The first New Testament printed in English · Chapter 36The gospell of Saynct Mathew (3)

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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.