The first New Testament printed in English · Chapter 35The gospell of Saynct Mathew (2)
This chapter is not translated yet. You are reading the original.
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.