Mark

1   The beginning of the good news of Yeshua the Anointed, son of God. As it’s been written in the prophets, “Look! I send my messenger ahead of you^-a, who’ll prepare your^- way before you^-. A voice of one who shouts in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the lord^b [Yahweh]. Make his track straight.’ Yohannes came immersing in the wilderness, and proclaiming an immersion of repentance for the pardoning of sins. And the whole region of Judea went out to him, and those of Jerusalem. And confessing their sins, they were all immersed by him in the Jordan river.

    And Yohannes was clothed with camel hair, with a leather belt around his loins, and eating locusts and field honey. And he proclaimed, saying, “One who’s stronger than me is coming after me, of whom I’m not adequate to bend down and loosen the strap of his sandals. Indeed, I immerse you⁼ in water, but he’ll immerse you⁼ in the holy spirit.”

    And it came to pass in those days, that Yeshua came out from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was immersed by Yohannes in the Jordan. And straightaway, as he came up from the water, he saw the heavens torn open and the spirit coming down onto him like a dove. And a voice came from the heavens, “You’re^- my son, the beloved, in whom I’m delighted.”

    And straightaway the spirit drove him out into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness for forty days being tested by Satan^c. And he was with the wild animals, and the messengers served him.

    And after Yohannes was handed over, Yeshua went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has arrived. Repent, and trust in the good news.”

    And as he walked beside the sea of Galilee he saw Shimon, and Andreas, the brother of Shimon, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. And Yeshua said to them, “Come here after me, and I’ll make you⁼ into fishermen of people.” And straightaway they left their nets behind, and they followed him. And when he went on a little from there, he saw Yaakov, of Zebedee, and Yohannes, his brother, and they were in the boat repairing the nets. And straightaway he called them, and they left their father Zebedee behind in the boat with the hired workers, and they went off after him.

    And they went to Capernaum, and straightaway on the Sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching for he taught them like someone who has authority, and not like the scribes. And in their synagogue there was a person with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, “Ha! What are we to you^- Yeshua of Nazareth? Have you^- come to destroy us? I know you^-, who you^- are, the holy one of God.” And Yeshua rebuked it saying, “Be silenced^d, and come out of him.” And convulsing him, the unclean spirit, crying out in a loud voice, came out of him. And everyone was so awed that they discussed among themselves saying, “What’s this? What new teaching is this? That he also commands the unclean spirits with authority. And they obey him!” And the news about him went out straightaway into the whole surrounding area of Galilee.

    And straightaway they came out of the synagogue, and they went to the house of Shimon and Andreas, with Yaakov and Yohannes. And Shimon’s mother-in-law was laying sick with a fever. And straightaway they told him [Yeshua] about her. And he went to her and raised her up, holding her hand, and the fever left her straightaway, and she served them.

    And when evening came, when the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick, and those who were demon possessed. And the whole town was gathered together at the door. And he cured many who were sick, who had various diseases, and he cast out many demons, and he wouldn’t let the demons talk because they knew him.

    And having gotten up early, while it was still night, he went out, and went to a desolate place and prayed there. And Shimon, and those who were with him, chased after him. And when they’d found him, they said to him, “Everyone’s looking for you^-.” And he said to them, “We should go to the nearby villages so I can also proclaim there. For this is why I’ve come.” And he proclaimed in their synagogues in the whole of Galilee, casting out demons.

    And a leper came to him, entreating him, and kneeling down to him. And he said, “If you’re^- willing, you’re^- able to cleanse me.” And Yeshua, moved with compassion, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I’m willing. Be cleansed.” And when he’d spoken to him, the leprosy left him straightaway, and he was cleansed. And after he’d strongly admonished him, he sent him off straightaway. And he said to him, “See that you^- don’t say anything to anyone. But go off and show yourself to the priest, and present what Moshe commanded for your^- cleansing as testimony to them.” But when he’d gone out he began to proclaim greatly, and to spread the message abroad, so Yeshua was no longer able to openly enter into a town. But he was out in desolate places, and they came to him from all around.

2   Some days later he entered into Capernaum again, and it was heard that he was in the house. And straightaway so many gathered that there was no longer any room, not even at the door. And he spoke the message to them. And four people came to him carrying a paralytic. And when they were unable to get near him because of the crowd, they took off the roof where he was. And when they’d dug through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic had been laid. And when he saw their faith, Yeshua said to the paralytic, “Child. Your^- sins have been pardoned to you^-.”

    And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why is he speaking evil in this way? Who’s able to pardon sins except one — God?” And straightaway Yeshua, having realised in his spirit that they were reasoning in this way among themselves, said to them, “Why are you⁼ reasoning these things in your⁼ hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your^- sins have been pardoned’, or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your^- mat, and walk’? But so that you⁼ may see that the Son of Man has authority to pardon sins on the earth...” He said to the paralytic, “I say to you^-, get up, and pick up your^- mat, and go off to your^- household.” And straightaway he was raised up. And he picked up the mat, and he went out in front of everyone, so that they were all amazed, glorifying God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this.”

    And he went out again beside the sea, and the whole crowd came to him and he taught them. And passing by he saw Levi, of Alpheus, sitting in the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

    And it came to be, as he was reclining in his house, that many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Yeshua and his disciples. For there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and the Pharisees saw him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples, “How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors?” But when he heard this Yeshua said to them, “The strong have no need for a physician, but the sick do. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners, into repentance.”

    And the disciples of Yohannes and those of the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and they said to him, “Why is it that the disciples of Yohannes and those of the Pharisees fast, but your^- disciples don’t fast?” And Yeshua said to them, “The sons of the wedding chamber aren’t able to fast while the bridegroom is with them, are they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they aren’t able to fast. But days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then in those days they’ll fast.

    Nobody sews a patch of unprocessed cloth on an old cloak. Otherwise the new shrinks away from the old and a worse tear occurs. And nobody places new wine into old wineskins, otherwise the new wine bursts the wineskins and the wine pours out, and the wineskins will be destroyed. But new wine has to be put into new wineskins.”

    And it came to be, that he was going along on the Sabbath through the grain fields, and his disciples began to make a path, plucking the grain. And the Pharisees said to him, “Look! Why are they doing what isn’t permitted on the Sabbaths?” And he said to them, “Haven’t you⁼ ever read what David did when he had a need and he was hungry? Himself and those with him? How he entered into the house of God, (when Abiathar was chief priest), and he ate the loaves of bread which had been placed there, (which aren’t permitted to be eaten except by the priests). And he also gave it to those who were with him.” And he said to them, “The Sabbath came to be because of the person, not the person because of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is also lord of the Sabbath.”

3   And he entered into the synagogue again, and there was a person there who had a withered hand. And they watched him closely to see if he’d cure him on the Sabbath — so they could accuse him. And he said to the person who had the withered hand, “Stand up in the middle.” And he said to them, “Is it permitted on the Sabbaths to do good or to do evil? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent. And looking around at them with wrath, and saddened by the hardness of their heart, he said to the person, “Stretch out your^- hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored, as sound as the other. And straightaway the Pharisees went out and consulted together about him with the Herodians, that he should be destroyed.

    And Yeshua withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and the other side of the Jordan, and those around Tyre and Sidon — a great multitude who’d heard how much he was doing, came to him. And he spoke to his disciples so a skiff would be kept ready for him because of the crowd, so they wouldn’t crush him. For he cured so many that they were falling over him so they could touch him — as many as had afflictions. And the unclean spirits, whenever they looked at him, fell down in front of him and cried out saying, “You’re^- the son of God.” And he rebuked them strongly, so they wouldn’t reveal who he was.

    And he went up into the mountain, and he called those whom he wanted to himself, and they came to him. And he made twelve — that they’d be with him, and that he might send them out to proclaim, and to have authority to cure diseases and to cast out demons. And he placed on Shimon the name Petros. Also Yaakov of Zebedee, and Yohannes, the brother of Yaakov, (and he placed on them the names Boanerges, which is Sons of Thunder), and Andreas, and Philippos, and Bartholomaios, and Matthaios, and Thomas, and Yaakov of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Shimon from Cana^a, and Yehuda Iscarioth, (who also handed him over).

    And they went into a house, and a crowd gathered together again so that they weren’t even able to eat a loaf of bread. And when they heard of this, his own relatives went out to lay hold of him, for they said that he was out of his mind^b. And the scribes and those who’d come down from Jerusalem, said, “He has Beelzebub^c” and “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” And when he’d called them to himself, he spoke to them in analogies, “How is Satan able to cast out Satan^d? And if a kingdom becomes divided among itself, that kingdom isn’t able to stand. And if a household becomes divided among itself, that household isn’t able to stand. And if Satan rises up against himself and becomes divided, he isn’t able to stand, but he’s come to an end. Nobody is able, when they’ve entered into his house, to plunder the things of the strong person unless they first bind the strong person. And then they can plunder his house.

    Amen^e, I say to you⁼ that all the sins of the sons of mankind, and all the speaking evil, whatever they’ve spoken, will be pardoned. Yet whoever speaks evil against the holy spirit won’t have a pardon into the age, but is subject to everlasting judgement.” — because they’d said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

    Then his brothers and mother came, and standing outside they sent to him, calling him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Look! Your^- mother, and your^- brothers, and your^- sisters are outside seeking you^-.” And he answered them saying, “Who is my mother or my brothers?” And looking around at those who were sitting around him, he said, “See my mother, and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God, this is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

4   And again he began teaching beside the sea, and such a great crowd was gathered together around him that he stepped into the boat and sat on the sea, and the whole crowd was on the land facing the sea. And he taught them with many analogies, and said to them among his teaching, “Hear. Look! The one who sows went out to sow. And it came to be in the sowing, that some indeed fell alongside the path and the birds came and devoured it. And other fell on the rocky places where there wasn’t much soil, and straightaway it sprang up because there was no depth of soil. But when the sun rose it was scorched, and because it didn’t have a root, it withered. And other fell into the thornbushes, and the thornbushes rose up and smothered it, and it didn’t give fruit. And other fell into the quality soil, and when it came up and grew, it gave fruit — one bore thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.” And he said, “Let the one who has ears to hear, hear.”

    And when he was alone, those around him, together with the Twelve, asked him about the analogy. And he said to them, “It’s been granted to you⁼ to perceive the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things come in analogies. So that looking, they might look but not see, and hearing, they might hear but not understand. Otherwise they might turn around and their sins would be pardoned.” And he said to them, “Don’t you⁼ understand this analogy? How will you⁼ perceive all the analogies?

    The one who sows, sows the message. And these are the ones where the message is sown alongside the path, and whenever they hear, straightaway Satan^a comes and takes away the message which has been sown in their hearts. And likewise these are the ones which are sown on the rocky places, who, whenever they hear the message, straightaway they accept it with joy, but they don’t have a root in themselves, and they’re temporary. Then when duress or persecution come because of the message, they stumble straightaway. And these are the ones which are sown into the thornbushes, those who hear the message, but the anxieties of this age, and the deceit of riches, and the desires about future things enter in. Together they smother the message and it becomes unfruitful. And these are the ones which are sown on the quality soil, who hear the message and concur with it, and they bear fruit, one thirty, and one sixty, and one a hundred.”

    And he said to them, “A lamp isn’t brought in to be placed under a basket, or under the bed, is it? Isn’t it so that it might be placed on the lampstand? For there isn’t anything hidden which won’t be made manifest, neither has anything been concealed, but that it might come into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

    And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you⁼ hear. In the measure you⁼ measure with, it’ll be measured to you⁼, and it’ll be added to you⁼ who hear. For whoever has, it’ll be given to them, but the one who doesn’t have, even what they have will be taken away from them.” And he said, “In this way the kingdom of God is like a person who scatters seed on the ground, and he lies down to sleep, and he gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, but he himself doesn’t know how. For by itself the ground bears fruit, first grass, then the ear of grain, then full grain in the ear. But whenever the fruit allows, straightaway he sends the scythe, because the harvest stands ready.”

    And he said, “To what should we liken the kingdom of God? Or in what analogy may we analogise it? Like a kernel of mustard, which, whenever it’s sown on the ground, is the smallest of all of the seeds of the land. And whenever it’s sown, it goes up and comes to be greater than all of the garden plants, and makes great branches, so that the birds of the sky are able to roost under the shade of it.” And he spoke the message to them by many such analogies, according to what they were able to hear. And he didn’t speak to them without an analogy. But privately to his disciples, he explained everything.

    And he said to them on that day, when it became evening, “We should pass over to the other side.” And when they’d left the crowd behind they took him along in the boat as he was. And other skiffs were with him. And a severe wind storm came up, and the waves were being thrown into the boat so that it was already completely filled. And he himself was on the stern, on the cushion, lying down asleep. And they woke him up and they said to him, “Teacher. Don’t you^- care that we’re being destroyed?” And when he’d been woken, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea, “Be silent. Be silenced^b.” And the wind died down and there came a great calm. And he said to them, “Why are you⁼ this cowardly? How do you⁼ not have faith?” And they were afraid with great fear, and they said to one another, “Who is this then? That even the wind and the sea obey him.”

5   And they came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gadarenes. And straightaway when he’d gotten out of the boat, from the tombs a person with an unclean spirit met him, who’d settled in the tombs and whom nobody was able to bind, not even with chains, (because he’d been bound many times with shackles and with chains, and the chains had been pulled to pieces by him, and the shackles had been crushed), and nobody was strong enough to subdue him. And throughout every night and day, in the mountains and in the tombs, he cried out and cut himself with stones. And when he saw Yeshua from far away, he ran and he worshipped him, and crying out with a loud voice he said, “What am I to you^-, Yeshua, son of God the highest. I urge you^- to swear an oath^a to God that you^- won’t torture me.” For he’d said to him, “Come out.” (The unclean spirit out of the person).

    And he questioned him, “What’s your^- name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion, because we’re many.” And he entreated him strongly that he wouldn’t send them out of the region. And there was a large herd of pigs there, being grazed nearby on the mountain. And all the daemons entreated him, saying, “Send us into the pigs so we may enter into them.” And Yeshua permitted them straightaway, and when they’d come out, the unclean spirits entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea. And there were about two thousand, and they were drowned in the sea.

    And those who were grazing the pigs fled and reported it in the town and in the fields, and they came out to see what had happened. And they came to Yeshua and they looked at the demon possessed one who’d had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and of a sound mind. And they were afraid. And those who’d seen it related to them how it had happened to the demon possessed man, and about the pigs. And they began to entreat him to go away from their borders.

    And when he was stepping into the boat, the demon possessed man entreated him that he may go with him. But Yeshua didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go off to your^- household, to your^- own relatives, and report to them how much the lord^b [Yahweh] has done for you^-, and had mercy on you^-.” And he went off, and he began proclaiming in the Decapolis^c how much Yeshua had done for him, and everyone marvelled.

    And when Yeshua had crossed over in the boat again to the other side, a great crowd gathered together around him while he was beside the sea. And look! One of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, came, and when he saw him, he fell at his feet and he strongly entreated him, saying, “My little daughter is at the end, so come and place hands on her so she might be healed, and she’ll live.” And he went off with him. And the large crowd followed him, and they were pressing around him.

    And there was a certain woman, who’d had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had. And yet she hadn’t been benefitted anything, but had become even worse. And having heard about Yeshua, she came up from behind in the crowd and touched his clothes. For she said, “If I could just touch his clothes I’d be healed.” And straightaway her flow of blood dried up, and she knew in her body that she’d been healed from the affliction. And straightaway, having realised in himself that power had gone out from him, Yeshua turned around among the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You^- see the crowd pressing around you^-, and you’re^- saying, ‘Who touched me?’?” And he looked around to see the one who’d done it. But the woman, afraid and trembling, and knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down in front of him, and told him the whole truth. But he said to her, “Daughter. Your^- faith has healed you^-. Go off in peace, and be made well from your^- affliction.”

    While he was still speaking, those from the ruler of the synagogue came, saying, “Your^- daughter has died. Why are you^- still troubling the teacher?” But straightaway, when Yeshua heard what they were saying, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust.” And he didn’t allow anyone to follow him, except Petros, and Yaakov, and Yohannes, the brother of Yaakov. And when he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue he observed a commotion, and weeping, and much wailing. And when he’d entered in, he said to them, “Why are you⁼ making a commotion and weeping? The child hasn’t died, but she’s sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. But throwing them all out, he took the father of the child, and the mother, and those who were with him, and he went in to where the child was lying. And holding the hand of the child he said to her, “Talitha^d koum^e” (which is translated as “Girl, I say to you^-, wake up.”) And straightaway the girl stood up and walked, for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed with great astonishment. And he firmly gave them express instructions that nobody should know about this, and he said that something should be given to her to eat.

6   And he went out from there and came to his home town^a, and his disciples followed him. And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard were astonished, saying, “Where are these things from?” and “What’s the wisdom which has been given to him, such that works of power come through his hands? Isn’t this the craftsman, son of Maria, and brother of Yaakov, and Yoses, and Yehuda, and Shimon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offence^b at him. And Yeshua said to them, “A prophet isn’t unvalued except among his home town^a, and among his relatives, and in his own house.” And he didn’t have power to do any work of power there, except he placed his hands on a few of the sick and he cured them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief, and he went around the surrounding villages teaching.

    And he called the Twelve to himself and he began to send them off two by two. And he gave them authority over unclean spirits. And he instructed them that they shouldn’t carry anything for the way except just a staff — no pouch, no bread, no copper in their belt — but having their sandals strapped on, and they^c shouldn’t wear two tunics. And he said to them, “Wherever you⁼ enter into a house, stay there until you⁼ come out from there. And whoever doesn’t welcome you⁼ nor listen to you⁼, when you⁼ go out from there, shake off the dust from underneath your⁼ feet as testimony to them. Amen^d I say to you⁼, it’ll be more tolerable for Sodom or Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.” And they went out and they proclaimed that they should repent. And they cast out many demons, and they anointed^e oil on many of the sick and they cured them.

    And King Herod heard, (for his name became well known), and he said that Yohannes the Immerser had been raised from the dead, and because of this, works of power were working in him. Others said, “It’s Eliyah”, but others said, “It’s a prophet, like one of the prophets.” But when he heard this, Herod said, “This is Yohannes whom I beheaded, raised from the dead.” For Herod himself had sent for and laid hold of Yohannes, and had bound him in jail, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philippos, because he’d married her. For Yohannes had said to Herod, “It isn’t permitted for you^- to have the wife of your^- brother.” And Herodias held it inside, and wanted to kill him. But she wasn’t able to because Herod feared Yohannes, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he looked after him. And when he heard him, he’d done many things, and he was pleased to hear him.

    But an opportune day came during Herod’s birthday celebrations. He put on a meal for his greatest, and the commanders, and the prominent of Galilee. And the daughter of Herodias had come in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who were reclining. The king said to the girl, “Request whatever you^- want from me and I’ll grant it to you^-.” And he swore to her “I’ll grant you^- whatever you^- request of me, up to half of my kingdom.” But when she’d gone out, she said to her mother, “What will I request?” And she said, “The head of Yohannes the Immerser.” And hurrying in straightaway to the king, she made a request, saying, “I want you^- to give me the head of Yohannes the Immerser on a platter.” And the king became deeply saddened, but because of the oaths, and because of those who were reclining, he didn’t want to put her off. And straightaway the king sent a bodyguard, and commanded that his head be brought. And he went off and beheaded him in the jail, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. And when they heard this, his disciples came and they took his corpse away, and they placed it in a tomb.

    And the ambassadors were gathered around Yeshua, and they reported everything to him — what they’d done, and what they’d taught. And he said to them, “Come here by yourselves to a desolate place, and take a rest for a while.” For there were many who were coming and going, and they hadn’t yet had an opportunity to eat. And they went off by themselves to a desolate place by boat. And many people saw them going off and they recognised them, and they ran together on foot from all the towns, and they arrived ahead of them and came together with him. And when he got out, Yeshua saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep who didn’t have a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

    And the hour was already getting late when his disciples, who’d come to him, said, “The place is desolate and the hour is already late. Dismiss them so they may go into the surrounding fields and villages to buy bread for themselves, because they don’t have anything which they can eat.” But answering, he said to them, “You⁼ give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Should we go off and buy two hundred denarii^f of bread and give it to them to eat?” But he said to them, “How many loaves of bread do you⁼ have? Go off and see.” And when they’d perceived, they said, “Five. And two fish.” And he commanded them all to recline, party by party, on the green grass. And they reclined, group by group, in hundreds, and in fifties. And he took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, and looking up into the sky he blessed them and broke the bread into pieces, and he gave it to his disciples so they would set it in front of them. And he divided the two fish among all [of them]. And they all ate and they were satisfied. And they picked up twelve full baskets of pieces, and also of the fish. And those who’d eaten the bread were five thousand men. And straightaway he compelled his disciples to step into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself dismissed the crowd. And when he’d taken leave of them he went into the mountain to pray.

    And when evening came the boat was in the middle of the sea, and only he was on the land. And he saw them having trouble rowing, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night^g he came to them, walking on the sea. And he wanted to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the sea, they assumed it was an apparition, and they cried out. For they all saw him, and they were disturbed. And straightaway he spoke with them. And he said to them, “Have courage. It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” And he went up to them into the boat, and the wind died down. And they were incredibly amazed among themselves, and they marvelled. For they hadn’t understood about the loaves of bread because their heart had been hardened.

    And when they’d crossed over they came to the land of Gennesaret, and came to anchor. And when they were coming out of the boat, having recognised him straightaway, and having run through that whole surrounding area, they began to carry the sick on mats to where they’d heard that he was. And wherever he went, into villages, or towns, or fields, they placed those who were ill in the marketplaces, and entreated him that they might even touch the tassel of his cloak. And as many as touched him were healed.

7   And the Pharisees and some of the scribes who’d come from Jerusalem were gathered to him. And when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with common^a hands, (that is, unwashed), they criticised them. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don’t eat unless they wash their hands to the elbow^b — holding to the tradition of the elders. And when they come from a marketplace, they don’t eat unless they’ve been immersed^c. And there are many other things, which they’ve received from one another, and which they hold to — immersions^c of cups, and of jugs, and of copper pots, and of beds.

    After that the Pharisees and the scribes were questioning him, “Why don’t your^- disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders? They eat bread with unwashed hands.” And answering, he said to them, “Yisheyah prophesied well about you⁼. Hypocrites. As it’s been written, ‘This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far from me. And they futilely revere me, teaching teachings which are the commands of people.’ For you’ve⁼ left the command of God behind, and you⁼ hold to the tradition of people — immersions^c of jugs, and of cups — and you⁼ do many other such things as these.”

    And he said to them, “You⁼ set the command of God aside well, so you⁼ can keep your⁼ own tradition. For Moshe said, ‘Honour your^- father and your^- mother.’ And, ‘Let the one who speaks evil of a father or a mother be put to death^d.’ But you⁼ say that if a person says to their father or to their mother, ‘Whatever you^- might have benefitted from me is korban^e, (which is an offering)’, then you⁼ no longer let them do anything for their father or their mother — invalidating the message of God for your⁼ tradition which you’ve⁼ handed down. And you⁼ do many such things as these.”

    And calling all the crowd to him, he said to them, “Listen to me. All of you⁼. And understand. There isn’t anything which goes into a person from the outside which is able to make them common^a. But the things which come out from them, those are the things which make the person common. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.

    And when he’d entered into a house, away from the crowd, his disciples inquired of him about the analogy. And he said to them, “Are you⁼ void of understanding in this way too? Do you⁼ not think that anything which goes into the person from the outside can’t make them common^a? Because it doesn’t go into their heart but into the belly, and it’s expelled into the toilet, cleansing all foods.” “But”, he said, “the thing which comes out from the person, that makes the person common^a. For from within, out of the heart of people, come evil thinking, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, greediness, wickedness, deceit, sexual immorality, a wicked eye, speaking evil, arrogance, foolishness. All these wicked things come out from within, and make the person common^a.

    And he got up and went off from there into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house. And he didn’t want anyone to know, but he wasn’t able to escape their notice. For when she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit came and fell down at his feet. But the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she asked him to cast out the demon from her daughter. But Yeshua said to her, “First allow the children to be satisfied. For it isn’t good^f to take the bread of the children and to throw it to the dogs.” But she answered and said to him, “Yes lord. But even the dogs under the table eat from the crumbs of the children.” And he said to her, “Because of this answer, go, the demon has come out from your^- daughter.” And when she came into her house she found that the demon had come out, and the daughter had been laid on the mat.

    And again, when he came out from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, he went into the sea of Galilee, through the middle of the borders of Decapolis^g. And they brought a deaf person who could hardly speak, and they entreated him to place his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd on his own, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. And looking up into the sky he groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha^h.” (which is “be opened up”). And straightaway his hearing was opened up, and the bond of his tongue was loosened, and he spoke properly. And he gave them express instructions that they shouldn’t tell anybody. But the more he instructed them, the more abundantly they proclaimed it. And they were incredibly astonished, saying, “He does all things well. He even makes the deaf hear, and the mute speak.”

8   During those days there was a very large crowd, and since there wasn’t anything which they could eat, Yeshua called his disciples to him and said to them, “I’m moved with compassion for the crowd because they’ve already stayed with me three days, and they don’t have anything which they can eat. And if I dismiss them to their homes fasting they’ll faint on the way, for some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “Where will anyone be able to satisfy them with bread here in the wilderness?” And he inquired of them, “How many loaves of bread do you⁼ have?” And they said, “Seven.” And he instructed the crowd to recline on the ground. And he took the seven loaves of bread, and when he’d given thanks, he broke them, and he gave them to his disciples for them to place them before them. And they placed them before the crowd. And they had a few fish. And when he’d blessed them, he said to place them before them too. And they ate and were satisfied, and they picked up seven hampers of left over fragments. And those who were eating were about four thousand. And he dismissed them.

    And straightaway, when he’d stepped into the boat with his disciples, he went into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came out and they began to discuss with him, seeking a sign from him, from heaven, testing him. And groaning with his breath^a he said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen^b, I say to you⁼, no sign will be given to this generation.”

    And when he’d sent them off, he stepped into the boat again, and he went off to the other side. And they’d forgotten to take bread, and in the boat they didn’t have anything except one loaf of bread among all of them. And he’d given them express instructions, saying, “See. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” And they reasoned with one another saying, “It’s because we don’t have any bread.” And when Yeshua perceived this, he said to them, “Why are you⁼ reasoning, ‘because you⁼ don’t have bread’? Don’t you⁼ think? Do you⁼ still not understand? Have you⁼ had your⁼ heart hardened? Having eyes, don’t you⁼ observe? And having ears, don’t you⁼ hear? And don’t you⁼ recall? When I broke the five loaves of bread for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you⁼ pick up?” And they said to him, “Twelve.” “And with the seven for the four thousand, how many hampers filled with pieces did you⁼ pick up?” And they said, “Seven.” And he said to them, “How do you⁼ not understand?”

    And he came to Bethsaida and they brought a blind person to him and they entreated him to touch him. And he took hold of the blind person’s hand, and he led him outside of the village. And when he’d spat into his eyes, he placed his hands on him and inquired of him if he was able to see anything. And looking up he said, “I see people, like I see trees walking.” After that he placed his hands on his eyes again and he made him look up. And he was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him off to his own house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”

    And Yeshua and his disciples went out into the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and along the way he inquired of his disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered, “Yohannes the Immerser. And others, Eliyah. And others, one of the prophets.” And he said to them, “And you⁼? Who do you⁼ say that I am?” And answering, Petros said to him, “You’re^- the Anointed.” And he warned them not to tell anybody about him.

    And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and to rise up after three days. And he spoke the message openly.

    And taking him aside, Petros began to rebuke^c him. But turning around and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Petros, saying, “Go away, behind me Satan^d, because you^- aren’t disposed to the things of God, but to the things of people.”

    And when he’d called the crowd to himself, along with his disciples, he said to them, “Let anyone who wants to follow after me renounce themselves, and let them pick up their stake^e and let them follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, yet whoever would lose their own life on account of me, and of the good news, this one will save it. For what will it benefit a person if they gain the whole world but they’re penalised their own soul^f? Or what will a person give in exchange for their own soul^f? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my messages in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of them when he comes into the glory of his father with the holy messengers.”

9   And he said to them, “Amen^a, I say to you⁼, that there are some who are standing here who won’t taste death at all until they’ve seen the kingdom of God when it’s come in power.

    And six days later, Yeshua took along Petros and Yaakov and Yohannes and he brought them to a high mountain by themselves. And he was transformed in front of them. And his clothes became very radiantly white, like snow, such as no fuller^b in the land is able to whiten. And Eliyah appeared to them, together with Moshe, and they conversed together with Yeshua. And answering, Petros said to Yeshua, “Rabbi, it’s good^c for us to be here. And we should make three shelters, one for you^-, and one for Moshe, and one for Eliyah.” For he didn’t know what he should say, because they were terrified.

    And a cloud came and overshadowed them, and a voice came out from the cloud, “This is my son, the beloved. Listen to him.” And suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone among them except just Yeshua.

    And when they were coming down from the mountain he gave them express instructions that they shouldn’t relate what they’d seen to anybody, except when the Son of Man had risen up from the dead. And they kept the message to themselves, discussing together what rising up from the dead is. And they inquired of him, saying, “The scribes say that Eliyah has to come first.” And answering, he said to them, “Indeed Eliyah does come first, and he restores all things. And how has it been written about the Son of Man that he should suffer greatly and be scorned? But I say to you⁼ that Eliyah has also come, and they did to him what they wanted, just as it’s been written about him.”

    And when he came to the disciples he saw a great crowd around them, and scribes discussing together with them. And straightaway, when all the crowd saw him, they were overawed, and they ran towards him and greeted him. And he inquired of the scribes, “What are you⁼ discussing with them?” And answering, one of the crowd said, “Teacher. I brought my son, who has a mute spirit, to you^-. And whenever it takes hold of him, it shatters him, and he foams, and grates his teeth, and he’s withered. And I said to your^- disciples that they should cast it out, but they weren’t able to.” And answering him he said, “O untrusting generation. How long will I be with you⁼? How long will I be tolerant of you⁼? Bring him to me.” And they brought him to him, and straightaway, when it saw him, the spirit convulsed him, and he fell down on the ground, and he rolled around foaming.

    And he inquired of his father, “How long is it since this came to him?” And he said, “Since he was a little boy. And many times it throws him into the fire, and into the waters, so that it should destroy him. But if you’re^- able to — help us, have compassion on us.” And Yeshua said to him, “If you’re^- able to trust. All things are possible to the one who trusts.” And straightaway, the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, “I trust lord. Help my unbelief^d.” And when Yeshua saw that a crowd was running up together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you^- to come out from him, and to no longer enter into him.” And crying out, and convulsing him greatly, it came out. And he became as if he was dead, so that many said, “He’s died.” But Yeshua held him by the hand and woke him up. And he got up. And when he’d entered into the house, his disciples inquired of him privately, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind aren’t able to come out except in prayer and fasting.”

    And when they’d gone on from there, they went alongside Galilee. But he didn’t want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples. And he said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of people, and they’ll kill him. But when he’s been killed, he’ll rise up on the third day.” But they didn’t understand the declaration, and they were afraid to inquire of him.

    And he came into Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he inquired of them, “What were you⁼ reasoning about among yourselves along the way?” But they were silent because along the way they’d been reasoning with one another about who was the greatest. And when he’d sat down he called the Twelve, and he said to them, “If anyone wants to be the first, they’ll be the last of all, and servant of all.”

    And taking a child, he stood it in the middle of them. And hugging it, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name is welcoming me. And whoever welcomes me, not only welcomes me but the one who sent me.” But Yohannes answered him saying, “Teacher. We saw a certain one who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your^- name. And we forbade him because he doesn’t follow us.” But Yeshua said, “Don’t forbid him, for there’s nobody who’ll do a work of power in my name and who’ll soon be able to speak evil of me. For whoever isn’t against you⁼, is for you⁼.

    For whoever gives you⁼ a cup of water to drink in my name because you’re⁼ of the Anointed, amen^a, I say to you⁼, they won’t lose their reward at all. And whoever causes one of the little ones who trust in me to stumble, it’d be much better for them if a large stone from a mill had been placed around their neck and they’d been thrown into the sea.

    And if your^- hand makes you^- stumble, cut it off. It’s better for you^- to enter into life maimed, than to have two hands and to go off into Gehenna^f, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire isn’t extinguished. And if your^- foot makes you^- stumble, cut it off. It’s better for you^- to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and to be thrown into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire isn’t extinguished. And if your^- eye makes you^- stumble, pluck it out. It’s better for you^- to enter into the kingdom of God one eyed, than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the Gehenna of fire, where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire isn’t extinguished.

    For all will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted with salt. Salt is good^c, but if the salt becomes unsalty what will you⁼ season it with? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

10   And when he’d gotten up, he went from there into the borders of Judea, and the other side of the Jordan. And again crowds went together to him, and, as he’d been accustomed, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him and they inquired of him if it’s permitted for a man to release his wife, (testing him). But answering them, he said to them, “What did Moshe direct you⁼?” And they said, “Moshe permitted us to write a scroll of divorce and to release her.” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “He wrote this command to you⁼ because of your⁼ hardheartedness. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. And on account of this a person will leave his father and mother, and he’ll be united with his wife. And the two will become one flesh, so that they’re no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore don’t let a person separate what God has yoked together.”

    And when they were in the house again, his disciples inquired of him about it. And he said to them, “Whoever releases his wife and marries another is committing adultery against her. And if a woman releases her husband, and is married to another, she’s committing adultery.”

    And they were presenting children to him, so he’d touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were presenting them. But when he saw this Yeshua was indignant, and he said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of God is of such as them. Amen^a, I say to you⁼, whoever doesn’t welcome the kingdom of God like a child may not enter into it at all.” And hugging them, he placed his hands on them, and blessed them.

    And as he was going along the way, one who came running toward him knelt down and inquired of him, “Good teacher. What should I do so I will inherit everlasting life.” And Yeshua said to him, “Why do you^- call me good? Nobody is good except one — God. You^- know the commands. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t murder. Don’t steal. Don’t testify falsely. Don’t defraud. Hold your^- father and mother in honour.” And answering, he said to him, “Teacher. I’ve kept all these things from my youth.” And looking at him, Yeshua loved him, and he said to him, “One thing is lacking for you^-. Go off and sell whatever you^- have, and give to the poor, then you’ll^- have treasure in heaven. And come here and follow me when you’ve^- picked up the stake^b.” But looking gloomy at the message he went off saddened, for he had many possessions.

    And when he’d looked around, Yeshua said to his disciples, “How difficultly those who have money^c will enter into the kingdom of God.” And the disciples were awed at the things he’d said. But Yeshua, answering again, said to them, “Children. How difficult it is for those who have money^c to enter into the kingdom of God. It’s easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, saying among themselves, “Then who’s able to be saved?” And looking at them Yeshua said, “With people it’s impossible, but not with God. For everything’s possible with God.”

    Petros began to say to him, “Look! We left everything behind and followed you^-.” And answering Yeshua said, “Amen^a, I say to you⁼, there’s nobody who left a house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or a woman, or children, or fields behind on account of me, and on account of the good news, except they’ll receive a hundred times as much, now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and fields, (along with persecution), and everlasting life in the age to come. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

    And they were going up along the way into Jerusalem, and Yeshua was going ahead of them. And they were awed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the Twelve to himself again, he began to tell them the things which were about to happen to him, “Look! We’re going up into Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they’ll condemn him to death, and they’ll hand him over to the nations. And they’ll mock him, and they’ll flog him, and they’ll spit on him. And they’ll kill him, but he’ll rise up on the third day.”

    And Yaakov and Yohannes, the sons of Zebedee, came toward him saying, “Teacher. We want you^- to do for us whatever we request of you^-.” And he said to them, “What do you⁼ want me to do for you⁼?” And they said to him, “Grant us that in your^- glory we may be seated, one on your^- right and one on your^- left.” But Yeshua said to them, “You⁼ don’t know what you’re⁼ requesting. Are you⁼ able to drink the cup which I’m drinking? And to be immersed with the immersion I’m being immersed with?” And they said to him, “We’re able.” And Yeshua said to them, “Indeed you⁼ will drink the cup which I’m drinking, and you’ll⁼ be immersed with the immersion I’m being immersed with. But to be seated on my right and on the left isn’t mine to grant, but it’s for whom it’s been prepared.”

    And when they heard this, the ten began to be indignant towards Yaakov and Yohannes. But Yeshua called them to himself and said to them, “You⁼ know that those who fancy themselves to be ruler of the nations have dominion over them, and their great ones exercise lordship over them. But it won’t be this way among you⁼. Whoever wants to become great among you⁼ will be your⁼ servant. And whoever of you⁼ wants to become first will be slave of all. For even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to be a ransom for many.”

    And they came into Jericho. And when he was going out of Jericho, with his disciples and a considerable crowd, a son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind one, was sitting alongside the path begging. And when he heard that it was Yeshua of Nazareth, he began to cry out and to say, “Son of David. Yeshua. Have mercy on me.” And many rebuked him, that he should be silent. But he cried out even more, “Son of David. Have mercy on me.” And Yeshua stood still, and said for him to be called. And they called to the blind man, saying to him, “Have courage. Get up. He’s calling to you^-.” And when he’d cast off his cloak and risen up, he came to Yeshua. And answering, Yeshua said to him, “What do you^- want me to do for you^-?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabboni^d, that I should receive sight.” And Yeshua said to him, “Go. Your^- faith has healed you^-.” And straightaway he received sight, and he followed Yeshua along the way.

11   And when they neared Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, toward the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples off. And he said to them, “Go off into the village ahead of you⁼, and straightaway when you⁼ enter it you’ll⁼ find a foal which has been tied up, on which nobody has ever sat. Untie it and lead it here. And if anyone says to you⁼, ‘Why are you⁼ doing this?’, say, ‘Its master has a need’, and straightaway he’ll send it here. And they went, and they found the foal tied up to the gate which was outside on the road around the houses^a, and they untied it. And some of those who were standing there said to them, “What are you⁼ doing untying the foal?” And they said to them just as Yeshua had directed, and they allowed them.

    And they led the foal to Yeshua, and they threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the path, and others cut soft branches from the trees and spread them on the path. And those who went ahead, and those who followed, cried out saying, “Hoshana^b. The one who’s coming in the name of the lord^c [Yahweh] is blessed.” “The kingdom which is coming in the name of the lord of our father David, is blessed. Hoshana^b in the highest places.” And Yeshua entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple. And when he’d looked around at everything, since it was already the evening hour, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

    And the next day, as they were coming out from Bethany, he was hungry. And far off he saw a fig tree with leaves, and he went off in case he could find something on it. But when he came to it he didn’t find anything but leaves, (for it wasn’t the season for figs). And answering, Yeshua said to it, “No longer may anyone eat fruit from you^- into the age.” And his disciples heard.

    And they came into Jerusalem, and when they’d entered into the temple, Yeshua began to throw out those who were buying and selling in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the money exchangers and the seats of those who were selling the doves. And he didn’t allow anyone to carry a vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying to them, “Hasn’t it been written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.’ But you’ve⁼ made it a cave of robbers.” And the scribes and the chief priests heard, and they sought how they could destroy him, for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was astonished by his teaching.

    And when evening came, he went out of the city. And when they passed by in the morning they saw the fig tree, which had withered from the roots. And being reminded, Petros said to him, “Look Rabbi^d. The fig tree which you^- cursed has withered.” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Have the faith of God. For amen^e I say to you⁼, that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be picked up and be thrown into the sea’ and doesn’t doubt in their heart, but trusts that what they’re saying will come to be — whatever they say will be so for them. Because of this I say to you⁼, all things, whatever you⁼ request, praying, trust that you⁼ receive, and it will be so for you⁼.

    And whenever you⁼ stand praying, if you⁼ have anything against someone, pardon them. And your⁼ father who’s in the heavens will pardon you⁼ your⁼ transgressions. But if you⁼ don’t pardon, neither will your⁼ father who’s in the heavens pardon your⁼ transgressions.”

    And they came again into Jerusalem. And as he was walking into the temple the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By which authority are you^- doing these things? And who granted this authority to you^- that you^- might do these things?” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “I’ll also inquire one question of you⁼. And if you⁼ answer me, I’ll tell you⁼ by which authority I’m doing these things. Answer me, was the immersion of Yohannes from heaven or from people?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven’ then he’ll say ‘Then why didn’t you⁼ trust him?’. But if we say, ‘from people’ — they were afraid of the people, for everyone held that Yohannes was really a prophet. And answering, they said to Yeshua, “We don’t know.” And Yeshua, answering, said to them, “Neither will I tell you⁼ by which authority I’m doing these things.”

12   And he began speaking to them in analogies, “A person planted a vineyard, and put a fence around it, and dug a wine trough, and built a tower, and leased it to farmers and went travelling. And at the season he sent a slave to the farmers so he’d receive the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers. But they took him and whipped him, and they sent him off empty handed. And again he sent another slave to them, and they threw stones and wounded his head, and when they’d dishonoured him, they sent him off. And again, he sent another one. And they killed that one, and many others, indeed, whipping some, and killing some. He still had one son, his beloved, and he sent him to them last of all, saying, ‘They’ll respect my son.’ But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come here. Let’s kill him and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him, and they threw him outside of the vineyard. Then what will the master of the vineyard do? He’ll come and destroy those farmers, and he’ll give the vineyard to others.

    Haven’t you⁼ ever read this writing, ‘A stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This came to be with the lord^a [Yahweh] and it’s marvellous in our eyes.’” And they sought to lay hold of him, but they were afraid of the crowd, for they perceived that he’d said the analogy against them. And they left him alone and they went away.

    And they sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him so they’d catch^b him in what he said. And when they came along, they said to him, “Teacher. We know that you’re^- true, and it isn’t a concern for you^- about anyone. For you^- have no regard for the appearance of people, but you^- teach the way of God in truth. Is it permitted to give tax to Caesar or not? Should we give or shouldn’t we?” But knowing of their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you⁼ people testing me? Bring me a denarius^c so I may see it.” And they brought one and he said to them, “Whose is this image? And the inscription?” And they said to him, “Caesar’s” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Give the things of Caesar back to Caesar, and the things of God to God.” And they marvelled at him.

    And the Sadducees came to him, (those who say there’s no resurrection), and they inquired of him saying, “Teacher. Moshe wrote to us that if a certain brother dies, leaving a wife but leaving behind no children, that his brother should take his wife and he should raise up seed for his brother.

    There were seven brothers, and the first took a wife but died, leaving behind no seed. And the second one took her, but also died. And he didn’t leave a seed behind either. And similarly the third. And the seven took her and they left no seed. Last of all the woman also died. When they rise up in the resurrection, of which of them will she be the wife? Because the seven had her as a wife.” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Aren’t you⁼ being led astray because of this — you⁼ don’t know the writings, nor the power of God? For when they rise up from the dead, they neither marry nor are they given in marriage, but they’re like the messengers who are in the heavens.

    But about the dead, that they’re raised up — didn’t you⁼ read in the scroll of Moshe, at the brambles, when God spoke to him, saying, ‘I’m the god of Abraham, and the god of Yitshak, and the god of Yaakov’? He isn’t the god of the dead, but god of the living. You⁼ then are being led greatly astray.”

    And approaching, one of the scribes who’d heard them discussing this, and knowing that he’d answered them well, inquired of him, “Which command is the first of all?” And Yeshua answered him, “First of all the commands is, ‘Hear Yisrael. The lord^a [Yahweh] our god is one lord. And you’ll^- love the lord^a [Yahweh] your^- god from your^- whole heart, and from your^- whole soul, and from your^- whole understanding, and from your^- whole strength.’ This is the first command. And the second is like it, ‘You’ll^- love your^- neighbour as you^- do yourself.’ There’s no other command greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “Well said teacher. In truth you’ve^- said that he’s one and there’s no other except him. And to love him from our whole heart, and from our whole understanding, and from our whole soul, and from our whole strength; and to love our neighbour as we do ourselves, is greater than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Yeshua saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You^- aren’t far from the kingdom of God.” And nobody dared inquire of him any longer.

    And answering, Yeshua said, (teaching in the temple), “How is it that the scribes say that the Anointed is the son of David? For David himself said in the holy spirit, ‘The lord^a [Yahweh] said to my lord, “Sit on my right until I place your^- enemies to be a footstool for your^- feet.”’ So David himself called him lord. So from where is he his son?” And the large crowd heard him gladly.

    And he said to them in his teaching, “Watch out for the scribes, those who want to walk around in robes, and who want greetings in the marketplaces, and the front seats in the synagogues, and the most important places at the dinners. Those who devour the houses of the widows, and who pray long prayers for appearances. They will receive a more severe condemnation.”

    And being seated facing the treasury, Yeshua looked at how the crowd was throwing copper into the treasury. And many rich people threw in a large amount. But one poor widow came up and threw in two leptons^d, (which is a quadrans). And calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen^e, I say to you⁼ that this poor widow has thrown in more than all those who throw things into the treasury. For all of them threw from their overabundance, but out of her lack she threw in everything, whatever she had, everything she had to live on.”

13   And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher. Look what amazing^a stones. What an amazing^a building.” And answering, Yeshua said to him, “You^- look at these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left on a stone that won’t be demolished.” And later, as he sat on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Petros, and Yaakov, and Yohannes, and Andreas inquired of him privately, “Tell us when these things will be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?”

    And answering them, Yeshua began to say, “Watch out that nobody leads you⁼ astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m him.’ and many will be led astray. But don’t be alarmed when you⁼ hear battles and news of battles, for it must happen. But it isn’t yet the finish. For nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there’ll be earthquakes in various places, and there’ll be famines, and disturbances. These things are the beginning of labour.

    But watch out for yourselves, for they’ll hand you⁼ over to the Sanhedrins, and into synagogues, to be whipped. And you’ll⁼ be made to stand before governors and kings on account of me, to give testimony to them. But first the good news must be proclaimed to all the nations. And when they lead you⁼ off and hand you⁼ over, give no thought beforehand about what you⁼ should say, nor practise it, but whatever is given to you⁼ in that hour — say that. For you⁼ aren’t the ones who speak, but it’s the holy spirit. And brother will hand brother over to death, and father, child. And children will rise up against parents, and they’ll put them to death. And you’ll⁼ be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

    And when you⁼ see the abomination of the desolation, which was declared by the prophet Daniyel, standing where it must not be, (let the one who reads be thoughtful), then let those who are in Judea flee into the mountains. And don’t let the one who’s on the rooftop go down into the house, nor let them go in to pick up anything from their house. And don’t let the one who’s in the field turn back to the things behind them to pick up his clothes. And woe in those days to those who are pregnant^b, and those who are nursing^c. And pray that your⁼ flight won’t come in the winter. For those will be days of duress, such as has never been, from the beginning of the creation which God has created until now — and will never come to be again. And if the lord^d [Yahweh] hadn’t cut the days short then no flesh would’ve been saved at all. But because of the selected, those whom he selected, he’s cut the days short.

    And then if anyone says to you⁼, “Look! Here’s the Anointed.” or “Look! There.” don’t trust them. For false anointeds and false prophets will be raised up, and they’ll give signs and miracles in order to lead the selected astray, (if possible). But you⁼ watch out. Look! I’ve declared everything to you⁼ beforehand.

    And in those days, after the duress, the sun will be darkened, and the moon won’t give off its light. And the stars of the sky will fall down, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they’ll look on the Son of Man coming among the clouds, with much power and glory. And then he’ll send his messengers, and he’ll gather together his selected from the four winds, from the extremity of the earth up to the extremity of heaven^e.

    And learn from the analogy of the fig tree, when the branch is already tender and it’s sprouting leaves, you⁼ perceive that the summer is near. In the same way also, whenever you⁼ see these things happening, perceive that it’s near, at the doors. Amen^f, I say to you⁼ that that generation won’t pass away at all until all of these things will come to be. The sky and the earth will pass away but my messages won’t pass away at all.

    And about that day, or hour, nobody knows, neither the messengers in heaven, nor the son — except the father. Watch out. Be vigilant. And pray. For you⁼ don’t know when the right time is. Like a person, a traveller, who has left his house and given his slaves the authority, and to each one his work, and who has commanded the gatekeeper to stay alert. So be alert. You⁼ don’t know when the master of the house is coming, evening, or midnight, or cock-crowing, or morning. When he comes suddenly, may he not find you⁼ lying down asleep. And what I say to you⁼, I say to all. Be alert.”

14   Now the Passover^a and the Unleavened Bread were two days away. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might lay hold of him by deceit and kill him. But they said, “Not during the festival, otherwise there’ll be an uproar of the people.” And while he was in Bethany, as he was reclining in the house of Shimon the leper, there was a woman who had an alabaster jar of very expensive genuine nard^b oil. And she crushed the alabaster jar and poured it out on his head. But there were some who were indignant, saying among themselves, “Why has this destruction of the perfume occurred? For this could’ve been sold for more than three hundred denarii^c and given to the poor.” And they strongly admonished her. But Yeshua said, “Leave her alone. Why are you⁼ giving her trouble? She’s performed a good^d work for me. For you’ll⁼ always have the poor among you⁼, and you’re⁼ able to do good for them whenever you⁼ want to, but you⁼ won’t always have me. She did what she could, she anointed my body in preparation for entombment. Amen^e, I say to you⁼ — wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she’s done will also be spoken of in memorial of her.”

    And Yehuda Iscarioth, one of the Twelve, went away to the chief priests — that he might hand him over to them. And when they heard it they rejoiced, and they promised to give him silver. And he sought how to opportunely hand him over.

    And on the first day of the Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover^a, his disciples said to him, “Where do you^- want us to go and prepare for you^- to eat the Passover^a?” And he sent two of his disciples, and he said to them, “Go off into the town, and a person carrying a jar of water will meet you⁼. Follow them. And wherever they enter in, say to the homeowner, ‘The teacher says “Where’s the lodging where I may eat the Passover^a with my disciples?”’ And he’ll show you⁼ a large upper room with places set out ready. Prepare that place for us.” And his disciples went off, and they came into the town, and they found it just as he’d said to them, and they prepared the Passover^a.

    And when evening came, he came with the Twelve. And as they were reclining and eating, Yeshua said to them, “Amen^e, I say to you⁼ that one of you⁼ will hand me over — one who’s eating with me.” And they began to be saddened, and to say to him one by one, “It isn’t me is it?” and another, “It isn’t me is it?” And answering he said to them, “It’s one of the Twelve, the one who dips with me in the dish. Indeed the Son of Man will go off just as it’s been written about him, but woe to the person through whom the Son of Man is handed over. It would’ve been better for that person if they hadn’t been born.”

    And while they were eating, when he’d taken a loaf of bread and blessed it, Yeshua broke it and gave it to them. And he said, “Take. Eat. This is my body.” And he took the cup, and when he’d given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, of the new covenant, which is being poured out for many. Amen^e, I say to you⁼, that I will no longer drink of the produce of the grapevine at all until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they’d sung praises, they went out into the Mount of Olives.

    And Yeshua said to them, “On this night all of you⁼ will stumble because of me, because it’s been written, ‘I’ll strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I’ve been raised up I’ll go ahead of you⁼ into Galilee.” But Petros declared to him, “Even if all stumble, I won’t.” And Yeshua said to him, “Amen^e, I say to you^-, that today, this night, before a rooster crows twice, you’ll^- renounce me three times.” But he said all the more, “Even if I have to die with you^-, I won’t renounce you^- at all.” And everyone also said the same.

    And they came to the property which was named Gethsemane^f, and he said to his disciples, “Sit down here while I pray.” And he took Petros, and Yaakov, and Yohannes along with him. And he began to be overawed and very troubled, and he said to them, “My soul is deeply saddened, to death. Stay here and be alert.” And when he’d gone on a little, he fell down on the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass him by. And he said, “Abba^g. Father. All things are possible for you^-. Take this cup away from me. But not what I want, but what you^- want.”

    And he came and found them lying down asleep. And he said to Petros “Shimon, you’re^- lying down asleep? You^- aren’t strong enough to stay alert for one hour? Be alert, and pray that you⁼ might not enter into a trial. Indeed the spirit is eager but the flesh is weak.” And again when he’d gone off, he prayed, saying the same thing. And when he returned, he found them lying down asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. And they didn’t know how to answer him. And he came the third time, and he said to them, “You’re⁼ still sleeping? Stop. That’s enough. The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of sinners. Get up, let’s go. Look! The one who’s handing me over has come near.”

    And straightaway, while he was still speaking, Yehuda, one of the Twelve came up, and with him a large crowd with swords and sticks, along with the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders. And the one who was handing him over had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I embrace, that’s him. Seize him and lead him away securely.” And he came and approached him straightaway, and he said to him, “Rabbi^h. Rabbi.” and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him and they seized him.

    And a certain one of those who was standing by pulled his sword and struck the slave of the chief priest and cut off his ear. And answering, Yeshua said to them, “You’ve⁼ come out, as if against a robber, with swords and sticks to apprehend me? Each day I was with you⁼ teaching in the temple, and you⁼ didn’t seize me. But so that the writings may be fulfilled.” And they all left him behind and fled. And a certain young man, who was wearing only fine linen over his nakedness, followed him. But the young men seized him, and leaving the linen behind, he fled from them, naked.

    And they led Yeshua away to the chief priest. And all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes came together around him. And Petros followed from far off, up to the inner courtyard of the chief priest. And he was sitting with the attendants and warming himself near the fire. And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin sought testimony against Yeshua, to put him to death. But they didn’t find it. For many testified falsely against him, but the testimonies weren’t consistent. And some rose up and testified falsely against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I’ll demolish this temple made by hands, and after three days I’ll build another one, not made by hands.” But even in this way their testimony wasn’t consistent either.

    And when he’d risen up into the middle, the chief priest inquired of Yeshua saying, “You^- aren’t answering anything? What are these who testify against you^-?” But he was silent and didn’t answer anything. Again the chief priest inquired of him and said to him, “You’re^- the Anointed? The son of the blessed one?” And Yeshua said to him, “I am. And you’ll⁼ see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.” And the chief priest tore his tunics saying, “What need do we still have of testimony? You’ve⁼ heard the speaking evil. How does it appear to you⁼?” And all of them condemned him as subject to death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and buffet him, and say to him, “Prophesy.” And the attendants slapped his face.

    And while Petros was down in the courtyard, one of the slave girls of the chief priest came, and when she saw Petros warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You^- were also with Yeshua of Nazareth.” But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you’re^- saying.” And he went outside into the entryway. And a rooster crowed.

    And when she saw him again the slave girl began to say to those who were standing by, “This is one of them.” But again he denied it. And again after a little while those who were standing by said to Petros, “Truly, you’re^- one of them, for you’re^- a Galilean, and your^- speech is alike.” But he began to curse and swear, “I don’t know this person you’re⁼ talking about.” And a rooster crowed a second time. And Petros recalled the declaration Yeshua had said to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you’ll^- renounce me three times.” And as he thought on it, he wept.

15   And straightaway in the morning, when they’d consulted together, the chief priests, and the elders, and scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, bound Yeshua and carried him away, and they handed him over to Pilate. And Pilate questioned him, “You’re^- the king of the Jews?” And answering he said to him, “You’re^- saying it.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate questioned him again, saying, “You^- aren’t answering anything? Look how much they testify against you^-.” And Pilate marvelled because Yeshua still didn’t answer anything.

    Now during the festival he’d been releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one called Barabbas who’d been bound with the insurrectionists, and who, in the insurrection, had committed murder. And the crowd shouted out and began to request that he did for them as he’d always done. And Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you⁼ want me to release the king of the Jews to you⁼?” (For he perceived that the chief priests had handed him over out of envy). But the chief priests stirred up the crowd — that he should release Barabbas to them instead. And Pilate, answering again, said to them, “Then what do you⁼ want me to do with the one you⁼ say is king of the Jews?” And again they cried out, “Execute^a him.” And Pilate said to them, “For what evil that he’s done?” But they cried out more excessively, “Execute^a him.” And Pilate, intending to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and handed Yeshua over, after he’d been flogged, to be executed^a.

    And the soldiers led him away into the inner courtyard of the governor’s residence, and they called together the entire regiment. And they dressed him in purple, and they placed a plaited thorny wreath around him. And they began to greet him, “Rejoice. King of the Jews.” And they beat his head with a reed, and they spat on him. And kneeling on their knees, they worshipped him. And when they’d mocked him, they took the purple clothes off him and they dressed him in his own clothes, and they led him out so they could execute^a him.

    And they pressed^b a passer by, a certain Shimon, of Cyrene, who’d come from the fields, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his stake^c. And they brought him to Golgotha, (a place which is translated as Place of the Skull). And they gave him wine which had been mixed with myrrh to drink. But he didn’t accept it.

    And when they’d executed^a him, they distributed his clothes, casting a lot for them — who should take what. And it was the third hour^d when they executed^a him. And the inscription of the charges against him had been inscribed, “The king of the Jews”. And they executed^a two robbers together with him, one on his right and one on his left. And the writing was fulfilled which said, “And he was counted with the lawless.”

    And those who passed by spoke evil of him, shaking their heads and saying, “Ha! The one who demolishes the temple and builds it again in three days. Save yourself and come down from the stake^c.” And likewise, the chief priests, when they’d mocked him with one another and with the scribes, said, “He saved others. He isn’t able to save himself? Let the Anointed, the king of Yisrael, come down now from the stake^c so we may see and we should trust him.” Even those who were executed^a with him reproached him.

    And when it became the sixth hour^e a darkness came on the whole land until the ninth hour^f. And at the ninth hour^f Yeshua shouted in a loud voice, saying, “Eloi. Eloi. Lama sabachthani”, (which is translated as “My god. My god. Why have you^- abandoned me?”). And when they heard it some of those who were standing by said, “Listen. He’s calling Eliyah.” And one, having run and filled a sponge with cheap vinegar and wrapped it around a reed, gave him a drink, saying, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Eliyah comes to take him down.”

    And when Yeshua had yelled out a loud sound, he breathed his last^g. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the centurion, the one standing by opposite him, when he saw that he breathed his last after having cried out in this way, said, “Truly, this person was the son of a god.”

    And there were also women looking on from afar, among whom were also Maria the Magdalene, and Maria, (the mother of Yaakov the Little, and Yoses), and Salome, (who also followed him when he was in Galilee, and served him), and many others who’d come up with him to Jerusalem. And it was already becoming evening. And since it was the preparation, which is the day before the Sabbath, Yosef, the one from Arimathea, a highly respected council member, who was also himself anticipating the kingdom of God, came, and taking heart, entered in to Pilate and requested the body of Yeshua. And Pilate marvelled that he’d already died. And he called a centurion to himself and questioned him whether he’d been dead for long. And when he’d perceived from the centurion, he bestowed the body to Yosef. And, having bought fine linen, when he’d taken him down he wrapped him in the linen, and he placed him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone over the door of the tomb. And Maria the Magdalene, and Maria of Yoses, were watching where he was placed.

16   And when the Sabbath had passed, Maria the Magdalene, and Maria of Yaakov, and Salome, bought spices so they could go and anoint him. And very early on the day after the Sabbath^a, when the sun had risen, they came to the tomb. And they said among themselves, “Who’ll roll the stone away from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up they saw that the stone had been rolled away — for it was extremely large. And entering into the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right, clothed in a white robe. And they were overawed. But he said to them, “Don’t be overawed. You⁼ seek Yeshua of Nazareth. The one who was executed^b has been raised. He isn’t here. See the place where they laid him. But go off and say to his disciples, and to Petros, ‘He’s going ahead of you⁼ into Galilee. You’ll⁼ see him there just as he told you⁼.’” And when they’d come out they fled from the tomb, trembling. And astonishment had possessed them, and they didn’t say anything to anyone because they were afraid.

    And after he’d risen, on the morning of the day after the Sabbath^c, he appeared first to Maria the Magdalene, from whom he’d cast out seven demons. Who went and reported to those who’d been with him as they were mourning and weeping. And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they didn’t believe it.

    And after these things he was manifested to two of them in a different form as they were walking to go to a field. And when they’d come away they reported to the rest, but they didn’t believe them either.

    Later, as they reclined, he was manifested to those eleven. And he reproached their unbelief and hardheartedness, because they hadn’t trusted those who’d looked upon him when he’d been raised. And he said to them, “Having gone into all the world, proclaim the good message to all the creation. The one who trusts and is immersed will be saved. But the one who doesn’t trust will be condemned.

    And signs will closely follow those who trust these things — in my name they’ll cast out demons, they’ll speak new tongues, they’ll pick up serpents. If they ever drink something deadly they won’t be harmed at all. They’ll place hands on the sick and they’ll be well.” Indeed then, after speaking with them the lord was taken up into heaven, and he sat down at the right hand of God. And when they’d gone out, they proclaimed everywhere. The lord worked together with them and confirmed the message through the signs which followed behind them.

    Amen^d.