The first New Testament printed in English · Chapter 44The gospell of S. Luke (3)
This chapter is not translated yet. You are reading the original.
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.