The first New Testament printed in English · Chapter 42The gospell of S. Luke (1)
This chapter is not translated yet. You are reading the original.
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.