being of themselves, which was a poet
of their own said: The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and slowbellies.
This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in
the faith, and not taking heed to jewes fables, and commandments of men, which
turn from the truth. Unto the pure, are all things pure: but unto them that are
defiled, and unbelieving, is nothing pure: but even the very minds and
consciences of them are defiled. They confess that they know God: but with
deeds they deny him and are abominable, and disobedient, and unto all good
works discommendable.
The .ij.
Chapter.
But speak thou that which becometh
wholesome learning: That the elder men be sober, honest, discreet, sound in the
faith, in love and in patience. And the elder women likewise that they be in
such raiment, as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much
drinking, but teachers of honest things, that they nurture the young women to
love their husbands, to love their children, to be of honest behaviour, chaste,
housewifely, good, and obedient unto their own husbands, that the word of God
be not evil spoken of. Young men likewise exhort that they be of honest
manners.
Above all things shew thyself an ensample
of good works in the doctrine, shew uncorruption, honesty, and the wholesome
word which cannot be rebuked, that he which withstandeth may be ashamed, having
no thing in you that he may dispraise. The servants exhort to be obedient unto
their own masters, and to please in all things, not answering again, neither be
pickers, but that they shew all good faithfulness, that they may do worship to
the doctrine of God our saviour in all things. For the grace of God, that
bringeth health unto all men, hath appeared and teacheth us that we should deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live honestly, righteously,
and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and glorious
appearing of the mighty God, and of our saviour Iesu Christ: which gave himself
for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness, and to purge us a peculiar
people unto himself, fervently given unto good works. These things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke, with all commanding. See that no man despise thee.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Warn them that they submit themselves to
rule and power, to obey the officers, that they be prompt unto all good works,
that they speak evil of no man, that they be no fighters, but soft, shewing all
meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were in times past, unwise, disobedient,
deceived, in danger to lusts, and to divers manners of voluptuousness, living
in maliciousness and envy, full of hate, hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of our
saviour to manward appeared, not of the deeds of righteousness which we
wrought, but of his mercy, he saved us, by the fountain of the new birth, and
with the renewing of the holy ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, thorow
Iesus Christ our saviour, that we once justified by his grace, should be heirs
of eternal life, thorow hope. This is a true saying.
Of these things I would thou shouldest
certify, that they which believe God, might be studious to go forward in good
works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Foolish questions, and
genealogies, and brawlings and strife about the law avoid, for they are
unprofitable, and superfluous. A man that is the actor {aucthor} of sects, after the
first and the second admonition avoid, remembering that he that is such, is
perverted, and sinneth, even damned by his own judgement.
When I shall send Artemas unto thee or
Tichicus be diligent to come to me unto Nichopolis. For I have determined there
to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that
nothing be lacking unto them. And let ours also learn to excel in good works as
far forth as need requireth, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me
salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all,
Amen.
Written
from Nichopolis a citie of Macedonia.
The
pistel of S. Paul unto Philemon
The first
Chapter.
Paul the prisoner of Iesu Christ, and
brother Timotheus.
Unto Philemon the beloved, and our helper,
and to the beloved Appia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the
congregation of thy house.
Grace be with you and peace, from God our
father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.
I thank my God always making mention always
of thee in my prayers, when I hear of thy love and faith, which thou hast
toward the lord Iesu, and toward all saints: so that the fellowship that thou
hast in the faith is fruitful thorow knowledge of all good things, which are in
you by Iesus Christ. And we have great joy and consolation over thy love: For
by thee brother, the saints' hearts are comforted.
Wherefore though I be bold in Christ to
enjoin thee, that which becometh thee: yet for love's sake I rather beseech
thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Iesu Christ's
sake. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds, which in
time passed was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable both to thee and also
to me, whom I have sent home again. Thou therefore receive him, that is to say
mine own bowels, whom I would fain have retained with me, that in thy stead he
might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospell. Nevertheless,
without thy mind, would I do nothing, that that good which springeth of thee
should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
Haply he therefore departed for a season,
that thou shouldest receive him for ever, not now as a servant: but above a
servant, I mean a brother beloved, specially to me: but how much more unto
thee, both in the flesh, and also in the lord? If thou count me a fellow,
receive him as myself. If he have hurt thee or oweth thee ought, that lay to my
charge. I Paul have written it with mine own hand. I will recompense it. So
that I do not say to thee how that thou owest unto me even thine own self. Even
so brother, let me enjoy thee in the lord. Comfort my bowels in the lord.
Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more
than I say for. Moreover prepare me lodging: for I trust thorow the help of
your prayers, I shall be given unto you. There salute thee, Epaphras my fellow
prisoner in Christe Iesu, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my helpers. The
grace of our lord Iesu Christ be with your spirits, Amen.
Sent from
Rome by Onesimus a servant.
The first
pistel of S. Peter
The first
Chapter.
Peter an Apostle of Iesu Christ, to them
that dwell here and there as strangers thorow out, Pontus, Galacia, Capadocia,
Asia, and Bethinia, elect by the foreknowledge of God the father, thorow the
sanctifying of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus
Christ. Grace be with you, and peace be multiplied.
Blessed be God the father of our lord Iesus
Christ, which thorow his abundant mercy begat us again unto a lively hope, by
the resurrection of Iesus Christ from death, to enjoy an inheritance immortal,
and undefiled, and that putrifieth not, reserved in heaven for you which are
kept by the power of God thorow faith, unto health, which health is prepared
allready to be shewed in the last time, in the which time ye shall rejoice,
though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness, thorow many fold
temptations, that your faith once tried being much more precious than gold that
perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto laud, glory, and
honour, when Iesus Christ shall appear: whom ye have not seen and yet love him,
in whom even now, though ye see him not, yet ye believe, and rejoice with joy
ineffable, and glorious: receiving the end of your faith, the health of your
souls. Of which health, have the prophets enquired, and sought, which
prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, searching when, or at what
time the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify, which spirit
testified before, the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that
should follow after: unto which prophets it was declared, that not unto
themselves, but unto us, they should minister the things which are now shewed
unto you, of them which by the holy ghost sent down from heaven, have preached
unto you the things which the angels desire to behold.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your minds,
be sober, and trust perfectly on the grace that is brought unto you, in that
Iesus Christ is opened, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves unto
your old lusts of ignorance: But as he which called you is holy, even so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written: Be ye holy, for I am
holy.
And if so be that ye call on the father
which without respect of person judgeth according to every man's works, see that
ye pass the time of your pilgrimage in fear. For as much as ye know how that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible gold and silver from your vain conversation,
which ye received by the traditions of the fathers: but with the precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb undefiled, and without spot, which was ordained before
the world was made: but was declared in the last times for your sakes, which by
his means have believed on God that raised him from death, and glorified him,
that ye might have faith and hope toward God.
And for as much as ye have purified your
souls thorow the spirit, in obeying the truth for to love brotherly without
feigning, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: for ye are
born a new, not of mortal seed, but of immortal seed, by the word of God which
liveth, and lasteth for ever, because that all flesh is as grass, and all the
glory of man is as the flower of grass, the grass is withered, and the flower
is faded away, but the word of the lord endureth ever. And this is the word
which by the gospell was preached among you.
The .ij.
Chapter.
Wherefore lay a side all maliciousness, and
all guile, and dissimulation, and envy, and all backbiting: and as new born
babes, desire that reasonable milk which is without corruption, that ye may be
grown therein. If so be that ye have tasted how pleasant the lord is, to whom ye
come as unto a living stone disallowed of men, but elect of God and precious:
and ye as living stones, are made a spiritual house, and an holy priesthood,
for to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Iesus Christ.
Wherefore it is contained in the scripture:
behold, I put in Sion an head corner stone, elect and precious: and he that
believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Unto you therefore which believe is he
precious: but unto them which believe not the same stone which the builders
refused, is made the head stone in the corner, and a stone to stumble at, and a
rock to offend them which stumble at the word, and believe not that where on
they were set. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, and a peculiar people, that ye should shew the vertues of him that
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, which in time past were
not a people, yet are now the people of God, which were not under mercy: but
now have obtained mercy.
Derly beloved I beseech you as strangers,
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which fight against the soul, and see
that ye have honest conversation among the gentiles, that they which backbite
you as evil doers, may see your good works and praise God in the day of
visitation.
Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance
of man for the lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head:
other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of
evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do. For so is the will of God,
that with well doing ye should stop the mouths of ignorant men: as free, and
not as though ye took liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: but even as the
servants of God. See that ye honour all men. Love brotherly fellowship, fear
God, honour the king.
Servants obey your masters with all fear,
not only if they be good and courteous: but also though they be froward. For it
commeth of grace, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering
wrongfully. For what praise is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye
take it patiently? But and if when ye do well, ye suffer wrong and take it
patiently, then is there thanke with God.
Hereunto verily were ye called, for Christ
also suffered for our sakes: leaving us an ensample that ye should follow his
steps, which did no sin, neither was there guile found in his mouth: which when
he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not: but
committed the cause to him that judgeth righteously, which his own self bare
our sins in his body on the tree, that we should be delivered from sin and
should live in righteousness. By whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as
sheep which go astray: but are now returned unto the shepherd, and bishop of
your souls.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Likewise let the women be in subjection to
their husbands, that even they which believe not the word, may without the word
be won by the conversation of the wives: while they behold your pure
conversation coupled with fear. Whose apparel shall not be outward with broided
hair, and hanging on of gold, other in putting on of gorgeous apparel: but let
the hid man of the heart be uncorrupt, with a meek and a quiet spirit, which
spirit is before God a thing much set by. For after this manner in the old time
did the wholy women which trusted in God tire themselves, and were obedient to
their husbands, even as Sara obeyed Abraham and called him lord: whose
daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and be not afraid of every shadow.
Likewise ye men dwell with them according
to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as
unto them that are heirs also of the grace of life, that your prayers be not
let.
In conclusion, be ye all of one mind, one
suffer with another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering
evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise, bless: remembering
that ye are thereunto called, even that ye should be heirs of blessing. For
whoso listeth to love life, and to see good days, let him refrain his tongue
from evil, and his lips, that they speak not guile: Let him eschew evil and do
good: let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the lord are over the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the lord
beholdeth them that do evil.
Moreover who is it that will harm you if ye
follow that which is good? notwithstanding happy are ye if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake. Nevertheless fear not though they seem terrible unto you,
neither be troubled: but sanctify the lord God in your hearts. Be ready always
to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that ye
have, and that with meekness and fear: having a good conscience, that when they
backbite you as evil doers, they may be ashamed, for as much as they have
falsely accused your good conversation in Christ.
It is better (if the will of God be so)
that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For as much as Christ hath
once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, for to bring us to God, and
was killed, as pertaining to the flesh: but was quickened in the spirit.
In which spirit, he also went and preached
unto the spirits that were in prison, which were in time past disobedient, when
the long suffering of God abode exceeding patiently in the days of Noah, while
the ark was a preparing, wherein few (that is to say viij. souls) were saved by
water, which signifieth baptism that now saveth us, not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience consenteth to God, by the
resurrection of Iesus Christ, which is on the right hand of God, and is gone into heaven,
angels, power, and might, subdued unto him.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
For as much as Christ hath suffered for us
in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he which
suffereth in the flesh ceaseth from sin, that he henceforward should live as
much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men: but after the
will of God. For it is sufficient for us that we have spent the time that is
past of the life, after the will of the gentiles, walking in wantonness lusts,
drunkenness, in eating, drinking, and in abominable idolatry.
And it seemeth to them a strange thing that
ye run not also with them unto the same excess of riot, and therefore speak
they evil of you, which shall give acomptes to him that is ready to judge quick
and dead. For unto this purpose verily was the gospel preached unto the dead,
that they should be judged after the manner of men in the flesh, but should
live godly in the spirit. The end of all things is at hand.
Be ye therefore discreet, and sober, that
ye may be apt to prayers. But above all things have fervent love among you. For
love covereth the multitude of sins. Be ye harbourous, and that without
grudging. As every man hath received the gift, minister the same one to another
as good ministers of the manyfold grace of God. If any man speak, let him talk
as though he speake the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of
the ability which God ministreth unto him. That God in all things may be
glorified thorow Iesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and
while the world standeth Amen.
Derly beloved, be not troubled in this
heat, which now is come among you to try you, as though some strange thing had
happened unto you: but rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's
passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad.
Happy are ye when ye suffer rebuke for the
name of Christ. For the spirit of glory and the spirit of God resteth upon you.
On their part he is evil spoken of: but on your part he is glorified.
See that none of you suffer as a murderer,
or as a thief, or an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. If any
man suffer as a Christian man, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God
on his behalf. For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of
God. If it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them which believe not
the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved: where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the
will of God, commit their souls to him with well doing, as unto a faithful
creator.
The .v.
Chapter.
The seniors which are among you I exhort,
which am also an senior, and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a
part taker of the glory that shall be opened: see that ye feed Christe's flock,
which is among you, taking the oversight of them, not as though ye were
compelled thereto: but willingly: Not for the desire of filthy lucre: but of a
good mind. Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an
ensample to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive an incorruptible crown of glory.
Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto
the elder. Submit yourselves every man, one to another. Knit yourselves
together in lowliness of mind. For God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to
the humble. Submit your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he
may exalt you, when the time is come. Cast all your care to him: for he careth
for you.
Be sober and watch, for your adversary the
devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist
steadfast in the faith, remembering that ye do but fulfil the same afflictions
which are appointed to your brethren that are in the world. The God of all
grace, which called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Iesus, shall his own
self after a little affliction make you perfect: shall settle, strengthe, and
establishe you. To him be glory and dominion for ever, and while the world
endureth Amen. By Silvanus a faithful brother unto you (as I suppose) have I
written brevely, exhorting and testifying how that this is the true grace of
God, wherein ye stand. The congregation that is gathered together in Babylon,
saluteth you, and Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with the kiss of love.
Peace be with you all which are in Christ Iesus, Amen.
The
second pistel of S. Peter
The first
Chapter.
Simon Peter a servant and an Apostle of
Iesus Christ, to them which have obtained like precious faith with us in the
righteousness that cometh of our God, and of the saviour Iesus Christ.
Grace with you, and peace be multiplied in
the knowledge of God, and of Iesus our lord. According as his godly power hath
given unto us all things that pertain unto life and to serve God with all,
thorow the knowledge of him that hath called us by virtue and glory, by the
means whereof, are given unto us excellent and most great promises, that by the
help of them ye should be part takers of the godly nature, in that ye fly the
corruption of worldly lust.
And hereunto give all diligence: in your
faith minister virtue, and in virtue knowledge, and in knowledge temperancy,
and in temperancy patience, in patience godliness, in godliness brotherly
kindness, in brotherly kindness love. For if these things be among you, and are
plenteous, they will make you that ye neither shall be idle nor unfruitful unto
the knowledge of the our lord Iesus Christ. He that lacketh these things is
blind and gropeth for the way with his hand, and hath forgotten that he was
purged from his old sins.
Wherefore brethren give the more diligence
for to make your calling and election sure. For if ye do such things, ye shall
never err. Yee and by this means an entering in shall be ministered unto you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our lord and saviour Iesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put
you allways in remembrance of such things, though that ye know them yourselves
and be also stablished in the present truth. Notwithstanding I think it mete
(as long as I am in this tabernacle) to stir you up by putting you in
remembrance, for as much as I am sure how that the time is at hand that I must
put off this my tabernacle, even as our lord Iesus Christ hath shewed me. I
will enforce therefore, that on every side ye might have wherewith to stir up
the remembrance of these things after my departing.
For we followed not deceivable fables when
we opened unto you the power, and coming of our lord Iesus Christ: but with our
eyes we saw his majesty. Even then verily when he received of God the father
honour and glory, and when there came such a voice to him from that excellent
glory. This is my dear beloved son, in whom I have delight, this voice we heard
when it came from heaven, being with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy,
whereunto if ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do
well, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. So that ye
first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath any private
interpretation. For the scripture came never by the will of man: but wholy men
of God spake as they were moved by the wholy ghost.
The .ij.
Chapter.
There were false prophets among the people
even as there shall be false teachers among you: which privily shall bring in
damnable sects, even denying the lord that hath bought them, and bring on their
own heads swift damnation, and many shall follow their damnable ways, by which
the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and thorow covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment is not far off, and
their damnation sleepeth not.
For if God spared not the angels that
sinned but cast them down into hell, and put them in chains of darkness, there
to be kept unto judgement: neither spared the old world: but saved Noah the
eighte preacher of righteousness, and brought in the flood into the world of
the ungodly, and turned the cities of Zodom and Gomor into ashes: overthrew
them, damned them, and made of them an ensample unto all that after should live
ungodly. And just Lot vexed with the uncleanly conversation of the wicked,
delivered he. For he being righteous and dwelling among them, in seeing and
hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unrighteous deeds.
The lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to reserve
the unjust unto the day of judgment for to be punished: namely them that walk
after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise the rulers.
Presumptuous are they, and stubborn and fear not to speak evil of them that are
in authority. When the angels which are greater both in power and might, receive
not of the lord railing judgement against them. But these as brute beasts,
naturally made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of that they know not, and
shall perish through their own destruction, and receive the reward of
unrighteousness.
They count it pleasure to live deliciously
for a season. Spots they are and filthiness: and of you they make a
mockingstock feasting together in their deceivable ways: having eyes full of
advoutry, and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. Hearts they
have exercised with covetousness. They are cursed children, and have forsaken
the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of
Bosor, which loved the reward of unrighteousness: but was rebuked of his
iniquity. The tame and dumb beast, speaking with man's voice forbade the
foolishness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, and clouds
carried about of a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
For when they have spoken the swelling words of vanity, they beguile with
wantonness thorow the lusts of the flesh them that were clean escaped: but now
are wrapped in errors. They promise them liberty, and are them selves the
bondservants of corruption. For of whomsoever a man is overcome, unto the same
is he in bondage. For if they, after they have escaped from the filthiness of
the world thorow the knowledge of the lord, and of the saviour Iesus Christ,
they are yet tangled again therein and overcome: then is the latter end worse
with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them, not to have
known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the
holy commandment given unto them. It is happened unto them according to the
true proverb: The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow after she is
washed, is returned to her wallowing in the mire.
The .iij.
Chapter.
This is the second pistel that I now write
unto you, my derly beloved, wherewith I stir up and warn your pure minds, to
call to remembrance the words which were told before of the holy prophets, and
also the commandment of us the apostles of the lord and saviour.
This first understand, that there shall
come in the last days mockers, which will walk after their own lusts and say:
Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers died all things
continue in the same estate wherein they were at the beginning. This they know
not (and that willingly) how that the heavens a great while ago were, and the
earth that was in the water, appeared up out of the water by the word of God:
by the which things the world that then was perished overflowen with the flood.
But the heavens verily and earth which are now, are kept by the same word in
store, and reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men.
Derely beloved be not ignorant of this one
thing, how that one day is with the lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand
year as one day. The lord is not slack to fulfil his promise as some men count
slackness: but is patient to us ward and would have no man lost, but would
receive all men to repentance. Nevertheless the day of the lord will come as a
thief in the night, in the which day, the heavens shall perish with terrible
noise, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with the works that
are therein shall burn.
If all these things shall perish, what
manner persons ought ye to be in holy conversation, and godliness: looking for,
and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens shall
perish with fire, and the elements shall be consumed with heat. Nevertheless we
look for a new heaven, and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein
dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore derly beloved, seeing that ye
look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without
spot and undefiled: And suppose that the long suffering of the lord is health,
even as our derely beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto
him, wrote to you, yee, almost in every pistel speaking of such things: among
which are many things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned, and
unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures unto their own destruction. Ye
therefore beloved seeing ye are warned, Beware lest ye be also plucked away with
the error of the wicked, and [fall from your] own steadfastness: but grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our lord, and saviour Iesus Christ. To whom be
glory both now and for ever, Amen.
The first
pistel of S. Ihon
The first
Chapter.
That which was from the beginning declare
we unto you, which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life. For the life
appeared, and we have seen, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal
life, which was with the father, and appeared unto us. That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you that ye may have fellowship with us, and that our
fellowship may be with the father, and his son Iesus Christ. And this write we unto
you, that our joy may be full.
And this is the tidings which we have heard
of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at
all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth: but and if we walk in light even as he is in light,
then have we fellowship with him, and the blood of Christ his son cleanseth us
from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and truth is not in us. If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and
just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we
say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The
second Chapter.
My little children, these things write I unto
you, that ye should not sin: and if any man sin, yet we have an advocate with
the father, Iesus Christ, which is righteous: and he it is that obtaineth grace
for our sins: not for our sins only: but also for the sins of all the world.
And hereby we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments. He that
saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the verity is
not in him. Whosoever keepeth his word, in him is the love of God perfect in
deed. And thereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he bideth in him,
ought to walk even as he walked.
Brethren I write no new commandment unto
you: but that old commandment which ye heard from the beginning. The old
commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning. Again a new
commandment I write unto you, a thing that is true in him, and also in you: for
the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith how that he
is in the light, and yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until this
time. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none
occasion of evil in him. He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh
in darkness: and cannot tell whither he goeth, because that darkness hath
blinded his eyes.
Babes I write unto you how that your sins
are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you fathers, how that ye
have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how
that ye have overcome the wicked. I write unto you little children, how that ye
have known the father. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him
that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye are
strong: and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome that wicked.
See that ye love not the world, neither the
things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father
is not in him. For all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of goods) is not of the father: but of the world.
And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the
will of God, abideth ever.
Little children it is the last time, and as
ye have heard how the antichrist shall come: even now are there many
antichrists come already whereby we know that it is the last time. They went
out from us but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us. But that fortuned that it might appear, that they
were not of us.
And ye have an ointment of the wholy ghost,
and ye know all things. I wrote not unto you, as though ye knew not the truth:
but as though ye knew it, and know also that no lie cometh of truth. Who is a
liar: but he that denieth that Iesus is Christ? he is the antichrist that denieth
the father and the son. Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the
father. Let therefore abide in you that same which ye heard from the beginning.
If that which ye heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall
continue in the son, and in the father. And this is the promise that he hath
promised us, even eternal life.
This have I written unto you, as concerning
them that deceive you. And the anointing which ye have received of him dwelleth
in you. And ye need not that any man teach you: but as that annointing teacheth
you all things, and is true, and is no lie: and as it taught you, even so bide
therein. And now babes abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may be bold,
and not be made ashamed of him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous,
know also that he which followeth righteousness, is born of him.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Behold what love the father hath shewed on
us, that we should be called the sons of God. For this cause the world knoweth
you not because it knoweth not him. Derely beloved, now are we the sons of God,
and yet it hath not appear what we shall be. But we know that when it shall
appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. And every man that
hath this hope in him, purgeth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever
committeth sin, committeth unrighteousness also, for sin is unrighteousness.
And ye know that he appeared to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. As
many as bide in him, sin not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither hath
known him.
Babes let no man deceive you, He that doth
righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is
of the devil: for the devil sinneth since the beginning. For this purpose
appeared the son of God, to loose the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of
God, sinneth not: for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he
is born of God. In this are the children of God known, and the children of the
devil. Whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother.
For this is the tidings, that ye heard from
the beginning, that we should love one another: not as Cain which was of the
wicked and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? because his own works
were evil, and his brother's good. Marvel not my brethren if the world hate
you. We know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the
brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth
his brother, is a man slayer. And ye know that no man slayer hath eternal life
abiding in him.
Hereby perceive we love: that he gave his
life for us: And we ought also to give our lives for the brethren. Whosoever
hath this world's goods and seeth his brother in necessity, and shutteth up his
compassion from him: how dwelleth the love of God in him? My babes, let us not
love in word, neither in tongue: but with deed, and in verity: And thereby we
know that we are of the verity, and will before him put our hearts out of
doubt: For (if our hearts condemn us) God is greater than our hearts, and
knoweth all things. Tenderly beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have
we trust to God ward: and whatsoever we ask, we shall receive of him: because
we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.
And this is his commandment, that we
believe on the name of his son Iesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave
commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in
him. And hereby we know that there abideth in us of the spirit which he gave
us.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Derely beloved believe not every spirit:
but prove the spirits whether they are of God, or no: for many false prophets
are gone out into the world. Hereby shall ye know the spirit of God. Every
spirit that confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. And
every spirit which confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is
not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how
that he should come: and even now already is he in the world.
Little children, ye are of God, and have
overcome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world.
They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth
them. We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us: He that is not of God,
heareth us not. Hereby know we the spirit of verity, and the spirit of error.
Derely beloved, let us love one another:
for love cometh of God. And every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God. He that loveth not, hath not known God: for God is love. In this appeared
the love of God to us ward, because that God sent his only begotten son into
the world, that we might live thorow him. Herein is love, not that we loved
God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to make agreement for our sins.
Derely beloved if God so loved us, we ought
also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us. Hereby know we,
that we dwell in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. And
we have seen and do testify that the father sent the son, which is the saviour
of the world. Whosoever confesseth that Iesus is the son of God, in him
dwelleth God, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God
hath to us.
God is love, and he that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is the love perfect in us, that we
should have trust in the day of judgment, that as he is, even so are we in this
world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out all fear, for
fear hath painfulness. He that feareth is not perfect in love.
We love him, for he loved us first. If a
man say, I love God, and yet hate his brother, he is a liar. How can he that
loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? And
this commandment have we of him: that he which loveth God, should love his
brother also.
The .v.
Chapter.
Whosoever believeth that Iesus is Christ,
is born of God. And every one that loveth him which begat, loveth him also
which was begotten of him. In this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep his commandments. This is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. For all that is
born of God, overcometh the world. And this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith. Who is it that overcometh the world: but he which believeth
that Iesus is the son of God?
This Iesus Christ is he that came by water
and blood, not by water only: but by water and blood. And it is the spirit that
beareth witness, because the spirit is truth. For there are three which bear
record in heaven, the father, the word, and the holy ghost. And these three are
one. And there are three which bear record in earth: the spirit, and water, and
blood: and these three are one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness
of God is greater. For this is the witness of God, which he testified of his
son. He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself. He that
believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believed not the record
that God gave of his son. And this is that record, how that God hath given unto
us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son, hath life:
and he that hath not the son of God, hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the son of God, that ye may know how that ye have
eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God. And this
is the trust that we have in him: that if we ask any thing according to his
will he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know
that we shall have the petitions that we desire of him.
If any man see his brother sin a sin that
is not unto death, let him ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin
not unto death. There is a sin unto death, for which say I not that a man
should pray. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death.
We know that whosoever is born of God,
sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked
twicheth him not. We know that we are of God, and that the world is altogether
set on wickedness. We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us a
mind to know him which is true: and we are in him that is true, through his son
Iesu Christ. This same is very God, and eternal life. Babes keep yourselves
from images. Amen.
The
second pistel of S. Ihon
The first
Chapter.
The senior to the elect lady and her
children which I love in the truth: And not I only, but also all that have
known the truth, for the truth's sake, which remaineth in us, and shall be in
us for ever.
With you be grace, mercy, and peace from
God the father, and from the lord Iesus Christ the son of the father, in truth
and love.
I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy
children walking in trough, as we have received a commandment of the father.
And now beseech I thee lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee,
but that same, which we had from the beginning, that we should love one
another. And this is the love, that we should walk after his commandments.
This commandment is (that as ye have heard
from the beginning) ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into
the world, which confess not that Iesus Christ is como in the flesh. This is a
deceiver and an antichrist. Look on yourselves, that we loose not that we have
wrought: but that we may have a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth and bideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that endureth in the doctrine
of Christ, hath both the father, and the son.
If there come any unto you and bring not
this learning, him receive not to house: neither bid him God speed. For he that
biddeth him God speed, is part taker of his evil deeds. I had many things to
write unto you, nevertheless I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust
to come unto you, and speak with you mought to mouth, that our joy may be full.
The sons of thy elect sister greet thee Amen.
The third
pistel of S. Ihon
The first
Chapter.
The
senior unto the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Wellbeloved I wish in
all things that thou prosperedest and faredest well, even as thy soul
prospereth. I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the
truth that is in thee, how thou in troth walkest. I have no greater joy than
for to hear how that my sons walk in verity.
Derely beloved thou dost faithfully what
soever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers, which bare witness of thy
love before all the congregation. Which brethren when thou bringest forwards on
their journey (as it beseemeth God) thou shalt do well: because that for his
name's sake they went forth, and took nothing of the gentiles. We therefore
ought to receive such, that we also might be helpers to the truth.
I wrote unto the congregation: but
Diotrephes which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not,
wherefore if I come I will declare his deeds which he doeth jesting on us with
malicious words, neither is therewith content. Not only he himself receiveth
not the brethren: but also he forbiddeth them that would, and thrusteth them
out of the congregation.
Derely beloved counterfeit not that which
is evil, but that which is good: He that doeth well is of God: but he that
doeth evil seeth not God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth.
Yee and we ourselves also bear record, and ye know that our record is true. I
have many things to write: But I will not with pen and ink write unto thee. For
I trust I shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The lovers salute
thee. Greet the lovers by name.
The
pistel unto the Ebrues
The first
Chapter.
God in time past diversely and many ways,
spake unto the fathers by prophets: but in these last days he hath spoken unto
us by his son, whom he hath made heir of all things: by whom also he made the
world. Which son being the brightness of his glory, and very image of his
substance, bearing up all things with the word of his power, hath in his own
person purged our sins, and is sitten on the right hand of the majesty on high,
and is more excellent then the angels, in as much as he hath by inheritance
obtained an excellenter name than have they.
For unto which of the angels said he at any
time: Thou art my son, this day begat I thee? And again: I will be his father,
and he shall be my son. And again when he bringeth in the first begotten son in
the world, he saith: And all the angels of God shall worship him. And unto {of} the
angels he saith: He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers flames of
fire. But unto the son he saith: God thy seat shall be for ever, and ever. The
sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou hast loved righteousness and
hated iniquity: Wherefore hath God, which is thy God, anointed thee with the
oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And thou lord in the beginning hast laid
the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the works of thy hands. They
shall perish, but thou shalt endure. They all shall wax old as doth a garment:
and as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou
art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Unto which of the angels said he at
any time? Sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Are
they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which
shall be heirs of health?
The .ij.
Chapter.
Wherefore we ought much more to attend unto
those things which we have heard, lest we perish. For if the word which was
spoken by angels was steadfast: and every transgression and disobedience
received a just recompense to reward: how shall we escape if we despise so
great health? which at the first began to be preached of the lord himself, and
after ward was confirmed unto usward, by them that heard it, God bearing
witness thereto, both with signs and wonders also, and with divers miracles,
and gifts of the holy ghost, according to his own will.
He hath not unto the angels put in
subjection the world to come, whereof we speak: but one in a certain place
witnessed, saying. What is man, that thou art mindful of him: other the son of
man, that thou visitest him? After thou hadst for a season made him lower than
the angels: thou crownedst him with honour and glory, and hast set him above
the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.
In that he put all things under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.
Nevertheless we yet see not all things subdued unto him: but that Iesus which
for a season was made less than the angels, we see thorow the punishment of
death crowned with glory and honour: that he by the grace of God, should taste
of death for all men.
For it became him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, after that he had brought many sons unto glory,
that he should make the lord of their health perfect thorow afflictions: For as
much as he which sanctifieth, and they which are sanctified, are all of one.
For which cause's sake he is not ashamed to call them brethren saying: I will
declare thy name unto my brethren, and in the midst of the congregation will I
praise thee. And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: behold here am I
and the children which God hath given me.
For as much then as the children were part
takers of flesh and blood, he also himself like wise took part with them, for to
put down thorow death him that had lordship over death that is to say the
devil. And that he might deliver them which thorow fear of death all their life
time were in danger of bondage. For he in no place taketh on him the angels:
but the seed of Abraham taketh he on him. Wherefore in all things it became him
to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be merciful, and a faithful
high priest in things concerning God, for to purge the people's sins. For in
that he himself suffered, and was tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted.
The .iij.
Chapter.
Wherefore wholy brethren, partakers of the
celestial callinge, consider the ambassador and high priest of our profession
Christ Iesus, being faithful to him that sent him, even as was Moses in all his
house. And this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses: Inasmuch as he
which hath prepared the house, hath most honour in the house. Every house is
prepared of some man. But he that ordained all things is God. And Moses verily
was faithful in all his house, as a minister, to bear witness of those things
which should be spoken afterward. But Christ as a son hath rule over the house,
whose house we are, if we keep stedfast confidence and rejoicing in the
faith unto the end.
Wherefore as the holy ghost saith: today if ye shall hear his voice,
harden not your hearts, as when ye provoked in time of temptation in the
wilderness, where your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works xl.
years long. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation and said: They ever
err in their hearts: they verily have not known my ways, so that I sware in my
wrath, that they should not enter into my rest. Take heed brethren that there
be in none of you an evil heart, in unbelief, that he should depart from the
living God: but exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of
you wax hard hearted, and be deceived with sin.
We are partakers of Christ, so that we keep
sure unto the end the beginning of the substance, so long as it is said: today
if ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as when ye provoked. For some,
when they heard, provoked: but not all that came out of Egypt under Moses. But
with whom was he displeased xl. years? was he not displeased with them that sinned:
whose bodies were overthrown in the desert? To whom sware he that they should
not enter into his rest: but unto them that believed not? And we see that they
could not enter in, because of unbelief.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
Let us fear therefore lest any of us
forsaking the promise of entering into his rest, should seem to come behind.
For unto us was it declared, as well as unto them. But it profited not them
that they heard the word, because they which heard it coupled it not with
faith. We which have believed, do enter into his rest, as contrary wise he said
to the other: as I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.
And that spake he verily long after that the works were made, from the
foundation of the world laid. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh
day, on this wise: And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in
this place again: They shall not come into my rest.
Seeing therefore it followeth that some
must enter thereinto, and they to whom it was first preached, entered not
therein for unbelief's sake. Again he appointeth in David a certain present day
after so long a time, saying as it is rehearsed: this day if ye hear his voice,
be not hard hearted. For if Iosue had given them rest, then would he not
afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore yet a rest to
the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest doth cease from his own
works, as God did from his.
Let us study therefore to enter into that
rest, lest any man fall into such an ensample of unbelief: for the word of God
is quick, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword: and
entereth through, even unto the dividing a sunder of the soul and the spirit
and of the joints, and the mary: and judgeth the thoughts and the intents of
the heart. Neither is there any creature invisible in the sight of it: but all
things are naked and bare unto the eyes of him, of whom we speak.
Seeing then that we have a great high
priest which is entered into heaven (I mean Iesus the son of God) let us keep
our profession. For we have not an high priest, which cannot have compassion on
our infirmities: but was in all points tempted, in like manner: but yet without
sin. Let us therefore go boldly unto the seat of grace, that we may receive
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The .v.
Chapter.
For every high priest that is taken from
among men, is ordained for men, in things pertaining to God: to offer gifts and
sacrifices for sins: which can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them
that are out of the high way, because that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity: For the which infirmity's sake, he is bound to offer for sins, as
well for his own part, as for the peoples. No man taketh honour unto himself,
but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Even so likewise Christ honored not
himself, that he might be the high priest: but he glorified him that said unto
him: thou art my son, this day begat I thee. As he also in another place
speaketh: Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech. Which in
the days of his flesh, did offer up prayers and supplications, with strong
crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death: and was also
heard, because he had God in reverence. And though he were God's son, yet
learned he obedience, by those things which he suffered, and was made perfect,
and the cause of eternal health unto all them that obey him: and is called of
God the high priest, after the order of Melchisedech.
Whereof we have many things to say which
are hard to be uttered: because ye are dull of hearing. For when as concerning
the time, ye ought to be teachers, yet have ye need again that we teach you the
first principles of the word of God: and are become such as have need of milk,
and not of strong meat: For every man that is fed with milk is inexpert in the
word of righteousness: For he is but a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them
that are perfect, which thorow custom have their wits exercised, to judge both
good and evil also.
The .vj.
Chapter.
Wherefore let us leave the doctrine
pertaining to the beginning of a Christian man, and let us go unto perfection,
and now no more lay the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith
toward God, of baptism, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of
resurrection from death, and of eternal judgement. And so will we do, if God
permit. For it is not possible that they, which were once lighted, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were become parttakers of the holy ghost, and
have tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of the world to come: if
they fall, should be renewed again unto repentance: For as much as they have
(as concerning them selves) crucified the son of God afresh, making a mock of
him.
For that earth which drinketh in the rain
which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them that dress
it, receiveth blessing of God: but that ground, which beareth thorns and
briars, is reproved, and is nigh unto cursing: whose end is to be burned.
Nevertheless dear friends, we trust to see better of you, and things which
accompany health, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous that he
should forget your work, and labour that proceedeth of love, which love shewed
in his name, which have ministered unto the saints, and yet minister. Yee, and
we desire that every one of you shew the same diligence, to the increase of the
faith, even unto the end: that ye faint not, but counterfeit them, which thorow
faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham,
because he had no greater thing to swear by, he sware by himself, saying:
Surely I will bless thee, and multiply thee in deed. And so after that he had
tarried a long time, he enjoyed the promises. Men verily swear by him that is
greater than themselves, And an oath to confirm the thing, is among them an end
of all strife. So God willing very abundantly to shew unto the heirs of
promise, the stableness of his counsel, he added an oath, that by two immutable
things (in which it was unpossible that God should lie) we might have perfect
consolation, which have fled, for to hold fast the hope that is set before our
faces, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.
Which hope also entereth in, into those things which are within the veil,
whither the forerunner is for us entered in, I mean Iesus that is made an high
priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedech.
The .vij.
Chapter.
This Melchisedech
king of Salem (which being priest of the most high God, met Abraham, as he
returned again from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: to whom also
Abraham gave tithes of all things) first is by interpretation king of
righteousness, after that he is king of Salem, that is to say king of peace,
without father, without mother, without kin, and hath neither beginning of his
time, neither yet end of his life: but is likened unto the son of God, and
remaineth a priest for ever.
Consider what a man this was, unto whom the
patriarch Abraham gave tithes of the spoils. And verily those children of Levi,
which receive the office of the priests, have a commandment to take according
to the law, tithes of the people, that is to say, of their brethren, yee though
they sprung out of the loins of Abraham. But he whose kindred is not counted
among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And no man denyeth but that which is less, receiveth blessing of that which is
greater. And here men that die receive tithes. But there he receiveth tithes of
whom it is witnessed, that he liveth. And to say the truth, Levi him self also
which receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of
his father Abraham, when Melchisedech met him. If now therefore perfection came
by the priesthood of the levites (for under that priesthood the people received
the law) what needed it furthermore that another priest should rise, after the
order of Melchisedech, and not after the order of Aaron? Now no doubt, if the
priesthood be translated, then of necessity must the law be translated also.
For he of whom these things are spoken,
pertaineth unto another tribe, of which, never man served at the altar. For it
is evident that our lord sprung of the tribe of Iuda, of which tribe spake
Moses nothing concerning priesthood.
And it is yet a more evident thing, if
after the similitude of Melchisedech there arise another priest, which is not
made after the law of the carnal commandment: but after the power of the
endless life. For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of
Melchisedech. Then the commandment that went afore, is disannulled, because of
his weakness and unprofitableness. For the law made no thing perfect: but was
an introduction of a better hope, by which hope, we draw nigh unto God.
And for this cause it is a better hope,
that it was not promised without an oath. Those priests were made without an
oath: but this priest with an oath, by him that said unto him: The lord sware,
and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedech: And for that cause was Iesus a stablisher of a better testament.
And among them many were made priests,
because they were not suffered to endure by the reason of death. But this man,
because he endureth ever, hath an everlasting priesthood: Wherefore he is able
also ever to save them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth, to
make intercession for us.
Such an high priest it becommeth us to
have, which is wholy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than heaven. Which needeth not daily (as yonder high priests) to offer
up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's sins. For that
did he at once for all, when he offered up himself: For the law maketh men
priests, which have infirmity: but the word of the oath that came since the
law, maketh the son priest, which is perfect for evermore.
The
.viij. Chapter.
Of the things which we have spoken, this is
the pith: that we have such an high priest that is sitten on the right hand of
the seat of majesty in heaven, and is a minister of wholy things, and of the
very tabernacle, which God pyght, and not man. For every high priest is ordained
to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity, that this man have
some what also to offer. For he were not a priest, if he were on the earth
where are priests that according to the law offer gifts, which priests serve
unto the ensample and shadow of heavenly things: even as the answer of God was
given unto Moses when he was about to finish the tabernacle: For take heed
(said he) that thou make all things according to the patrone shewed to thee in
the mount.
Now hath he obtained a more excellent
office, in as much as he is the mediator of a better testament, which was made
for better promises. For if that first testament had been such a one that no
man could have found fault with it: then should no place have been sought for
the second. For in rebuking them he saith: Behold the days will come (saith the
lord) and I will finish upon the house of Israhel, and upon the house of Iudah,
a new testament: not like the testament that I made with their fathers at that
time, when I took them by the hands, to lead them out of the land of Egypt, for
they continued not in my testament, and I regarded them not saith the lord.
For this is the testament that I will make
with the house of Israhell: After those days (saith the lord:) I will put my
laws in their minds, and in their hearts, I will write them, and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, every man his
neighbor, and every man his brother, saying: know the lord: For they shall know
me, from the least to the most of them: For I will be merciful over their
iniquities: and on their sins and on their unrighteousness, will I not think
any more. In that he saith a new testament, he hath abrogate the old. Now that
which is disannulled and waxed old, is ready to vanish away.
The .ix.
Chapter.
That
first tabernacle verily had justifyings, and servings of God, and worldly
holiness. For that first tabernacle was made, wherein was the candlestick, and
the table, and the shew bread, which is called wholy. Within the second veil
was the tabernacle, which is called holiest of all, which had the golden
censer, and the ark of the testament overlaid round about with gold, wherein was
the golden pot with Manna, and Aaron's rod that sprung, and the tables of the
testament. Over the ark were the cherubims of glory shadowing the seat of
grace. Of which things, we will not now speak particularly.
When these things were thus ordained, the
priests went allways into the first tabernacle and executed the service of God:
Into the second went the high priest alone, once every year: but not without
blood, which he offered for himself, and for the ignorance of the people: The
holy ghost this signifying, that the way of holy things was not yet opened,
while as yet the first tabernacle was standing, which was a similitude of {for}
this present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which can not make
them that minister perfect, as pertaining to the conscience, with meats only
and drinks, and divers washings, and justifyings of the flesh, which were
ordained until the time of reformation.
But Christ being an high priest of good
things to come, came by a greater, and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with
hands: that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of
goats, and calves: but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the wholy
place, and found eternal redemption. For if the blood of oxen, and of goats,
and the ashes of an heifer, when it was sprinkled, purified the unclean, as
touching the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ
(which thorow the eternal spirit, offered himself without spot to God) purge
our {your} consciences from dead works, for to serve the living God?
And for this cause is he the mediator of
the new testament, that as sone (as his death was fulfilled for the redemption of
those transgressions that were in the first testament) they which were called,
might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For wheresoever is a
testament, there must also be the death of him that maketh the testament. For
the testament taketh authority when men are dead: For it is of no value as long
as he that made it is alive. For which cause also, neither that first testament
was ordained without blood. For when all the commandments were read of Moses
unto all the people, he took the blood of calves, and of goats, with water and
purple wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying
this is the blood of the testament, which God hath appointed unto you.
Moreover, he sprinkled the tabernacle with blood also, and all the ministering
vessels. And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood,
and without effusion of blood, is no remission.
It is then need that the similitudes of heavenly
things, be purified with such things: but the heavenly things themselves are
purified with better sacrifices than are these. For Christ is not entered into
the holy places, that are made with hands, which are but similitudes of true
things: but is entered into very heaven, for to appear now in the sight of God
for us. Not to offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy
place every year with strange blood: for then must he have often suffered since
the world began: But now in the end of the world, hath he appeared once for
all, to put sin to flight, by the offering up of himself. And as it is
appointed unto men that they shall once die, and then cometh the judgment, even
so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many, and unto them that
look for him, shall he appear again, without sin unto their health.
The .x.
Chapter.
For the law which hath but the shadow of
good things to come, and not the things in their own fashion, can never with
the sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers
thereunto perfect. For would not then those sacrifices have ceased to have been
offered? because that the offerers once purged, should have had no more
consciences of sins. Nevertheless in those sacrifices is there mention made of
sins every year. For it is unpossible that the blood of oxen, and of goats
should take away sins.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he
saith: Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have: but a body hast thou
ordained me, holocaustes and sacrifice for sin thou hast not allowed. Then I
said: Lo I come, In the beginning of the book it is written of me, that I
should do thy will, o God. Above when he sayeth sacrifice, and offering, and
holocaustes, and sacrifice for sin, thou wouldest not have, neither hast
allowed (which are offered by the law) then he said: Lo I am ready do thy will
o God: he taketh away the first to stablish the latter. By the which will we
are sanctified, by the offering of the body of Iesu Christ once for all.
And every priest is ready daily
ministering, and often times offereth one manner of offering, which can never
take away sins: but this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, sat
him down for ever on the right hand of God, and from henceforth tarrieth till
his foes be made his footstool. For with one offering hath he made perfect for
ever them that are sanctified. And the holy ghost also beareth us record of
this, even when he told before: This is the testament that I will make unto them
after those days saith the lord. And I will put my laws in their hearts, and in
their minds I will write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no
more. And where remission of these things is, there is no more offering for
sin.
Seeing brethren that by the means of the
blood of Iesu, we may be bold to enter into that holy place, by the new and
living way, which he hath prepared for us, through the veil, that is to say by
his flesh. And seeing also that we have an high priest which is ruler over the
house of God, let us draw nigh with a true heart in a full faith sprinkled in
our hearts, from an evil conscience, and washed in our bodies with pure water,
and let us keep the profession of our hope, without wavering (for he is
faithful that promised) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love,
and to good works: and let us not forsake the fellowship that we have among
ourselves, as the manner of some is: but let us exhort one another, and that so
much the more, because ye see that the day draweth nigh.
For if we sin willingly after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins: but a fearful looking for judgment, and violent fire, which shall devour
the adversaries. He that despiseth Moses' law, dieth without mercy under two or
three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be counted
worthy, which treadeth under foot the son of God: and counteth the blood of the
testament as an unholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doth dishonour
to the spirit of grace. For we know him that hath said, vengeance belongeth
unto me, I will recompense saith the lord. And again: the lord shall judge his
people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Call
to remembrance the days that are passed in the which, after ye had received
light, ye abode a great fight in adversities, partly while all men wondered and
gazed at you for the shame and tribulation that was done unto you, and partly
while ye became companions of them which so passed their time. For ye suffered
also with my bonds, and took a worth the spoiling of your goods, and that with
gladness, remembering in yourselves how that ye had in heaven a better, and an
enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
reward to recompense. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the
will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a very little while, and he
that shall come will come, and will not tarry: But the just shall live by
faith. And if he withdraw himself, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. We
are not which withdraw ourselves unto damnation, but pertain to faith, for to
the win our souls.
The .xj.
Chapter.
Faith is a sure confidence of things which
are hoped for, and a certainty of things which are not seen. By it the elders
were well reported of. Thorow faith we understand that the world was ordained,
by the word of God: That by the means of things which appear, things which are
invisible might be known. By faith Abel offered unto God a more plenteous
sacrifice than Cain: by which, he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: by which also he being dead, yet speaketh.
By faith was Enoch translated that he should
not see death: neither was he found: for God had taken him away. Before he was
taken away, he obtained record, that he had pleased God: but without faith it
is unpossible to please him. For he that cometh to God, must believe that God
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.
By faith Noah honoured God, after that he
was warned of things which were not seen, and prepared the ark to the saving of
his household, thorow the which ark he condemned the world, and became heir of
the righteousness which cometh by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called obeyed
to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive to inheritance, and
he went out, not knowing whither he should go.
By faith he removed into the land that was
promised him, as into a strange country, and dwelt in tabernacles: and so did
Isaac, and Iacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city
having a foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
Thorow faith Sara also received strength to
be with child, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she
judged him faithful which had promised.
And therefore sprang there of one (and of
one which was as good as dead) so many in multitude, as the stars of the sky,
and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.
And they all died in faith, and received
not the promises: but saw them afar off, and believed them, and saluted them:
and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They that say
such things, declare that they seek a country. Also if they had been mindful of
that country, from whence they came, they had leisure to have returned again.
But now they desire a better, that is to say a celestial. Wherefore God is not
ashamed of them, even to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a
city.
In faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he
was tempted, and he offered him being his only son, in whom he had received the
promises: Of whom it was said, in Isaac shall thy seed be called: for he
considered, that God was able to raise up again from death. Wherefore received
he him, as an ensample of the resurrection. In faith Isaac blessed Iacob and
Esau, as concerning things to come.
By faith Iacob when he was a dying, blessed
both the sons of Ioseph, and worshipped on the top of his sceptre.
By faith Ioseph when he died, remembered
the departing of the children of Israhel, and gave commandment of his bones.
By faith Moses when he was born, was hid
three months of his father and mother, because they saw he was a proper child:
neither feared they the king's commandment.
By faith Moses when he was of a great age,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and chose rather to suffer
adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season, and esteemed the rebuke of Christ greater riches, than the treasure of
Egypt. For he had a respect unto the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not
the fierceness of the king. For he endured, even as he had seen him which is
invisible. Thorow faith he ordained the ester lamb, and the effusion of blood,
lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them.
By faith they passed thorow the reed sea as
by dry land, which when the egyptians had assayed to do, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Iericho fell down
after they were compassed about, seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with
them that believed not, after she had received the spies to lodging peaceably.
And what shall I more say, the time would
be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barach, and of Samson, and of
Iephthae. Also of David and Samuel, and of the prophets, which thorow faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the
mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies
of the aliens. The women received their dead raised to life again.
Other were racked, and would not be
delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection. Other tasted of
mockings, and scourgings, moreover of bonds and prisonment: were stoned, were
hewn asunder, were tempted, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheep
skins, in goat skins, in need, tribulation, and vexation, which the world was
not worthy of: They wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens and caves of
the earth.
And these all thorow faith obtained good
report, and received not the promise, God providing a better thing for us, that
they without us should not be made perfect.
The .xij.
Chapter.
Wherefore let us also (seeing that we are
compassed with so great a multitude of witnesses) lay away all that presseth
down, and the sin that hangeth on us, and let us run with patience, unto the
battle that is set before us, looking unto Iesus, the author and finisher of
our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross, and
despised the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider therefore how that he endured such speaking against him of sinners,
lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds. For ye have not yet resisted
unto bloodshedding, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the consolation
which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of
the lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the lord loveth,
him he chasteneth: yee, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth.
If ye shall endure chastening, God offereth
himself unto you, as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth
not? If ye be not under correction (where of all are part takers) then are ye
bastards and not sons. Moreover seeing we had fathers of our flesh which
corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall not we much rather be in
subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live? And they
verily for a few days, nurtured us after their own pleasure: but he learneth us
unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. No manner
learning for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are
therein exercised.
Stretch forth therefore again the hands
which were let down, and the weak knees, and see that ye have straight steps
unto your feet, lest any halting turn out of the way: yee, let it rather be
healed. Embrace peace with all men, and wholiness: without the which, no man
shall see the lord. And see that no man be destitute of the grace of God, lest
any root of bitterness spring up and trouble: and thereby many be defiled. That
there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast
sold his right that belonged unto him, in that he was the eldest brother. Ye
know how that afterward when that he would have inherited the blessing, he was
put by. His repentance found no grace, no though he desired that blessing with
tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that is
touched, and unto burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of
weather, neither unto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words: which
voice they that heard it, wished away, that the communication should not be
spoken to them. For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a
beast had touched the mountain, it must have been stoned, or thrust thorow with
a dart: even so terrible was the sight which appeared. Moses said I fear and
quake. But ye are come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God,
the celestial Ierusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the
congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God
the judge of all, and to the spirits of Just and perfect men, and to Iesus the
mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaketh
better than the blood of Abel.
See that ye despise not him that speaketh.
For if they escaped not which refused him that spake on earth: Much more shall
we not escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice
then shook the earth, and now declareth saying: yet once more will I shake, not
the earth only, but also heaven. No doubt the same that he sayeth, yet once
more, signifieth the removing a way of those things which are shaken, as of
things which have ended their course: that the things which are not shaken may
remain. Wherefore if we receive a kingdom which is not moved, we have grace,
whereby we may serve God and please him with reverence and godly fear. For our
God is a consuming fire.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
Let brotherly love continue. Be not
forgetful to be kind to strangers. For thereby have divers received angels into
their houses unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, even as though ye were
bound with them. Be mindful of them which are in adversity, as ye which are yet
in your bodies. Let wedlock be had in price in all points, and let the chamber
be undefiled: for whore keepers and advoutrers God will judge. Let your conversation
be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he
verily said: I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: that we may boldly
say: The lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man doeth unto me.
Remember them which have the oversight of you, which have declared unto you the
word of God: consider the conversation of their living, and counterfeit their
faith.
Iesus Christ yesterday and today, and the
same continueth for ever. Be not carried thither with divers and strange
learning. For it is a good thing that the heart be stablished with grace, and
not with meats, which have not profited them that have had their pastime in
them. We have an altar whereof they may not eat which serve in the tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts (whose blood is brought into the holy place by
the high priest to purge sin) are burnt without the tents. Therefore Iesus, to
sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered with out the gate. Let us go
forth therefore out of the tents, and suffer rebuke with him. For here have we
no continuing city: but we seek a city to come.
For by him offer we the sacrifice of laud
always to God: that is to say the fruit of those lips, which confess his name.
To do good, and to distribute forget not, for with such sacrifices God is
pleased. Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves to
them, for they watch for your souls, even as they should give accounts for
them: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. For that is an unprofitable
thing for you. Pray for us. We have confidence because we have a good
conscience in all things, and desire to live honestly. I desire you therefore
somewhat the more abundantly, that ye so do, that I may be restored to you
quickly.
The God of peace that brought again from
death our lord Iesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, thorow the blood
of the everlasting testament, make you perfect in all works, to do his will,
and bring to pass, that whatsoever ye do, may be accepted in his sight, by the
means of Iesus Christ. To whom be praise for ever while the world endureth
Amen.
I beseech you brethren, suffer the words of
exhortation: For we have written unto you in few words. Know the brother
Timothy, whom we have sent from us, with whom (if he come shortly) I will see
you. Salute them that have the oversight of you, and all the saints. They of
Italy, salute you. Grace be with you all Amen.
Sent from
Italy by Timotheous.
The
pistel of S. Iames
The first
Chapter.
Iames
the servant of God, and of the lord Iesus Christ, sendeth greeting to the xij.
tribes which are scattered here and there. My brethren, count it exceeding joy
when ye fall into diverse temptations, remembering how that the trying of your
faith bringeth patience: and let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be
perfect and sound, that nothing be lacking unto you.
If any that is among you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God (which giveth to all men without doubleness, and casteth no man
in the teeth:) and it shall be given him: but let him ask in faith, and waver
not. For he that doubteth is like the waves of the sea, tossed of the wind, and
carried with violence. Neither let that man think that he shall receive any
thing of God. A wavering minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in
that he is exalted, and the rich in that he is made low. For even as the flower
of the grass shall he vanish away. The son riseth with heat, and the grass is
withered, and his flower fallen away, and the beauty of the fashion of it is
perished: even so shall the rich man perish in his abundance.
Happy is the man that endureth in
temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the
lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted that he
is tempted of God: for God tempteth not unto evil: he tempteth no man: But
every man is tempted drawn away, and enticed of his own concupiscence. Then
when lust hath conceived, she bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished
bringeth forth death.
Erre not my dear brethren. Every good gift,
and every perfect gift, is from above and cometh down from the father of light,
with whom is no variableness, neither is he changed unto darkness.
Of his own will begat he us with the word
of life, that we should be the first [fruits] of his creatures.
Wherefore dear brethren, let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh
not that which is righteous before God.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, all
superfluity of maliciousness, and receive with meekness the word that is
grafted in you, which is able to save your souls: And see that ye be doers of
the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves [with sophistry]. For
if any hear the word, and do it not, he is like unto a man that beholdeth his
bodily face in a glass. For as soon as he hath looked on himself, he goeth his
way, and hath immediately forgotten what his fashion was: but whosoever looketh
in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein (if he be not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work) he shall be happy in his deed.
If any man among you seem devout, and
refrain not his tongue: but deceive his own heart, this man's devotion is in
vain. Pure devotion and undefiled before God the father, is this: To visit the
friendless, {fatherless} and widows in their adversity, and to keep himself unspotted from {of} the
world.
The .ij.
Chapter.
Brethren have not the faith of our lord
Iesus Christ the lord of glory in respect of persons. If there come into your
company a man with a golden ring, and in goodly apparel and there come in also
a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have a respect to him that weareth the gay
clothing and say unto him: Sit thou here in a good place: and say unto the
poor, stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not even partial in
yourselves, and have judged after evil thoughts?
Hearken my dear beloved brethren, hath not
God chosen the poor of this world, which are rich in faith, and heirs of the
kingdom, which he promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the
poor. Are not the rich they which oppress you: and they which draw you before
judges? Do not they speak evil of that good name that is called on over you?
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the
scripture which saith: Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
but if ye regard one person more than another, ye commit sin, and are rebuked
of the law as transgressors. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet fail
in one point, he is guilty in all. For he that said: Thou shalt not commit
fornication, said also: thou shalt not kill. Though thou shalt do no
fornication, yet if thou kill, thou art a transgressor of the law. So speak ye,
and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For there shall
be judgement merciless to him that sheweth no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth
against judgement: What availeth it my brethren, though a man say he hath
faith, when he hath no deeds? Can faith save him? If a brother or a sister be
naked or destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them: Depart in
peace, God send you warmness and food: notwithstanding ye give them not those
things which are needful to the body: what helpeth it them? Even so faith, if
it have no deeds is dead in itself.
But one shall say: Thou hast faith, and I
have deeds: Shew me thy faith by thy deeds: and I will shew thee my faith by my
deeds. Believest thou that there is one God? Thou doest well. The devils also
believe and tremble.
Wilt thou understand o thou vain man, that
faith without deeds is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified of his deeds
when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest how that faith wrought
with in his deeds, and through the deeds was the faith made perfect. And the
scripture was fulfilled which saith: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed
unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then
how that of deeds a man is justified, and not of faith only. Likewise also was
not Raab the harlot justified when she received the messengers, and sent them
out another way? For as the body, without the spirit is dead, even so faith
without deeds is dead.
The .iij.
Chapter.
My brethren, be not every man a master,
Remembering how that we shall receive the more damnation. For in many things we
sin all. If a man sin not in word, he is a perfect man and able to tame all the
body. Behold we put bits into the horses' mouths that they should obey us, and
we turn about all the body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so
great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very
small helm, whithersoever the violence of the governor will: even so the tongue
is little member and boasteth great things.
Behold how great a thing a little fire
kindleth, and the tongue is fire, and a world of wickedness. So is the tongue
set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth a fire all
that we have of nature, and is itself set afire, even of hell.
All the natures of beasts, and of birds,
and of serpents, and things of the sea, are meeked and tamed of the nature of
man. But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil full of deadly
poison. Therewith bless we God the father, and therewith curse we men which are
made after the similitude of God. Out of one mought proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send
forth at one place sweet water, and bitter also? Can the fig tree, my brethren,
bear olive berries: other a vine bear figs? So can no fountain give both salt
water and fresh also. Who is wise and endued with learning among you? Let him
shew the works of his good conversation in meekness that is coupled with
wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, rejoice not:
neither be liars against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above: but
is earthy, and natural, and devilish: For where envying and strife is, there is
unstableness, and all manner of evil works: but the wisdom that is from above,
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy
and good fruits, without judging, and without simulation: yee, and the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace, of them that keep peace.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
From whence cometh war, and fighting among
you? come they not here hence? even of your voluptuousness that raineth in your
members. Ye lust, and have not. Ye envy and have indignation, and cannot come
by it. Ye fight and war, and have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask and have not,
because ye ask amiss, for to consume it upon your voluptuousness. Ye
advoutrers, and women that break matrimony: know ye not how that the friendship
of the world is enmity to godward? Whosoever will be friend of the world, is
made the enemy of God. Do ye suppose that the scripture saith in vain: The
spirit that dwelleth in you, lusteth even contrary to envy: but giveth more grace.
Submit yourselves to God, and resist the
devil, and he will flye from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purge your hearts ye wavering minded.
Suffer afflictions: sorrow ye and weep. Let your laughter be turned to
mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Cast down yourselves before the lord, and
he shall lift you up. Backbite not one another, brethren. He that backbiteth
his brother, and he that judgeth his brother, backbiteth the law, and judgeth the
law: but and if thou judge the law, thou art not an observer of the law: but a
judge. There is one law giver, which is able to save and to destroy. What art
thou that judgest another man?
Go to now ye that say: today and tomorrow
let us go into such a city and continue there a year and buy, and sell, and
win: and yet cannot tell what shall happen tomorrow. For what thing is your
life? it is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away: For that ye ought to say: if the lord will and if we live, let us do this
or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings. All such rejoicing is evil.
Therefore to him that knoweth how to do good, and doth it not, it is sin.
The .v.
Chapter.
Go to now ye rich men. Weep, and howl on your
wretchedness that shall come upon you. Your riches is corrupt, your garments
are motheaten. Your gold and your silver are cankered, and the rust of them
shall be a witness unto you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have
heaped treasure together in your last days: Behold the hire of the laborers
which have reaped down your fields (which hire is of you kept back by fraud)
crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped, are entered into the ears of
the lord Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and in wantonness. Ye
have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and
have killed the just, and he hath not resisted you.
Be patient therefore brethren, unto the
coming of the lord. Behold the husband man waiteth for the precious fruit of
the earth, and hath long patience there upon, until he receive the early and
the latter rain. Be ye also patient therefore, and settle your hearts, for the
coming of the lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another brethren, lest
ye be dampned. Behold the judge standeth before the door. Take (my brethren)
the prophets for an ensample of suffering adversity, and of long patience,
which spake in the name of the lord. Behold we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Iob, and have known what end the lord made.
For the lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
But above all things my brethren, swear
not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath. Let your
saying be yee yee, and nay nay: lest ye fall into hypocrisy. Is there any among
of you that is evil vexed? let him pray. Is there any among you that is merry?
let him sing psalms. Is there any man diseased among you? Let him call for the
seniors of the congregation, and let them pray over him, and anoint him with
oil in the name of the lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and
the lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be
forgiven him.
Knowledge your faults one to another: and
pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man
availeth much, if it be fervent. Helias was a man in danger to tribulation as
we are, and he prayed in his prayer, that it might not rain: and it rained not
on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And again he prayed,
and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Brethren if any of you err from the truth,
and another convert him, let the same know, that he which converted the sinner
from going astray out of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide
the multitude of sins.
The end
of the pistle of Saynct Iames.
The
pistel of sanct Iudas
The first
Chapter.
Iudas the servant of Iesus Christ, the
brother of Iames. To them which are called and sanctified in God the father,
and preserved in Christ Iesus. Mercy unto you, and peace and love be
multiplied.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you of the common health: it was needful for me to write unto you, to
exhort you, that ye should continually labour in the faith, which was once
given unto the saints. For there are certain craftily crept in, of which it was
written aforetime unto such judgement. They are ungodly, and turn the grace of
our lord God unto wantonness, And deny God the only lord, and our lord Iesus
Christ.
My mind is therefore to put you in
remembrance, for as much as ye once know this, how that the lord (after that he
had delivered the people out of Egypt) destroyed them which afterward believed
not: The angels also, which kept not their first estate: but left their own
habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day: even as Zodom, and Gomor, and the cities about them
(which in like manner defiled themselves, with fornication, and followed
strange flesh) are set forth for an example, and suffer the vengeance of
eternal fire. Likewise these dreamers defile the flesh, despise rulers, and
speak evil of them that are in authority.
Yet Michael the archangel (when he strove
against the devil, and disputed the body of Moses) durst not give railing
sentence, but said: The lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things
which they know not. In those things which they know naturally (as beasts which
are without reason) they corrupt themselves. Woe be unto them, for they have
followed the way of Cain, and are spilt in the error of Balaam for lucre's
sake, and are cast away in the treason of Core.
These are spots which of your kindness
feast together, without fear, feeding themselves. Clouds they are without
water, carried about of winds: Trees rotten in autumn, unfruitfull, twice dead,
and plucked up by the roots. They are raging waves of the sea, foaming out
their own shame. They are wandering stars, to whom is reserved the mist of
darkness for ever.
Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied
before of such saying. Behold, the lord shall come with thousands of saints, to
give judgement against all men, and to rebuke all that are ungodly among them,
of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their
cruel speakings, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
These are murmurers, complainers, walking
after their own lusts, whose mouths speak proud things. They have men in great
reverence because of advantage. But ye beloved remember the words which were
spoken before of the Apostles of our lord Iesus Christ, how that they told you
that there should be beguilers in the last time, which should walk after their
own ungodly lusts. These are makers of sects, naturall, {or fleshy, other
carnal,} having no spirit.
But ye derly beloved, edify yourselves in
your most wholy faith, praying in the wholy ghost, and keep yourselves in the
love of God, looking for the mercy of our lord Iesus Christ, unto eternal life.
And have compassion on some, separating them: and other save with fear, pulling
them out of the fire, and hate the filthy vesture of the flesh.
Unto him that is able to keep you, that ye
faule not, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with
joy, that is to say, to God our saviour which only is wise, be glory, majesty,
dominion, and power, now and for ever Amen.
The
revelation of sanct Ihon the devine.
The first
Chapter.
The revelation of Iesus Christe, which God
gave unto him, for to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to
pass. And he sent and shewed by his angel unto his servant Ihon, which bare
record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Iesus Christ, and of all
things that he saw. Happy is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of
the prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. For the time is
at hand.
Ihon to the vij. congregations in Asia.
Grace be with you and peace, from him which is and which was, and which is to
come: and from the vij. spirits which are present before his throne, and from
Iesus Christ which is a faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead: and
lord over the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our
sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God his father, be
glory, and dominion for evermore amen. Behold he cometh with clouds, and all
eyes shall see him: and they also which pierced him. And all kindreds of the
earth shall wail. Even so amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
ending, saith the lord almighty, which is and which was and which is to come.
Ihon your brother and companion in
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience which is in Iesu Christ, was in
the isle of Pathmos for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Iesu Christ.
I was in the spirit on a son day, and heard behind me, a great voice, as it had
been of a trompe saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That
thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the congregations which are in
Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thiatira, and
unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicia.
And I turned back to see the voice that
spake to me. And when I was turned: I saw vij. golden candlesticks. and in the
midst of the candlesticks, one like unto the son of man clothed with a linen
garment down to the ground, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle. His
head, and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow: and his eyes were
as a flame of fire: and his feet like unto brass, as though they brent in a
furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right
hand vij. stars. And out of his mouth went a two edged sword. And his face
shone even as the sun in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet,
even as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me: fear not. I
am the first and the last, and am alive, and was dead. And behold I am alive
for evermore, and have the keys of hell and of death. Write therefore the
things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall be fulfilled hereafter: and the mystery of the vij. stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the vij. golden candlesticks. The vij. stars are
the angels of the vij. congregations: And the vij. candlesticks which thou
sawest are the vij. congregations.
The
second Chapter.
Unto the angel of the congregation of
Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the vij. stars in his right
hand, and walketh in the midst of the vij. golden candlesticks. I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not forbear them
which are evil: and examinedst them which say they are apostles, and are not:
and hast found them liars. And hast suffered, and hast patience: and for my
name's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, for thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. Or else I will come unto
thee shortly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent. But this thou hast because thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which deeds I also hate. Let him that hath ears hear, what the spirit saith
unto the congregations. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree
of life, which is in the midst {myddes} of the paradise of God.
And unto the Angel of the congregation of
Smyrna write: These things saith he that is first, and the last, which was dead
and is alive. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich:
And I know the blasphemy of them which call themselves jewes and are not: but
are the congregation of sathan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye
shall have tribulation x. days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give
thee a crown of life. Let him that hath ears hear, what the spirit saith to the
congregations: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
And to the angel of the congregation in
Pergamos write: This saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. I know
thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Sathan's seat is, and thou
keepest my name and hast not denied my faith. And in my days Antipas was a
faithful witness of mine, which was slain among you where sathan dwelleth. But
I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there, they that maintain, the
doctrine of Balaam which taught in Balak, to put occasion of sin before the
children of Israhell, that they should eat of meat dedicated unto idols, and to
commit fornication. Even so hast thou them that maintain the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. But repent or else I will come to thee shortly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mought. Let him that hath ears
hear what the spirit sayth unto the congregations: To him that overcometh will
I give to eat Manna that is hid, and will give him a white stone, and in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it.
And unto the angel of the congregation of
Thiatira write: This sayth the son of God, which hath his eyes like unto a flame
of fire, whose feet are like brass: I know thy works and thy love, service, and
faight, and thy patience, and thy deeds, which are more at the last than at the
first. Not withstanding I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest
that woman Iesabell, which called herself a prophetess to teach and to deceive
my servants, to make them commit fornication, and to eat meats offered up unto
idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not.
Behold I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her
into great adversity, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her
children with death. And all the congregations shall know that I am he which
searches the reins and hearts. And I will give unto everyone of you according
to your works.
Unto you I say, and unto other of them of
Thiatira as many as have not this learning, and which have not known the
deepness of Satan (as they say) I will put upon you none other burden, but that
which you have already. Hold fast till I come, and whosoever overcometh and
keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over nations, and he
shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall he
break them to shivers. Even as I received of my father. And I will give him the
morning star. Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit says to the
congregations.
The .iij.
Chapter.
And write unto the angel of the
congregation of Sardis: this sayth he that hath the spirit of God, and the vij.
stars. I know thy works, thou hast a name that you livest, and thou are dead.
Be awake and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I
have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast
received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If you shalt not watch, I will
come on you as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon
thee. Thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments,
and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh
shall be clothed in white array, and I will not put out his name out of the
book of life, and I will confess his name before my father, and before his
angels. Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit sayth unto the congregations.
And write unto the angel of Philadelphia:
This sayth he that is holy and true, which hath the key of David: which openeth
and no man shuteth, and shuteth and no man openeth. I know your works. Behold I
have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it, for thou hast a
little strength, and hast kept my sayings: and hast not denied my name. Behold.
I make them of the congregation of Sathan, which call themselves Iewes and are
not, but do lie. Behold. I will make them that they shall come and worship
before thy feet: and shall know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the words of my
patience, I will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which will come upon
all the world, to tempt them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come shortly.
Hold that which thou hast, that no man take away thy crown. Him that overcometh
will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. And
I will write upon him, the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God,
new Ierusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write
upon him my new name. Let him that hath ears, hear what the spirit saith unto
the congregations.
And unto the angel of the congregation
which is in Laodicia write: This saith (amen) the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creatures of God. I know thy works that thou art neither
cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art between
both, and nether cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mought: because thou
sayst thou art rich and increased with goods, and hast need of nothing, and
knowest not how thou art wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich: and
white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, that thy filthy nakedness do not
appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayst see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be
fervent therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man
hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and will sup with him,
and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my seat,
even as I overcame and have sitten with my father, in his seat. Let him that
hath ears, hear what the spirit saith unto the congregations.
The
.iiij. Chapter.
After
this I looked, and behold a door was open in heaven, and the first voice which
I heard, was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said: come up
hither, and I will shew the things which must be fulfilled hereafter. And
immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a seat was put in heaven, and one
sat on the seat. And he that sat was to look upon like unto a jasper stone, and
a sardyne stone: And there was a rainbow about the seat, to look upon, like
unto an emerald. And about the seat were xxiiij. seats. And I saw on the seats
.xxiiij. seniors sitting clothed in white raiment, and had on their heads
crowns of gold.
And out of the seat proceeded lightnings,
and thunderings, and voices: and there were vij. lamps of fire, burning before
the seat, which are the vij. spirits of God. And before the seat there was a
sea of glass, like unto crystal, and in the midst of the seat, and round about
the seat, were iiij. beats full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast
was like a lion, the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face
as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the iiij. beasts
had each one of them vj. wings about him, and they were full of eyes within.
And they had no rest day neither night saying: holy, holy, holy, lord God
almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts gave glory and honour
and thanks to him that sat on the seat, which liveth evermore, the xxiiij.
seniours {elders} fell down before the throne, before him that sat on the throne, and
worshipped him that liveth ever, and cast their crowns before the throne
saying: thou art worthy lord to receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou
hast created all things, and for thy will's sake they are, and were created.
The .v.
Chapter.
And I saw in the right hand of him, that
sat in the throne, a book written within and on the backside, sealed with vij.
seals. And I saw a strong angel which cried with a loud voice: Who is worthy to
open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven nor in
earth neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look
thereon. And I wept much, because, no man was found worthy to open, and to read
the book, neither to look thereon.
And one of the seniors said unto me: weep
not: Behold a lion being of the tribe of Iuda, the root of David, hath obtained
to open the book, and to loose the vij. seals thereof. And I beheld, and lo, in
the midst of the seat, and of the iiij. beasts, and in the midst of the
seniors, stood a lamb as though he had been killed, which had vij. horns and
vij. eyes, which are the spirits of God, sent into all the world. And he came
and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the seat.
And when he had taken the book, the iiij.
beasts and xxiiij. seniors fell down before the lamb, having harps and golden
vials full of odoures, which are the prayers of saints and they sung a new song
saying: thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for
thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us by thy blood, out of all kindreds, and
tongues, and people, and nations, and hast made us unto our God, kings and
priests and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many
angels about the throne, and about the beasts and the seniors, and I heard
thousand thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the lamb that was
killed to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honour and
glory, and blessing. And all creatures, which are in heaven, and on the earth,
and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying:
blessing, honour, glory, and power be unto him, that sitteth upon the seat, and
unto the lamb for evermore. And the iiij. beasts said: amen. And the xxiiij.
seniors fell upon their faces, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore.
The .vj.
Chapter.
And I saw when the lamb opened one of the
seals, and I heard one of the iiij. beasts say, as it were the noise of
thunder, come and see. And I saw, and behold there was a white horse, and he
that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth
conquering and for to overcome. And when he opened the second seal, I heard the
second beast say: come and see. And there went out another horse that was red,
and power was given to him that sat thereon, to take peace from the earth, and
that they should kill one another. And there was given unto him a great sword.
And
when he opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say: come and see. And I
beheld, and lo, a black horse: and he that sat on him, had a pair of balances
in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the iiij. beasts say: a
measure of wheat for a penny, and iij. measures of barley for a penny: and oil
and wine see thou hurt not.
And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard
the voice of the fourth beast say: come and see. And I looked. And behold a
green horse, and his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed after
him, and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill
with sword, and with hunger, and with death, that cometh of vermin of the
earth.
And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw
under the altar, the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and
for the testimony which they had, and they cried with a loud voice saying: How
long tarriest thou lord holy and true, to judge and to avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth? And long white garments were given unto every one of
them. And it {hit} was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until
the number of their fellows, and brethren, and of them that should be killed as
they were, were fulfilled.
And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal,
and lo there was a great earthquake, and the sun was as black as sack cloth
made of hair. And the moon waxed even as blood: and the stars of heaven fell
unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth from her her figs, when she is shaken
of a mighty wind. And heaven vanished away, as a scroll when it is rolled
together. And all mountains and isles, were moved out of their places. And the
kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief
captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid
themselves in dens, and in rocks of the hills, and said to the hills, and
rocks: fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth on the
seat, and from the wrath of the lamb, for the great day of his wrath is come,
And who can endure it.
The .vij.
Chapter.
And after that I saw iiij angels stand on
the iiij. corners of the earth, holding the iiij. winds of the earth, that the
winds should not blow on the earth, neither on the sea, neither on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascend from the rising of the sun, which had the seal
of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the iiij. angels (to whom
power was given to hurt the earth and the sea) saying: Hurt not the earth
neither the sea, neither the trees, till I {we} have sealed the servants of our God
in their foreheads.
And I heard the number of them which were
sealed, and there were sealed an C. and xliiij.M. of all the tribes of the
children of Israhell. Of the tribe of Iuda were sealed xij.M. Of the tribe of
Ruben were sealed xij.M. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed xij M. Of the tribe of
Asser were sealed xij.M. Of the tribe of Neptalym were sealed xij.M. Of the
tribe of Manasses were sealed xij.M. Of the tribe of Symeon were sealed xij M.
Of the tribe of Levy were sealed xij. M. Of the tribe of Isacar were sealed xij
M. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed xij M. Of the tribe of Ioseph were
sealed xij M. Of the tribe of Beniamyn were sealed xij M.
After this I beheld, and lo a great
multitude (which noman could number) of all nations, and people, and tongues,
stood before the seat, and before the lamb, clothed with long white garments,
and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying: Health be to him
that sitteth upon the seat of our God, and unto the lamb. And all the angels
stood in the compass of the seat, and of the seniors, and of the iiij. beasts,
and fell before the seat on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, amen:
Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanks, and honour, and power and might, be unto
our God, for evermore amen.
And one of the seniors answered, saying
unto me: what are these which are arrayed in long white garments, and whence
came they? And I said unto him: lord thou wottest. And he said unto me: these
are they which came out of great tribulation and made their garments large, and
made them white in the blood of the lamb: therefore are they in the presence of
the seat of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth in
the seat will dwell among them. They shall hunger no more neither thirst,
neither shall the sun light on them, neither any heat. For the lamb which is in
the midst of the seat, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of
living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The
.viij. Chapter.
And when he had opened the seventh seal,
there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw angels
standing before God, and to them were given vij. trumpets. And another angel
came and stood before the altar having a golden censer, and much of odoures was
given unto him, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the
golden altar, which was before the seat. And the smoke of the odoures which
came of the prayers of all saints ascended up before God out of the angel's
hand. And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar and
cast it into the earth, and voices were made, and thunderings, and lightnings,
and earthquake.
And the vij. angels which had the vij
trumpets prepared themselves to blow. The first angel blew, and there was made
hail and fire, which were mingled with blood, and they were cast into the
earth: and the third part of trees was burnt, and all green grass was brent. And
the second angel blew: and as it were a great mountain: burning with fire was
cast into the sea, and the third part of the sea turned to blood, and the third
part of the creatures which had life died, and the third part of ships were
destroyed.
And the third Angel blew, and there fell a
great star from heaven burning as it were a lamp, and it fell into the third
part of the rivers, and into fountains of waters, and the name of the star is
called wormwood. And the third part was turned to wormwood. A many men died of
the waters because they were made bitter. And the fourth Angel blew, and the
third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the
third part of stars: so that the third part of them was darkened. And the day
was smitten that the third part of it should not shine, and likewise the night.
And I beheld and heard an angel flying thorow the midst of heaven, saying with
a loud voice: Woe, Woe, to the inhabiters of the earth because of the voices to
come of the trompe of the iij. Angels which were yet to blow.
The .ix.
Chapter.
And the fifth Angel blew, and I saw a star
fall from heaven unto the earth. And to him was given the key of the bottomless
pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose the smoke of a great
furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened by the reason of the smoke of
the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: And unto them
was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was said unto
them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth: neither any green thing:
neither any tree: but only those men which have not the seal in their
foreheads, and to them was commanded that they should not kill them, but that
they should be vexed v months, and their pain was as the pain that cometh of a
scorpion, when he hath stung a man. And in those days shall men seek
death, and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, and death shall fly from
them.
And the similitude of the locusts was like
unto horses prepared unto battle, and on their heads were as it were crowns,
like unto gold: and their faces were as it had been the faces of men. And they
had hairs as the hairs of women. And their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
And they had habergeons, as it were habergeons of iron. And the sound of their
wings, was as the sound of chariots when many horses run together to battle.
And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails.
And their power was to hurt men v months. And they had a king over them, which
is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the hebrew tongue, is Abadon:
but in the greek tongue, Apollion, that is to say a destroyer. One woe is past,
and behold two woes come after this.
And the sixth. angel blew, and I heard a
voice from the iiij. corners of the golden altar, which is before God, saying
to the sixth angel which had the trompe: Loose the iiij. angels, which are
bound in the great river Euphrates. And the iiij. Angels were loosed which were
prepared for an hour, for a day, for a month, and for a year, for to slay the
third part of men. And the number of horsemen of war, were twenty times xM And
I heard the number of them: And thus I saw the horses in a vision and them that
sat on them, having fiery habergeons of a Iacinth colour, and brimstone, and
the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions. And out of their mouths
went forth fire and smoke and brimstone. And of these iij, was the third part
of men killed, that is to say, of fire, smoke, and brimstone, which proceeded
out of the mouths of them: For their power was in their mouths and in their
tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them
they did hurt: And the remnant of the men which were not killed by these plagues
repented not of the deeds of their hands, that they should not worship devils,
and images, of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood, which
neither can see, neither hear, neither go. Also they repented not of their
murder, and of their sorcery neither of their fornication neither of their
theft.
The .x.
Chapter.
And I saw another mighty angel come down
from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and the rainbow upon his head. And his face
as it were the sun, and his feet as it were pillars of fire, And he had in his
hand a little book open: and he put his right foot upon the sea, and his left
foot on the earth. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth. And
when he had cried, seven thunders spake their voices. And when the vij.
thunders had spoken their voices, I was about to write. And I heard a voice
from heaven saying unto me mark those things which the vij. thunders spake, and
write them not.
And the Angel which I saw stand upon the
sea, and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that
liveth for evermore, which created heaven, and the things that therein are, and
the sea, and the things which therein are: that there should be no longer time:
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to blow:
even the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he preached by his servants the
prophets.
And the voice which I heard from heaven
spake unto me again, and said: go and take the little book which is open in the
hand of the angel, which standeth upon the sea, and upon the earth. And I went
unto the angel, and said to him: give me the little book, and he said unto me:
take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in
thy mouth as sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of his hand, and
ate it up, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey, and as soon as I had eaten
it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me: thou must prophesy again among
the people, and nations, and tongues, and to many kings.
The .xj.
Chapter.
And then was given me a reed, like unto a
rod, and it was said unto me: Rise and meet the temple of God, and the altar,
and them that worship therein, and the choir which is with in the temple cast
out, and meet it not: for it is given unto the gentiles, and the holy city
shall they tread under foot xlij. months. And I will give power unto my two
witnesses, and they shall prophesy M.ijc. and lx. days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are two olive trees, and two candlesticks, standing before the God of the
earth.
And if any man will hurt them, fire shall
proceed out of their mouths, and consume their enemies. And if any man will
hurt them, this wise must he be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that
it rain not in the days of their prophesying: and have power over waters to
turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all manner plagues, as often as
they will.
And when they have finished their
testimony, the beast that came out of the bottomless pit shall make war against
them: and shall over come, and kill them. And their bodies shall lie in the
streets of the great city, which spiritually is called Zodom and Eygpt, where
our lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, and
they of the nations, shall see their bodies iij. days and an half, and shall
not suffer their bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the
earth, shall rejoice over them and be glad, and shall send gifts one to
another: for these two prophets vexed them that dwelt on the earth.
And after iij. days and an half the spirit
of life from God entered into them. And they stood up upon their feet: and
great fear came upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from
heaven, saying unto them. Come up hither. And they ascended up into heaven in a
cloud, and their enemies saw them. And the same hour was there a great
earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were
slain names of men seven M. and the remnant were feared, and gave glory to God
of heaven. The second woe is past, and behold the third woe will come anon.
And the seventh angel blew, and there were
made great voices in heaven, saying: the kingdoms of this world are our lord's
and his christe's, and he shall reign for evermore. And the xxiiij. seniors,
which sit before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God
saying: we give thee thanks lord God omnipotent: which art and wast, and art to
come, for thou hast received thy great might, and hast reigned. And the nations
were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that thou
shouldest judge them: and shouldest give reward unto thy servants prophets and
saints, and to them that fear thy name small and great and shouldest destroy
them, which destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven,
and there was seen in his temple, the ark of his testament: and there followed
lightnings, and voices, and thunderings and earthquake, and much hail.
The .xij.
Chapter.
And there appeared a great wonder in
heaven. A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her
head a crown of xij. stars. And she was with child and cried travailing in
birth, and pained ready to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in
heaven, and behold a great red dragon, having vij. heads, and ten horns, and
seven crowns upon his heads: and his tail drew the third part of the stars, and
cast them to the earth.
And the dragon stood before the woman,
which was ready to be delivered: for to devour her child as soon as it {hit} were
born. And she brought forth a man child, which should rule all nations with a
rod of iron. And her son was taken up unto God, and to his seat. And the woman
fled into wilderness, where she had a place, prepared of God, that they should
feed her there, M. and xxvj. days. {or M.ij.C and lx. days.}
And there was great battle in heaven,
Michael and his Angels fought with the dragon and the dragon fought and his
angels, and prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Sathanas, Was cast
out. Which deceiveth all the world. And he was cast into the earth, and his
angels were cast out also.
And I heard a loud voice saying: in heaven
is now made health and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of
his Christ: For he is cast down which accused them before God day and night:
And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their
testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice
heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of
the sea: for the devil is come down unto you which hath great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time.
And when the dragon saw that he was cast
unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And
to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, times, and half
a time, from the presence of the dragon. And the serpent cast out of his mought
water after the woman as it had been a river because she should have been
caught of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her
mought, and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mowth. And
the dragon was wroth with the woman: and went and made war with the remnant of
her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Iesus
Christe.
The
.xiij. Chapter.
And I
stood on the sea sand.
And I saw a beast rise out of the sea,
having vij heads, and x horns, and upon his horns x. crowns, and upon his head,
the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw, was like a cat of the mountain,
and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mowth as the mouth of a lion.
And the dragon gave him his power and his seat, and great authority: and I saw
one of his heads as it were wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed.
And all the world wondered at the beast, and they worshipped the dragon, which
gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast saying: who is like
unto the beast? who is able to war with him?
And there was a mowth given unto him that
spake great things, and blasphemies, and power was given unto him, to continue
xlij months. And he opened his mowth unto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme
his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given
unto him to make war with the saints, and to over come them. And power was
given him over all kindred, tongue, and nation: and all that dwell upon the
earth worshipped him: whose names are not written in the book of life of the
lamb, which was killed from the beginning of the world. If any man have an ear,
let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity: he that
killeth with a sword, must be killed with a sword. Here is the patience, and
the faith of the saints.
And I beheld another beast coming up out of
the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as did the dragon.
And he did all that the first beast could do in his presence, and he caused the
earth, and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly
wound was healed. And he did great wonders, so that he made fire come down from
heaven in the sight of men. And deceived them that dwelt on the earth, by the
means of those signs which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying
to them that dwelt on the earth: that they should make an image unto the beast,
which had the wound of a sword, and did live.
And he had power to give a spirit unto the
image of the beast, and that the image of the beast should speak, and should
cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be
killed. And he made all men, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to
receive a mark in their right hands, {hondes} or in their foreheads. And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, other
the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath wit count the number
of the beast. For it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred,
threescore and six.
The
.xiiij. Chapter.
And I
looked, and lo a lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him C. and xliiij.
thousand having his father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a
voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the voice of a great
thunder. And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. And they
sang as it were a new song, before the seat, and before the four beasts, and
the seniors, and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and xliiij M.
which were redeemed from the earth. These are they, which were not defiled with
women, for they are virgins. These follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth.
These were redeemed from men being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb,
and in their mouths was found no guile. For they are without spot before the
throne of God.
And I saw an angel fly in the midst of
heaven having an everlasting gospel, to preach unto them that sit and dwell on
the earth, and to all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and people, saying with a
loud voice: Fear God and give honour to him, for the hour of his judgement is
come: and worship him, that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and fountains
of water. And there followed another angel, saying: Babylon is fallen is fallen
that great city, for she made all nations drink of the wine of her fornication.
And the third angel followed them saying
with a loud voice: If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his
mark in his forehead, or on his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the
wrath of God, which is poured in the cup of his wrath. And he shall be punished
in fire and brimstone, before the holy Angels, and before the lamb. And the
smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore. And they have no rest day nor
night, which worship the beast, and his image, and whosoever receiveth the
print of his name. Here is the patience of saints. Here are they that keep the
commandments and the faight of Iesu.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto
me: write: Blessed are the dead, which hereafter die in the lord, even so saith
the spirit: that they may rest from their labors, but their works shall follow
them. And I looked and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sitting
like unto the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a
sharp sickle. And another Angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud
voice to him that sat on the cloud. Thrust in thy sickle and reap: for the time
is come to reap, for the corn of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the
cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
And another Angel came out of the temple,
which is in heaven, having also a sharp sickle. And another Angel came out from
the altar, which had power over fire, and cried with a loud cry to him that had
the sharp sickle, and said: thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters
of the earth: for her grapes are ripe. And the Angel thrust in his sickle on
the earth: and cut down the grapes of the vineyard of the earth: and cast them
into the great winefat of the wrath of God, and the winefat was trodden with
out the city, and blood came out of the fat, even unto the horse bridles by the
space of a thousand and iiij score furlongs. {or a thowsande and .vj.C
furlongs.}
The .xv.
Chapter.
And I saw another sign in heaven great and
marvellous, vij angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is fulfilled
the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a glassy sea, mingled with fire, and
them that had gotten victory of the beast, and of his image, and of his mark,
and of the number of his name, stand on the glassy sea, having the harps of God
and they sang the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the lamb,
saying: Great and marvellous are thy works lord God almighty, just and true are
thy ways, king of the saints. Who shall not fear o lord, and glorify thy name?
For thou only art holy, and all gentiles shall come and worship before thee,
for thy judgements are made manifest.
And after that I looked, and behold the
temple of the tabernacle of testimony was open in heaven, and the seven angels
came out of the temple, which had the seven plagues, clothed in pure and bright
linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four
beasts gave unto the seven angels vij golden vials, full of the wrath of God
which liveth for evermore. And the temple was full of the smoke of the glory of
God and of his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the
seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The .xvj.
Chapter.
And I heard a great voice out of the
temple, saying to the seven angels: go your ways, pour out your vials of wrath
upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth, and
there fell a noisome and a sore botch upon the men, which had the mark of the
beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second Angel shed out
his vial upon the sea, and it turned as it were into the blood of a dead man,
and every living thing died in the sea. And the third angel shed out his vial
upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they turned to blood. And I heard
an angel say: lord which art and wast, thou art righteous and holy, because
thou hast given such judgements, for they shed out the blood of saints, and
prophets, and therefore hast thou given them blood to drink: for they are worthy.
And I heard another out of the altar say: even so lord God almighty, true and
righteous are thy judgements.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial on
the sun, and power was given unto him to vex men with heat of fire. And the men
raged in great heat, and spake evil of the name of God which had power over
those plagues, and they repented not, to give him glory. And the fifth angel
poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom waxed dark, and
they gnawed their tongues for sorrow, and blasphemed the God of heaven for
sorrow, and pain of their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial
upon the great river Euphrates, and the water dried up, that the ways of the
kings of the east should be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like
frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast,
and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils
working miracles, to go out unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,
to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty. Behold I come
as a thief. Happy is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, Lest he be
found naked, and men see his filthiness. And he gathered them together into a place
called in the hebrew tongue Armagedon.
And the seventh Angel poured out his vial
into the air. And there came a voice out of heaven from the seat, saying: It is
done. And there followed voices, thunderings, and lightnings, and there was a
great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an
earthquake and so great. And the great city was divided into the three parts,
And the cities of nations fell. And great Babylon came in remembrance before
God, to give unto her the cup of wine of the fierceness of wrath. Every isle
fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell a great hail, as it
had been talents, out of heaven upon the men, and the men blasphemed God,
because of the plague of the hail, for it was great and the plague of it sore.
The
.xvij. Chapter.
And there came one of the seven angels,
which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me: I will shew thee
the judgement of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters, with whom have
committed fornication the kings of the earth, so that the inhabiters of the
earth, are drunken with the wine of her fornication. And he carried me away
into the wilderness in the spirit. And I saw a woman sit upon a rose colored
beast full of names of blasphemy, which had ten horns. And the woman was
arrayed in purple and rose colour, and decked with gold, precious stone, and
pearls, and had a cup of gold in her hand, full of abomination, and filthiness
of her fornication. And in her forehead was a name written, a mystery, great
Babylon the mother of whoredom and abominations of the earth. And I saw the
wife drunken with the blood of saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of
Iesu. And when I saw her: I wondered with great marvel.
And the Angel said unto me: wherefore
marvellest thou? I will shew thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast
that beareth her, which hath seven heads, and ten horns. The beast that thou
seest, was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go
into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder (whose names are
not written in the book of life from he beginning of the world) when they
behold the beast that was, and is not. And here is a mind that hath wisdom.
The seven heads are seven mountains, on
which the woman sitteth: they are also seven kings. Five are fallen, and one
is, and another is not yet come. When he cometh he must continue a space. And
the beast that was, and is not, is even the eighth, and is one of the seven, and
shall go into destruction. And the ten horns which thou seest, are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom, but shall receive power as kings at one hour
with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength
unto the beast. These shall fight with the lamb, and the lamb shall overcome
them: For he is lord of lords, and king of kings: and they that are on his
side, are called, and chosen, and faithful.
And he said unto me: the waters which thou
sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, and folk, and nations, and
tongues. And the ten horns, which thou sawest upon the beast, are they that
shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate, and naked, and shall eat her
flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts, to fulfil his
will, and to do with one consent, for to give her kingdom unto the beast, until
the words of God be fulfilled. And the woman thou sawest, is that great city,
which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The
.xviij. Chapter.
And after that I saw another angel come
from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his
brightness. And he cried mightily with a strong voice saying: Great Babylon is
fallen is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of all
foul spirits, and a cage of all unclean and hateful birds, for all nations have
drunken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the kings of the earth
have committed fornication with her, and her merchants are waxed rich of the
abundance of her pleasures.
And I heard another voice from heaven say:
come away from her my people, that ye be not part takers in her sins, that ye
receive not of her plagues. For her sins are gone up to heaven, and God hath
remembered her wickedness. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and give her
double according to her works. And pour in double to her in the same cup which
she filled unto you. And as much as she glorified herself and lived wantonly,
so much pour ye in for her of punishment, and sorrow, for she said in her
heart: I sit being a queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow. Therefore
shall her plagues come at one day, death, and sorrow, and hunger, and she shall
be brent with fire: for strong is the lord God which judgeth her.
And the kings of the earth shall beweep her
and wail over her, which have committed fornication with her, and have lived
wantonly with her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, and shall
stand afar off, for fear of her punishment, saying: Alas, Alas, that great city
Babylon, that mighty city: For at one hour is her judgment come. And the
merchants of the earth shall weep and wail in themselves, for no man will buy
their ware any more, the ware of gold and silver, and precious stones, neither
of pearl, and raynes, and purple, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all
manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of
brass, and of iron, and cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense,
and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, beasts, and sheep, and horses,
and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.
And the apples that thy soul lusted after,
are departed from thee. And all things which were dainty, and had in price are
departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more. The merchants of these
things which were waxed rich shall stand afar off from her, for fear of the
punishment of her, weeping and wailing, and saying: alas alas, that great city,
that was clothed in raynes, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and
precious stone, and pearls: for at one hour so great riches is come to nought.
And every ship governor, and all they that
occupied ships, and shipmen which work in the sea, stood afar off, and cried,
when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying: what city is like unto this
great city? And they cast dust on their heads, and cried weeping, and wailing,
and said: Alas Alas that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships
in the sea, by the reason of her ware, for at one hour is she made desolate.
Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy
Apostles, and prophets: for God hath given your judgement on her. And a mighty
angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying:
with such violence shall that great city Babylon be cast, and shall be found no
more. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more in thee: and no crafts man, of whatsoever craft he be,
shall be found any more in thee, and the sound of a mill shall be heard no more
in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride, shall be heard no
more in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth. And with thine
enchantment were deceived all nations: and in her was found the blood of the prophets,
and of the saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
The .xix.
Chapter.
And after that, I heard the voice of much
people in heaven saying: Alleluia. Health and glory and honour, and power be
unto our lord God, for true and righteous are his judgements, for he hath
judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and
hath avenged the blood of his servants of her hand. And again they said:
Alleluya. And smoke rose up for evermore. And the xxiiij. seniors, and the
iiij. beasts fell down, and worshipped God that sat on the seat saying: Amen
Alleluya. And a voice came out of the seat, saying: praise our lord God all ye
that are his servants, and ye that fear him both small and great.
And I heard the voice of much people, even
as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of strong thunderings, saying:
Alleluya, for God omnipotent hath reigned. Let us be glad and rejoice and give
honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife made herself
ready. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed with pure and goodly
raynes. For the raynes is the righteousness of saints. And he said unto me:
happy are they which are called unto the Lamb's supper. And he said unto me:
these are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet, to worship him. And
he said unto me: see thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, and one of
thy brethren, and of them that have the testimony of Iesus. Worship God. For
the testimony of Iesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven open, and
behold a white horse: and he that sat upon him was faithful and true, and in
righteousness did judge and make battle. His eyes were as a flame of fire: and
on his head were many crowns: and he had a name written, that no man knew but
himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is
called the word of God. And the warriors which were in heaven, followed him
upon white horses, clothed with white and pure raynes: and out of his mouth
went out a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the heathen. And he shall
rule them with a rod of iron, and he trod the winefat of fierceness and wrath
of almighty God. And hath on his vesture and on his thigh: king of kings, and
lord of lords.
And I saw an angel stond in the sun, and he
cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly by the midst of
heaven: come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God,
that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and of high captains, and the flesh of mighty
men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of
all free men and bond men, and of small and great. And I saw the beast and the
kings of the earth, and their warriors gathered together to make battle against
him that sat on the horse and against his soldiers.
And the beast was taken, and with him that
false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them
that received the beasts mark, and them that worshipped his image. These both
were cast into a pond of fire burning with brimstone: and the remnant were
slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out
of his mouth, and all the fowls were fulfilled with their flesh.
The .xx.
Chapter.
And I saw an Angel come down from heaven,
having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. And he
took the dragon that old serpent, which is the devil and satanas, and he bound
him a thousand years: and cast him into the bottomless pit, and he bound him,
and set a seal on him, that he should deceive the people no more, till the M.
years were fulfilled. And after that he must be lowsed for a little season.
And I saw seats, and they sat upon them,
and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded
for the witness of Iesu, and for the word of God: which had not worshipped the
beast, neither his image, neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads, or
on their hands: and they lived, and reigned with Christ a M. years: but the
other of the dead men lived not again, until the M. years were finished. This
is that first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection. For on such shall the second death have no power, for they shall
be the priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a M. years.
And when the M. years are expired, Satan
shall be lowsed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the people which
are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog, to gather them together to
battle whose number is as the sand of the sea: and they went up on the plain of
the earth, and compassed the tents of the saints about, and the beloved city.
And fire came down from God, out of heaven, and devoured them: and the devil
that deceived them, was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast
and the false prophet were and shall be tormented day and night for ever more.
And I saw a great white seat and him that
sat on it, from whose face fled away both the earth and heaven, and their place
was no more found. And I saw the dead, both great and small stond before God:
And the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of
life, and the dead were judged of those things which were written in the books
according to their deeds: and the sea gave up her dead, which were in her, and
death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them: and they were judged
every man according to his deeds. And death and hell were cast into the lake of
fire. This is that second death. And whosoever was not found written in the
book of life, was cast into the lake of fire.
The .xxj.
Chapter.
And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth.
For the first heaven, and the first earth, were vanished away, and there was no
more sea. And I Ihon saw that holy city new Ierusalem come down from God out of
heaven prepared as a bride garnished for her husband. And I heard a great voice
from the throne, saying: behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will
dwell with them. And they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with
them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall
there be any more pain, for the old things are gone. And he that sat upon the
seat, said: Behold I make all things new. And he said unto me: write, for these
words are faithful and true.
And he said unto me: it is done I am Alpha
and Omega, the beginning, and the end. I will give to him that is a thirst of
the well of the water of life free. He that overcometh shall inherit all
things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful and
unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
And there came unto me one of the vij.
angels which had the vij. vials full of the vij. last plagues: and talked with
me saying: come hither I will shew thee the bride, the lamb's wife. And he
carried me away in the spirit to a great and an high mountain, and he shewed me
the great city, holy Ierusalem descending out of heaven from God, having the
brightness of God. And her shining was like unto a stone most precious, even a
Jasper clear as Crystal: and had walls great and high, and had xij gates, and
at the gates xij angels: and names written, which are the xij tribes of
Israell: on the east part iij gates, and on the north side iij gates, and towards
the south iij gates, and from the west iij gates: and the wall of the city had
xij foundations, and in them the names of the lamb's .xij. Apostles.
And he that talked with me, had a golden
reed to measure the city withall and the gates thereof and the wall thereof.
And the city was built iiij. square, and the length was as large as the breadth
of it, and he measured the city with the reed xijM. furlongs: and the length,
and the breadth, and the height of it, were equal. And he measured the wall thereof
an cxliiij. cubits: the measure that the angel had was after the measure that
man useth. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper. And the city was
pure gold like unto clear glass and the foundations of the wall of the city was
garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper,
the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald: the fifth
sardonyx: the sixth sardeos: the seventh chrysolite: the eighth berall: the
ninth a topas: the tenth a chrysoprasus: the eleventh a hyacinth: the twelfth
an amethyst.
The xij gates were xij pearls, every gate
was of one pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, as thorow shining
glass. And there was no temple therein. For the lord God almighty and the lamb
are the temple of it. and the city hath no need of the sun neither of the moon
to lighten it. For the brightness of God did light it: and the lamb was the
light of it. And the people which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and
the kings of the earth shall bring their glory unto it. And the gates of it are
not shut by day. For there shall be no night there. And there shall enter into
it none unclean thing: neither whatsoever worketh abomination: or maketh lies:
but they only which are written in the lamb's book of life.
The
.xxij. Chapter.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of
life pure as crystal: proceeding out of the seat of God and of the lamb. In the
midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there wood of life:
which bare xij manner of fruits: and gave fruit every month: and the leaves of
the wood served to heal the people with all. And there shall be no more curse,
but the fear of God and the lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve
him. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And
there shall be no more night there and they need no candle, neither light of
the sun: for the lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for evermore.
And he said unto me: these sayings are
faithful, and true. And the lord God of saints and prophets sent his angel to
shew unto his servants, the things which must shortly be fulfilled. Behold I
come shortly. Happy is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book.
I am Ihon, which saw these things and heard them. And when I had heard and
seen, I fell down, to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me
these things. And he said unto me: see thou do it not, for I am thy fellow
servant and the fellow servant of thy brethren the prophets and of them which
keep the sayings of this book. But worship God.
And he said unto me: seal not the sayings
of prophesy of this book. For the time is at hand. He that doth evil, let him
do evil still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is
righteous, let him be more righteous: and he that is holy, let him be more
holy. And behold I come shortly, and my reward with me, to give every man
according as his deeds shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that
their power may be in the tree of life, and may enter in thorow the gates into
the city. For with out shall be dogs and enchanters, and whoremongers, and
murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh lesynges.
I Iesus sent mine angel, to testify unto
you these things in the congregations. I am the root and the generation of
David, and the bright morning star. And the spirit and the bride said come. And
let him that heareth, say also come. And let him that is a thirst come. And let
whosoever will, take of the water of life free.
I testify unto every man that heareth the
words of prophecy of this book: if any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man
shall minish of the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his
part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from those things
which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith: be it,
I come quickly, Amen. Even so: come lord Iesu. The grace of our lord Iesu
Christ be with you all Amen.
The end
of the newe testament.
{-{-{-{-{-{-{-{ EDITOR's NOTES
.}-}-}-}-}-}-}-}
Messiah Iesu the son of God commanded in John Chap. ij. :
.."make not my father's house, an house of merchandise."
If you are shopping for a new Bible, your choices are mind-boggling. At first I said like Paul wrote:
"What thing is this? Notwithstanding by all manner ways, whether it be by occasion or of truth, yet Christ is preached: and therefore I joy. Yee and will joy." (Philippians j.)
Even so, thorow much research and thanks to the guidance of the spirit of God who leads to truth, that is, His son Christ Iesu our health; firstly asking God by prayer and fasting, for wisdom in Iesus name; it must be said in desire of the pure Word, that one will come to the realization that over the years there have been many divers revisions of the Scriptures, some of which under the guise of wordily scholarship and "the modernizing the languages" have watered down the message and introduced errors proceeding from deviant manuscripts, from doctrines of men, and from over simplification of the English or given language. May the spirit of God deliver us from any strong delusion, and keep us in the alleviating reality of the truth, specially at this Laodicean hour.
'So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing cometh by the word of God.'(Romans x.)
Instead of revising "forward" towards modernism and employing modern scholarship, textual criticism, and the like; it has been my intention to go "back" and restore the pure message from the proven root. Yea, a root that was tried in the fire like gold and grew to immense proportions in likeness of a great tree yielding it's fruit in due season. For it's history of good fruit speaks for itself. Therefore, I believe that only when we allow the witness of the spirit of truth in our hearts to have the last word regarding translation, can we then come to the truth or reality of the matter.
'Study to shew thyself laudable unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly.' Second Timothy ij.
Diligence and
great reverence to God must be taken when studying the Scriptures; like those
noble of
'For with thee is the fountain of life: and in thy light shall we see light.' (Psalm xxxvj.)
I. About the translation and the translator
It is thanks to God for devout man of the
word like William Tyndale, that the Scriptures were translated from the
original tongue and printed for the first time in English.
A.) About the translation significance
Fluent in at least 7 languages, by the grace of God, William Tyndale translated much of the Bible into English from the Hebrew and Greek original tongue sources. In doing so he gave the English language many of its best known phrases.
' In the beginning God created heaven and
earth. The earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the deep, and the
spirit of God moved upon the water.
Then God said: Let there be light, and
there was light. And God saw the light that it was good: and divided the light
from the darkness, and called the light day, and the darkness night: and so of
the evening and morning was made the first day.' (Genesis j.)
Through the years many English speaking believers in the Word adopted and loved the 'Authorised' version of the New Testament, and surely it includes Phrases of lapidary beauty that have been admired :
'heat of the day' (Matthew xvj.)
'They made light of it, and went their ways: one to his firm place, another about his merchandise,' (Matthew xxij.)
'And he put forth a similitude unto them saying: The lands of a certain man brought forth fruits plenteously, and he thought in himself saying: what shall I do? because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods: and I will say to my soul: Soul thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him: Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God.' (Luke xij.)
' filthy lucre' (First Timothy iij.)
' in the morning: ye say, today shall be foul weather, and that because the sky is tremulous and red. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the fashion of the sky: and can ye not discern the signs of the times?' (Matthew xvj.)
'scales fell from his eyes' (Acts ix.)
'The powers that be' (Romans xiij.)
'For where ij or iij are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' (Matthew v.)
'the salt of the earth' (Matthew v.)
'Ask and it shall be given you: Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.' (Matthew vij.)
' clothed and in his right mind' (Luke xviij.)
'Iesus beheld them, and said unto them: with men this is unpossible, but with God all things are possible.' (Matthew ixx.)
'For in him we live, move, and have our being' (Acts xvij.)
'Full of good works' (Acts ix.)
'A law unto themselves' (Romans ij.)
'Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life.' (First Timothy vj.)
'Be not weary in well doing' (Second Thessalonians iij.)
'Let brotherly love continue' (Hebrews xiij.)
'Looking unto Iesus, the author and finisher of our faith' (Hebrews xij.)
'The patience of Job' (James v.)
'Behold I stand at the door, and knock' (Revelation vij.)
'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes' (Revelation vij.)
All these phrases, and many, (specially when it is direct, simply plain and strong,) and many other, were taken by the King James version translators directly from Tyndale.
B.) About the brave translator (William Tyndale 1494-1536 A.D.)
Pursuing a vision
Master Tyndale happened to be in the company of a learned man and, in disputing with him ... the man said, "We are better to be without God's laws than the pope's." Master Tyndale, hearing this, replied, "I defy the pope and all his laws;" and added, "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than thou dost." (Foxe, Book of Martyrs)
At that time,
printing had just been invented, although translating the Bible was considered
heretical. These were dangerous times for Scripture translations. Even still,
Tyndale said, "It is impossible to establish the lay people in any truth,
except the Scriptures be laid before their eyes, in their mother tongue." He fled to
In 1535,
Tyndale had planned to complete the translation of the Old Testament, but was
betrayed by a fellow Englishman feigning to be his friend who was really being
paid to betray him. This man enticed Tyndale to venture into the streets of
'I believe, most excellent Sir, that you are not unacquainted with the decision reached concerning me. On which account, I beseech your lordship, even by the Lord Iesus, that if I am to pass the winter here, to urge upon the lord commissary, if he will deign, to send me from my goods in his keeping a warmer cap, for I suffer greatly from cold in the head, and am afflicted with a continual catarrh, which is much increased in this cell. A warmer coat also, for that which I have is very thin: also cloth for repairing my leggings; my overcoat is worn out: the shirts also are worn out. He has a woolen shirt of mine, if he will please send it. I have also with him leggings of heavier cloth for overwear. He likewise has warmer nightcaps: I also ask to be allowed to use a lamp in the evening: it is indeed weariesome sitting alone in the dark.
But most of all I beg and beseech your clemency to be urgent with the commissary, that he will kindly permit me to have my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Dictionary, and that I might employ my time with that study. Thus likewise may you obtain what you most desire, saving that it further the salvation of your soul. But if, before the end of winter, a different decision be reached concerning me, I shall be patient, and submit to the will of God to the glory of the grace of Iesus Christ my Lord, whose spirit may ever direct your heart. Amen.'
W. Tyndale
Tyndale was condemned as a heretic, degraded from the priesthood, and delivered to the secular authorities for punishment under the laws of the Inquisition.
T h e
"C r i m e s" o f W i l l i a m
T y n d a l e :
First :.... He maintains that faith alone justifies.
Second :... He maintains that to believe in the forgiveness of sins and to embrace the mercy offered in the Gospel, is enough for salvation.
Third :.... He avers that human traditions cannot bind the conscience, except where their neglect might occasion scandal.
Fourth :... He denies the freedom of the will.
Fifth :.... He denies that there is any purgatory.
Sixth :.... He affirms that neither the virgin nor the saints pray for us in their own person.
Seventh :. He asserts that neither the virgin nor the saints should be invoked by us.
.{note: According to the Scriptures Mary was only a virgin till she conceived.
'The birth of Christ was on this wise, when his mother Mary was married unto Ioseph, before they came to dwell together, she was found with child by the holy ghost.' Matthew j.
Common sense would say that every generation from hence forth should call her 'blessed' as she so said in Luke chapter j.
Mary was also blessed with many children:
"Is not this the carpenters son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren be called, Iames and Ioses and Simon and Iudas? and are not his sisters all here with us?"
Matthew xiij. & Mark vj., also see Matthew xij., Mark iij., & Luke viij.
Howbeit some still fanatically believed and even hold today that Mary remains a virgin; or worst that she and the saints could even be invoked. What they are assuming and accusing Tyndale of, is the heresy that they themselves hold; and will be justly judged so according to the word of God. The Lord himself so loved us that he warned way in advance:
'It is enough for the disciple to be as his master is, and that the servant be as his lord is. If they have called the lord of the house beelzebub: how much more shall they call them of his household so? Fear them not therefore. There is nothing so close, that shall not be opened, and nothing so hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light. And what ye hear in the ear that preach ye on the house tops. And fear ye not them which kill the body, and be not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.' Matthew x.
Thus far there is only a son of man that God rose from the dead, and according to the Scriptures only HE must be invoked:
'Iesus said
unto him I am the way, the verity, and life. No man cometh unto the father, but
by me.' John xiv.
Diligence in reasoning, and utmost obedidience to the word of God must be taken very seriously, unless one finds himself zealously striving against the faith first given to the Saints, yea, against THE MAKER, and learn the hard lesson like king Saul according to the Old Testament (see I Samuel chapter 28)
"Woe be unto him that chideth with his maker, the potsherd with the potter: Sayeth the clay to the potter: What makest thou? or thy work serveth for nothing?" Isaiah 45:9 (Coverdale's Bible)
..Therefore I say hereto that he was martyred also because he held the word of God above and over all traditions & doctrines of men. And Lo, the LORD asks those that accuse and persecute his children still today the same question:
'Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God, thorow your traditions?' Matthew xv. also see Mark vij.}.
At last,
after much reasoning, when no reason would serve, although he deserved no
death, he was condemned by virtue of the emperor's decree, made in the assembly at
A couple of years after Tyndale's death, Miles Coverdale's Bible was to be used in every parish in the land. This was largely based on Tyndale's Bible. In 1539 Tyndale's own edition of the Bible became officially approved for printing. The Great Bible was the first Bible ever authorized for public use.
William
Tyndale's translation is the foundation of all reformed English versions
published for three centuries afterwards: Coverdale's Bible New Testament is a
revision of Tyndale 1534; Matthew's Bible is a revision of Tyndale 1535;
Taverner's Bible and the Great Bible are revisions of Matthew's Bible; The
Bishops' Bible is a revision of the Great Bible, and also the N.T. of the
"Geneva Bible" is mainly a revision of Tyndale 1535.
(Although
also unacknowledged, much of his work appears in the so called 'Authorized' (or
'King James') version of the Bible whose translator's were to abide by rule 1
which demanded merely a revision of the Bishops' Bible; The version is not said
to be "authorized"; yet "appointed to be read in Churches"
(not on the title page of the New Testament) could be interpreted to mean that
as successor to the Bishops' Bible, which was thus appointed, it (the N.t.) might be
regarded as "authorized"; moreover the Bishops' Bible was the
legitimate successor of the expressly "authorized" Great Bible.)
IJ. Notes on the Restoration
A.) Divers spellings kept to best reason the integrity of the original
1.) Tyndale had a writting freestyle that used divers spelling of the same name like: Isay, Esay (that we call Isaiah,) Hierusalem & Ierusalem (Jerusalem;) Iury, Iewry, Iewery: (Jewry which is interpreted as Judaea) etc.. although the reader is able to easily recognize; the same like when we call somebody a shorten or derived form of their name; Hence most names are also kept that way in this online edition.
2.) Most words were updated to current 'go spelling'; For ensample the word hys=his or wyfe=wife is updated as such.
3.) The words "off" & "of" were sometimes interchanged in the original, the same with "then" & "than".
4.) The original translation used both lower and upper case sporadically, as an example for lower-case jewe I rendered it as jewe and left Iewe when in upper-case; also most descriptors were kept in the same letter case like in the original; Nonetheless the significance of the whole original text still remains intact in this restored edition.
B.) Further word notes on interesting T.N.T renderings you may come across :
a.) COMO
: original spelling like 1526 edition "como" and according to the
Greek word Erhomenon (participle present) it is best translated: as coming, even returning
(that is, Iesu Christ is coming in the glorious body of resurrection.)
Found in
the second letter of John :
"For
many deceivers are entered into the world, which confess not that Iesus Christ
is como in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."
b.) ESTER
: exact spelling, (other: passover, the feast of sweet bread)
ester
lamb: this is the Hebrew feast of sweet bread, and this lamb was offered at the
first passover in egypt. (also pascha : or paschal lamb; that Christ the Lord
fulfilled by shedding his precious blood for us at calvary)
c.)
IESUS, IESU : "J" was not used in the original W.T. English for words
(although is used as a 1 roman numeral
.j.) William Tyndale like most early translators were very accurate in
rendering the name of the Lord from the original tongue. The name of our Lord for ensample was kept
the exact spelling shewing that the English root word came from the latin word
Iesu (pronounced Yesu) that is derived from the Greek word Iesous and most important of
all that the Greek got it from the Hebrew word Y'shu of Yahshuah meaning
G_D "Yah" will save and be our health "shuah" (like the
name Ioshua in the O.T.) that has a similar meaning of the Name; An Angel will
be able to verify the significance in the first chapter of Matthew.
So only
names starting with "I" instead of our modern "J" were kept
as the original. Like other names: Iewry, Iury : which by interpretation is
Judea.
note:
Jury is an interesting rendering taking into account the gospel and Romans
chap. ix.
d.)
GOSPELL : (v.) exact original spelling; (--as in "go" &
"spell";-)
As to
spell forth a good saying, glad speech; to tell the joy-full letters thereof.
Gospel,
(n.) [other: Godspell; God + spell : his letters, promises, & true
story. The glad tidings; that is, the good news of Christ the Lord who came in the flesh and died for our sins, whom God his father rose from the dead, and will rise all the dead at the last trompe; the soon coming Kingdom of God, and eternal health.
e.)
LOWSE, lowsed, lowsest, loosed, loose (v.) : to turn loose, let go
lowse,
lose (adj.) loose
(note:
from the Greek : loose, untie; release, set free; break away, set aside;
destroy, pull down; break up; or allow. "Low" from the Hebrew is to
humble.)
"And
I will give unto thee, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou
bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou lowsest on
earth, it shall be lowsed in heaven." Matthew chapter xvi.
f.)
THOROW
1.) thorow (prep.) : by, through, be cause
of, on account of
"and
to give light to all men, that they might know what is the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God which made
all things thorow Iesus Christ" Ephesians chapter iij.
2.) Thorowout, Thoroughout (prep.) Quite
through; from one extremity to the other of; also, every part of; as, to search
throughout the house.
3.) Thorow (adv.) thoroughly, completely
4.) Thorowout, Throughout (adv.) In every
part; as, the cloth was of a piece throughout.
g.)
W.T.'s translation also uses an unique method of roman numerals for
chapters and numbers within the text, and it has been kept the same :
1 : j., 2
: ij., 3. iij., 4. iiij., 5. v., 6. vi., 7. vij., 8. viij. 9. ix., 10. x.
11.xi.. 20. xx., 30.xxx., 40.il., 44. xliiij. 50. l. 60. lx., 70. lxx.,
80.lxxx., 90. xc., 100. C. 200. ij.C. 400. iiij. C. 500. D., 1000. M. 12000.
xij M.
IIJ. Importance of the Archaic word
Archaic words bring back the sharpness to detail and of significance.
A.) Why is "Ye" and "Thee" needed; and How are used :
1.) Thee,
Thou, Thy, Thine. Alway Singular (refers to only one.)
2.) Ye,
You : Always Plural (refers to more than one.)
Note:
Modern English has lost this important distinction. Serious doctrinal error can
result from the consequences of changing the plural "Ye",
"You" and the singular "Thee, Thy, Thine" to: "you and
your"; as there would be no way to distinguish if the scriptural promises
or directives are addressed to a given individual or to the people of God.
B.) How
important is the poetic beauty and depth of archaic verb endings :
1.) -est
or -st : Used to form the archaic second person singular (thee, thou.. etc) of
English verbs: comest thou to me?
"And
he said unto Iesus: Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."
Luke Chap. 23
2.) -eth
or -th : Used to form the archaic third
person singular (he, she, they, it.. etc) present indicative of verbs: leadeth.
"He that goeth in by the door, is the
shepherd of the sheep. To this man the porter openeth the door, and the sheep
hear his voice, And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out, and when he hath sent forth his own sheep, he
goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: For they know his
voice." John x.
"He
that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity: he that killeth with a
sword, must be killed with a sword. Here is the patience, and the faith of the
saints." Revelation chapter xiij.
IIIJ. A list of other interesting notes and definitions :
abject : low, pitiful;
"Nevertheless
he that comforteth the abject, comforted us at the coming of Titus." 2
Cor. vij.
acomptes : accounts, accomplishments;
"which
shall give acomptes to him that is ready to judge quick and dead." I Peter
iv.
advoutry, advoutrous, advouterers :
adultery, or a-devouter; the prefix "a" meaning "not"
devout or "without" devotion; unfaithfulness to the marriage, or to
the truth; Christ the lord and God our father.
allayed : settled down, ceased;
"And
he rose up and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea: peace and be still. And
the wind allayed, and there followed a great calm:" Mark iv.
amen : so be it
anathema maranatha: from the marginal
notes: {The same be accursed at the coming of the lorde.}
"If
any man love not the lord Iesus Christ, the same be anathema maranatha." 1
Cor xvj.
anon - shortly, early, after a while, a
little while, soon, right away, immediately,
areed, aread : prophecy, declare, guess
assoil : solve; clear up. Matthew xxj.
astonied, astunned : (adj.) bewildered;
dazed, (p.) stunned; astonished, astounded
benevolence : compassion, kindness, good
will
careful : full of cares; or cluttered with
detail to the point of anxiety
charger : a large shallow dish; a platter.
Christe: exact spelling in seven letters
with the suffix -e perhaps meaning from or belonging to Christ.
close: to come or gather around; to
inclose; or enclose on all sides; to encompass; to confine. Mat xiij. : to
bring in the sides, as when covering seed.
como : I Ihon : Iesus is coming, returning
in the flesh, (that is, in the new glorious body of resurrection.)
concord -
agreement
concupiscence: strong desire as in the lust
of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of self and/or goods.
cumbrance, encumbrance : be crushed (with
difficulties), syn. burden; clog; impediment; check; hindrance
cruses : earthen vessels : jugs, pots,
pitchers
dampned : dampened, damned;
"Grudge
not one against another brethren, lest ye be dampned. Behold the judge standeth
before the door." James v.
debite : deputy: from the Latin meaning to
keep accounts of debts. Official listener to quarrels.
delectation : enjoyment, delight, pleasure
derely : dearly, (adv.) 1.) Loved and cherished; Highly esteemed or regarded. 2.) in a sincere and heartfelt manner; with affection 3.) at a great cost
devotion : plain hearted to God, being
devoted to someone or something else.
discreet : prudent; sagacious, judicious;
not rash or heedless, but thoughtful.
discreetly : wisely, sensibly, caution in
speech and proper behaviour, modestly
discretion : ability to use common sense
and discernment.
dissimulation : disguised motives or
intentions
draught : natural movement. Or that which
is drawn; as: That which is taken by sweeping with a net. Luke v.
durst : a past tense and a past participle
of dare.
egal : equal, impartial
egalness : impartiality
eschew : to escape from, to avoid, shun
ere :
before, sooner than, ever
err, erre : error, stray from the true
course; to miss the thing aimed at.
ester: exact spelling; interpreted as
passover, easter, the feast of sweet or unleavened bread
ester lamb: this is the Hebrew feast of
sweet bread, and this lamb was offered at the first passover in Egypt.
even (n) :
in divers passages means : evening
faithful : (faithfull) full of faith
farthing : a Great Britain coin worth 1/4
penny, or something of very little value.
faveour : also grace.
fealing , feal : faithful; loyal. [Obs.]
feign, feigned, feigning : to dissemble; to
represent by a false appearance; to give a mental existence to, as to something
not real or actual; to imagine; to invent; hence, to pretend; to form and
relate as if true.
"There
are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own
heart." --Neh. vi. 8.
firkins : small barrel
fuller: one who works with cloth. Mark ix.
fremed : strange, foreign
froward, frowardly: stubbornly headstrong,
contrary to love and truth. Not willing to yield or compIy with what is
required or is reasonable; perverse; disobedient; peevish; as, a froward child.
"A
froward man soweth strife." --Prov. xvi. 28.
grece : flight of steps. Acts xxj.
Helias : Elijah, the prophet, EliYah = My
God is YHWH.
Hiericho : Jericho = place of fragrance
Hierusalem, Ierusalem : Jerusalem
Iesu, Iesus : today translated as Iesu,
Iesus; in Hebrew: Y'shu (from Yahshuah)
Ihon : John
Isay, Esay : the prophet Isaiah
Iury, Jewry: Judea
jot : gr. iota; heb. , yod : the smallest
letter (10th) in the Hebrew alphabet
"For
truly I say unto you, till heaven and earth perish, one jot, or one tittle of
the law shall not scape, till all be fulfilled." Matt. Chap.v.
loth : unwilling
lucre : gain in money or goods; profit;
riches; -- often in an ill sense.
"See
that ye feed Christe's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them,
not as though ye were compelled thereto: but willingly: Not for the desire of
filthy lucre: but of a good mind." First Peter chap. v.
mammon : greed-full riches; to serve for
gain and filthy lucre
meet (a.) : worthy; suitable; fit; proper;
appropriate; qualified; convenient.
merciful : (mercifull) having or excercising full mercy
Messias, Christ : anointed ,
mete : what ever is used to measure or for
a measure
mote : a very small particle; a speck
"The
same found his brother Simon first, and said unto him: we have found Messias,
which is by interpretation anointed:" Ihon j.
nard, spikenard : an aromatic ointment used
in antiquity
nay : no.
nere : were not (be not)
nought : nothing, (not ever a whit)
ought : (n.) anything whatever, any part;
whit (a.) in any respect; at all. (imp. p.) owe; to be bound in duty or by
moral obligation. (v.) to be indebted or obliged for.
pillers: those that charge others
excessively, as to pillage the people.
pill: extort
pyght: plight : to promise or bind by a
solemn pledge, especially to betroth; to give
or solemn pledge (as of faith, one's word or oath to the truth, for example.)
Heb. viij. (other: pitched, trothed)
posing : asking questions
phylacteries: either of two leather pouches
containing scriptures, one worn on the left arm, the other on the forehead, by
these Scribes or Pharisees
predestinate: to destine or determine in
advance; foreordain. to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose
or decree; to pre["e]lect. Romans Chap. viij.
privy, privily : in private, hidden (also a
privy place to rest and think)
publicans - ones who worked for the Romans;
collector of taxes or tribute from the public.
quaternions : four soldiers, heavy security
raca : from the heb. means worthless
rue : aromatic plant
sophistry : a imaginable but misleading
discussion, fallacious reasoning.
succor, succour : help, to relieve in time
of distress, to assist and deliver from suffering
"
For in that he himself suffered, and was tempted, he is able to succour them
that are tempted. --Heb. ii."
suffer(ed) : allow(ed), permit(ed) (even
suffer)
superfluity : excess, overabundance,
indulgence
superfluous : unnecessary; being beyond
what is required or sufficient.
staunched : To stop the flow of blood from
(a wound) Luke chap. 8
surfeiting : to overindulge, caused by
excessive eating or drinking.
tittle : the "tittle" is a tiny
curve at the end of some Hebrew characters to distinguish them from others
which otherwise would be similar. The very least point. Luke xvj. :
"Sooner
shall heaven and earth perish, than one tittle of the law shall perish."
twain : two
trow : think
trough : troth, or truth; in reality of the narrow
way
"I
rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in trough, as we have
received a commandment of the father." Second Ihon j.
thorow(e) : (prep.) by., through, be cause of, on account of
thorowout (prep.) throughout
thorow(e) adv. thoroughly, completely
unneth : uneasily, with much difficulty,
scarcely
unspotted : not spotted; free from spot or
stain; especially, free from moral stain; unblemished; as, an unspotted
reputation.
"Pure
devotion and undefiled before God the father, is this: To visit the fatherless,
and widows in their adversity, and to keep himself unspotted of the
world." James j.
unfeigned: not made up, true, sincere,
genuine
untoward: unfavorable, ungraceful,
contrary, froward; perverse;
"Save
yourselves from this untoward generation." Acts chap. ij.
wene : to ween; suppose, imagine, think
wenest : supposes, to assume
whit : smallest part, least bit
winefat : the upper vat of the winepress;
emblematic of divine judgement
whitsontide: whitsuntide; also interpreted
pentecost (Jewish festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover
Feast)
wist - knew, or known well, understand
wit, (n.) Mind; intellect; understanding;
sense.
"Who
knew the wit of the Lord? or who was his counselor?" --Wyclif (Rom. xi.
34).
wit, wettest, wot, wotteth (v.) : knew,
know well
wiliness : trickery, deceit, craftiness,
cunning;
"That
we henceforth be no more children wavering and carried with every wind of
doctrine, by the wiliness of men and craftiness, whereby they lay a wait for us
to deceive us." Ephesians chap. iv.
wottest, wettest : to know sharply.
woe (n.) (interj.) Used to express sorrow
or dismay. Grief; sorrow; misery; disaster, heavy calamity. A curse; a
malediction.
Note: Woe
is used in denunciation, and in exclamations of sorrow. "Woe is me! for I
am undone." --Isa. vi. 5.
"Woe
unto him that striveth with his Maker!" --Isa. xlv. 9.
wont: used to, as usual
yee, yea : yes .
yer: before
V. Some
revised definitions from Webster's revised unabridged dictionary (1913)
AMEN (interj., adv., & n.) [heb. n. certainly, truly.] An expression used at the end of prayers, and meaning, So be it. At the end of a creed, it is a solemn asseveration of belief.
To approve warmly; to concur in heartily or emphatically of a certainty and it's verity.
((Revelation chapter vij.))
When it introduces a declaration, it is equivalent to truly, verily.
Note: It is used as a noun, to denote: (a) concurrence in belief, or in a statement; assent; (b) the final word or act; (c) Christ as being one who is true and faithful.
And let all the people say, Amen. --Ps. cvi. 48.
CONGREGATION :
1. The act of congregating, or bringing together, or of collecting into one aggregate or mass.
2. An assembly of persons; a gathering; esp. an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and for instruction in His Word; a body of people who habitually so meet.
4. In Ancient Jewish History it meant the whole body of the Jewish people; (called also Congregation of the Lord;-) today the body is composed of both Jew and Gentile believers in Christ.
ERR : error
1. To wander; to roam; to stray. [Archaic]
"What seemeth to you, if there were to a man an hundred sheep and one of them hath erred." --Wyclif (Matt. xviii. 12).
2. To deviate from the true course; to miss the thing aimed at.
3. To miss intellectual truth; to fall into error; to mistake in judgment or opinion; to be mistaken.
4. To deviate morally from the right way; to go astray, in a figurative sense; to do wrong; to sin.
"Do they not err that devise evil?" --Prov. xiv. 22.
5. To offend, as by erring.
DEVOTION : plain hearted to God; Being devoted to someone or something.
1. The state of being dedicated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.
2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.
3. The state of being devoted; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship and obedience to His commandments; devoutness.
FAITHFUL \Faith"ful\,
a. 1. Full of faith, or having faith; disposed to believe, especially in the declarations and promises of God.
2. Firm in adherence to promises, oaths, contracts, treaties, or other engagements.
The faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him. --Deut. vii. 9.
3. True and constant in affection or allegiance to a person to whom one is bound by a vow, be ties of love, gratitude, or honor, as to a husband, a prince, a friend; firm in the observance of duty; loyal; of true fidelity; as, a faithful husband or servant.
4. Worthy of confidence and belief; conformable to truth ot fact; exact; accurate; as, a faithful narrative or representation.
Syn: Trusty; honest; upright; sincere; veracious; trustworthy.
LAUD n.
1. High commendation; praise; honor; exaltation; glory.
"Laud be to God." --Shak.
"So do well and thou shalt have laud of the same." --Tyndals.
2. A part of divine worship, consisting chiefly of praise; -- usually in the pl.
laud v. (celebrate, glorify, honor, exalt)
\Laud\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lauded; p. pr. & vb. n. Lauding.]
To praise in words alone, or with words and singing; to celebrate; to extol.
With all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name. --Book of Common Prayer.
laudable - honorable, praised
\Laud"a*ble\, a. 1. Worthy of being lauded; praiseworthy; commendable; as, laudable motives; laudable actions; laudable ambition.
2. (Med.) Healthy; salubrious; normal; having a disposition to promote healing.
MERCIFUL
\Mer"ci*ful\, a. [Mercy + -ful.] 1. Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish.
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious. --Ex. xxxiv. 6.
2. Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.
A merciful man will be merciful to his beast. --Old Proverb.
Syn: Compassionate; tender; humane; gracious; kind; mild; clement; benignant. -- Mer\"ci*ful*ly, adv. -- Mer\"ci*ful*ness, n.
SHEW, v. t. [It is sometimes written shew, shewed, shewn, shewing.]
gr. to mark, perceive, hear
1. To exhibit or present to vjew; to place in sight; to display; -- the thing exhibited being the object, and often with an indirect object denoting the person or thing seeing or beholding;
2. To exhibit to the mental vjew; to tell; to disclose; to reveal; to make known; as, to show one's designs.
Shew them the way wherein they must walk. --Ex. xviii. 20.
3. Specifically, to make known the way to (a person); hence, to direct; to guide; to asher; to conduct; as, to show a person into a parlor; to show one to the door.
4. To make apparent or clear, as by evidence, testimony, or reasoning; to prove; to explain; also, to manifest; to evince; as, to show the truth of a statement; to show the causes of an event.
5. To bestow; to confer; to afford; as, to show favor.
Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me. --Ex. xx. 6.
To show forth, to manifest; to publish; to proclaim.
PITH : heart, core, center - Hebrews viij.
"Of the things which we have spoken, this is the pith: that we have such an high priest that is sitten on the right hand of the seat of majesty in heaven,"
1. (Bot.) The soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of cellular tissue.
2. (a) The spongy interior substance of a feather. (b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow.
3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, the speech lacked pith.
nay, (a.) [a contracted word, to deny]
1. No; a word that expresses negation.
I tell you, nay: but except ye amend your lives, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke xiij.
2. It expresses also refusal.
He that will not when he may, When he would he shall have nay.
[In these senses it is now rarely used; 'no' being substituted.]
3. Not only so; not this alone; intimating that something is to be added by way of amplification. He requested an answer; nay, he urged it.
4. Nay, (n.) Denial, refusal.
YEE, (also yea) adv. Ya.
1. YES; a word that expresses affirmation or assent. Will you go? Yea. It sometimes introduces a subject, with the sense of indeed, verily, truly, it is so.
"But your communication shall be yea, yea; nay, nay." Matthew 5.
"Yee and why judge ye not of yourselves, that which is rightwise?" Luke 12.
2. It sometimes enforces the sense of something preceding; not only so, but more.
"Notwithstanding by all manner ways, whether it be by occasion or of truth, yet Christ is preached: and therefore I joy. Yee and will joy." Philippians 1.
3. Yee (n) An affirmative; In Scripture, it is used to denote certainty, consistency, harmony, and stability.
"For all the promises of God, in him are Yee: and are in him Amen, unto the laud of God thorow us." 2 Corinthians 1.
THOU (pron.) [SINGULAR: nom. Thou; poss. Thy or Thine; obj. Thee.]
The second personal pronoun, in the singular number, denoting the person addressed; thyself; the pronoun which is used in addressing persons in the solemn or poetical style.
Art thou he that shall come? --Matt. xi.
Thee (pron.) [Singular : the objective case of Thou]
Thine (pron.) Used to indicate the one or ones belonging to thee.
Thine (adj.) A possessive form of Thou Used instead of thy before an initial vowel
YE : [PLURAL: nom. You; poss. Your or Yours; obj. You.]
The plural of the pronoun of the second person in the nominative case.
"But ye are washed: ye are sanctified: ye are justified by the name of the lord Iesus: And by the spirit of our God." --1 Cor. vi.
{Note: In Old English "ye" was used only as a nominative, and "you" only as a dative or objective. In the 16th century, however, ye and you became confused and were often used interchangeably, both as nominatives and objectives, and you has now superseded ye except in solemn or poetic use.}
What more can be said of such (eloquently translated) New Testament blessing?
Glory be to God the almighty,
and for his son Iesu Christ,
being faithfully and freely given
with such gracious might!
Hope Will
Be a blessing to ye all.
Glory be to God for his son Iesu Christ the Lord.
Faithfully your net servant in Him,
Mario Valente
valente@faithofgod.net
http://faithofgod.net
***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK W.T. PENTATEUCH 1530-37 AND N.T. 1525-26***
******* This file should be named 10553-h.txt or 10553-h.zip *******
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.net/1/0/5/5/10553
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed.
Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
*** START: FULL LICENSE *** THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at http://gutenberg.net/license). Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. This particular work is one of the few copyrighted individual works included with the permission of the copyright holder. Information on the copyright owner for this particular work and the terms of use imposed by the copyright holder on this work are set forth at the beginning of this work. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg-tm License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS," WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page at http://pglaf.org For additional contact information: Dr. Gregory B. Newby Chief Executive and Director gbnewby@pglaf.org Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit http://pglaf.org While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, compressed (zipped), HTML and others. Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving new filenames and etext numbers. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: http://www.gutenberg.net This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular search system you may utilize the following addresses and just download by the etext year. http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06 (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: http://www.gutenberg.net/1/0/2/3/10234 or filename 24689 would be found at: http://www.gutenberg.net/2/4/6/8/24689 An alternative method of locating eBooks: http://www.gutenberg.net/GUTINDEX.ALL *** END: FULL LICENSE ***