Bible

Chapter 1

¹The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.

²Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

³Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

⁴Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.

⁵Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse.

⁶Jesse was the father of David the king.

David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah.

⁷Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa.

⁸Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram an ancestor of Uzziah.

⁹Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

¹⁰Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.

¹¹Josiah was an ancestor of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

¹²After the deportation to Babylon, Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel was an ancestor of Zerubbabel.

¹³Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.

¹⁴Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.

¹⁵Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.

¹⁶Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

¹⁷All the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

¹⁸The birth of Jesus Christ happened in the following way. His mother, Mary, was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit.¹⁹But Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to publicly disgrace her, so he intended to divorce her quietly.

²⁰As he thought about these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, because the one who is conceived in her is conceived by the Holy Spirit.²¹She will bear a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

²²Now all this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,²³"Behold, the virgin will become pregnant and will bear a son, and they will call his name Immanuel"—which being translated is "God with us."

²⁴Joseph got up from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and he took her as his wife.²⁵But he did not know her until she gave birth to a son. Then he called his name Jesus.

Chapter 2

¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, learned men from the east arrived in Jerusalem saying,²"Where is he who was born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."³When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

⁴Herod brought together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and he asked them, "Where is the Christ to be born?"⁵They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what was written by the prophet:

⁶'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are not the least among the rulers of Judah,

for from you will come one who rules,

who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

⁷Then Herod secretly called the learned men to ask them exactly what time the star had appeared.⁸He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search carefully for the young child. When you have found him, bring me a report so that I also may come and worship him."

⁹After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star that they had seen in the east went before them until it came and stood still over where the young child was.¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with very great joy.

¹¹They went into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother. They fell down and worshiped him. They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.¹²God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, so they departed to their own country by another way.

¹³After they had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the young child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Remain there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."¹⁴That night Joseph rose and took the young child and his mother and departed into Egypt.¹⁵He remained there until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I have called my Son."

¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he had been mocked by the learned men, was very angry. He sent and killed all the male children that were in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old and under, according to the time that he had determined exactly from the learned men.

¹⁷Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

¹⁸"A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she refused to be comforted,

because they were no more."

¹⁹When Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said,²⁰"Get up and take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."²¹Joseph rose, took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. After God warned him in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee²³and went and lived in a city called Nazareth. This fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Chapter 3

¹In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying,²"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."³For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying,

"The voice of one calling out in the wilderness,

'Make ready the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.'"

⁴Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.⁵Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him.⁶They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming?⁸Bear fruit worthy of repentance.⁹Do not think of saying among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham even out of these stones.

¹⁰Already the ax has been placed against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.¹¹I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.¹²His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out."

¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.¹⁴But John kept trying to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"¹⁵Jesus responded and said to him, "Permit it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John permitted him.

¹⁶After he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting upon him.¹⁷Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him."

Chapter 4

¹Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.²When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.³The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."

⁴But Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.'"

⁵Then the devil took him into the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple building,⁶and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

'He will command his angels to take care of you,'

and

'They will carry you in their hands,

so that you will not hit your foot against a stone.'"

⁷Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'"

⁸Again, the devil took him up to a very high hill and showed him all the kingdoms of the world along with all their glory.⁹He said to him, "All these things I will give you, if you fall down and worship me."

¹⁰Then Jesus said to him, "Go away from here, Satan! For it is written, 'You will worship the Lord your God, and you will serve only him.'"

¹¹Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

¹²Now when Jesus heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee.¹³He left Nazareth and went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the Sea of Galilee in the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali.

¹⁴This happened to fulfill what was said by Isaiah the prophet:

¹⁵"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles!

¹⁶The people who sat in darkness

have seen a great light,

and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,

upon them has a light arisen."

¹⁷From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

¹⁸As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.¹⁹Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."²⁰Immediately they left the nets and followed him.

²¹As Jesus was going on from there he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and John his brother. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father mending their nets. He called them,²²and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.

²³Jesus went about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people.²⁴The news about him went out into all of Syria, and the people brought to him all those who suffered from various diseases and pains, those who were possessed by demons, the epileptics, and the paralytics. Jesus healed them.²⁵Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Chapter 5

¹When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.²He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

³"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

⁷Blessed are the merciful,

for they will obtain mercy.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

¹⁰Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake.¹²Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For in this way people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is never again good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but rather on the lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house.¹⁶Let your light shine before people in such a way that they see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

¹⁷"Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy them, but to fulfill them.¹⁸For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will in any way pass away from the law, until all things have been accomplished.

¹⁹Therefore whoever breaks the least one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.²⁰For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.

²¹"You have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, 'Do not murder,' and 'Whoever murders will be subject to judgment.'²²But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'You worthless person!' will be subject to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be subject to the fire of hell.

²³Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you,²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go on your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

²⁵Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way to court, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.²⁶Truly I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the last penny you owe.

²⁷"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

²⁹If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members should perish than that your whole body should be thrown into hell.³⁰If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members should perish than that your whole body should go into hell.

³¹It was also said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'³²But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on account of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress. Whoever marries her after she has been divorced commits adultery.

³³"Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'Do not swear a false oath, but carry out your oaths to the Lord.'³⁴But I say to you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;³⁵nor by the earth, for it is the footstool for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

³⁶Neither swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.³⁷But let your speech be 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything that is more than this is from the evil one.

³⁸"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'³⁹But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. Instead, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

⁴⁰If anyone wishes to bring a lawsuit against you and takes away your tunic, let that person also have your cloak.⁴¹Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.⁴²Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away from anyone who wishes to borrow from you.

⁴³"You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ¹⁴⁵so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you get? Do not even the tax collectors do the same thing?⁴⁷If you greet only your brothers, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same thing?⁴⁸Therefore you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

¹The best ancient copies do not have Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you .

Chapter 6

¹"Watch out that you do not do your acts of righteousness before people to be seen by them, or else you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.²So when you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before yourself as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by people. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full.

³But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing⁴so that your alms may be given in secret. Then your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁵"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward.⁶But you, when you pray, enter your inner chamber. Shut the door and pray to your Father, who is in secret. Then your Father who sees in secret will reward you.⁷When you pray, do not make useless repetitions as the pagans do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.

⁸Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

⁹Therefore pray like this:

'Our Father in heaven,

may your name be honored as holy.

¹⁰May your kingdom come.

May your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

¹¹Give us today our daily bread.

¹²Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

¹³Do not bring us into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.' ¹

¹⁴For if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.¹⁵But if you do not forgive their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

¹⁶"When you fast, do not have a sad face as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to people to be fasting. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full.¹⁷But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face¹⁸so that you may not appear to people to be fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.²⁰Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

²²The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore, if your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.²³But if your eye is bad, your whole body is full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is actually darkness, how great is that darkness!²⁴No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

²⁵Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. For is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?²⁶Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they are?

²⁷Which one of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his lifespan?²⁸Why are you anxious about clothing? Think about the lilies in the fields, how they grow. They do not labor, and they do not spin cloth.²⁹Yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

³⁰If God so clothes the grass in the fields, which exists today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith?³¹Therefore do not be anxious and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What clothes will we wear?'

³²For the Gentiles search for these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.³⁴Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough evil of its own.

¹The best ancient copies do not have For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen .

Chapter 7

¹"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.²For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure that you measure, it will be measured out to you.

³Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not take notice of the log that is in your own eye?⁴How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' while the log is in your own eye?⁵You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye.

⁶Do not give what is holy to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls in front of the pigs. Otherwise they may trample them underfoot, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

⁷"Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you.⁸For everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to the person who knocks, it will be opened.⁹Or which one of you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

¹¹Therefore, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?¹²Therefore, whatever things you want people to do to you, you should also do to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

¹³"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many people who go through it.¹⁴But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

¹⁵"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but are truly ravenous wolves.¹⁶By their fruits you will know them. Do people gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles?¹⁷In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but the bad tree produces bad fruit.

¹⁸A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.¹⁹Every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.²⁰So then, you will recognize them by their fruits.

²¹Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.²²Many people will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, in your name drive out demons, and in your name do many miracles?'²³Then will I openly declare to them, 'I never knew you! Get away from me, you who practice lawlessness!'

²⁴"Therefore, everyone who hears my words and obeys them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.²⁵The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall down, for it was founded on the rock.

²⁶But everyone who hears my words and does not obey them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.²⁷The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and struck that house, and it fell, and its destruction was complete."

²⁸It came about that when Jesus finished speaking these words, the crowds were astonished by his teaching,²⁹for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Chapter 8

¹When Jesus had come down from the hill, large crowds followed him.²Behold, a leper came to him and bowed before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

³Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

⁴Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any man. Go on your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

⁵When he was coming into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, begging him⁶and saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible agony."

⁷Then Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

⁸The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Only say the word and my servant will be healed.⁹For I also am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

¹⁰When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, "Truly I say to you, I have not found anyone with such faith in Israel.

¹¹I tell you, many will come from the east and the west, and they will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.¹²But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."¹³Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you have believed, so may it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour.

¹⁴When Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.¹⁵Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and started serving him.

¹⁶When evening had come, the people brought to Jesus many who were possessed by demons. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

"He took our illnesses

and bore our diseases."

¹⁸Now when Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave instructions to leave for the other side of the Sea of Galilee.¹⁹Then a scribe came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

²⁰Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

²¹Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

²²But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

²³When Jesus had entered a boat, his disciples followed him into it.²⁴Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But Jesus was asleep.²⁵The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!"

²⁶Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Then there was a great calm.

²⁷The men marveled and said, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

²⁸When Jesus had come to the other side and to the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They were coming out of the tombs and were very violent, so that no traveler could pass that way.²⁹Behold, they cried out and said, "What do we have to do with you, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the set time?"

³⁰Now a herd of many pigs was there feeding, not too far away from them.³¹The demons kept pleading with Jesus and saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into that herd of pigs."

³²Jesus said to them, "Go!" The demons came out and went into the pigs; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep hill into the sea and they died in the water.

³³Those who had been tending the pigs ran away and they went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to the men who had been possessed by demons.³⁴Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Chapter 9

¹Jesus entered a boat, crossed over, and came into his own city.²Behold, they brought to him a paralyzed man lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Son, be encouraged. Your sins have been forgiven."

³Behold, some of the scribes said among themselves, "This man is blaspheming."⁴Jesus knew their thoughts and said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?⁵For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?⁶But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, ... " he said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go to your house."

⁷Then the man got up and went away to his house.⁸When the crowds saw this, they were afraid and glorified God, who had given such authority to people.⁹As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's tent. He said to him, "Follow me." He got up and followed him.

¹⁰As Jesus sat down to eat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and dined with Jesus and his disciples.¹¹When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

¹²When Jesus heard this, he said, "People who are strong in body do not need a physician; only those who are sick do.¹³You should go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous to repent, but sinners."

¹⁴Then the disciples of John came to him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

¹⁵Jesus said to them, "Can the sons of the wedding hall mourn while the bridegroom is still with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

¹⁶No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, for the patch will tear away from the garment, and a worse tear will be made.

¹⁷Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the wineskins will be destroyed. Instead, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both will be preserved."

¹⁸While Jesus was saying these things to them, behold, an official came and bowed down to him. He said, "My daughter has just now died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."¹⁹Then Jesus got up and followed him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰Behold, a woman who suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his garment.²¹For she had said to herself, "If only I touch his clothes, I will be made well."

²²But Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed from that hour.

²³When Jesus came into the official's house, he saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion.²⁴He said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead, but she is asleep." But they laughed at him in mockery.

²⁵When the crowd had been put outside, he entered the room and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.²⁶The news about this spread into all that region.

²⁷As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him. They kept shouting and saying, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

²⁸When Jesus had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?"

They said to him, "Yes, Lord."

²⁹Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done to you according to your faith,"³⁰and their eyes were opened. Then Jesus strictly commanded them and said, "See that no one knows about this."³¹But the two men went out and spread the news about this throughout that region.

³²As those two men were going away, behold, a mute man possessed by a demon was brought to Jesus.³³When the demon had been driven out, the mute man spoke. The crowds were astonished and said, "This has never been seen before in Israel!"

³⁴But the Pharisees were saying, "By the ruler of the demons, he drives out demons."

³⁵Jesus went about all the cities and the villages. He continued teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness.³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were troubled and discouraged. They were like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷He said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.³⁸Therefore urgently pray to the Lord of the harvest, so that he may send out laborers into his harvest."

Chapter 10

¹Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness.

²Now the names of the twelve apostles were these. The first, Simon (whom he also called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee, and John his brother;³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;⁴Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would betray him.

⁵These twelve Jesus sent out. He instructed them and said, "Do not go to any place where Gentiles live, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans.⁶Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;⁷and as you go, preach and say, 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

⁸Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.⁹Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper in your belts.¹⁰Do not take a traveling bag for your journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals, or a staff, for a laborer deserves his food.

¹¹Whatever city or village you enter, find who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave.¹²As you enter into the house, greet it.¹³If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

¹⁴As for those who do not receive you or listen to your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.¹⁵Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

¹⁶"See, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.¹⁷Watch out for people! They will deliver you up to councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues.¹⁸Then you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

¹⁹When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you will speak, for what to say will be given to you at that time.²⁰For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you.

²¹Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death.²²You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But whoever endures to the end, that person will be saved.²³When they persecute you in this city, flee to the next, for truly I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man has come.

²⁴"A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a servant above his master.²⁵It is enough for the disciple that he should be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much worse will be the names they call the members of his household!

²⁶Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known.²⁷What I tell you in the darkness, say in the daylight, and what you hear softly in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

²⁸Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.³⁰But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.³¹Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows.

³²Therefore everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.³³But he who denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

³⁴"Do not think that I came to bring peace upon the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.³⁵For I came to set

a man against his father,

and a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

³⁶A man's enemies will be those of his own household.

³⁷He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.³⁸He who does not pick up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.³⁹He who finds his life will lose it. But he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰"He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me also welcomes him who sent me.⁴¹He who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who welcomes a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

⁴²Whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will in no way lose his reward."

Chapter 11

¹It came about that when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.²Now when John heard in the prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent a message by his disciples³and said to him, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"

⁴Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you see and hear.⁵The blind are receiving sight, the lame are walking, lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing again, the dead are being raised back to life, and the gospel is being preached to the poor.⁶Blessed is anyone who does not stumble because of me."

⁷As these men went on their way, Jesus began to say to the crowds about John, "What did you go out in the desert to see—a reed being shaken by the wind?⁸But what did you go out to see—a man dressed in soft clothing? Really, those who wear soft clothing live in kings' houses.

⁹But what did you go out to see—a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.¹⁰This is he of whom it was written,

'See, I am sending my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.'

¹¹Truly I say to you that among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and men of violence take it by force.

¹³For all the prophets and the law have been prophesying until John;¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who was to come.¹⁵He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶To what should I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces calling out to the others,¹⁷saying:

'We played a flute for you,

and you did not dance.

We mourned,

and you did not weep.'

¹⁸For John came not eating bread or drinking wine, and they say, 'He has a demon.'¹⁹The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, 'Look, he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her deeds."

²⁰Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles were done, because they had not repented.²¹"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.²²But I tell you it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you.

²³You, Capernaum, do you think you will be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if in Sodom there had been done the miracles that were done in you, it would still have remained until today.²⁴But I say to you that it will be easier for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."

²⁵At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you concealed these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children.²⁶Yes, Father, for this was pleasing in your sight.²⁷All things have been entrusted to me from my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Chapter 12

¹At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and eat them.²But when the Pharisees saw that, they said to Jesus, "See, your disciples do what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath."

³But Jesus said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was hungry, and the men who were with him?⁴He went into the house of God and ate the bread of the presence, which was unlawful for him to eat and unlawful for those who were with him, but lawful only for the priests.

⁵Have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath but are guiltless?⁶But I say to you that one greater than the temple is here.

⁷If you had known what this meant, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.⁸For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

⁹Then Jesus left from there and went into their synagogue.¹⁰Behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him of sinning.

¹¹Jesus said to them, "What man would there be among you, who, if he had just one sheep, and if this sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would not take hold of it and raise it out?¹²How much more valuable, then, is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

¹³Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and it was restored to health, just like the other hand.¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him. They were seeking how they might destroy him.

¹⁵Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from there. Many people followed him, and he healed them all.¹⁶He commanded them not to make him known to others,¹⁷that it might be fulfilled, what had been said through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

¹⁸"See, my servant whom I have chosen;

my beloved one, in whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

¹⁹He will not strive nor cry aloud;

neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

²⁰He will not break any bruised reed;

he will not quench any smoking flax,

until he leads justice to victory,

²¹and in his name the Gentiles will have hope."

²²Then someone blind and mute, possessed by a demon, was brought to Jesus. He healed him, with the result that the mute man spoke and saw.²³All the crowds were amazed and said, "Can this man be the Son of David?"

²⁴But when the Pharisees heard of this miracle, they said, "This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."

²⁵But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

²⁶If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?²⁷And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.

²⁸But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.²⁹How can anyone enter the house of the strong man and take away his belongings without tying up the strong man first? Then he will steal his belongings from his house.³⁰The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters.

³¹Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.³²Whoever speaks any word against the Son of Man, that will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, that will not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.

³³Make a tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.³⁴You offspring of vipers, since you are evil, how can you say good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.³⁵The good man from the good treasure of his heart produces what is good, and the evil man from the evil treasure of his heart produces what is evil.

³⁶I say to you that in the day of judgment people will give an account for every idle word they will have said.³⁷For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

³⁸Then certain scribes and Pharisees answered Jesus and said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."

³⁹But Jesus answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign. But no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.⁴⁰For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the big fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

⁴¹The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation of people and will condemn it. For they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and see, someone greater than Jonah is here.

⁴²The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them. She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and see, someone greater than Solomon is here.

⁴³When an unclean spirit has gone away from a man, it passes through waterless places and looks for rest, but does not find it.⁴⁴Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' Having returned, it finds the house empty—it had been swept clean and put in order.⁴⁵Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all come in to live there. Then the final condition of that man becomes worse than the first. It will be just like that with this evil generation."

⁴⁶While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.⁴⁷Someone said to him, "Look, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you."

⁴⁸But Jesus answered and said to him who told him, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?"⁴⁹Then he stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, "See, here are my mother and my brothers!⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that person is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Chapter 13

¹On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.²A very large crowd gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it while the whole crowd stood on the beach.

³Then Jesus said many things to them in parables. He said, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow seed.⁴As he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and devoured them.⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil. Immediately they sprang up because the soil had no depth.⁶But when the sun had risen, they were scorched because they had no root, and they withered away.

⁷Other seeds fell among the thorn plants. The thorn plants grew up and choked them.⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.⁹He who has ears, let him hear."

¹⁰The disciples came and said to Jesus, "Why do you talk to the crowd in parables?"

¹¹Jesus answered and said to them, "You have been given the privilege of understanding mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.¹²For whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

¹³This is why I talk to them in parables:

Though they are seeing,

they do not see;

and though they are hearing,

they do not hear, or understand.

¹⁴To them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, that which says,

'Listening, you will hear, but you will never understand;

seeing, you will see, but you will never know.

¹⁵For the heart of this people has become dull,

and with their ears they hardly hear,

and they have shut their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn again,

and I would heal them.'

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.¹⁷Truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that you see and did not see them. They desired to hear the things that you hear and did not hear them.

¹⁸Listen then to the parable of the farmer who sowed his seed.¹⁹When anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown beside the road.

²⁰What was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,²¹yet he has no root in himself and he endures for a while. When tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, he quickly falls away.

²²What was sown among the thorn plants, this is the person who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.²³The seed that was sown on the good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands it. He bears fruit and produces a crop, yielding in one case a hundred, in another sixty, and in another thirty times as much as was planted."

²⁴Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.²⁵But while people slept, his enemy came and also sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away.²⁶When the blades sprouted and then produced their crop, then the weeds appeared also.

²⁷The servants of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How does it now have weeds?'

²⁸"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.'

"The servants said to him, 'So do you want us to go and pull them out?'

²⁹"The landowner said, 'No. Because while you are pulling out the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them.³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest. At the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First pull out the weeds and tie them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

³¹Then Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field.³²This seed is indeed the smallest of all seeds. But when it has grown, it is greater than the garden plants. It becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches."

³³Jesus then told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen."

³⁴All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; and he said nothing to them without a parable.³⁵This was in order that what had been said through the prophet might be fulfilled, when he said,

"I will open my mouth in parables.

I will say things that were hidden from the foundation of the world."

³⁶Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

³⁷Jesus answered and said, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.³⁸The field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,³⁹and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

⁴⁰Therefore, as the weeds are gathered up and consumed by fire, so will it be at the end of the age.⁴¹The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness.⁴²They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.⁴³Then will the righteous people shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

⁴⁴"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it and hid it. In his joy he goes, sells everything he possesses, and buys that field.⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a merchant looking for valuable pearls.⁴⁶When he found one very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything that he possessed and bought it.

⁴⁷"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, and that gathered all kinds of fish.⁴⁸When it was filled, the fishermen drew it up on the beach. Then they sat down and gathered the good ones into containers, but the bad ones they threw away.

⁴⁹It will be this way at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous.⁵⁰They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

⁵¹"Have you understood all these things?"

The disciples said to him, "Yes."

⁵²Then Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is the owner of a house, who draws out old and new things from his treasure."⁵³Then it came about that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from that place.

⁵⁴Then Jesus entered his own region and taught the people in their synagogue. The result was that they were astonished and said, "Where does this man get his wisdom and these miraculous powers from?⁵⁵Is not this man the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?⁵⁶Are not all his sisters with us? Where did he get all these things?"

⁵⁷They were offended by him.

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own family."

⁵⁸He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Chapter 14

¹About that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus.²He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead. Therefore these powers are at work in him."

³For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.⁴For John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her as your wife."⁵Herod would have killed him, but he feared the people, because they regarded him as a prophet.

⁶But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst and pleased Herod.⁷In response, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

⁸After being instructed by her mother, she said, "Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist."⁹The king was grieved by her request, but because of his oath and because of all those at dinner with him, he ordered that it should be done.

¹⁰He sent and beheaded John in the prison.¹¹Then his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother.¹²Then his disciples came, took up the corpse, and buried it. After this, they went and told Jesus.

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place. When the crowds heard of it, they followed him on foot from the cities.¹⁴Then Jesus came before them and saw the large crowd. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

¹⁵When the evening had come, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour has already passed. Dismiss the crowds, so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

¹⁶But Jesus said to them, "They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat."

¹⁷They said to him, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish."

¹⁸Jesus said, "Bring them to me."

¹⁹Then Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. Looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.²⁰They all ate and were filled. Then they took up what remained of the broken pieces of food—twelve baskets full.²¹Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he sent away the crowds.²³After he had sent away the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.²⁴But the boat was now a long way from land, being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was blowing against them.

²⁵In the fourth watch of the night Jesus approached them, walking on the sea.²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled and said, "It is a ghost," and they cried out in fear.

²⁷But Jesus spoke to them right away and said, "Be brave! It is I! Do not be afraid."

²⁸Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."

²⁹Jesus said, "Come."

So Peter got out from the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus.

³⁰But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out and said, "Lord, save me!"

³¹Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of Peter, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

³²Then when Jesus and Peter went into the boat, the wind ceased blowing.³³Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "Truly you are the Son of God."

³⁴When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.³⁵When the men in that place recognized Jesus, they sent messages everywhere into the surrounding area, and they brought to him everyone who was sick.³⁶They begged him that they might just touch the edge of his garment, and as many as touched it were healed.

Chapter 15

¹Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem. They said,²"Why do your disciples violate the traditions of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."

³He answered and said to them, "Then why do you violate the commandment of God for the sake of your traditions?

⁴For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'He who speaks evil of his father or mother will surely die.'⁵But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever help you would have received from me is now a gift given to God,"⁶that person does not need to honor his father.' In this way you have made void the word of God ¹ for the sake of your traditions.

⁷You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said,

⁸'This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me.

⁹They worship me in vain

because they teach as their doctrines the commandments of people.'"

¹⁰Then he called the crowd to himself and said to them, "Listen and understand—¹¹Nothing that enters into the mouth defiles a person. Instead, what comes out of the mouth, this is what defiles a person."

¹²Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?"

¹³Jesus answered and said, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides. If a blind person guides another blind person, both will fall into a pit."

¹⁵Peter responded and said to Jesus, "Explain this parable to us."

¹⁶Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?¹⁷Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and then goes out into the latrine?

¹⁸But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart. They are the things that defile a person.¹⁹For from the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander.²⁰These are the things that defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a person."

²¹Then Jesus went away from there and withdrew toward the regions of the cities of Tyre and Sidon.²²Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from that region. She shouted out and said, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

²³But Jesus answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is shouting after us."

²⁴But Jesus answered and said, "I was not sent to anyone except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

²⁵But she came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, help me."

²⁶He answered and said, "It is not proper to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

²⁷She said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat some of the crumbs that fall from their masters' tables."

²⁸Then Jesus answered and said to her, "Woman, great is your faith; let it be done for you just as you wish." Her daughter was healed from that hour.

²⁹Jesus left that place and went near to the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up a hill and sat there.³⁰Large crowds came to him. They brought with them lame, blind, mute, and crippled people, and many others who were sick. They presented them at Jesus' feet, and he healed them.³¹So the crowd marveled when they saw the mute persons speak, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. They glorified the God of Israel.

³²Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have stayed with me for three days already and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away without eating, or they may faint on the way."

³³The disciples said to him, "Where can we get enough loaves of bread in such a deserted place to satisfy so large a crowd?"

³⁴Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"

They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

³⁵Then Jesus commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground.

³⁶He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks, he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples. The disciples gave them to the crowd.³⁷The people all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.³⁸Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.³⁹Then Jesus sent the crowds away and got into the boat and went into the region of Magadan.

¹The best ancient copies have the word of God ; some other ancient copies have the commandment. It is difficult to choose the better reading.

Chapter 16

¹The Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from the sky.²But he answered and said to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'

³When it is morning, you say, 'It will be foul weather, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.⁴An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Then Jesus left them and went away.

⁵When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.⁶Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

⁷The disciples reasoned among themselves and said, "It is because we took no bread."

⁸Jesus was aware of this and said, "You of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves and say that it is because you have taken no bread?

⁹Do you not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered up?¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

¹¹How is it that you do not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."¹²Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of yeast in bread, but to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

¹³Now when Jesus came to the regions near Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

¹⁴They said, "Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

¹⁵He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

¹⁶Answering, Simon Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

¹⁷Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.¹⁸I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. The gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

¹⁹I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."²⁰Then Jesus commanded the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

²¹From that time Jesus started to tell his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, be killed, and be raised back to life on the third day.

²²Then Peter took him aside and rebuked him, saying, "May this be far from you, Lord! May this never happen to you!"

²³But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you do not think about the things of God, but about the things of people."

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.²⁶For what does it profit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life?

²⁷For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels. Then he will reward every person according to his deeds.²⁸Truly I say to you, there are some of you standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Chapter 17

¹Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up a high mountain by themselves.²He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as brilliant as the light.

³Behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him.⁴Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you desire, I will make here three shelters—one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

⁵While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, there was a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

⁶When the disciples heard it, they fell facedown and were very afraid.⁷Then Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up and do not be afraid."⁸Then they looked up but saw no one except Jesus only.

⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Report this vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

¹⁰His disciples asked him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

¹¹Jesus answered and said, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things.¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but they did not recognize him. Instead, they did whatever they wanted to him. In the same way, the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands."¹³Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

¹⁴When they had come to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said,¹⁵"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers severely. For he often falls into the fire or the water.¹⁶I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him."

¹⁷Jesus answered and said, "Unbelieving and perverse generation, how long will I have to stay with you? How long must I bear with you? Bring him here to me."¹⁸Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed from that hour.

¹⁹Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

²⁰Jesus said to them, "Because of your small faith. For I truly say to you, if you have faith even as small as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."²¹¹

²²While they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, "The Son of Man will be given over into the hands of people,²³and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up." The disciples were deeply grieved.

²⁴When they had come to Capernaum, the men who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the two-drachma tax?"

²⁵He said, "Yes."

When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first and said, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tolls or taxes? From their sons or from others?"

²⁶"From others," Peter answered.

"Then the sons are free," Jesus said.

²⁷"But so that we do not cause the tax collectors to stumble, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and draw in the fish that comes up first. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to the tax collectors for me and you."

¹The best ancient copies do not have v. 21, But this kind of demon does not go out except with prayer and fasting .

Chapter 18

¹At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

²Jesus called to himself a little child, set him among them,³and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.⁵Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name receives me.⁶But whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a large millstone should be hung about his neck, and that he should be sunk into the depths of the sea.

⁷"Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! For it is necessary that those stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom those stumbling blocks come!⁸If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire having two hands or two feet.

⁹If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than to be thrown into the fiery hell having both eyes.

¹⁰See that you do not despise any of these little ones. For I say to you that in heaven their angels always look on the face of my Father who is in heaven.¹¹¹

¹²What do you think? If anyone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go off seeking the one that went astray?¹³If he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.¹⁴In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

¹⁵"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have gained your brother.¹⁶But if he does not listen to you, take one or two others along with you so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be confirmed.

¹⁷And if he refuses to listen to them, tell the matter to the church. If he also refuses to listen to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.

¹⁸I tell you truly, whatever things you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.¹⁹Again I tell you truly, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst."

²¹Then Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?"

²²Jesus said to him, "I do not tell you seven times, but until seventy times seven.

²³Therefore the kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.²⁴As he began the settling, one servant was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.²⁵But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded him to be sold, together with his wife and children and everything that he had, and payment to be made.

²⁶So the servant fell down, bowed down before him, and said, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'²⁷So the master of that servant, since he was moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.

²⁸But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii. He took hold of him, began to choke him, and said, 'Pay me what you owe.'

²⁹"But his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you.'

³⁰But the first servant refused. Instead, he went and threw him into prison until he should pay him what he owed.³¹When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved. They came and told their master everything that had happened.

³²"Then that servant's master called him and said to him, 'You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.³³Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?'

³⁴His master was angry and handed him over to the torturers until he would pay all that was owed.³⁵So also my heavenly Father will do to you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

¹The best ancient Greek copies do not have the sentence that some translations include, For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost .

Chapter 19

¹It came about that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea that is beyond the Jordan River.²Great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³Pharisees came to him, testing him, saying to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?"

⁴Jesus answered and said, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female?

⁵He who made them also said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'⁶So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one tear apart."

⁷They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of divorce and then to send her away?"

⁸He said to them, "For your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not that way.⁹I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." ¹

¹⁰The disciples said to Jesus, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is not good to marry."

¹¹But Jesus said to them, "Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it is given.¹²For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this teaching, let him accept it."

¹³Then some little children were brought to him so that he would lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.¹⁴But Jesus said, "Permit the little children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such ones."¹⁵He placed his hands on the children, and then he went away from there.

¹⁶Behold, a man came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?"

¹⁷Jesus said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one is good, but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

¹⁸The man said to him, "Which commandments?"

Jesus said, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,

¹⁹honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

²⁰The young man said to him, "All these things I have obeyed. What do I still need?"

²¹Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."²²But when the young man heard what Jesus said, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions.

²³Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.²⁴Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

²⁵When the disciples heard it, they were very astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?"

²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

²⁷Then Peter answered and said to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?"

²⁸Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, in the new age when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁹Every one who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or land for my name's sake will receive one hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.³⁰But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

¹The best ancient copies do not have and the man who marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery .

Chapter 20

¹"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.²After he had agreed with the laborers for one denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

³He went out again about the third hour and saw other laborers standing idle in the marketplace.⁴To them he said, 'You also, go into the vineyard, and I will give you what is right.' So they went to work.

⁵Again he went out about the sixth hour and again the ninth hour, and did the same.⁶Once more about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all the day long?'

⁷"They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.'

"He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.'

⁸When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

⁹"When the laborers who had been hired at the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.¹⁰When the first laborers came, they thought that they would receive more, but they also received one denarius each.

¹¹When they received their wages, they complained about the landowner.¹²They said, 'These last laborers have spent only one hour in work, but you have made them equal to us, we who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'

¹³"But the owner answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I do you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for one denarius?¹⁴Take what belongs to you and go your way. I choose to give to these last hired laborers just the same as to you.

¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do as I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am good?'¹⁶So the last will be first, and the first last." ¹

¹⁷As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,¹⁸"See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be given over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death¹⁹and will deliver him to the Gentiles for them to mock, to flog, and to crucify him. But on the third day he will be raised up."

²⁰Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons. She bowed down before him and asked for something from him.

²¹Jesus said to her, "What do you wish?"

She said to him, "Command that these my two sons may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your kingdom."

²²But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?"

They said to him, "We are able."

²³He said to them, "My cup you will indeed drink. But to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."²⁴When the other ten disciples heard this, they were very angry with the two brothers.

²⁵But Jesus called them to himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their important men exercise authority over them.²⁶But it must not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,²⁷and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your servant,²⁸just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

²⁹As they went out from Jericho, a great crowd followed him.³⁰There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us."³¹The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be quiet, but they cried out even more loudly, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us."

³²Then Jesus stood still and called to them and said, "What do you wish me to do for you?"

³³They said to him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."³⁴Then Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

¹The best ancient copies do not have Many are called, but few are chosen .

Chapter 21

¹As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,²saying to them, "Go into the next village, and you will immediately find a donkey tied up there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.³If anyone says anything to you about that, you will say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and that person will immediately send them with you."

⁴Now all this happened to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, saying,

⁵"Tell the daughter of Zion,

'See, your King is coming to you,

Humble and riding on a donkey—

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

⁶Then the disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them.⁷They brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat upon the cloaks.⁸Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches off the trees and spread them in the road.

⁹Then the crowds that went before Jesus and those that followed him were shouting,

"Hosanna to the son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!"

¹⁰When Jesus had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred and said, "Who is this?"

¹¹The crowds answered, "This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

¹²Then Jesus entered the temple. He cast out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and turned over the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.¹³He said to them, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."

¹⁴Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

¹⁵But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the marvelous things that he did, and when they heard the children shouting in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became very angry.

¹⁶They said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?"

Jesus said to them, "Yes! But have you never read,

'Out of the mouths of little children and nursing infants

you have prepared praise'?"

¹⁷Then Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany and spent the night there.

¹⁸Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he was hungry.¹⁹Seeing a fig tree along the roadside, he went to it and found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, "May there be no fruit from you ever again," and immediately the fig tree withered.

²⁰When the disciples saw it, they marveled and said, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?"

²¹Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to this fig tree, but you will even say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and it will be done.²²Whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive."

²³When Jesus had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority do you do these things, and who gave you this authority?"

²⁴Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question. If you tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

²⁵The baptism of John—from where did it come? From heaven or from men?"

They discussed among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

²⁶But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the crowd, because they all view John as a prophet."²⁷Then they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know."

He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

²⁸But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go labor today in the vineyard.'

²⁹"The son answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went.

³⁰"Then the man went to the second son and said the same thing. He answered and said, 'I will go, sir,' but he did not go.

³¹Which of the two sons did his father's will?"

They said, "The first one."

Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God before you do.

³²For John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. But you, even when you saw this, you did not repent afterward and believe him.

³³"Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner. He planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a watchtower, and rented it out to vine growers. Then he went into another country.³⁴When the time of the fruit harvest approached, he sent some servants to the vine growers to collect his fruit.

³⁵But the vine growers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned still another.³⁶Again, the owner sent other servants, more than the first, but the vine growers treated them in the same way.³⁷After that, the owner sent his own son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

³⁸"But when the vine growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take over the inheritance.'³⁹So they took him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

⁴⁰Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine growers?"

⁴¹They said to him, "He will violently destroy those wicked people, and he will then rent out the vineyard to other vine growers, men who will give him his share of crops at the harvest time."

⁴²Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures,

'The stone which the builders rejected

has been made the cornerstone.

This was from the Lord,

and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

⁴³Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation that produces its fruits.⁴⁴Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. But anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."

⁴⁵When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they understood he was speaking about them.⁴⁶Seeking to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowd, because the people regarded him as a prophet.

Chapter 22

¹Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying,²"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who prepared a marriage feast for his son.³He sent out his servants to call those who had been invited to come to the marriage feast, but they would not come.

⁴Again the king sent other servants, saying, 'Tell them who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast."'

⁵But they paid no attention and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.⁶The others seized the king's servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.⁷The king was angry, and he sent his soldiers and they destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

⁸Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.⁹Therefore go to the highway crossings and invite as many people to the marriage feast as you can find.'¹⁰The servants went out to the highways and gathered together all the people they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.¹²The king said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' But the man was speechless.

¹³Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind this man hand and foot, and throw him out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and the grinding of teeth.'¹⁴For many people are called, but few are chosen."

¹⁵Then the Pharisees went and planned how they might entrap Jesus in his own talk.¹⁶Then they sent to him their disciples, together with the Herodians. They said to Jesus, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and that you teach God's way in truth. You care for no one's opinion, and you do not show partiality between people.¹⁷So tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

¹⁸But Jesus understood their wickedness and said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?¹⁹Show me the coin for the tax." Then they brought a denarius to him.

²⁰Jesus said to them, "Whose image and name are these?"

²¹They said to him, "Caesar's."

Then Jesus said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

²²When they heard it, they marveled. Then they left him and went away.

²³On that day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him,²⁴saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry his wife and raise children for his brother.'

²⁵There were seven brothers. The first married and then died. Having left no children, he left his wife to his brother.²⁶Then the second brother did the same thing, then the third, all the way to the seventh brother.²⁷After them all, the woman died.²⁸Now in the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven brothers? For they all had married her."

²⁹But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage. Instead, they are like angels in heaven.

³¹But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,³²'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."³³When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

³⁴But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.³⁵One of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question, testing him—³⁶"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

³⁷Jesus said to him, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'³⁸This is the great and first commandment.

³⁹And a second commandment is like it—'Love your neighbor as yourself.'⁴⁰On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets."

⁴¹Now while the Pharisees were still gathered together, Jesus asked them a question.⁴²He said, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"

They said to him, "The son of David."

⁴³Jesus said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

⁴⁴'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool"'?

⁴⁵If David then calls the Christ 'Lord,' how is he David's son?"⁴⁶No one was able to answer him a word, and no man dared ask him any more questions from that day on.

Chapter 23

¹Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples.²He said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.³Therefore whatever they command you to do, do these things and observe them. But do not imitate their deeds, for they say things but then do not do them.

⁴Yes, they bind heavy burdens that are difficult to carry, and then they put them on people's shoulders. But they themselves will not move a finger to carry them.⁵They do all their deeds to be seen by people. For they make their phylacteries wide, and they enlarge the edges of their garments.

⁶They love the places of honor at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues,⁷and special greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi' by people.

⁸But you must not be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are brothers.⁹And call no man on earth your father, for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.¹⁰Neither must you be called 'teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Christ.

¹¹But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.¹²Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

¹³"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven against people. For you do not enter it yourselves, and neither do you allow those about to enter to do so.¹⁴¹¹⁵Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you go over sea and land to make one convert, and when he has become one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you.

¹⁶"Woe to you, you blind guides, you who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound to his oath.'¹⁷You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold holy?

¹⁸And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is bound to his oath.'¹⁹You blind people! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy?

²⁰Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.²¹The one who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who lives in it.²²And the one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.

²³"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, but you have left undone the weightier matters of the law—justice and mercy and faithfulness. But these you ought to have done and not to have left the other undone.²⁴You blind guides, you who strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

²⁵"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.²⁶You blind Pharisee! Clean first the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may become clean also.

²⁷"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.²⁸In the same way, you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous.³⁰You say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'³¹Therefore you testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.

³²You also fill up the measure of your fathers.³³You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of hell?

³⁴Therefore, see, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some you will whip in your synagogues and chase from city to city.³⁵The result is that upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.³⁶Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

³⁷"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often did I long to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!³⁸See, your house is left to you desolate.³⁹For I say to you, you will not see me from now on until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

¹The best ancient copies do not have verse 14 (some copies add the verse after verse 12). Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, while you make a show of long prayers. You will therefore receive greater condemnation .

Chapter 24

¹Jesus went out from the temple and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to point out to him the buildings of the temple.²But he answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left on another that will not be torn down."

³As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

⁴Jesus answered and said to them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.⁵For many will come in my name. They will say, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray.

⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for these things must happen; but the end is not yet.⁷For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.⁸But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains.

⁹Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you. You will be hated by all the nations for my name's sake.¹⁰Then many will stumble, and betray one another and hate one another.¹¹Many false prophets will rise up and lead many astray.

¹²Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.¹³But the one who endures to the end will be saved.¹⁴This good news of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come.

¹⁵"Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (let the reader understand),¹⁶"let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,¹⁷let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house,¹⁸and let him who is in the field not return to take his cloak.

¹⁹But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!²⁰Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on a Sabbath.²¹For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be again.²²Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

²³Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There is the Christ!' do not believe it.²⁴For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.²⁵See, I have told you ahead of time.

²⁶Therefore, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out to the wilderness. Or, 'See, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.²⁷For as the lightning shines out from the east and flashes all the way to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.²⁸Wherever a dead animal is, there the vultures will gather.

²⁹"But immediately after the tribulation of those days

the sun will be darkened,

the moon will not give its light,

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

³⁰Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.³¹He will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

³²"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as the branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.³³So also, when you see all these things, you should know that he is near, at the very gates.

³⁴Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all of these things will have happened.³⁵Heaven and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

³⁶But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

³⁷As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.³⁸For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark,³⁹and they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

⁴⁰Then two men will be in a field—one will be taken, and one will be left.⁴¹Two women will be grinding with a mill—one will be taken, and one will be left.⁴²Therefore be on your guard, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

⁴³But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been on guard and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.⁴⁴Therefore you must also be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour that you do not expect.

⁴⁵"So who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household in order to give them their food at the right time?⁴⁶Blessed is that servant whom his master will find doing that when he comes.⁴⁷Truly I say to you that the master will set him over all his possessions.

⁴⁸But if an evil servant says in his heart, 'My master has been delayed,'⁴⁹and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards,⁵⁰then the master of that servant will come on a day that the servant does not expect and at an hour that he does not know.⁵¹His master will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

Chapter 25

¹"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.²Five of them were foolish and five were wise.³For when the foolish virgins took their lamps, they did not take any oil with them.⁴But the wise virgins took containers of oil along with their lamps.

⁵Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all got sleepy and slept.⁶But at midnight there was a cry, 'Look, the bridegroom! Go out and meet him.'

⁷Then all those virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps.⁸The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'

⁹"But the wise answered and said, 'Since there will not be enough for us and you, go instead to those who sell and buy some for yourselves.'

¹⁰While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

¹¹"Afterward the other virgins also came and said, 'Master, master, open for us.'

¹²"But he answered and said, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'¹³Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour.

¹⁴"For it is like when a man was about to go into another country. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them.¹⁵To one of them he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to yet another he gave one talent. Each one received an amount according to his own ability, and that man went on his journey.¹⁶The one who received the five talents went at once and worked with them and gained another five talents.

¹⁷In the same way, the one who had received two talents gained another two.¹⁸But the servant who had received one talent went away, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.

¹⁹Now after a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.²⁰The servant who had received the five talents came and brought another five talents. He said, 'Master, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five talents more.'

²¹"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things. I will put you in charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'

²²"The servant who had received two talents came and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have gained two more talents.'

²³"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things. I will put you in charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'

²⁴"Then the servant who had received one talent came and said, 'Master, I know that you are a hard man. You reap where you did not sow, and you harvest where you did not scatter.²⁵I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have here what belongs to you.'

²⁶"But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sowed and harvest where I have not scattered.²⁷Therefore you should have given my money to the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

²⁸Therefore take away the talent from him and give it to the servant who has ten talents.²⁹For to everyone who possesses more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But from anyone who does not possess anything, even what he does have will be taken away.³⁰Throw the worthless servant out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'

³¹"When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.³²Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.³³He will place the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.

³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you took me in;³⁶I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you cared for me; I was in prison and you came to me.'

³⁷"Then the righteous will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you a drink?³⁸When did we see you a stranger and take you in? Or naked and clothe you?³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?'

⁴⁰"Then the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, what you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.'

⁴¹Then he will say to those on his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels,⁴²because I was hungry, but you did not give me food; I was thirsty, but you did not give me a drink;⁴³I was a stranger, but you did not take me in; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not care for me.'

⁴⁴"Then they will also answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve you?'

⁴⁵"Then he will answer them and say, 'Truly I say to you, what you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'⁴⁶These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Chapter 26

¹It came about that when Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,²"You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be given over to be crucified."

³Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas.⁴They plotted together to arrest Jesus stealthily and kill him.⁵For they were saying, "Not during the festival, so that a riot does not arise among the people."

⁶Now while Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,⁷as he was reclining at table, a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it upon his head.⁸But when his disciples saw it, they became angry and said, "What is the reason for this waste?⁹This could have been sold for a large amount and given to the poor."

¹⁰But Jesus, knowing this, said to them, "Why are you causing trouble for this woman? For she has done a beautiful thing for me.¹¹You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

¹²For when she poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.¹³Truly I say to you, wherever this good news is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

¹⁴Then one of the twelve, who was named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests¹⁵and said, "What are you willing to give me to turn him over to you?" They weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him.¹⁶From that moment he sought an opportunity to turn him over to them.

¹⁷Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"

¹⁸He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."'"¹⁹The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

²⁰When evening came, he sat down to eat with the twelve disciples.²¹As they were eating, he said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me."

²²They were very sorrowful, and each one began to ask him, "Surely not I, Lord?"

²³He answered, "The one who dips his hand with me in the dish is the one who will betray me.²⁴The Son of Man will go, just as it is written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."

²⁵Judas, who would betray him said, "Is it I, Rabbi?"

He said to him, "You have said it yourself."

²⁶As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it. He gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."

²⁷He took a cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them and said, "Drink it, all of you.²⁸For this is my blood of the covenant that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.²⁹But I say to you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

³⁰When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.³¹Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will fall away tonight because of me, for it is written,

'I will strike the shepherd

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

³²But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

³³But Peter said to him, "Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."

³⁴Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."

³⁵Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All the other disciples said the same thing.

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him and began to become sorrowful and troubled.³⁸Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with me."

³⁹He went a little farther, fell on his face, and prayed. He said, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will."⁴⁰He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "What, could you not watch with me for one hour?⁴¹Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

⁴²He went away a second time and prayed. He said, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done."⁴³He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.⁴⁴So leaving them again, he went away and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

⁴⁵Then Jesus came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Look, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.⁴⁶Arise, let us go. Look, the one who is betraying me is near."

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came. A large crowd came with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. They came with swords and clubs.⁴⁸Now the man who was going to betray Jesus had given them a signal, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Seize him."

⁴⁹Immediately he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and he kissed him.

⁵⁰Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come to do." Then they came, laid hands on Jesus, and seized him.

⁵¹Behold, one of those who was with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.⁵²Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.⁵³Do you think that I could not call upon my Father, and he would send me more than twelve legions of angels?⁵⁴But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, that this must happen?"

⁵⁵At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to seize me like a robber? Every day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me.⁵⁶But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples abandoned him and fled.

⁵⁷Those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered together.⁵⁸But Peter followed him from a distance to the courtyard of the high priest. He went inside and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

⁵⁹Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death.⁶⁰They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later two came forward⁶¹and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"

⁶²The high priest stood up and said to him, "Do you have no answer? What is it that they are testifying against you?"⁶³But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, "I command you by the living God, tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God."

⁶⁴Jesus replied to him, "You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.⁶⁶What do you think?"

They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."

⁶⁷Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, while some slapped him⁶⁸and said, "Prophesy to us, you Christ. Who is it that struck you?"

⁶⁹Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him and said, "You were also with Jesus of Galilee."

⁷⁰But he denied it in front of them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."

⁷¹When he went out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to those there, "This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth."

⁷²He again denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!"

⁷³After a little while those who were standing by came and said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for the way you speak gives you away."

⁷⁴Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man," and immediately a rooster crowed.

⁷⁵Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." Then he went outside and wept bitterly.

Chapter 27

¹Now when morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death.²They bound him, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate the governor.

³Then when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,⁴and said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."

But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself."

⁵Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went out and hanged himself.

⁶The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is the price of blood."⁷They discussed the matter together, and they bought with the money the potter's field in which to bury strangers.⁸For this reason that field has been called, "The Field of Blood" to this day.

⁹Then that which had been spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the sons of Israel,¹⁰and they gave it for the potter's field, as the Lord had directed me."

¹¹Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus answered him, "You say so."

¹²But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.¹³Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they accuse you of?"¹⁴But he did not answer even one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

¹⁵Now at the festival it was the custom of the governor to set free one prisoner chosen by the crowd.¹⁶At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. ¹

¹⁷So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"¹⁸He knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because of envy.

¹⁹While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him and said, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I have suffered much today because of a dream I had about him."

²⁰Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.²¹The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to set free for you?"

They said, "Barabbas."

²²Pilate said to them, "What should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"

They all answered, "Crucify him."

²³Then he said, "Why, what evil has he done?"

But they cried out even louder, "Crucify him."

²⁴So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but instead a riot was starting, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this man. You see to it."

²⁵All the people said, "May his blood be on us and our children."²⁶Then he set Barabbas free for them, but he scourged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified.

²⁷Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the government headquarters and they gathered the whole company of soldiers.²⁸They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.²⁹They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. They knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

³⁰They spat on him, and they took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.³¹When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him and put his own garments on him, and led him away to crucify him.

³²As they came out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to go with them so that he might carry his cross.³³They came to a place called Golgotha, which means "The Place of a Skull."³⁴They gave him wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he would not drink.

³⁵When they had crucified him, they divided up his garments by casting lots,³⁶and they sat and kept guard over him.³⁷Above his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the king of the Jews."

³⁸Two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right of him and one on the left.³⁹Those who passed by insulted him, shaking their heads⁴⁰and saying, "You who were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"

⁴¹In the same way the chief priests were mocking him, along with the scribes and elders, and said,⁴²"He saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel. Let him come down off the cross, and then we will believe in him.

⁴³He trusts in God, let God rescue him now, if God consents to release him. For he even said, 'I am the Son of God.'"⁴⁴In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also insulted him.

⁴⁵Now from the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.⁴⁶About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice and said, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

⁴⁷When some of those who were standing there heard it, they said, "He is calling for Elijah."

⁴⁸Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed staff, and gave it to him to drink.⁴⁹The rest of them said, "Leave him alone. Let us see whether Elijah comes to save him."⁵⁰Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

⁵¹Behold, the curtain of the temple was split in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks split apart.⁵²The tombs were opened, and the bodies of the holy people who had fallen asleep were raised.⁵³They came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

⁵⁴Now when the centurion and those who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they became very afraid and said, "Truly this was the Son of God."⁵⁵Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to attend to his needs were there watching from a distance.⁵⁶Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

⁵⁷When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus.⁵⁸He approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

⁵⁹Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and went away.⁶¹Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

⁶²The next day, which was the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate.⁶³They said, "Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was alive, he said, 'After three days will I rise again.'⁶⁴Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, otherwise his disciples may come and steal him and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first."

⁶⁵Pilate said to them, "Take a guard. Go and make it as secure as you know how."⁶⁶So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and placing the guard.

¹Many ancient copies do not have Jesus .

Chapter 28

¹Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.²Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled away the stone, and sat on it.

³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.⁴The guards shook with fear and became like dead men.

⁵The angel addressed the women and said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.⁶He is not here, but is risen, just as he said. Come see the place where the Lord was lying.⁷Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead. See, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.' See, I have told you."

⁸The women quickly left the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.⁹Behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" The women came, took hold of his feet and worshiped him.¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee. There they will see me."

¹¹Now while the women were going, behold, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.¹²When the priests had met with the elders and discussed the matter with them, they gave a large amount of money to the soldiers¹³and told them, "Say to others, 'The disciples of Jesus came by night and stole his body while we were sleeping.'

¹⁴If this report reaches the governor, we will persuade him and take any worries away from you."¹⁵So the soldiers took the money and did as they had been instructed. This report spread widely among the Jews and continues even today.

¹⁶But the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.

¹⁸Jesus came to them and spoke to them and said, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them into the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

²⁰Teach them to obey all the things that I have commanded you. See, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Mathayo

Sura 1

¹Kitabu cha ukoo wa Yesu Kristo mwana wa Daudi, mwana wa Ibrahimu.²Ibrahimu alikuwa baba wa Isaka, na Isaka baba wa Yakobo, na Yakobo baba wa Yuda na ndugu zake.³Yuda alikuwa baba wa Peresi na Sera kwa Tamari, Peresi baba wa Hezeroni, na Hezeroni baba wa Ramu.⁴Ramu alikuwa baba wa Aminadabu, Aminadabu baba wa Nashoni, na Nashoni baba wa Salimoni.⁵Salimoni alikuwa baba wa Boazi kwa Rahabu, Boazi baba wa Obedi kwa Ruth, Obedi baba wa Yese,⁶Yese alikuwa baba wa mfalme Daudi. Daudi alikuwa baba wa Sulemani kwa mke wa Uria.⁷Sulemani alikuwa baba wa Rehoboamu, Rehoboamu baba wa Abiya, Abiya baba wa Asa.⁸Asa alikuwa baba wa Yehoshafati, Yehoshafati baba wa Yoramu, na Yoramu baba wa Uzia.⁹Uzia alikuwa baba wa Yothamu, Yothamu baba wa Ahazi, Ahazi baba wa Hezekia.¹⁰Hezekia alikuwa baba wa Manase, Manase baba wa Amoni na Amoni baba wa Yosia.¹¹Yosia alikuwa baba wa Yekonia na kaka zake wakati wa kuchukuliwa kwenda Babeli.

¹²Na baada ya kuchukuliwa kwenda Babeli, Yekonia alikuwa baba wa Shatieli, Shatieli alikuwa babu yake na Zerubabeli.¹³Zerubabeli alikuwa baba wa Abiudi, Abiudi baba wa Eliakimu, na Eliakimu baba wa Azori.¹⁴Azori alikuwa baba wa Zadoki, Zadoki baba wa Akimu, na Akimu baba wa Eliudi.¹⁵Eliudi alikuwa baba wa Elieza, Elieza baba wa Matani na Matani baba wa Yakobo.¹⁶Yakobo alikuwa baba wa Yusufu mume wa Mariamu, ambaye kwa yeye Yesu alizaliwa, aitwaye Kristo.

¹⁷Vizazi vyote tangu Ibrahimu hadi Daudi vilikuwa vizazi kumi na vinne, kutoka Daudi hadi kuchukuliwa kwenda Babeli vizazi kumi na vinne, na kutoka kuchukuliwa kwenda Babeli hadi Kristo vizazi kumi na vinne.

¹⁸Kuzaliwa kwa Yesu Kristo kulikuwa kwa namna hii. Mama yake, Mariamu, alichumbiwa na Yusufu, lakini kabla hawajakutana, alionekana kuwa na mimba kwa uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu.¹⁹Mume wake Yusufu, alikuwa mtu mwenye haki hakutaka kumwaibisha hadharani. Aliamua kusitisha uchumba wake naye kwa siri.²⁰Alipokuwa akifikiri juu ya mambo haya, Malaika wa Bwana alimtokea katika ndoto, akisema,” Yusufu mwana wa Daudi, usiogope kumchukua Mariamu kama mkeo, kwa sababu mimba aliyonayo ni kwa uweza wa Roho Mtakatifu.²¹Atajifungua mtoto wa kiume na utamwita jina lake Yesu, kwa maana atawaokoa watu wake na dhambi zao.”²²Yote haya yalitokea kutimizwa kile kilichonenwa na Bwana kwa njia ya nabii, akisema,²³“Tazama, bikira atachukua mimba na kuzaa mtoto wa kiume, na watamwita jina lake Imanueli”-- maana yake, “Mungu pamoja nasi.”²⁴Yusufu aliamka kutoka usingizini na kufanya kama malaika wa Bwana alivyomwamuru na alimchukua kama mkewe.²⁵Hata hivyo, hakulala naye mpaka alipojifungua mtoto wa kiume na alimwita jina lake Yesu.

Sura 2

¹Baada ya Yesu kuzaliwa katika Bethelehem ya Uyahudi katika siku za mfalme Herode, wataalamu wa nyota kutoka mashariki ya mbali walifika Yerusalemu wakisema,²“Yuko wapi yeye ambaye aliyezaliwa Mfalme wa Wayahudi? Tuliiona nyota yake mashariki nasi tumekuja kumwabudu.”

³Pindi Mfalme herode aliposikia haya alifadhaika, na Yerusalemu yote pamoja naye.⁴Herode akawakusanya wakuu wa makuhani wote na waandishi wa watu, naye akawauliza, “Kristo atazaliwa wapi?”⁵Wakamwabia, “Katika Bethelehemu ya Uyahudi, kwa kuwa hivi ndivyo ilivyoandikwa na nabii,⁶Nawe Bethelehemu, katika nchi ya Yuda, si mdogo miongoni mwa viongozi wa Yuda, kwa kuwa kutoka kwako atakuja mtawala atakayewachunga watu wangu Israeli.”

⁷Hivyo Herode aliwaita wale watalaamu wa nyota kwa siri na kuwauliza ni wakati gani hasa nyota ilikuwa imeonekana.⁸Akawatuma Bethelehem, akisema, “Nendeni kwa uangalifu mkamtafute mtoto aliyezaliwa. Wakati mtakapomwona, nileteeni habari ili kwamba mimi pia niweze kuja na kumwabudu.”

⁹Baada ya kuwa wamemsikia mfalme, waliendelea na safari yao, na nyota ile waliyokuwa wameiona mashariki iliwatangulia hadi iliposimama juu ya mahali mtoto aliyezaliwa alipokuwa.¹⁰Wakati walipoiona nyota, walifurahi kwa furaha kuu mno.¹¹Waliingia nyumbani na kumuona mtoto aliyezaliwa na Mariamu mama yake. Walimsujudia na kumwabudu. Walifungua hazina zao na kumtolea zawadi za dhahabu, uvumba, na manemane.¹²Mungu aliwaonya katika ndoto wasirudi kwa Herode, hivyo, waliondoka kurudi katika nchi yao kwa njia nyingine.

¹³Baada ya kuwa wameondoka, malaika wa Bwana alimtokea Yusufu katika ndoto na kusema, “Inuka, mchukue mtoto na mama yake na mkimbilie Misri. Bakini huko mpaka nitakapowaambia, kwa kuwa Herode atamtafuta mtoto ili amwangamize.¹⁴Usiku huo Yusufu aliamka na kumchukua mtoto na mama yake na kukimbilia Misri.¹⁵Aliishi huko hadi Herode alipo kufa. Hii ilitimiza kile Bwana alichokuwa amenena kupitia nabii, “Kutoka Misri nimemwita mwanangu.”¹⁶Kisha Herode, alipoona kuwa amedhihakiwa na watalaamu wa nyota, alikasirika sana. Aliagiza kuuawa kwa watoto wote wa kiume waliokuwa Bethelehemu na wote katika eneo lile ambao walikuwa na umri wa miaka miwili na chini yake kulingana na wakati aliokuwa amekwisha thibitisha kabisa kutoka kwa wale watalaamu wa nyota.¹⁷Ndipo lilipotimizwa lile neno lililonenwa kwa kinywa cha nabii Yeremia,

¹⁸“Sauti ilisikika Ramah, kilio na maombolezo makubwa, Raheli akiwalilia watoto wake, na alikataa kufarijiwa, kwa sababu hawapo tena.”

¹⁹Herode alipo kufa, tazama malaika wa Bwana alimtokea Yusufu katika ndoto huko Misri na kusema,²⁰“Inuka mchukue mtoto na mama yake, na mwende katika nchi ya Israeli kwa maana waliokuwa wakitafuta uhai wa mtoto wamekufa.”²¹Yusufu aliinuka, akamchukua mtoto pamoja na mama yake, na wakaja katika nchi ya Israeli.

²²Lakini aliposikia kuwa Arikelau alikuwa anatawala Yuda mahali pa baba yake Herode, aliogopa kwenda huko. Baada ya Mungu kumuonya katika ndoto, aliondoka kwenda mkoa wa Galilaya²³na alienda kuishi katika mji uitwao Nazareti. Hili lilitimiza kile kilichokuwa kimekwisha kunenwa kwa njia ya manabii, kwamba ataitwa Mnazareti.

Sura 3

¹Katika siku zile Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Yuda akisema,²“Tubuni kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni u karibu.”³Kwa maana huyu ndiye aliyenenwa na nabii Isaya akisema, “Sauti ya mtu aitaye kutoka jangwani; ‘wekeni tayari njia ya Bwana, yanyoosheni mapito yake.”’

⁴Sasa Yohana alivaa manyoya ya ngamia na mkanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwituni.⁵Kisha Yerusalemu, Yuda yote, na eneo lote linalozunguka mto Yorodani wakaenda kwake.⁶Walikuwa wakibatizwa naye katika mto Yorodani huku wakitubu dhambi zao.

⁷Lakini alipowaona wengi wa Mafarisayo na Masadukayo wakija kwake kubatizwa, akawaambia, “Enyi uzao wa nyoka wenye sumu nani aliye waonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?⁸Zaeni matunda yaipasayo toba.⁹Na msifikiri na kusemezana miongoni mwenu, ‘Tunaye Ibrahimu kama baba yetu.’ Kwa kuwa nawaambieni Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Ibrahimu watoto hata kutoka katika mawe haya.¹⁰Tayari shoka limekwisha kuwekwa kwenye mzizi wa miti. Kwahiyo kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri hukatwa na kutupwa kwenye moto.

¹¹Ninawabatiza kwa maji kwa ajili ya toba. Lakini yeye ajaye baada yangu ni mkuu kuliko mimi nami sistahili hata kubeba viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.¹²Na pepeto lake li mkononi mwake kusafisha kabisa uwanda wake na kuikusanya ngano yake ghalani. Lakini atayachoma makapi kwa moto ambao hauwezi kuzimika.

¹³Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka mto Yorodani kubatizwa na Yohana.¹⁴Lakini Yohana alitaka kumzuia akisema, “Mimi nahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu?”¹⁵Yesu akajibu akasema, “Ruhusu iwe hivi sasa, kwa kuwa ndivyo itupasavyo kuitimiza haki yote.” Kisha Yohana akamruhusu.

¹⁶Baada ya kuwa amebatizwa, mara Yesu alitoka kwenye maji, na tazama, Mbingu zikafunguka kwake. Na alimuona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kwa mfano wa njiwa na kutulia juu yake.¹⁷Tazama, sauti ilitoka mbinguni ikisema, “Huyu ni mwanangu mpendwa, ninaye pendezwa sana naye.”

Sura 4

¹Kisha Yesu aliongozwa na Roho mpaka jangwani ili ajaribiwe na Ibilisi.²Alipokuwa amefunga kwa siku arobaini mchana na usiku alipata njaa.³Mjaribu akaja na akamwambia, “Kama wewe ni Mwana wa Mungu, amuru mawe haya yawe mkate.”⁴Lakini Yesu alimjibu na kumwambia, “Imeandikwa, ‘Mtu hataishi kwa mkate peke yake, bali kwa kila neno litokalo kinywani mwa Mungu.’”⁵Kisha Ibilisi akampeleka katika mji mtakatifu na kumweka mahali pa juu sana pa jengo la hekalu,⁶na kumwambia, “Kama wewe ni Mwana wa Mungu, jirushe chini, kwa maana imeandikwa, ‘Ataamuru malaika wake waje wakudake,’ na, ‘watakuinua kwa mikono yao, ili usijikwae mguu wako katika jiwe.’”⁷Yesu akamwambia, “Tena imeandikwa, ‘Usimjaribu Bwana Mungu wako.’”

⁸Kisha, Ibilisi akamchukua na kumpeleka sehemu ya juu zaidi akamwonyesha falme zote za ulimwengu na fahari ya hizo zote.⁹Akamwambia, “Nitakupa vitu vyote hivi ukunisujudia na kuniabudu.”¹⁰Kisha Yesu akamwambia, “Nenda zako Shetani! Kwa maana imeandikwa, ‘Yakupasa kumwabudu Bwana Mungu wako, na umtumikie yeye peke yake.’”¹¹Kisha Ibilisi akamwacha, na tazama, malaika wakaja wakamtumikia.

¹²Basi Yesu aliposikia kuwa Yohana amekamatwa, aliondoka mpaka Galilaya.¹³Aliondoka Nazareti alienda na kuishi Kaperanaumu, iliyoko kandokando na Bahari ya Galilaya, mipakani mwa majimbo ya Zabuloni na Naftali.¹⁴Hii ilitokea kutimiza kile kilichonenwa na nabii Isaya,

¹⁵“Katika mji wa Zabuloni na mji wa Naftali, kuelekea baharini, ng'ambo ya Yorodani, Galilaya ya wamataifa!

¹⁶Watu walio kaa gizani wameuona mwanga mkuu, na wale waliokuwa wameketi katika maeneo na kivuli cha mauti, juu yao nuru imewaangazia.”

¹⁷Tokea wakati huo Yesu alianza kuhubiri na kusema, “Tubuni, kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni umekaribia.”

¹⁸Alipokuwa akitembea kandokando ya bahari ya Galilaya, aliwaona ndugu wawili, Simoni aliyekuwa akiitwa Petro, na Andrea kaka yake, wakitega nyavu baharini, kwa kuwa walikuwa wavuvi wa samaki.¹⁹Yesu akawaambia, “Njooni mnifuate, nitawafanya kuwa wavuvi wa watu.”²⁰Mara moja waliziacha nyavu zao na kumfuata.

²¹Na Yesu alipokwenda mbele kidogo, aliwaona ndugu wawili wengine, Yakobo mwana wa Zebedayo, na Yohana kaka yake. Walikuwa katika mtumbwi pamoja na Zebedayo baba yao wakishona nyavu zao. Akawaita,²²na mara moja wakaacha mtumbwi na baba yao nao wakamfuata.

²³Yesu alikuwa akizunguka Galilaya yote, akifundisha katika masinagogi yao, akihubiri injili ya ufalme, na akiponya kila aina ya maradhi na magonjwa miongoni mwa watu.²⁴Habari zake zilienea Siria yote, na watu wakawaleta kwake wale wote waliokuwa wakiugua, wakiwa na maradhi mbalimbali na maumivu, waliokuwa na mapepo, na wenye kifafa na waliopooza. Yesu aliwaponya.²⁵Umati mkubwa wa watu ulimfuata kutoka Galilaya, na Dekapoli, na Yerusalemu na Uyahuda na kutoka ng'ambo ya Yorodani.

Sura 5

¹Yesu alipo uona umati, akaondoka na kuelekea mlimani. Alipokuwa ameketi chini, wanafunzi wake wakaja kwake.²Akafunua kinywa chake na akawafundisha, akisema,

³“Heri walio maskini wa roho maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao.

⁴Heri walio na huzuni, maana watafarijiwa.

⁵Heri wenye upole, maana watairithi nchi.

⁶Heri wenye njaa na kiu ya haki, maana hao watashibishwa.

⁷Heri wenye rehema maana hao watapata rehema.

⁸Heri wenye moyo safi maana watamwona Mungu.

⁹Heri wapatanishi, maana hao wataitwa wana wa Mungu.

¹⁰Heri wale wanaoteswa kwa ajili ya haki, maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao.

¹¹Heri ninyi ambao watu watawatukana na kuwatesa, au kusema kila aina ya ubaya dhidi yenu kwa uongo kwa ajili yangu.

¹²Furahini na kushangilia, maana thawabu yenu ni kubwa juu mbinguni. Kwa kuwa hivi ndivyo watu walivyo watesa manabii walioishi kabla yenu.

¹³Ninyi ni chumvi ya dunia. Lakini kama chumvi imepoteza ladha yake, itawezaje kufanyika chumvi halisi tena? Kamwe haiwezi kuwa nzuri kwa kitu kingine chochote tena, isipokuwa ni kutupwa nje na kukanyagwa na miguu ya watu.¹⁴Ninyi ni nuru ya ulimwengu. Mji uliojegwa juu ya mlima haufichiki.¹⁵Wala watu hawawashi taa na kuweka chini ya kikapu, bali kwenye kinara, nayo yawaangaza wote walio ndani ya nyumba.¹⁶Acha nuru yenu iangaze mbele za watu kwa namna ambayo kwamba, wayaone matendo yenu mema na kumtukuza Baba yenu aliye mbinguni.

¹⁷Msifikiri nimekuja kuiharibu sheria wala manabii. Sijaja kuharibu lakini kutimiza.¹⁸Kwa kweli nawaambia kwamba mpaka mbingu na dunia zote zipite hapana yodi moja wala nukta moja ya sheria itaondoshwa katika sheria hadi hapo kila kitu kitakapokuwa kimekwisha timizwa.¹⁹Hivyo yeyote avunjaye amri ndogo mojawapo ya amri hizi na kuwafundisha wengine kufanya hivyo ataitwa mdogo katika ufalme wa mbinguni. Lakini yeyote azishikaye na kuzifundisha ataitwa mkubwa katika ufalme wa mbinguni.²⁰Kwa maana nawaambia haki yenu isipozidi haki ya waandishi na Mafarisayo, kwa vyovyote vile hamtaingia katika ufalme wa mbinguni.

²¹Mmesikia ilinenwa zamani kuwa, ‘Usiue’ na ‘Yeyote auaye yuko katika hatari ya hukumu.’²²Lakini nawaambia yeyote amchukiaye ndugu yake atakuwa katika hatari ya hukumu. Na yeyote amwambiaye ndugu yake kuwa, ‘Wewe ni mtu usiyefaa!’ atakuwa katika hatari ya baraza. Na yeyote asemaye, ‘Wewe mjinga!’ atakuwa katika hatari ya moto wa jehanamu.²³Hivyo kama unatoa sadaka yako katika madhabahu na unakumbuka kuwa ndugu yako ana jambo lolote dhidi yako,²⁴iache sadaka mbele ya madhabahu, kisha shika njia yako. Kapatane kwanza na ndugu yako, na kisha uje kuitoa sadaka yako.²⁵Patana na mshitaki wako upesi, ukiwa pamoja naye njiani kuelekea mahakamani, vinginevyo mshtaki wako anaweza kukuacha mikononi mwa hakimu, na hakimu akuache mikononi mwa askari, nawe utatupwa gerezani.²⁶Amini nawaambieni, kamwe hutawekwa huru hadi umelipa senti ya mwisho ya pesa unayodaiwa.

²⁷Mmesikia imenenwa kuwa, ‘Usizini.’²⁸Lakini nawaambieni yeyote amtazamaye mwanamke kwa kumtamani amekwisha kuzini naye moyoni mwake.²⁹Na kama jicho lako la kulia linakusababisha kujikwaa, ling'oe na ulitupe mbali nawe. Kwa kuwa ni afadhali kiungo kimoja katika mwili wako kiharibike kuliko mwili mzima kutupwa jehanamu.³⁰Na kama mkono wako wa kuume unakusababisha kujikwaa, ukate kisha uutupilie mbali nawe. Maana ni afadhali kiungo kimoja katika mwili wako kiharibike kuliko mwili mzima kutupwa Jehanamu.

³¹Imenenwa pia, ‘Yeyote amfukuzaye mkewe, na ampe hati ya talaka.’³²Lakini mimi nawaambia, yeyote anaye mwacha mke wake, isipokuwa kwa sababu ya zinaa, amfanya kuwa mzinzi. Na yeyote amuoaye baada ya kupewa talaka afanya uzinzi.

³³Tena, mmesikia ilinenwa kwa wale wa zamani, ‘Msiape kwa uongo, bali pelekeni viapo vyenu kwa Bwana.’³⁴Lakini nawaambia, msiape hata kidogo, ama kwa mbingu, kwa sababu ni enzi ya Mungu;³⁵wala kwa dunia, maana ni mahali pa kuweka kiti cha kukanyagia nyayo zake, ama kwa Yerusalemu, maana ni mji wa mfalme mkuu.

³⁶Wala usiape kwa kichwa chako, maana huwezi kufanya unywele mmoja kuwa mweupe au mweusi.³⁷Bali maneno yenu yawe, ‘Ndiyo, ndiyo, hapana, hapana.’ Kwa kuwa yazidiyo hayo yatoka kwa yule mwovu.

³⁸Mmesikia imenenwa kuwa, ‘Jicho kwa jicho, na jino kwa jino.’³⁹Lakini mimi namwambia, msishindane na mtu mwovu; lakini mtu akikupiga shavu la kulia mgeuzie na jingine pia.⁴⁰Na kama yeyote anatamani kwenda na wewe mahakamani na akakunyang'anya kanzu yako, mwachie na joho lako pia.⁴¹Na yeyote akulazimishaye kwenda naye maili moja, nenda naye maili mbili.⁴²Kwa yeyote akuombaye mpatie, na usimwepuke yeyote anayehitaji kukukopa.

⁴³Mmesikia imenenwa, ‘Umpende jirani yako, na umchukie adui yako.’⁴⁴Lakini nawaambia, wapendeni adui zenu, waombeeni wanao waudhi,⁴⁵Ili kwamba muwe watoto wa baba yenu aliye mbinguni. Kwa kuwa anafanya jua liwaangazie wabaya na wema, na anawanyeshea mvua waovu na wema.⁴⁶Kama mkiwapenda wanaowapenda ninyi, mwapata thawabu gani? Kwani watoza ushuru hawafanyi hivyo?⁴⁷Na kama mkiwasalimia ndugu zenu tu mwapata nini zaidi ya wengine? Je, watu wa mataifa hawafanyi vivyo hivyo?⁴⁸Kwa hiyo yawapasa kuwa wakamilifu, kama Baba yenu wa mbinguni alivyo mkamilifu.

Sura 6

¹Zingatia kutotenda matendo ya haki mbele ya watu ili kujionyesha, vinginevyo hutapata thawabu kutoka kwa Baba aliye mbinguni.²Hivyo basi unapotoa usipige tarumbeta na kujisifu mwenyewe kama wanafiki wanavyofanya katika masinagogi na katika mitaa, ili kwamba watu wawasifu. Kweli nawaambia, wamekwisha kupokea thawabu yao.³Lakini wewe unapotoa, mkono wako wa kushoto usijue kinachofanywa na mkono wa kulia,⁴ili kwamba zawadi yako itolewe kwa siri. Ndipo Baba yako aonaye sirini atakupatia thawabu yako.

⁵Na unapokuwa ukiomba, usiwe kama wanafiki, kwa kuwa wanapenda kusimama na kuomba kwenye masinagogi na kwenye kona za mitaani, ili kwamba watu wawatazame. Kweli nawaambia, wamekwishapokea thawabu yao.⁶Lakini wewe, unapo omba, ingia chumbani. Funga mlango, na uombe kwa Baba yako aliye sirini. Ndipo Baba yako aonaye sirini atakupatia thawabu yako.⁷Na unapokuwa ukiomba, usirudie rudie maneno yasiyo na maana kama mataifa wanavyofanya, kwa kuwa wanafikiri kwamba watasikiwa kwa sababu ya maneno mengi wanayosema.⁸Kwa hiyo, usiwe kama wao, kwa kuwa Baba yako anatambua mahitaji yako hata kabla hujaomba kwake.⁹Hivyo basi omba hivi: ‘Baba yetu uliye mbinguni, ulitukuze jina lako.

¹⁰Ufalme wako uje, mapenzi yako yafanyike hapa duniani kama huko mbinguni.

¹¹Utupatiye leo mkate wetu wa kila siku.

¹²Utusamehe deni zetu, kama nasi tunavyowasamehe wadeni wetu.

¹³Na usitulete katika majaribu, lakini utuepushe kutoka kwa yule mwovu.’

¹⁴Ikiwa mtawasemehe watu makosa yao, Baba yako aliye mbinguni pia atawasamehe ninyi.¹⁵Lakini ikiwa hamtawasamehe makosa yao, wala Baba yenu hatawasamehe makosa yenu.

¹⁶Zaidi ya yote, unapokuwa umefunga, usioneshe sura ya huzuni kama wanafiki wanavyofanya, kwa kuwa wanakunja sura zao ili kwamba watu wawatambue wamefunga. Kweli ninakuambia, wamekwisha kupokea thawabu yao.¹⁷Lakini wewe, unapokuwa umefunga, paka mafuta kichwa chako na uoshe uso wako.¹⁸Hivyo haitakuonesha mbele ya watu kuwa umefunga, lakini tu itakuwa kwa Baba yako aliye sirini. Na Baba yako aonaye sirini, atakupa thawabu yako.

¹⁹Usijitunzie hazina yako mwenyewe hapa duniani, ambapo nondo na kutu huharibu, ambapo wezi huvunja na kuiba.²⁰Badala yake, jitunzie hazina yako mwenyewe mbinguni, ambapo wala nondo wala kutu hawezi kuharibu, na ambapo wezi hawawezi kuvunja na kuiba.²¹Kwa kuwa hazina yako ilipo, ndipo na moyo wako utakapokuwepo pia.

²²Jicho ni taa ya mwili. Kwa hiyo, ikiwa jicho lako ni zima, mwili wote utajazwa na nuru.²³Lakini ikiwa jicho lako ni bovu, mwili wako wote umejaa giza totoro. Kwahiyo, ikiwa nuru ambayo imo ndani yako ni giza hasa, ni giza kubwa kiasi gani!

²⁴Hakuna hata mmoja anayeweza kuwatumikia mabwana wawili, kwa kuwa atamchukia mmoja na kumpenda mwingine, au la sivyo atajitoa kwa mmoja na kumdharau mwingine. Hamuwezi kumtumikia Mungu na mali.

²⁵Kwa hiyo nakuambia, usiwe na mashaka kuhusu maisha yako, kuwa utakula nini au utakunywa nini, au kuhusu mwili wako, utavaa nini. Je! Maisha si zaidi ya chakula na mwili zaidi ya mavazi?²⁶Tazama ndege walioko angani. Hawapandi na hawavuni na hawakusanyi na kutunza ghalani, lakini Baba yenu wa mbinguni huwalisha wao. Je ninyi si wa thamani zaidi kuliko wao?²⁷Na ni nani miongoni mwenu kwa kujihangaisha anaweza kuongeza dhiraa moja kwenye uhai wa maisha yake?

²⁸Na kwa nini mna kuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu mavazi? Fikiria kuhusu maua kwenye mashamba, jinsi yanavyokua. Hayafanyi kazi na hayawezi kujivisha.²⁹Bado ninawaambia, hata Sulemani katika utukufu wake wote hakuvikwa kama mojawapo ya haya.³⁰Ikiwa Mungu anayavalisha majani katika mashamba, ambayo yadumu siku moja na kesho yanatupwa katika moto, je ni kwa kiasi gani atawavalisha ninyi, ninyi wenye imani ndogo?³¹Kwa hiyo msiwe na wasiwasi nakusema, ‘Je tutakula nini?’ au ‘Je tutakunywa nini?’ au ‘Je tutavaa nguo gani?’³²Kwa kuwa mataifa wanatafuta mambo haya, na Baba yenu wa mbinguni anajua kuwa mnahitaji hayo.³³Lakini kwanza tafuteni ufalme wake na haki yake na haya yote yatakabidhiwa kwako.³⁴Kwa hiyo, usione shaka kwa ajili ya kesho, kwa kuwa kesho itajishughulikia yenyewe. Kila siku inatosha kuwa na tatizo lake yenyewe.

Sura 7

¹Usihukumu, nawe usije ukahukumiwa.²Kwa hukumu unayohukumu, nawe utahukumiwa. Na kwa kipimo unachopima na wewe pia utapimiwa hicho hicho.³Na kwa nini unatazama kipande cha mti kilichoko kwenye jicho la ndugu yako, lakini hutambuwi kipande cha gogo ambalo limo katika jicho lako?⁴Unawezaje kusema kwa ndugu yako, ngoja nikutolee kipande kilichomo kwenye jicho lako, wakati kipande cha gogo kimo ndani ya jicho lako?⁵Mnafiki wewe; kwanza toa gogo lililomo kwenye jicho lako, na ndipo utakapoweza kuona vizuri na kukitoa kipande cha mti kilichomo kwenye jicho la ndugu yako.

⁶Usiwape mbwa kilicho kitakatifu, na usiwarushie nguruwe lulu mbele yao. Vinginevyo wataviharibu na kuvikanyaga kwa miguu, na tena watakugeukia wewe na kukurarua vipande vipande.

⁷Omba, nawe utapewa. Tafuta, nawe utapata. Bisha hodi, na wewe utafunguliwa.⁸Kwa yeyote anayeomba, hupokea. Na kwa yeyote anayetafuta, hupata. Na kwa mtu ambaye anayebisha hodi, atafunguliwa.

⁹Au kuna mtu miongoni mwenu ambaye, ikiwa mtoto wake akimwomba kipande cha mkate atampa jiwe?¹⁰Au ikiwa atamwomba samaki, na yeye atampa nyoka?¹¹Kwa hiyo, ikiwa ninyi mlio waovu mnajua kuwapa watoto wenu zawadi nzuri, Je! Ni kiasi gani zaidi Baba aliye mbinguni atawapa vitu vizuri wale wanao muomba yeye?

¹²Kwa sababu hiyo, unapotaka kufanyiwa kitu chochote na watu wengine, nawe pia itakupasa kuwafanyia hivyo hivyo wao. Kwa kuwa hiyo ni sheria na manabii.

¹³Ingieni kwa kupitia geti jembamba. Kwa kuwa geti ni pana na njia ni pana inayoongoza kwenye uharibifu, na kuna watu wengi wanaopitia njia hiyo.¹⁴Njia ni jembamba, njia inayongooza katika uzima na ni wachache wanaoweza kuiona.

¹⁵Jihadhari na manabii wa uongo, wanaokuja wamevaa ngozi ya kondoo, lakini kweli ni mbwa mwitu wakali.¹⁶Kwa matunda yao mtawatambua. Je watu wanaweza kuvuna matunda kwenye miba, au mtini kwenye mbengu ya mbaruti?¹⁷Kwa jinsi hiyo, kila mti mzuri huzaa matunda mazuri, lakini mti mbaya huzaa matunda mabaya.¹⁸Mti mzuri hauwezi kuzaa matunda mabaya, wala mti mbaya hauwezi kuzaa matunda mazuri.¹⁹Kila mti ambao hauzai matunda mazuri utakatwa na kutupwa katika moto.²⁰Hivyo basi, utawatambua kutokana na matunda yao.

²¹Si kila mtu aniambiaye mimi, ‘Bwana, Bwana,’ ataingia katika ufalme wa mbinguni, bali ni yule pekee atendaye mapenzi ya Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.²²Watu wengi wataniambia siku hiyo, ‘Bwana, Bwana, hatukutoa unabii kwa jina lako, hatukutoa mapepo kwa jina lako, na kwa jina lako tulifanya matendo mengi makuu?’²³Ndipo nitawaambia wazi, ‘Sikuwatambua ninyi! Ondokeni kwangu, ninyi mtendao maovu!’

²⁴Kwa hiyo, kila mmoja asikiaye maneno yangu na kutii atafanana na mtu mwenye hekima aliyejenga nyumba yake juu ya mwamba.²⁵Mvua ikanyesha, mafuriko yakaja, na upepo ukaja na ukaipiga nyumba hiyo, lakini haikuweza kuanguka chini, kwa kuwa ilikuwa imejengwa juu ya mwamba.²⁶Lakini kila mtu anayesikia neno langu na asilitii, atafananishwa na mtu mpumbavu aliyejenga nyumba yake juu ya mchanga.²⁷Mvua ikaja, mafuriko yakaja, na upepo ukaja na kuipiga nyumba hiyo. Na ikaanguka, na uharibifu wake ukakamilika.”

²⁸Ulifika wakati ambao Yesu alipomaliza kuongea maneno haya, makutano walishangazwa na mafundisho yake,²⁹kwa kuwa alifundisha kama mtu mwenye mamlaka, na si kama waandishi wao.

Sura 8

¹Wakati Yesu aliposhuka chini kutoka mlimani, umati mkubwa ulimfuata.²Tazama, mkoma alikuja na kusujudu mbele yake, akasema, “Bwana, ikiwa uko tayari, unaweza kunifanya niwe safi.”

³Yesu akanyoosha mkono wake na kumgusa, akasema, “Niko tayari. Uwe msafi.” Hapo hapo alitakaswa ukoma wake.⁴Yesu akamwambia, “Angalia kwamba usiseme kwa mtu yeyote. Shika njia yako, na jioneshe mwenyewe kwa kuhani na utoe zawadi ambayo Musa aliagiza, kwa ajili ya ushuhuda kwao.”

⁵Wakati Yesu alipofika Kapernaumu, jemedari akaja kwake akamuuliza⁶akisema, “Bwana, mtumishi wangu amelala nyumbani amepooza na ana maumivu ya kutisha.”

⁷Yesu akamwambia, “Nitakuja na kumponya.”

⁸Jemedari akajibu na kumwambia, “Bwana, mimi si wathamani hata uje na kuingia ndani ya dari yangu, sema neno tu na mtumishi wangu ataponywa.⁹Kwa kuwa mimi pia ni mtu niliye na mamlaka, na ninao askari walio chini yangu. Nikisema kwa huyu ‘Nenda,’ na huenda, na kwa mwingine ‘Njoo,’ na yeye huja, na kwa mtumishi wangu, ‘Fanya hivi,’ na yeye anafanya hivyo.”

¹⁰Wakati Yesu aliposikia haya, alishangazwa na kuwaambia wale waliokuwa wakimfuata, “Kweli ninawaambia, sijapata kuona mtu mwenye imani kama huyu katika Israel.¹¹Ninawaambieni, wengi watakuja kutoka mashariki na magharibi, wataketi katika meza pamoja na Abrahamu, Isaka, na Yakobo, katika ufalme wa mbinguni.¹²Lakini watoto wa ufalme watatupwa katika giza la nje, ambapo kutakuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.”¹³Yesu akamwambia jemedari, “Nenda! Kama ulivyokwisha amini, na itendeke hivyo kwako.” Na mtumishi aliponywa katika saa hiyo.

¹⁴Wakati Yesu alipofika kwenye nyumba ya Petro, alimwona mama mkwe wake na Petro amelala akiwa mgonjwa wa homa.¹⁵Yesu akamgusa mkono wake, na homa yake ikamwacha. Kisha akaamka akaanza kumhudumia.

¹⁶Na ilipofika jioni, watu wakamletea Yesu wengi waliotawaliwa na pepo. Akawafukuza pepo na wale walio wagonjwa akawaponya.¹⁷Kwa jinsi hii yalitimia yale yaliyo kwisha kunenwa na Isaya nabii, “Yeye mwenyewe alichukua magonjwa yetu na alibeba maradhi yetu.”

¹⁸Kisha Yesu alipoliona kusanyiko limemzunguka, alitoa maelekezo ya kwenda upande mwingine wa bahari ya Galilaya.¹⁹Kisha mwandishi akaja kwake na kumwambia, “Mwalimu, nitakufuata popote utakapoenda.”

²⁰Yesu akamwambia, “Mbweha wana mashimo, na ndege wa angani wana viota, lakini mwana wa Adamu hana sehemu ya kulaza kichwa chake.”

²¹Mwanafunzi mwingine akamwambia, “Bwana, niruhusu kwanza niende kumzika baba yangu.”

²²Lakini Yesu akamwambia, “Nifuate, na uwaache wafu wazike wafu wao.”

²³Yesu alipoingia kwenye mtumbwi, wanafunzi wake wakamfuata mtumbwini.²⁴Tazama, ikainuka dhoruba kuu juu ya bahari, kiasi kwamba mtumbwi ulifunikwa na mawimbi. Lakini Yesu alikuwa amelala.²⁵Wanafunzi wakaja kwake na kumwamsha wakisema, “Bwana, tuokoe sisi, tunaelekea kufa!”

²⁶Yesu akawaambia, “Kwa nini mnaogopa, ninyi wenye imani ndogo?” Ndipo akaamka na kuukemea upepo na bahari. Kisha kukawa na utulivu mkuu,²⁷wanaume wakashikwa na mshangao wakasema, “Huyu mtu niwa namna gani, kwamba hata pepo na bahari vinamtii yeye?”

²⁸Wakati Yesu alipokuwa amekuja upande mwingine wa nchi ya Magadala, wanaume wawili waliotawaliwa na pepo walikutana naye. Walikuwa wakitokea makaburini na walikuwa wakifanya vurugu sana, kiasi kwamba hakuna msafiri angeweza kupita njia ile.²⁹Tazama, walipaza sauti na kusema, “Tuna nini cha kufanya kwako, mwana wa Mungu? Umekuja hapa kututesa kabla ya wakati kufika?”³⁰Sasa kundi kubwa la nguruwe lilikuwa likichunga, hapakuwa mbali sana walipokuwa,³¹pepo waliendelea kulalamika kwa Yesu na kusema. “Ikiwa utatuamuru kutoka, tupeleke kwenye kundi la nguruwe.”

³²Yesu akawaambia, “Nendeni!” Pepo wakawatoka na kwenda kwa nguruwe. Na tazama, kundi lote likashuka kutoka mlimani kuteremkia baharini na lote likafia majini.³³Wanaume waliokuwa wakichunga nguruwe walikimbia. Na walipoenda mjini wakaelezea kila kitu, kilichotokea kwa wanaume waliotawaliwa na mapepo.³⁴Tazama, mji mzima ukaja kukutana na Yesu. Walipomwona, walimsihi aondoke kwenye mkoa wao.

Sura 9

¹Yesu akaingia kwenye boti, akavuka na akafika kwenye mji alipokuwa anaishi.²Tazama, wakamletea mtu aliyepooza amelazwa kwenye godoro. Alipoiona imani yao, Yesu akamwambia mtu aliyepooza, “Mwanangu, uwe na furaha, dhambi zako zimesamehewa.”

³Tazama, baadhi ya walimu wa sheria wakasemezana wao kwa wao, “Huyu mtu anakufuru.”⁴Yesu akatambua mawazo yao na kusema, “Kwa nini mnawaza maovu moyoni mwenu?⁵Kipi kilicho rahisi kusema, ‘Dhambi zako zimesamehewa’ au kusema, ‘Simama na utembee?’⁶Lakini mtambue ya kwamba Mwana wa Adamu anao uwezo wa kusamehe dhambi.” Aliyasema haya kwa yule aliyepooza, “Simama, chukua godoro lako, na uende nyumbani kwako.”⁷Ndipo yule mtu akasimama na kuondoka kwenda nyumbani kwake.⁸Makutano walipoona hayo, walishangaa na kumsifu Mungu, ambaye amewapa uwezo huo watu.

⁹Na Yesu alipokuwa akipita kutoka hapo, alimwona mtu ambaye aliitwa kwa jina la Mathayo, ambaye alikuwa amekaa sehemu ya watoza ushuru. Naye akamwambia, “Nifuate mimi.” Naye akasimama na kumfuata.¹⁰Na Yesu alipoketi ili ale chakula ndani ya nyumba, wakaja watoza ushuru wengi na watu waovu wakashiriki chakula pamoja na Yesu na wanafunzi wake.

¹¹Ndipo Mafarisayo walipoona hayo, wakawaambia wanafunzi, “Kwa nini mwalimu wenu anakula chakula pamoja na watoza ushuru na watu waovu?”

¹²Yesu aliposikia hayo, naye alisema, “Watu walio na afya nzuri hawahitaji mganga, isipokuwa wale walio wagonjwa.¹³Inawapasa muende mkajifunze maana yake, ‘Ninapenda rehema na siyo dhabihu,’ kwa kuwa nilikuja, si kwa wenye haki kutubu, lakini kwa wenye dhambi.”

¹⁴Ndipo wanafunzi wa Yohana wakaja kwake na kusema, “Kwa nini sisi na mafarisayo tunafunga, lakini wanafunzi wako hawafungi?”

¹⁵Yesu akawaambia, “Je, wasindikizaji wa arusi wanaweza kuwa na huzuni pindi Bwana arusi anapokuwa pamoja nao? Lakini siku zinakuja ambapo Bwana arusi atachukuliwa kutoka kwao, na ndipo watakapofunga.

¹⁶Hakuna mtu anayeweka kipande cha nguo mpya kwenye nguo ya zamani, kiraka kitaipasua nguo na mpasuko mkubwa utatokea.¹⁷Hakuna watu wanaoweka mvinyo mpya katika chombo cha mvinyo wa zamani, ikiwa watafanya, ngozi itachanika, mvinyo utatoweka na ngozi itaharibika. Badala yake, huweka mvinyo mpya katika ngozi mpya na vyote vitakuwa salama.”

¹⁸Wakati Yesu alipokuwa akiwaambia mambo hayo, tazama, afisa akaja akasujudu mbele yake, naye akasema, “Binti yangu amefariki punde, lakini njoo na uweke mkono wako juu yake na yeye ataishi tena.”¹⁹Ndipo Yesu akasimama na kumfuata na wanafunzi wake pia.²⁰Tazama, mwanamke ambaye alikuwa anatokwa damu kwa muda wa miaka kumi na miwili, akaja karibu na Yesu na akagusa sehemu ya pindo la vazi lake.

²¹Kwa kuwa alisema, “Endapo nitagusa vazi lake, nami nitapata uponyaji.”

²²Yesu akageuka na kumtazama na kumwambia. “Binti, jipe moyo, imani yako imekufanya upone.” Na muda huo huo mwanamke akapata uponyaji.

²³Na Yesu alipofika kwenye nyumba ya afisa, naye aliwaona wapiga tarumbeta na umati wa watu ulikuwa ukipiga kelele.²⁴Naye akasema, “Tokeni hapa, kwa kuwa binti hajafa, bali amelala.” Lakini wao walicheka na kumkebehi.²⁵Na wale watu walipotolewa nje, naye akaingia chumbani na kumshika mkono na msichana akaamka.²⁶Na habari hizi zikaenea katika mji mzima.

²⁷Ndipo Yesu alipokuwa akipita kutoka pale, wanaume wawili vipofu wakamfuata. Waliendelea kupaza sauti wakisema, “Tunaomba uturehemu, Mwana wa Daudi.”²⁸Pindi Yesu apokuwa amefika kwenye nyumba, wale vipofu wakaja kwake. Yesu akawaambia, “Mnaamini kwamba ninaweza kutenda?” Nao wakamwambia “Ndiyo, Bwana.”

²⁹Ndipo Yesu akagusa macho yao na kusema, “Na ifanyike hivyo kwenu kama imani yenu ilivyo.”³⁰Na macho yao yakafumbuka. Ndipo Yesu akasisitiza akawaamuru na kusema, “Angalieni mtu yeyote asifahamu kuhusu jambo hili.”³¹Lakini watu hawa wawili wakaondoka na kutangaza habari hizi sehemu zote za mji.

³²Ndipo wale wanaume wawili walipokuwa wakienda zao, tazama, mtu mmoja bubu aliyepagawa na pepo akaletwa kwa Yesu.³³Na pepo walipomtoka, yule mtu bubu akaanza kuongea. Umati ukashangazwa na kusema, “Hii haijawahi kutokea katika Israel.”

³⁴Lakini Mafarisayo walikuwa wakisema, “Kwa wakuu wa pepo, anawafukuza mapepo.”

³⁵Yesu akaenda kwenye miji yote na vijiji. Naye akaendelea kufundisha katika masinagogi, akihubiri injili ya ufalme, na kuponya magonjwa ya kila aina na udhaifu wa aina zote.³⁶Wakati alipotazama umati, naye aliwaonea huruma, kwa sababu walisumbuka na kuvunjika moyo. Walikuwa kama kondoo wasio na mchungaji.³⁷Naye akawaambia wanafunzi wake. “Mavuno ni mengi, lakini wafanya kazi ni wachache.³⁸Hivyo basi upesi mwombeni Bwana wa mavuno, ili kwamba atume wafanya kazi katika mavuno yake.”

Sura 10

¹Yesu akawaita wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili pamoja na kuwapa mamlaka juu ya pepo wachafu, kuwakemea na kuwafukuza na kuponya aina zote za maradhi na aina zote za magonjwa.²Majina ya mitume kumi na wawili ni haya. La kwanza, Simeoni (ambaye pia anaitwa Petro), na Andrea kaka yake, Yakobo mwana wa Zebedayo, na Yohana kaka yake:³Filipo, na Bartelemayo, Thomaso, na Mathayo mtoza ushuru, Yakobo mwana wa Alfayo, na Tadeo,⁴Simoni mkananayo, na Yuda Iskariote, ambaye alimsaliti.

⁵Hawa kumi na wawili Yesu aliwatuma. Naye aliwaelekeza akisema, “Msiende sehemu wanakoishi wamataifa na msiingie kwenye miji ya Wasamaria.⁶Badala yake, mwende kwa kondoo waliopotea wa nyumba ya Israel.⁷Na mnapokwenda, hubirini na kusema, ‘Ufalme wa mbinguni umekaribia.’⁸Ponyeni wagonjwa, fufueni wafu, takaseni wenye ukoma na fukuzeni pepo. Mmepokea bure, toeni bure.⁹Msichukue dhahabu, almasi au shaba kwenye pochi zenu.¹⁰Usichukue mkoba katika safari yenu, au nguo za ziada, viatu au fimbo, kwa kuwa mfanyakazi anastahili chakula chake.¹¹Mji wowote au kijiji mtakachoingia, tafuteni ambaye anastahili na mkae pale mpaka mtakapoondoka.¹²Mtakapoingia katika nyumba salimieni.¹³Endapo nyumba inastahili, amani yenu ibaki pale, lakini kama nyumba haistahili, amani yenu iondoke pamoja nanyi.¹⁴Na kwa wale wasiowapokea ninyi au kusikiliza maneno yenu, wakati mnaondoka kwenye nyumba au mji huo, kung'uta mavumbi ya nyayo zenu mahali hapo.¹⁵Kweli ninawaambia, itakuwa ya kustahimili zaidi miji ya Sodoma na Gomorah siku ya hukumu kuliko mji huo.

¹⁶Angalia, ninawatuma kama kondoo katikati ya mbwa mwitu, kwa hiyo iweni na werevu kama nyoka na wapole kama njiwa.¹⁷Muwe waangalifu na watu, watawapeleka kwenye mabaraza, na watawapiga kwenye masinagogi.¹⁸Na mtaletwa mbele ya wakuu na wafalme kwa ajili yangu, kama ushuhuda kwao na kwa mataifa.¹⁹Pindi watakapowashutumu, msiwe na wasiwasi jinsi gani au nini cha kuongea, kwa kuwa kitu cha kusema mtapewa kwa wakati huo.²⁰Kwa kuwa sio ninyi mtakaoongea, lakini Roho wa Baba yenu ataongea ndani yenu.²¹Ndugu atamwinukia ndugu yake kumwua, na baba kwa mtoto wake. Watoto watainuka dhidi ya wazazi, na kuwasababishia kifo.²²Nanyi mtachukiwa na kila mtu kwa sababu ya jina langu. Lakini yeyote atakayevumilia mpaka mwisho mtu huyo ataokolewa.²³Pindi wanapowatesa katika mji huu, kimbilieni mji unaofuata, kwa kweli ninawaambia, hamtakuwa mmekwenda kwenye miji yote ya Israeli kabla ya Mwana wa Adam hajarudi.

²⁴Mwanafunzi si mkuu kuliko mwalimu wake, wala mtumwa aliye juu ya Bwana wake.²⁵Inatosha kwa mwanafunzi kwamba awe kama mwalimu wake, na mtumishi kama Bwana wake. Ikiwa wamemwita Bwana wa nyumba Belzabuli, ni kwa kiasi gani zaidi watawakashifu wa nyumba yake!

²⁶Hivyo basi msiwahofu wao, kwa kuwa hakuna jambo ambalo halitafunuliwa, na hakuna lililofichika ambalo halitajulikana.²⁷Kile ninachowaambia gizani, mkiseme nuruni, na mnachokisikia kwa ulaini masikioni mwenu, mkitangaze mkiwa juu ya nyumba.²⁸Msiwaogope wale ambao wanaua mwili lakini hawana uwezo wa kuua roho. Badala yake, mwogopeni yule ambaye awezaye kuangamiza mwili na roho kule kuzimu.²⁹Je kasuku wawili hawauzwi kwa senti ndogo? Hata hivyo hakuna anayeweza kuanguka chini bila Baba yenu kufahamu.³⁰Lakini hata idadi ya nywele zenu zimehesabiwa.³¹Msiwe na hofu, kwa kuwa mnathamani zaidi kuliko kasuku wengi.³²Hivyo basi kila mmoja atakaye nikiri mbele za watu, nami pia nitamkiri mbele ya Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.³³Lakini yeye atakaye nikana mbele za watu, nami pia nitamkana mbele ya Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.

³⁴Msifikiri kwamba nimekuja kuleta amani duniani. Sikuja kuleta amani, lakini upanga.³⁵Kwa kuwa nilikuja kumweka mtu apingane na baba yake, na binti dhidi ya mama yake, na mkwe dhidi ya mama mkwe wake.³⁶Adui wa mtu watakuwa wale wa nyumbani mwake.³⁷Yeye ambaye anampenda baba au mama zaidi kuliko mimi huyo hanistahili. Na yeye anayempenda kijana au binti zaidi kuliko mimi huyo hanistahili.³⁸Yeye ambaye hatabeba msalaba na kunifuata mimi hanistahili.³⁹Yeye atakayetafuta maisha atayapoteza. Lakini yeye atakayepoteza maisha kwa ajili yangu atayapata.

⁴⁰Yeye atakayewakaribisha amenikaribisha mimi, na yeye atakayenikaribisha mimi amemkaribisha yeye aliyenituma mimi.⁴¹Na yeye atakayemkaribisha nabii kwa sababu ni nabii atapokea thawabu ya nabii. Na yeye atakayemkaribisha mwenye haki kwa sababu ni mtu wa haki atapokea thawabu ya mtu wa haki.⁴²Yeyote atakayempatia mmoja wa wadogo hawa, hata kikombe cha maji ya kunywa ya baridi, kwa sababu yeye ni mwanafunzi, kweli ninawaambia, yeye hawezi kukosa kwa njia yeyote thawabu yake.”

Sura 11

¹Ikawa baada ya Yesu kumaliza kuwaelekeza wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili aliondoka pale kwenda kufundisha na kuhubiri katika miji yao.

²Na Yohana akiwa gerezani aliposikia habari juu ya matendo ya Kristo, alituma ujumbe kupitia wanafunzi wake,³na wakamuuliza, “Wewe ni yule ajaye, au kuna mwingine tunapaswa kumtazamia?”

⁴Yesu akajibu na kusema kwao “Nendeni mkamwambie Yohana yale mnayoyaona na yale mnayoyasikia.⁵Vipofu wanapata kuona, viwete wanatembea, wakoma wanatakaswa, viziwi wanasikia tena, wafu wanafufuliwa, na maskini wanahubiriwa habari njema.⁶Na amebarikiwa yule asiyeona shaka juu yangu.

⁷Wakati watu hawa walipoondoka, Yesu alianza kusema na umati juu ya Yohana, “Ni nini mlikwenda kuona katika jangwa, matete likitikiswa na upepo?⁸Lakini nini mlikwenda kuona huko, mtu aliyevaa mavazi mororo? Hakika, wale wavaao mavazi mororo hukaa katika nyumba za wafalme.⁹Lakini mliondoka kuona nini - Nabii? Ndiyo, nawaambia, na zaidi ya Nabii.¹⁰Huyu ndiye aliyeandikiwa, ‘Tazama, namtuma mjumbe wangu mbele ya uso wako, ambaye ataandaa njia yako mbele yako.’

¹¹Mimi nawaambia kweli, kati ya waliozaliwa na wanawake hakuna aliye mkuu kuliko Yohana Mbatizaji. Lakini aliye mdogo katika ufalme wa mbinguni ni mkubwa kuliko yeye.¹²Toka siku za Yohana Mbatizaji mpaka sasa, ufalme wa Mbinguni ni wa nguvu, na watu wenye nguvu, huuchukua kwa nguvu.¹³Kwa kuwa manabii na sheria, walikuwa wakitabiri mpaka kwa Yohana.¹⁴Na kama mko tayari kukubali, huyu ni Eliya, yule ajaye.¹⁵Aliye na masikio ya kusikia na asikie.

¹⁶Nikifananishe na nini kizazi hiki? Ni mfano wa watoto wanaocheza maeneo ya sokoni, wanaokaa na kuitana¹⁷na kusema, ‘Tuliwapigia filimbi na hamkucheza. Tuliomboleza, na hamukulia.’¹⁸Kwa kuwa Yohana alikuja bila kula mkate au kunywa mvinyo, na wakawa wanasema, ‘Ana pepo.’¹⁹Mwana wa Adamu alikuja akila na kunywa na wakasema, ‘Angalia, ni mtu mlafi na mlevi, rafiki wa watoza ushuru na wenye dhambi!’ Lakini hekima inadhihirishwa kwa matendo yake.”

²⁰Yesu alianza kuikemea miji ambamo baadhi ya matendo yake ya ajabu yalitendeka, kwa sababu walikuwa hawajatubu,²¹Ole wako, Kolazini, Ole wako Bethsaida! Kama matendo makuu yaliyofanyika kwenu yangefanyika Tiro na Sidoni, wangekuwa wametubu zamani kwa kuvaa magunia na kujipaka majivu.²²Lakini nawaambia itakuwa rahisi zaidi kwa Tiro na Sidoni kustahimili siku ya hukumu kuliko ninyi.²³Wewe, Kapernaumu, unadhani utainuliwa hadi mbinguni? Hapana, utashushwa hadi chini kuzimu. Kama kwa Sodoma kungefanyika matendo makuu, kama yalifanyika kwako, ingekuwepo hadi leo.²⁴Bali nasema kwako kwamba itakuwa rahisi kwa nchi ya Sodoma kusimama siku ya hukumu kuliko wewe.

²⁵Katika muda huo Yesu alisema, “Nakusifu wewe, Baba, Bwana wa mbingu na nchi, kwa sababu uliwaficha mambo haya wenye hekima na ufahamu, na kuyaweka wazi kwa wasio na elimu, kama watoto wadogo.²⁶Baba, kwa kuwa ilikupendeza hivyo machoni pako.

²⁷Mambo yote yamekabidhiwa kwangu kutoka kwa Baba. Na hakuna amjuaye Mwana isipokuwa Baba, na hakuna amjuaye Baba isipokuwa Mwana, na yeyote ambaye Mwana ana hamu ya kumfunulia.²⁸Njooni kwangu, ninyi nyote mnaosumbuka na mnaolemewa na mzigo mzito, nami nitawapumzisha.²⁹Jitieni nira yangu na mjifunze kutoka kwangu, kwa kuwa mimi ni mnyenyekevu na mpole wa moyo na mtapata pumziko la nafsi zenu.³⁰Kwa kuwa nira yangu ni laini na mzigo wangu ni mwepesi.”

Sura 12

¹Wakati huo Yesu alienda siku ya sabato kupitia mashambani. Wanafunzi wake walikuwa na njaa na wakaanza kuyavunja masuke na kuyala.²Lakini Mafarisayo walipoona hayo, wakamwambia Yesu, “Angalia wanafunzi wako wanavunja sheria wanatenda yasiyo ruhusiwa siku ya Sabato.”

³Lakini Yesu akawaambia, “Hamjasoma jinsi Daudi aliyoyafanya, wakati alipokuwa na njaa, pamoja na watu aliokuwa nao?⁴Namna alivyoingia ndani ya nyumba ya Mungu na kula mikate iliyowekwa wakfu, ambayo ilikuwa siyo halali kwake kuila na wale aliokuwa nao, ila halali kwa makuhani?⁵Bado hamjasoma katika sheria, kwamba katika siku ya Sabato makuhani ndani ya hekalu huiharibu Sabato, lakini hawana hatia?⁶Lakini nasema kwenu kuwa aliye mkuu kuliko hekalu yuko hapa.⁷Kama mngelifahamu hii ina maanisha nini, ‘Nataka rehema na siyo dhabihu,’ msingaliwahukumu wasio na hatia.⁸Kwa kuwa Mwana wa Adamu ndiye Bwana wa Sabato.”

⁹Kisha Yesu akatoka pale akaenda katika sinagogi lao.¹⁰Tazama kulikuwa na mtu aliyepooza mkono. Mafarisayo wakamuuliza Yesu, wakisema. “Je, ni halali kuponya siku ya Sabato?” ili kwamba waweze kumshitaki kwa kutenda dhambi.

¹¹Yesu akawaambia, “Nani kati yenu, ambaye ikiwa ana kondoo mmoja, na huyu kondoo akaanguka ndani ya shimo siku ya sabato, hatamshika na kumtoa kwa nguvu ndani ya shimo?¹²Je, ni kipi chenye thamani zaidi, kwani mtu si zaidi ya kondoo? Kwa hivyo ni halali kutenda mema siku ya Sabato.”¹³Kisha Yesu akamwambia yule mtu,” Nyosha mkono wako.” Akaunyosha, na ukapata afya, kama ule mwingine.¹⁴Lakini Mafarisayo wakatoka nje na wakapanga jinsi ya kumwangamiza, walienda nje kupanga kinyume chake. Walikuwa wakitafuta jinsi ya kumuua.

¹⁵Yesu alipojua hili aliondoka hapo. Watu wengi walimfuata, na akawaponya wote.¹⁶Aliwaagiza wasije wakamfanya ajulikane kwa wengine.¹⁷Kwamba itimie ile kweli, iliyokuwa imesemwa na nabii Isaya, akisema,

¹⁸“Tazama, mtumishi wangu niliyemchagua, mpendwa wangu, katika yeye nafsi yangu imependezwa. Nitaweka Roho yangu juu yake, na atatangaza hukumu kwa mataifa.

¹⁹Hatahangaika wala kulia kwa nguvu; wala awaye yote kusikia sauti yake mitaani.

²⁰Hatalivunja tete lililochubuliwa; hatazima utambi wowote utoao moshi, mpaka atakapoleta hukumu ikashinda.

²¹Na mataifa watakuwa na ujasiri katika jina lake.”

²²Mtu fulani kipofu na bubu, aliyepagawa na pepo aliletwa mbele ya Yesu. Akamponya, pamoja na matokeo ya kwamba mtu bubu alisema na kuona.²³Umati wote walishangaa na kusema, “Yaweza mtu huyu kuwa mwana wa Daudi?”

²⁴Lakini wakati Mafarisayo waliposikia muujiza huu, walisema, “Huyu mtu hatoi pepo kwa nguvu zake mwenyewe isipokuwa kwa nguvu za Belzebuli, mkuu wa pepo.”

²⁵Lakini Yesu alijua fikra zao na kuwaambia, “Kila ufalme uliogawanyika wenyewe huharibika, na kila mji au nyumba inayogawanyika yenyewe haitasimama.²⁶Ikiwa Shetani, atamwondoa Shetani, basi anajipinga katika nafsi yake mwenyewe.²⁷Ni namna gani ufalme wake utasimama? Na kama natoa pepo kwa nguvu za Belizabuli, wafuasi wenu watatoa kwa nija ya nani? Kwa ajili ya hili watakuwa mahakimu wenu.²⁸Na kama natoa pepo kwa nguvu za Roho wa Mungu, basi ufalme wa Mungu umekjua kwenu.

²⁹Na mtu atawezaje kuingia ndani ya nyumba ya mwenye nguvu na kuiba, bila kumfunga mwenye nguvu kwanza? Ndipo atakapoiba mali yake kutoka ndani ya nyumba.

³⁰Yeyote asiye kuwa pamoja nami yuko kinyume changu, naye asiye kusanya pamoja nami huyo hutawanya.

³¹Kwa hiyo nasema kwenu, kila dhambi na kufuru watu watasamehewa, ila kumkufuru Roho Mtakatifu hawatasamehewa.³²Na yeyote asemaye neno kinyume cha Mwana wa Adamu, huyo atasamehewa. Lakini yeyote asemaye kinyume na Roho Mtakatifu, huyo hatasamehewa, katika ulimwengu huu, na wala ule ujao.

³³Ama ufanye mti kuwa mzuri na tunda lake zuri, au uuharibu mti na tunda lake, kwa kuwa mti hutambulika kwa tunda lake.³⁴Enyi kizazi cha nyoka, nyie ni waovu, mnawezaje kusema mambo mazuri? Kwa kuwa kinywa husema kutoka katika akiba ya yaliyomo moyoni.³⁵Mtu mwema katika akiba njema ya moyo wake hutoka mema, na mtu mwovu katika akiba ovu ya moyo wake, hutoa kilicho kiovu.³⁶Nasema kuwa katika siku ya hukumu watu watatoa hesabu ya kila neno lisilo na maana walilosema.³⁷Kwa kuwa kwa maneno yako utahesabiwa haki na kwa maneno yako utahukumiwa.”

³⁸Kisha baadhi ya waandishi na Mafarisayo walimjibu Yesu wakisema, “Mwalimu, tungependa kuona ishara kutoka kwako.”

³⁹Lakini Yesu alijibu na kusema, “Kizazi kiovu na cha zinaa kinatafuta ishara. Lakini hakuna ishara itakayotolewa kwao isipokuwa ile ishara ya Yona nabii.⁴⁰Kama vile nabii Yona alivyokuwa ndani ya tumbo la samaki mkubwa kwa siku tatu mchana na usiku, hivyo ndivyo Mwana wa Adam atakavyo kuwa ndani ya moyo wa nchi kwa siku tatu mchana na usiku.⁴¹Watu wa Ninawi watasimama mbele ya hukumu pamoja na kizazi cha watu hawa na watakihukumu. Kwa kuwa walitubu kwa mahubiri ya Yona, na tazama, mtu huyu mkuu kuliko Yona yuko hapa.⁴²Malkia wa kusini atainuka kwenye hukumu pamoja na watu wa kizazi hiki na kukihukumu. Alikuja toka miisho ya dunia kuja kusikia hekima ya Selemani, na tazama, mtu huyu mkuu kuliko Selemani yupo hapa.

⁴³Wakati pepo mchafu amtokapo mtu, hupita mahali pasipo na maji akitafuta kupumzika, lakini hapaoni⁴⁴Kisha husema, ‘Nitarudi kwenye nyumba yangu niliyotoka.’ Arudipo hukuta ile nyumba imesafishwa na iko tayari.⁴⁵Kisha huenda na kuwaleta wengine roho wachafu saba walio wabaya zaidi kuliko yeye, huja kuishi wote pale. Na hali yake ya mwisho huwa mbaya kuliko ya kwanza. Hivyo ndivyo itakavyo kuwa kwa kizazi hiki kiovu.”

⁴⁶Wakati Yesu alipokuwa akizungumza na umati tazama, mama yake na ndugu zake walisimama nje, wakitafuta kuongea naye.⁴⁷Mtu mmoja akamwambia, “Tazama mama yako na ndugu zako wamesimama nje, wanatafuta kuongea nawe.”

⁴⁸Lakini Yesu alijibu na kumwambia aliyemjulisha, “Mama yangu ni nani? Na ndugu zangu ni akina nani?”⁴⁹Naye alinyoosha mkono wake kwa wanafunzi na kusema, “Tazama, hawa ni mama na ndugu zangu!⁵⁰Kwa kuwa yeyote afanyae mapenzi ya Baba yangu aliye mbinguni, mtu huyo ndiye ndugu yangu, dada yangu na mama yangu.”

Sura 13

¹Katika siku hiyo Yesu aliondoka nyumbani na kukaa kando ya bahari.²Umati mkubwa ulikusanyika kwa kumzunguka, aliingia ndani ya mtumbwi na kukaa ndani yake. Umati wote walisimama pembeni ya bahari.³Kisha Yesu alisema maneno mengi kwa mifano. Alisema, “Tazama, mpanzi alienda kupanda.⁴Alipokuwa akipanda baadhi ya mbegu zilianguka kando ya njia na ndege walikuja wakazidonoa.⁵Mbegu zingine zilianguka juu ya mwamba, ambapo hazikupata udongo wa kutosha. Ghafla zilichipuka kwa sababu udongo haukuwa na kina.⁶Lakini jua lilipo chomoza zilichomwa kwa sababu hazikuwa na mizizi, na zilikauka.⁷Mbengu zingine zilianguka kati ya miti yenye miiba. Miti yenye miiba ilirefuka juu ikaisonga.⁸Mbegu zingine zilianguka kwenye udongo mzuri na kuzaa mbegu, zingine mara mia moja zaidi, zingine sitini na zingine thelathini.⁹Aliye na masikio na asikie.

¹⁰Wanafunzi walikuja na kumwambia Yesu, “Kwa nini unazungumza na umati kwa mifano?”

¹¹Yesu alijibu kusema, “Mmepewa upendeleo wa kujua siri za ufalme wa mbinguni, bali kwao hawajapewa.¹²Lakini yeyote aliyenacho, kwake yeye ataongezewa zaidi, na atapata faida kubwa. Ila asiye nacho hata kile alichonacho atanyang'anywa.¹³Hivyo naongea nao kwa mifano kwa sababu ingawa wanaona, wasione kweli. Na ingawa wanasikia wasisikie wala kujua.¹⁴Unabii wa Isaya umetimia kwao, ule usemao, ‘Msikiapo msikie, lakini kwa namna yoyote hamtaelewa; wakati mwonapo mwaweza kuona, lakini kwa namna yeyote ile msijue.

¹⁵Na mioyo ya watu hawa imekuwa giza, ni vigumu kusikia, na wamefumba macho yao, ili wasiweze kuona kwa macho yao, au kusikia kwa masikio yao, au kufahamu kwa mioyo yao, hivyo wangenigeukia tena, na ningewaponya.’

¹⁶Bali macho yenu yamebarikiwa, kwa kuwa yanaona, na masikio yenu kwa kuwa yanasikia.¹⁷Hakika nawaambia manabii wengi na watu wenye haki walikuwa na hamu ya kuyaona mambo yale myaonayo, na hawakuweza kuyaona. Walitamani kusikia mambo yale mnayosikia, hawakuyasikia.

¹⁸Sasa sikilizeni mfano wa mpanzi.¹⁹Wakati wowote asikiapo neno la ufalme na asilielewe, ndipo mwovu huja na kukinyakua kilichokwisha kuwekwa ndani ya moyo wake. Hii ni mbegu ile iliyopandwa kando ya njia.²⁰Yeye aliyepandwa katika miamba ni yule asikiaye neno na kulipokea haraka kwa furaha.²¹Bado hana mizizi ndani yake, ila huvumilia kwa kitambo kifupi. Wakati matatizo au mateso yanapotokea kwa sababu ya neno hujikwaa ghafla.²²Aliyepandwa kati ya miti ya miiba, huyu ni yule alisikiaye neno lakini masumbuko ya ulimwengu na udaganyifu wa utajiri hulisonga lile neno lisije likazaa matunda.²³Aliyepandwa kwenye udongo mzuri, huyu ni yule asikiaye neno na kulifahamu. Huyu ni yule azaaye matunda na kuendelea kuzaa moja zaidi ya mara mia, nyingine sitini, nyingine thelathini.”

²⁴Yesu aliwapa mfano mwingine. Akisema, “Ufalme wa mbinguni unafananishwa na mtu aliye panda mbengu nzuri katika shamba lake.²⁵Lakini watu walipolala, adui wake akaja pia akapanda magugu katikati ya ngano kisha akaenda zake.²⁶Baadaye ngano ilipoota na kutoa mazao yake, ndipo magugu yalitokea pia.²⁷Na watumishi wa mwenye shamba walikuja wakamwambia, ‘Bwana, hukupanda mbengu nzuri katika shamba lako? Imekuwaje sasa lina magugu?’

²⁸Akawaambia, ‘Adui ametenda hili.’ Watumishi walimwambia, ‘Kwa hiyo unataka twende tukayang'oe?’

²⁹Mwenye shamba akasema, ‘Hapana, wakati mnayang'oa magugu mtang'oa pamoja na ngano.³⁰Yaacheni yakue pamoja mpaka wakati wa mavuno. Wakati wa mavuno nitasema kwa wavunaji, ‘Kwanza yang'oeni magugu na yafungeni matita matita na kuyachoma, lakini kusanyeni ngano katika ghala langu.’”

³¹Kisha Yesu aliwatolea mfano mwingine. Akasema, “Ufalme wa mbinguni unafanana na mbegu ya haradali ambayo mtu aliichukua na kuipanda katika shamba lake.³²Mbegu hii kwa hakika ni ndogo kuliko mbegu zingine zote. Lakini imeapo huwa kubwa kuliko mimea yote ya bustani, huwa mti, kiasi kwamba ndege wa angani huja na kujenga viota katika matawi yake.”

³³Akawaambia mfano mwingine tena. “Ufalme wa mbinguni ni kama chachu ile iliyo twaliwa na mwanamke na kuichanganya kwa vipimo vitatu kwa unga mpaka viumuke.”

³⁴Hayo yote Yesu aliyasema kwenye umati kwa mifano. Na pasipo mifano hakusema chochote kwao.³⁵Hii ilikuwa kwamba kile kilichokwisha semwa kupitia kwa nabii kiweze kutimia, pale aliposema, “Nitafumbua kinywa changu katika mifano. Nitasema mambo yale yaliyokuwa yamefichwa tangu misingi ya ulimwengu.”

³⁶Kisha Yesu aliwaacha umati na kwenda nyumbani. Wanafunzi wake walimwendea na kusema, “Tufafanulie mfano wa magugu ya shambani.”

³⁷Yesu alijibu na kusema, “Apandae mbegu nzuri ni Mwana wa Adamu.³⁸Shamba ni ulimwengu; na mbegu nzuri, hawa ni wana wa ufalme. Magugu ni wana wa yule mwovu, na adui aliye zipanda ni Ibilisi.³⁹Na mavuno ni mwisho wa ulimwengu, na wavunaji ni malaika.⁴⁰Kama vile magugu yanavyo kusanywa na kuchomwa moto, hivyo ndivyo itakavyo kuwa mwisho wa ulimwengu.⁴¹Mwana wa Adamu atatuma malaika wake, na kukusanya kutoka katika ufalme wake mambo yote yaliyosababisha dhambi na wale watendao maasi.⁴²Watawatupa wote katika tanuru la moto, ambako kutakuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.⁴³Ndipo watu wenye haki watakapong'aa kama jua katika Ufalme wa Baba yao. Yeye aliye na masikio na asikie.

⁴⁴Ufalme wa mbinguni ni kama hazina iliyofichwa shambani. Mtu akaiona na kuificha. Katika furaha yake akaenda kuuza vyote alivyokuwa navyo, na kulinunua shamba.

⁴⁵Tena, ufalme wa mbinguni ni kama mtu anayefanya biashara atafutaye lulu yenye thamani.⁴⁶Wakati alipoiona ile yenye thamani, alienda akauza kila kitu alichokuwa nacho na akainunua.

⁴⁷Ufalme wa mbinguni ni kama nyavu iliyo ndani ya bahari, na kwamba hukusanya viumbe vya kila aina.⁴⁸Ulipojaa wavuvi waliuvuta ufukweni. Kisha wakakaa chini wakakusanya vitu vyema ndani ya vyombo, lakini visivyo na thamani vilitupwa mbali.⁴⁹Itakuwa namna hii katika mwisho wa dunia. Malaika watakuja na kuwatenga watu waovu kutoka miongoni mwa wenye haki.⁵⁰Na kuwatupa ndani ya tanuru ya moto, ambako kutakuwa na maombolezo na kusaga meno.

⁵¹Mmefahamu mambo yote haya?” Wanafunzi walimjibu, “Ndiyo.”

⁵²Kisha Yesu akawaambia, “Kila mwandishi ambaye amekuwa mwanafunzi wa ufalme anafanana na mwenye nyumba atoaye katika hazina yake vitu vipya na vya kale.”

⁵³IkawaYesu alipomaliza mifano yote hiyo, akaondoka katika sehemu hiyo.⁵⁴Kisha Yesu akafika katika mkoa wake na akawafundisha watu katika sinagogi. Matokeo yake ni kuwa walishangaa na kusema, “Ni wapi mtu huyu alipopata hekima hii na miujiza hii?⁵⁵Mtu huyu siyo mwana wa seremala? Mariamu siyo mamaye? Na ndugu zake siyo Yakobo, Yusuph, Simoni na Yuda?⁵⁶Na dada zake tunao hapa kwetu? Basi mtu huyu ameyapata wapi haya yote?”

⁵⁷Aliwachukiza. Lakini Yesu aliwambia, “Nabii hakosi kuwa na heshima isipokuwa kwao na katika nchi yao.”⁵⁸Na hakuweza kufanya miujiza mingi kwa sababu hawakuwa na imani naye.

Sura 14

¹Kwa wakati huo, Herode alisikia habari juu ya Yesu.²Akawaambia watumishi wake, “Huyu ni Yohana Mbatizaji amefufuka kutoka katika wafu. Kwa hiyo nguvu hizi zipo juu yake.”

³Kwa kuwa Herode alikuwa amemkamata Yohana akamfunga na kumtupa gerezani kwa sababu ya Herodia, mke wa Filipo kaka yake.⁴Kwa kuwa Yohana alimwambia, “Si halali kumchukua yeye kuwa mke wake.”⁵Herode angemwua lakini aliwaogopa watu kwa sababu walimwona Yohana kuwa nabii.

⁶Lakini wakati siku ya kuzaliwa Herode ilipofika binti wa Herodia alicheza katikati ya watu na kumpendeza Herode.⁷Katika kujibu aliahidi kwa kiapo kwamba atampa chochote atakachoomba.⁸Baada ya kushauriwa na mama yake, alisema, “Nipe mimi hapa katika kombe kichwa cha Yohana Mbatizaji.”⁹Mfalme alikuwa na sikitiko kwa maombi ya binti, lakini kwa ajili ya kiapo chake, kwa sababu ya wote waliokuwa chakulani pamoja naye aliamuru kwamba inapaswa ifanyike.¹⁰Alituma Yohana aletwe kutoka gerezani¹¹ili akatwe kichwa chake na kikaletwa juu ya sinia na akapewa binti na akakipeleka kwa mama yake.¹²Kisha wanafunzi wake wakaja kuuchukua ule mwili na kuuzika, baada ya hili walienda kumwambia Yesu.¹³Naye Yesu aliposika haya, akijatenga kutoka mahali pale akapanda ndani ya mashuka akaenda sehemu iliyotengwa. Wakati umati ulipo fahamu alikokuwa, walimfuata kwa miguu kutoka mijini.¹⁴Kisha Yesu alikuja mbele yao akauona umati mkubwa. Akawaonea huruma na kuponya magonjwa yao.

¹⁵Jioni ilifika, wanafunzi wakaja kwake na kusema, “Hii ni sehemu ya jangwa, na siku tayari imepita. Watawanyishe makutano ili waende vijijini wakanunue chakula kwa ajili yao.

¹⁶Lakini Yesu akawaambia, “Hawana haja ya kwenda zao. Wapeni ninyi chakula”

¹⁷Wakamwambia, “Hapa tunayo mikate mitano na samaki wawili tu.”

¹⁸Yesu akasema, “Ileteni kwangu.”¹⁹Kisha Yesu akauamuru umati kukaa chini kwenye nyasi. Akachukuwa mikate mitano na samaki wawili. Akatazama juu mbinguni, akabariki na kumega mikate akawapa wanafunzi. Wanafunzi wakaupatia umati.²⁰Wakala wote na kushiba. Kisha wakavikusanya vipande vyote vya chakula na kujaza vikapu kumi na mbili.²¹Wale waliokula walikadiriwa kuwa wanaume elfu tano bila ya kusehabu wanawake na watoto.

²²Mara moja aliwaamuru wanafunzi waingie ndani ya mashua, wakati huo yeye akawaaga umati waende zao.²³Baada ya kuwaaga umati kwenda zao, akapanda juu mlimani kuomba pekee yake. Wakati ilipokuwa jioni alikuwa huko pekee yake.²⁴Lakini sasa mashua ilipokuwa katikati ya bahari ukiyumbayumba kwa sababu ya mawimbi, kwani upepo ulikuwa wa mbisho.²⁵Katika usiku wa zamu ya nne Yesu aliwakaribia, akitembea juu ya maji.²⁶Wakati wanafunzi wake walipomwona akiitembea juu ya bahari, walihofu na kusema, “Ni mzuka,” na kupaza sauti katika hali ya uoga.²⁷Yesu akawaambia mara moja, akisema, “Jipeni moyo! Ni mimi! Msiogope.”

²⁸Petro alimjibu kwa kusema, “Bwana, kama ni wewe, niamuru nije kwako juu ya maji.”

²⁹Yesu akasema, “Njoo.” Hivyo Petro akatoka ndani ya mashua na akatembea juu ya maji kwenda kwa Yesu.³⁰Lakini Petro alipoona mawimbi, aliogopa, na kuanza kuzama, chini, akaita sauti na kusema, “Bwana, niokoe!”

³¹Haraka Yesu akanyoosha mkono wake akamnyanyua Petro, na kumwambia, “Wewe mwenye imani ndogo, kwa nini ulikuwa na mashaka?”³²Ndipo Yesu na Petro walipoingia katika mashua, upepo ulitulia kuvuma.

³³Wanafunzi mashuani wakamwabudu Yesu na kusema, “Kweli wewe ni Mwana wa Mungu.”

³⁴Na walipokwisha kuvuka, walifika katika nchi ya Genesareti.³⁵Na watu katika eneo lile walipomtambua Yesu, walituma ujumbe kila sehemu za kando, na kuleta kila aliyekuwa mgonjwa.

³⁶Walimsihi kwamba waweze kugusa pindo la vazi lake, na wengi walioligusa waliponywa.

Sura 15

¹Ndipo Mafarisayo na waadishi walikuja kwa Yesu kutoka Yerusalemu. Na kusema,²“Kwa nini wanafunzi wanayaharibu mapokeo ya wazee? Kwa kuwa hawanawi mikono yao wanapokuwa wanakula chakula.”

³Yesu akawajibu na kusema, “Nanyi, kwa nini mnaiharibu sheria ya Bwana kwa ajili ya mapokeo yenu?⁴Kwa kuwa Mungu alisema, ‘Mheshimu baba yako na mama yako;’ na ‘Asemaye uovu kwa baba yake na mama yake, hakika atakufa.’

⁵Lakini ninyi husema, ‘Kila amwambiaye baba yake na mama yake, ‘Kila msaada ambao angepata kutoka kwangu sasa ni zawadi kwa Mungu,”⁶Mtu huyo hana haja ya kumuheshimu baba yake. Katika namna hii mmelitoa neno la Mungu kwa ajili ya mapokeo yenu.⁷Enyi wanafiki, ni vema kama Isaya alivyo tabiri juu yenu aliposema,⁸‘Watu hawa wananiheshimu mimi kwa midomo yao, lakini mioyo yao iko mbali nami.⁹Wananiabudu bure, kwa sababu wanafundisha mafundisho yaliyo maagizo ya wanadamu.”’

¹⁰Ndipo akawaita umati na kuwaambia, “Sikilizeni na muelewe.¹¹Hakuna kitu kiingiacho mdomoni mwa mtu na kumfanya najisi. Bali, kile kitokacho kinywani, hiki ndicho kimfanyacho mtu kuwa najisi.”

¹²Ndipo wanafunzi wakamfuata na kusema na Yesu, “Je! Unafahamu Mafarisayo walipolisikia lile neno walikwazika?”¹³Yesu aliwajibu na kusema, “Kila mmea ambao Baba yangu wa mbinguni hajaupanda utang'olewa.¹⁴Waacheni pekee, wao ni viongozi vipofu. Kama mtu kipofu atamuongoza kipofu mwenzake, wote wawili wataanguka shimoni.”

¹⁵Petro akajibu na kumwambia Yesu, “Tuelezee mfano huu kwetu.”

¹⁶Yesu akajibu, “Nanyi pia bado hamuelewi?¹⁷Ninyi hamuoni kuwa kila kiendacho mdomoni hupitia tumboni na kwenda chooni?¹⁸Lakini vitu vyote vitokavyo mdomoni hutoka ndani ya moyo. Ndivyo vitu vimtiavyo mtu unajisi.¹⁹Kwa kuwa katika moyo hutoka mawazo mabaya, uuaji, uzinzi, uasherati, wizi, ushuhuda wa uongo, na matusi.²⁰Haya ndiyo mambo yamtiayo mtu unajisi. Lakini kula bila kunawa mikono hakumfanyi mtu kuwa najisi.”

²¹Ndipo Yesu akatoka mahali pale na akajitenga kuelekea pande za miji ya Tiro na Sidoni.²²Tazama akaja mwanamke Mkanani kutoka pande hizo. Akapaza sauti akisema, “Nihurumie, Bwana, Mwana wa Daudi; binti yangu anateswa sana na pepo.”

²³Lakini Yesu hakumjibu neno. Wanafunzi wake wakaja wakimsisitiza, wakisema, “Muondoe aende zake, maana anatupigia kelele.”

²⁴Yesu aliwajibu na kusema, “Sikutumwa kwa mtu yeyoye isipokuwa kwa kondoo waliopotea wa nyumba ya Israeli.”

²⁵Lakini alikuja na kuinama mbele yake, akisema, “Bwana nisaidie.”

²⁶Alimjibu na kusema, “Siyo vema kuchukua chakula cha watoto na kuwatupia mbwa.”

²⁷Akasema, “Ndiyo, Bwana, hata hivyo mbwa wadogo hula chakula kiagukacho mezani mwa Bwana wao.”

²⁸Ndipo Yesu akajibu na akisema, “Mwanamke, imani yako ni kubwa. Na ifanyike kwako kama utakavyo.” Na binti yake alikuwa ameponywa katika wakati huo.

²⁹Yesu aliondoka mahali pale na kwenda karibu na bahari ya Galilaya. Kisha alienda juu ya mlima na kuketi huko.³⁰Kundi kubwa likaja kwake. Na kumletea viwete, vipofu, bubu, vilema na wengine wengi, waliokuwa wagonjwa. Waliwaweka katika miguu ya Yesu na akawaponya.³¹Nao umati wakashangaa walipoona mabubu wakiongea, na vilema wakifanywa wazima, viwete wakitembea, na vipofu wakiona. Walimsifu Mungu wa Israeli.

³²Yesu akawaita wanafunzi wake na kusema, “Nimewaonea huruma umati, kwa sababu wamekuwa nami kwa siku tatu bila kula kitu chochote. Sitawaaga waende kwao bila kula, wasije wakazimia njiani.”

³³Wanafunzi wake wakamwambia, “Ni wapi tunaweza kupata mikate ya kutosha hapa nyikani kushibisha umati mkubwa hivi?”³⁴Yesu akawaambia, “Mna mikate mingapi?” Wakasema, “Saba, na samaki wadogo wachache.”

³⁵Yesu akawaamuru umati uketi chini.³⁶Aliitwaa ile mikate saba na samaki, na baada ya kushukuru, akaimega na kuwapa wanafunzi. Wanafunzi wakawapa umati.³⁷Watu wote wakala na kutosheka. Na wakakusanya mabaki ya vipande vya chakula vilivyosalia vipande vipande, vilijaa vikapu saba.³⁸Wote waliokula walikuwa wanaume elfu nne bila wanawake na watoto.

³⁹Kisha Yesu akauaga umati waende zao na akaingia ndani ya mashua na kwenda sehemu za Magadani.

Sura 16

¹Mafarisayo na Masadukayo walimjia na kumjaribu Yesu awaonyeshe ishara inayotoka angani.

²Lakini Yesu aliwajibu na kuwaambia kuwa “Ikiwa ni jioni mnasema kuwa hali ya hewa ni nzuri, kwa kuwa anga ni jekundu.³Na asubuhi mnasema ‘Hali ya hewa leo si nzuri kwa kuwa anga ni jekundu na mawingu yameifunika anga yote.’ Mnajua kufafanua mwonekano wa anga, lakini hamwezi kufafanua ishara za nyakati.⁴Kizazi kiovu na cha uzinzi kinatafuta ishara, lakini hakuna ishara yoyote kitakachopewa, isipokuwa ile ya Yona.” Kisha Yesu akawaacha na akaenda zake.

⁵Wanafunzi wakaja upande wa pili, lakini walikuwa wamesahau kuchukua mikate.⁶Yesu akawaambia “Jitahadharini na iweni makini na chachu ya Mafarisayo na Masadukayo.”

⁷Wanafunzi wakahojiana miongoni mwao na kusema. “Ni kwa sababu hatukuchukua mikate.”

⁸Yesu alitambua hilo na kusema, “Enyi wenye imani ndogo, kwa nini mmewaza na kusemezana miongoni mwenu na kusema kuwa ni kwa sababu hamkuchukua mikate?⁹Je bado hamtambui wala hamkumbuki ile mikate mitano kwa watu elfu tano, na vikapu vingapi mlivyokusanya?¹⁰Au mikate saba kwa watu elfu nne, na ni vikapu vingapi mlichukua?¹¹Imekuwaje kuwa hata hamuelewi ya kuwa nilikuwa sizungumzi nanyi juu ya mikate? Jitunzeni na jihadharini na chachu ya Mafarisayo na Masadukayo.”¹²Kisha wakatambua kuwa alikuwa hawaambii juu ya kujihadhari na mikate iliyo na chachu, bali kujihadhari na mafundisho ya Mafarisayo na Masadukayo.

¹³Wakati Yesu alipofika sehemu za Kaisaria ya Filipi, akawauliza wanafunzi wake, akisema, “Watu wanasema kuwa Mwana wa Adamu ni nani?”

¹⁴Wakasema, “Wengine husema kuwa ni Yohana Mbatizaji; wengine, Eliya; na wengine, Yeremia, au mojawapo wa manabii.”

¹⁵Akawaambia, “Ninyi mwasema mimi ni nani?”

¹⁶Kwa akijibu, Simoni Petro akasema, “Wewe ni Kristo Mwana wa Mungu aliye hai.”

¹⁷Yesu akamjibu na kumwambia, “Umebarikiwa wewe, Simoni Bar Yona, kwa kuwa damu na nyama havikukufunulia hili, bali Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.¹⁸Nami pia ninakwambia kuwa wewe ni Petro, na juu ya mwamba huu nitalijenga kanisa langu. Milango ya kuzimu haitalishinda.¹⁹Nitakupa wewe funguo za ufalme wa mbinguni. Chochote utakachokifunga duniani kitakuwa kimefungwa mbinguni, na chochote utakachokifungua duniani kitafunguliwa na mbinguni.”²⁰Kisha Yesu akawaamuru wanafunzi wasimwambie mtu yeyote kuwa yeye alikuwa ni Kristo.

²¹Tangu wakati huo Yesu alianza kuwaambia wanafunzi kuwa ni lazima aende Yerusalemu, kuteswa kwa mambo mengi katika mikono ya wazee na wakuu wa makuhani na waandishi, kuuawa na kufufuka siku ya tatu.²²Kisha Petro akamchukua Yesu pembeni na kumkemea, na kusema, “Jambo hili na liwe mbali nawe, Bwana, hili lisitokee kwako.”

²³Lakini Yesu akageuka na kumwambia Petro, “Rudi nyuma yangu Shetani! Wewe ni kizuizi kwangu, kwa maana hujali mambo ya Mungu, bali mambo ya wanadamu.”

²⁴Kisha Yesu akawaambia wanafunzi wake, “Kama mtu yeyote akitaka kunifuata mimi, ni lazima ajikane yeye mwenyewe, auchukue msalaba wake, na anifuate.²⁵Kwa kuwa anayetaka kuyaokoa maisha yake atayapoteza, na kwa yeyote anayepoteza maisha yake kwa ajili yangu atayaokoa.²⁶Je! Ni faida gani atakayopata mtu akipata dunia yote lakini akapoteza maisha yake? Je! Ni kitu gani atakachotoa mtu katika kubadilishana na maisha yake?²⁷Kwa kuwa Mwana wa Adamu atakuja katika utukufu wa Baba yake na malaika wake. Naye atamlipa kila mtu kulingana na matendo yake.²⁸Kweli nawaambieni kuna baadhi yenu mliosimama hapa ambao hawataonja mauti mpaka watakapomwona Mwana wa Adamu akija katika ufalme wake.”

Sura 17

¹Siku sita baadaye Yesu aliwachukua pamoja naye Petro, na Yakobo, na Yohana nduguye, na akawachukua mpaka juu ya mlima mrefu wao wenyewe.²Alibadilishwa mbele yao. Uso wake ukang'aa kama jua, na nguo zake zilionekana zenye kung'aa kama nuru.³Tazama, pale walitokea Musa na Eliya wakiongea naye.⁴Petro akajibu na kumwambia Yesu, “Bwana, ni vema kwetu sisi kuwepo mahali hapa. Kama ukitamani, nitajenga hapa vibanda vitatu - kimoja chako, na kimoja kwa ajili ya Musa, na kimoja kwa ajili ya Eliya.”

⁵Wakati anaongea, tazama wingu jeupe likawatia kivuli, na tazama, ikatokea sauti toka kwenye wingu, ikisema, “Huyu ni Mwanangu mpendwa ninayependezwa naye. Msikilizeni.”⁶Wanafunzi waliposikia hayo, wakaanguka kifudifudi na wakaogopa sana.

⁷Kisha Yesu akaja akawagusa na kusema, “Inukeni wala msiogope.”⁸Nao wakainua nyuso zao juu lakini hawakumwona mtu isipokuwa Yesu pekee.

⁹Na walipokuwa wakishuka mlimani, Yesu akawaagiza, akasema, “Msitoe habari ya maono hayo mpaka Mwana wa Adamu atakapofufuka kutoka katika wafu.”

¹⁰Wanafunzi wake wakamwuliza, wakisema, “Ni kwa nini waandishi wanasema kuwa Eliya atakuja kwanza?”

¹¹Yesu akawajibu na kusema, “Eliya atakuja kweli na atarudisha mambo yote.¹²Lakini naawaambieni ninyi, Eliya amekwisha kuja, lakini hawakumtambua. Badala yake, walimfanyia mambo watakayo wao. Na hivyo ndivyo Mwana wa Adamu atakavyoteswa katika mikono yao.”¹³Ndipo wanafunzi wakatambua kuwa alikuwa akiongea habari za Yohana Mbatizaji.

¹⁴Walipofika katika umati, mtu mmoja alimwendea, akapiga magoti mbele zake, na kumwambia,¹⁵“Bwana, umhurumie mwanangu, maana amekuwa na kifafa na kuteseka sana. Kwa kuwa mara nyingi huanguka motoni au kwenye maji.¹⁶Nilimleta kwa wanafunzi wako, lakini hawakuweza kumponya.”

¹⁷Yesu akajibu akisema, “Enyi Kizazi kisichoamini na kilichoharibika, nitakaa pamoja nanyi mpaka lini? Nitavumiliana nanyi hata lini? Mlete hapa kwangu.”¹⁸Yesu alimkemea, na pepo akamtoka. Kijana aliponywa tangu saa ile.

¹⁹Kisha wanafunzi wakamjia Yesu kwa siri na kumwuliza, “Kwa nini hatukuweza kumfukuza?”

²⁰Yesu akawaambia, “Kwa sababu ya imani yenu ndogo. Kweli nawaambieni, kama mtakuwa na imani hata ndogo kama punje ya mbegu ya haradali, mtaweza kuuambia mlima huu, hama kutoka hapa uende kule, nao utahama na hakutakuwa na kitu chochote cha kushindikana kwenu.²¹¹

²²Wakati wakiwa bado Galilaya, Yesu akawaambia Wanafunzi wake, “Mwana wa Adamu atatiwa mikononi mwa watu.²³Na watamwua, na siku ya tatu atafufuka.” Wanafunzi walihuzunika sana.

²⁴Nao walipofika Kapenaumu, watu wakusanyao kodi ya nusu shekeli wakamwendea Petro na kusema, “Je mwalimu wenu hulipa kodi ya nusu shekeli?”²⁵Akasema, “Ndiyo” Lakini Petro alipoingia ndani ya nyumba, Yesu akaongea na Petro kwanza na kusema, “Unafikiria nini Simoni? Wafalme wa dunia, hupokea kodi au ushuru kutoka nani? Kwa wale wanaowatawala au kutoka kwa wageni?

²⁶Na wakati Petro aliposema, “Kutoka kwa wageni” Yesu akamwambia, hivyo watawaliwa wameondolewa katika ulipaji.²⁷Lakini tusije tukawafanya watoza ushuru wakatenda dhambi, nenda baharini, tupa ndoano, na umtwae yule samaki ajaye kwanza. Baada ya kuufungua mdomo wake, utakuta mle shekeli moja. Ichukue na uwape watoza ushuru kwa ajili yangu na wewe.

¹Zingatia: Maneno ya msitari wa 21 “Lakini, aina hii ya pepo haiwezekani kutoka, ila kwa maombi na Kufunga” hayaonekani katika nakala bora za kale.

Sura 18

¹Muda huo huo wanafunzi wakaja kwa Yesu na kumwambia, “Ni nani aliye mkubwa katika ufalme wa mbinguni?”

²Yesu akamwita mtoto mdogo, akamweka katikati yao,³na kusema, “Kweli nawaambieni, msipotubu na kuwa kama watoto wadogo hamtaweza kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.⁴Hivyo yeyote ajishushaye kama mtoto mdogo, mtu kama huyo ni mkuu katika ufalme wa mbinguni.⁵Na yeyote ampokeaye mtoto mdogo kwa jina langu anipokea mimi.

⁶Lakini yeyote asababishaye mmoja kati ya wadogo hawa wanaoniamini kuasi, itakuwa vizuri kwa mtu huyo jiwe kuu la kusagia likafungwa shingoni mwake, na kuzamishwa kilindini mwa bahari.⁷Ole kwa dunia kwa sababu ya wakati wa kukwazwa! Kwa kuwa haina budi kwa nyakati hizo kuja, lakini ole kwake kwa mtu yule nyakati hizo zitakuja kwa ajili yake!⁸Kama mkono wako au mguu wako ukikusababishia kukwazika, ukate na uutupe mbali na wewe. Ni vizuri zaidi kwako wewe kuingia kwenye uzima ukiwa bila mkono au kilema, kuliko kutupwa kwenye moto wa milele ukiwa na mikono yote au miguu yote.⁹Kama jicho lako likikukwaza, uling`oe na ulitupe mbali na wewe. Ni vizuri zaidi kwako wewe uingie kwenye uzima na jicho moja, kuliko kutupwa kwenye moto wa milele ukiwa na macho yote.

¹⁰Tazameni kwamba msije mkamdharau mmoja wa wadogo hawa. Kwa maana nawambieni kuwa mbinguni kuna malaika wao siku zote wakiutazama uso wa Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.¹¹¹¹²Mnafikiri nini? Ikiwa mtu ana kondoo mia moja, na mmoja wao akapotea, je hatawaacha tisini na tisa mlimani na kwenda kumtafuta mmoja aliyepotea?¹³Na akisha kumpata, kweli nawaambieni, anamfurahia kuliko wale tisini na tisa wasiopotea.¹⁴Vivyo hivyo, siyo mapenzi ya Baba yenu wa mbinguni kuwa mmoja wa wadogo hawa aangamie.

¹⁵Kama ndugu yako akikukosea, nenda, kamwonyeshe dosari iliyopo kati yako na yeye akiwa pekee yake. Kama akikusikiliza, utakuwa umemrejesha ndugu yako.¹⁶Lakini kama hatakusikiliza, mchukue ndugu mmoja au wawili zaidi pamoja nawe, kwa kuwa kwa vinywa vya mashahidi wawili au watatu kila neno linaweza kuthibitishwa.¹⁷Na kama akipuuza kuwasikiliza, liambie kanisa jambo hilo, kama akipuuza vilevile kulisikiliza kanisa, basi na awe kama mtu wa mataifa na mtoza ushuru.¹⁸Kweli nawaambieni, chochote kile mtakachokifunga duniani na mbinguni kitafungwa. Na chochote mtakachokifungua duniani na mbinguni kitafunguliwa.¹⁹Tena nawaambieni kwamba kama watu wawili kati yenu wakikubaliana juu ya jambo lolote duniani waliombalo, hilo Baba yangu wa mbinguni atalifanya.²⁰Kwa kuwa wawili au watatu wakikusanyika pamoja kwa jina langu, Mimi niko katikati yao.

²¹Tena Petro akaja na kumwambia Yesu, “Bwana, ni mara ngapi ndugu yangu akinikosea nami nimsamehe? Hata mara saba?”

²²Yesu akamwambia, “Sikuambii mara saba, lakini hata sabini mara saba.²³Kwa sababu hiyo ufalme wa mbinguni ni sawa na mfalme fulani aliyetaka kusahihisha hesabu kutoka kwa watumwa wake.²⁴Alipoanza kusahihisha hesabu, mtumwa moja akaletwa kwake ambaye alikuwa anamdai talanta elfu kumi.²⁵Kwa kuwa hakuwa na njia ya kulipa, bwana wake aliagiza auzwe, mke wake pamoja na watoto wake na kila kitu alichokuwa nacho, na malipo yafanyike.²⁶Hivyo mtumwa alianguka, akapiga magoti mbele yake, akisema, ‘Bwana, uwe na uvumilivu pamoja nami, na nitakulipa kila kitu.’²⁷Hivyo bwana wa yule mtumwa, kwa kuwa alisukumwa sana na huruma, alimwachilia na kumsamehe deni hilo²⁸Lakini mtumwa yule alitoka na kumpata mmoja kati ya watumwa wenzake, aliyekuwa anamdai denari mia. Alimvuta, akamkaba kooni, na kumwambia, ‘Nilipe kile ninachokudai.’

²⁹Lakini yule mtumwa mwenzake alianguka na kumsihi sana, akisema, ‘Uwe na uvumilivu nami, na nitakulipa.’³⁰Lakini mtumwa yule wa kwanza alikataa. Badala yake, alienda na kumtupa gerezani, mpaka atakapo mlipa kile anachomdai.³¹Na walipoona watumwa wenzake kile kilichotokea. Walisikitishwa sana. Walikuja na kumwambia bwana wao kila kitu kilichotokea.

³²Ndipo yule bwana wa mtumwa yule alimwita, na kumwambia, ‘Ewe mtumwa mwovu, nilikusamehe wewe deni langu lote kwa sababu ulinisihi sana.³³Je! Haukutakiwa kuwa na huruma kwa mtumwa mwenzio, kama mimi nilivyokuhurumia wewe?³⁴Bwana wake alikasirika na kumkabidhi kwa wale watesaji mpaka atakapolipa kiasi chote alichokuwa anadaiwa.³⁵Hivyo ndivyo Baba yangu wa Mbinguni atakavyowafanyia, kama kila mmoja wenu hatamsamehe ndugu yake kutoka moyoni mwenu.”

¹Zingatia: Maneno yanayoonekana kama ya msitari wa 11, “Kwa kuwa Mwana wa Adamu alikuja kuokoa kile kilichokuwa kimepotea” hayakuonekana katika nakala bora za kale.

Sura 19

¹Ilitokea wakati Yesu alipomaliza maneno hayo, akaondoka Galilaya, na akaenda mpakani mwa Yudea mbele ya mto Jordani.²Umati mkubwa ukamfuata, na akawaponya huko.

³Mafarisayo wakamjia, wakamjaribu, wakamwambia, “Je ni halali kwa mtu kumwacha mke wake kwa sababu yoyote?”

⁴Yesu akajibu na kusema, “Hamkusoma, kwamba yeye aliyewaumba mwanzo aliwaumba mume na mke?⁵Na tena akasema, ‘Kwa sababu hiyo mwanaume atamwacha baba yake na mama yake na kuungana na mke wake, nao wawili watakuwa mwili mmoja?’⁶Hivyo siyo wawili tena, bali mwili mmoja. Basi, kile alichokiunganisha Mungu, mtu yeyote asikitenganishe.”

⁷Wakamwambia, “Sasa kwa nini Musa alituamuru kutoa hati ya talaka na kumwacha?”

⁸Akawaambia, “Kwa ugumu wenu wa mioyo Musa aliwaruhusu kuwaacha wake zenu, lakini tangu mwanzo haikuwa hivyo.⁹Nawaambieni, kwamba yeyote atakayemwacha mke wake, isipokuwa kwa sababu ya uzinzi, na akamwoa mwingine, amezini. Na mwanaume atakayemwoa mke aliyeachwa amezini.”

¹⁰Wanafunzi wakamwambia Yesu, “Kama ndivyo ilivyo kwa mume na mkewe, siyo vizuri kuoa.”

¹¹Lakini Yesu akawaambia, “Si kila mtu anaweza kupokea mafundisho haya, bali ni kwa wale tu walioruhusiwa kupokea.¹²Kwa vile wapo matowashi waliozaliwa tokea tumboni mwa mama zao. Na vile vile kuna matowashi waliofanywa na watu. Na kuna matowashi waliojifanya matowashi kwa ajili ya ufalme wa mbinguni. Awezaye kupokea mafundisho haya na ayapokee.”

¹³Kisha akaletewa baadhi ya watoto wadogo ili awawekee mikono juu yao na kuomba, lakini wanafunzi wake wakawakemea.¹⁴Bali Yesu akasema, “Waruhusu watoto wadogo, wala msiwakataze kuja kwangu, kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wa watu kama wao.¹⁵Naye akaweka mikono yake juu yao, na kisha akaondoka pale.

¹⁶Tazama mtu mmoja akaja kwa Yesu na kusema, “Mwalimu, ni kitu gani kizuri ninachotakiwa kufanya ili nipate kuwa na uzima wa milele?”

¹⁷Yesu akamwambia, “Kwa nini unaniuliza ni kitu gani kizuri? Kuna mmoja tu aliye mwema, lakini kama ukitaka kupata uzima, shika sheria za Mungu.”

¹⁸Yule mtu akamwuliza, “Ni sheria zipi?” Yesu akasema, “Usiue, usizini, usiibe, usishuhudie uongo,¹⁹waheshimu baba yako na mama yako, na mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako.”

²⁰Mtu yule akamwambia, “Mambo yote hayo nimeyatii. Bado ninahitaji nini?

²¹“Yesu akamwambia, “Kama ukitaka kuwa mkamilifu, nenda, ukauze ulivyo navyo, na uwape maskini, na utakuwa na hazina mbinguni. Kisha njoo unifuate.”²²Lakini kijana yule aliposikia yale Yesu aliyomwambia, akaondoka kwa huzuni, kwa sababu alikuwa amemiliki mali nyingi.

²³Yesu akawaambia wanafunzi wake, “Kweli nawaambieni, ni vigumu kwa mtu tajiri kuingia katika ufalme wa mbinguni.²⁴Tena nawaambieni, ni rahisi kwa ngamia kupita katika tundu la sindano, kuliko kwa mtu tajiri kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.”

²⁵Wanafunzi waliposikia hivyo, wakashangaa sana na kusema, “Ni yupi basi atakayeokoka?”

²⁶Yesu akawatazama na kusema, “Kwa wanadamu hilo haliwezekani, lakini kwa Mungu yote yanawezekana.”

²⁷Kisha Petro akamjibu na kumwambia, “Tazama, tumeacha vyote na kukufuata wewe. Ni kitu gani tutakachopata?”

²⁸Yesu akawaambia, “Kweli nawaambieni, yeye aliyenifuata mimi, katika uzao mpya wakati Mwana wa Adam atakapoketi katika kiti cha enzi cha utukufu wake, ninyi pia mtaketi juu ya viti kumi na viwili vya enzi, kuwahukumu makabila kumi na mawili ya Israeli.²⁹Kila mmoja wenu aliyeacha nyumba, kaka, dada, baba, mama, watoto, au shamba kwa ajili ya jina langu, atapokea mara mia na kuurithi uzima wa milele.

³⁰Lakini wengi walio wa kwanza sasa, watakuwa wa mwisho, na walio wa mwisho watakuwa wa kwanza.

Sura 20

¹Kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni unafanana na mmliki wa shamba, aliyeamka asubuhi na mapema ili kuajiri wafanyakazi katika shamba lake la mizabibu.²Baada ya kuwa amekubaliana na wafanyakazi dinari moja kwa kutwa, aliwatuma kwenda katika shamba lake la mizabibu.³Alienda tena baada ya masaa matatu hivi na aliona wafanyakazi wengine wakiwa wamesimama bila kazi katika eneo la soko.⁴Akawaambia, ‘Ninyi pia, nendeni katika shamba la mizabibu, na chochote kilicho halali nitawapa.’ Hivyo wakaenda kufanya kazi.⁵Akaenda tena baada ya masaa sita na tena katika saa ya tisa, na alifanya hivyo hivyo.⁶Mara nyingine tena mnamo saa kumi na moja, alienda na kuwakuta watu wengine wamesimama bila kazi. Aliwaambia, ‘kwa nini mmesimama hapa bila kazi yoyote kwa siku nzima?

⁷Wakamwambia, kwasababu hakuna mtu yeyote aliyetuajiri. Akawaambia, ‘Nanyi pia nendeni katika shamba la mizabibu.’

⁸Wakati wa jioni ulipofika, mwenye shamba la mizabibu alimwambia msimamizi wake, ‘Waite wafanyakazi na uwalipe mishahara, kwa kuanza na wa mwisho hadi wa kwanza.’⁹Walipokuja wale walioajiriwa saa kumi na moja, kila mmoja wao alipokea dinari.¹⁰Walipokuja wafanyakazi wa kwanza, walifikiri kuwa watapokea zaidi, lakini walipokea pia kila mmoja dinari moja kila mtu.¹¹Baada ya kupokea malipo yao, walimlalamikia mmiliki wa shamba.

¹²Wakasema, ‘Hawa wafanyakazi wa mwisho wametumia saa moja tu katika kufanya kazi, lakini umewalinganisha na sisi, sisi tumebeba mzigo kwa siku nzima na kuungua na joto.’

¹³Lakini mwenye shamba akajibu na kusema kwa mmoja wao, ‘Rafiki, sikutenda jambo baya. Je! Hatukukubaliana na mimi kwa dinari moja?¹⁴Pokea kile kilicho halali yako na uende zako. Ni furaha yangu kuwapa hawa wafanyakazi walioajiriwa mwisho sawa sawa na wewe.

¹⁵Je! Si haki kwangu kufanya kile ninachotaka na mali zangu? Au jicho lako ni ovu kwa sababu mimi ni mwema?¹⁶Hivyo wa mwisho atakuwa wa kwanza na wa kwanza atakuwa wa mwisho”

¹⁷Yesu alipokuwa akipanda kwenda Yerusalem, aliwachukuwa wanafunzi wake kumi na mbili pembeni, na njiani akawaambia,¹⁸“Tazama tunaelekea Yerusalemu, na Mwana wa Adamu atatiwa katika mikono ya wakuu wa makuhani na waandishi. Watamhukumu kifo¹⁹na watamtoa kwa watu wa mataifa ili kumdhihaki, kumchapa na kumsulubisha. Lakini katika siku ya tatu atafufuka.”

²⁰Kisha mama wa wana wa Zebedayo alikuja kwa Yesu na wana wake. Alipiga magoti mbele yake na kumwomba kitu kutoka kwake.²¹Yesu akamwambia, “Unataka nini?” Akamwambia, “Amuru kuwa hawa wanangu wawili wakae, mmoja mkono wako wa kulia na mmoja mkono wako wa kushoto katika ufalme wako.”

²²Lakini Yesu akajibu na kusema, “Haujui kile unachoomba. Je! Unaweza kukinywea kikombe ambacho nitakinywea?” Wakamwambia, “Tunaweza.”

²³Akawaambia, “Kikombe changu hakika mtakinywea. Lakini kukaa mkono wangu wa kulia na mkono wangu wa kushoto si jukumu langu kuwapa, lakini ni kwa wale ambao wamekwisha kuandaliwa na Baba yangu.”

²⁴Wanafunzi wengine kumi waliposikia hivyo, wakahuzunishwa sana na wale ndugu wawili.²⁵Lakini Yesu aliwaita mwenyewe na kuwaambia, “Mnafahamu ya kuwa watawala wa mataifa huwatiisha, na wakuu wao hutekeleza mamlaka juu yao.²⁶Lakini isiwe hivyo kwenu. Badala yake, yeyote atakayetaka kuwa mkubwa miongoni mwenu lazima awe mtumishi wenu.²⁷Na atakaye kuwa wa kwanza miongoni mwenu lazima awe mtumishi wenu.²⁸Kama vile Mwana wa Adamu hakuja kutumikiwa, bali kutumika, na kutoa uhai wake kuwa ukombozi kwa wengi.”

²⁹Wakati wakitoka Yeriko, umati mkubwa ulimfuata.³⁰Na waliwaona vipofu wawili wameketi kando ya barabara. Waliposikia kuwa Yesu alikuwa anapita, walipaza sauti na kusema, “Bwana, Mwana wa Daudi, utuhurumie.”³¹Lakini umati ukawakemea, na kuwaambia nyamazeni. Hata hivyo, wao wakapaza sauti zaidi na kusema, “Bwana, Mwana wa Daudi, utuhurumie.”

³²Kisha Yesu alisimama na aliwaita na kuwauliza, “Mnataka niwafanyie nini?”³³Wakamwambia, “Bwana kwamba macho yetu yafumbuliwe.”³⁴Basi Yesu, akiwa amevutwa na huruma, akayagusa macho yao, mara hiyo, wakapokea uwezo wa kuona na wakamfuata.

Sura 21

¹Yesu na wanafunzi wake wakafika karibu na Jerusalemu na wakaenda mpaka Bethania, katika mlima mizeituni, kisha Yesu akawatuma wanafunzi wawili,²akiwaambia, “Nendeni katika kijiji kinachofuata, na mara moja mtamkuta punda amefungwa pale, na mwanapunda pamoja naye. Wafungueni na kuwaleta kwangu.³Ikiwa mtu yeyote akiwaambia chochote kuhusu hilo, mtasema, ‘Bwana anawahitaji,’ na mtu huyo mara moja atawaruhusu mje pamoja nao.”

⁴Jambo hili lilitokea ni lile lililosemwa kupitia kwa nabii lazima litimizwe. Akawaambia,⁵‘Waambie binti Sayuni, tazama, mfalme wako anakuja kwenu, mnyenyekevu na akiwa amempanda punda, na mwana punda mme.’

⁶Kisha wanafunzi waliondoka na kufanya kama Yesu alivyowaagiza.⁷Wakamleta punda na mwanapunda, na kuweka nguo zao juu yao, naye Yesu akakaa pale.⁸Wengi katika mkusanyiko walitandaza nguo zao njiani, na wengine walikata matawi kutoka kwenye miti na kutandaza barabarani.⁹Umati uliomtangulia Yesu na wale waliomfuata walipaza sauti, wakisema, “Hosana kwa mwana wa Daudi! Ni mbarikiwa ajaye kwa jina la Bwana. Hosana juu zaidi!”

¹⁰Yesu alipofika Yerusalemu, mji mzima ulishtuka na kusema, “Huyu ni nani?

¹¹“Umati ulijibu, “Huyu ni Yesu Nabii, kutoka Nazareti ya Galilaya.”

¹²Kisha Yesu akaingia katika hekalu la Mungu. Akawafukuza nje wote waliokuwa wakinunua na kuuza hekaluni. Pia alipindua meza za wabadilishaji wa fedha na viti vya wauza njiwa.¹³Akawaambia, “Imeandikwa, ‘Nyumba yangu itaitwa nyumba ya maombi,’ lakini ninyi mmeifanya pango la wanyang'anyi.”

¹⁴Kisha vipofu na vilema wakamjia hekaluni, naye akawaponya.

¹⁵Lakini wakati wakuu wa makuhani na waandishi walipoona maajabu aliyoyatenda, na waliposikia watoto wakipiga kelele hekaluni na kusema, “Hosana kwa Mwana wa Daudi,” walishikwa na hasira.

¹⁶Wakamwambia, “Umesikia kile kinachosemwa na hawa watu?” Yesu akawaambia, “Ndiyo! Lakini hamjawahi kusoma, ‘Kutoka kwa midomo ya watoto na watoto wachanga wanyonyao mna sifa kamili?”

¹⁷Kisha Yesu akawaacha na kwenda nje ya mji katika Bethania na kulala huko.

¹⁸Asubuhi alipokuwa anarudi mjini, alikuwa na njaa.¹⁹Aliona mtini kandokando ya barabara. Akauendea, lakini hakupata kitu juu yake isipokuwa majani. Aliuambia, “Kusiwe na matunda kwako daima tena.” Na mara hiyo mtini ule ukanyauka.

²⁰Wanafunzi walipoona, wakastaajabu na kusema, “Imekuwaje mtini umenyauka mara moja?”

²¹Yesu akajibu na kuwaambia, “Kweli nawaambieni, kama mkiwa na imani na bila wasiwasi, hamtafanya kile kilichofanyika kwa huo mtini tu, lakini mtauambia hata huo mlima, ‘Uchukuliwe na ukatupwe baharini,’ na itafanyika.²²Chochote mtakachoomba kwa sala, huku mkiamini, mtapokea.”

²³Yesu alipofika hekaluni, wakuu wa makuhani na wazee wa watu wakamjia wakati alipokuwa akifundisha na kumwuliza, “Ni kwa mamlaka gani unafanya mambo haya? Na ni nani aliyekupa mamlaka haya?”

²⁴Yesu akajibu na kuwaambia, “Nami tena nitawauliza swali moja. Kama mkiniambia, nami vile vile nitawaambia ni kwa mamlaka gani ninafanya mambo haya.²⁵Ubatizo wa Yohana- ulitoka wapi, mbinguni au kwa wanadamu?” Wakahojiana wenyewe, wakisema, “Tukisema, ulitoka mbinguni, atatuambia, ‘Kwa nini hamkumwamini?’²⁶Lakini tukisema, ‘Ulitoka kwa wanadamu,’ tunawaogopa makutano, kwa sababu wote wanamwona Yohana kama nabii.”²⁷Kisha wakamjibu Yesu na kusema, “Hatujui” Akawaambia pia, “Wala mimi sitawaambia ni kwa mamlaka gani nafanya mambo haya.

²⁸Lakini mnafikiri nini? Mtu mwenye wana wawili. Akaenda kwa moja na kumwambia, ‘Mwanangu, nenda ukafanye kazi katika shamba la mizabibu²⁹leo.’ ‘Mwana akajibu na kusema, ‘sitakwenda.’ Lakini baadaye akabadilisha mawazo yake na akaenda.

³⁰Na mtu yule akaenda kwa mwana wa pili na kusema kitu kile kile. Mwana huyu akajibu na kusema, ‘Nitakwenda, bwana.’ Lakini hakwenda.³¹Yupi kati ya wana wawili aliyefanya matakwa ya baba yake? Wakasema, “Mwana wa kwanza.” Yesu akawaambia, “Kweli nawaambieni, wakusanya ushuru na makahaba wataingia kwenye ufalme wa Mungu kabla yenu kuingia.³²Kwa maana Yohana alikuja kwenu kwa njia iliyo nyoofu, lakini hamkumwamini, wakati wakusanya ushuru na makahaba walimwamini. Na ninyi, mlipoona hilo likitendeka, hamkuweza kutubu ili baadaye mumwamini.

³³Sikilizeni mfano mwingine. Kulikuwa na mtu mwenye eneo kubwa la ardhi. Alipanda mizabibu, akaiwekea uzio, akatengeneza na chombo cha kukamulia divai, akajenga na mnara wa walinzi, na akalikodisha kwa watunza zabibu. Kisha akaenda katika nchi nyingine.³⁴Wakati wa mavuno ya mizabibu ulipokaribia, aliwatuma baadhi ya watumishi kwa wakulima wa mizabibu kuchukua mizabibu yake.³⁵Lakini wakulima wa zabibu wakawachukua watumishi wake, wakampiga mmoja, wakamwua mwingine, na wakampiga mmoja kwa mawe.³⁶Kwa mara nyingine, mmiliki aliwatuma watumishi wengine, wengi zaidi ya wale wa kwanza, lakini wakulima wa mizabibu waliwatendea vile vile.³⁷Baada ya hapo bwana yule akamtuma kwao mwana wake, akisema, ‘Watamheshimu mwanangu.’

³⁸Lakini wakulima wa mizabibu walipomwona kijana yule, wakaambiana, ‘Huyu ni mrithi. Njooni tumuue na tumiliki urithi.’³⁹Hivyo wakamchukua, wakamtupa nje ya shamba la mizabibu na kumwua.⁴⁰Je mmliki wa shamba la mizabibu atakapokuja, atawafanya nini wakulima wa mizabibu?”

⁴¹Wakamwambia, “Atawaharibu hao watu waovu katika njia ya ukali zaidi, na kisha atalikodisha shamba la mizabibu kwa wakulima wengine wa mizabibu, watu ambao watalipa kwa ajili ya mizabibu itakapoiva.”

⁴²Yesu akawaambia, “Hamkusoma katika maandiko, ‘Jiwe walilolikataa waashi limekuwa jiwe kuu la msingi. Hili lilitoka kwa Bwana, na inashangaza machoni petu?’

⁴³Hivyo nawaambieni, Ufalme wa Mungu utatwaliwa kutoka kwenu na kupewa taifa linalojali matunda yake.⁴⁴Yeyote atakayeanguka juu ya jiwe hilo atavunjwa vipandevipande. Lakini kwa yeyote litakayemwangukia, litamsaga.”

⁴⁵Wakuu wa makuhani na mafarisayo waliposikia mifano yake, wakaona kuwa anawazungumzia wao.⁴⁶Lakini kila walipotaka kunyosha mikono juu yake, waliogopa makutano, kwa sababu watu walimtazama kama nabii.

Sura 22

¹Yesu alisema nao tena katika mifano, akisema,²“Ufalme wa mbinguni unafanana na mfalme aliyeandaa sherehe ya harusi ya mwanawe.³Akawatuma watumishi wake kuwakaribisha waliokuwa wamealikwa kuja katika sherehe ya harusi, lakini hawakufika.⁴Mfalme aliwatuma tena watumishi wengine, akisema. “Waambieni wote walioalikwa, ‘Angalieni, nimeandaa chakula. Fahali na ndama wangu wanono wamechinjwa, na mambo yote yako tayari. Njoni katika sherehe ya harusi.”⁵Lakini watu hao hawakuzingatia kwa dhati mwaliko wake. Baadhi walirejea katika mashamba yao, na wengine walirudi katika sehemu zao za biashara.⁶Wengine waliwainukia watumishi wa mfalme na kuwadhalilisha na kuwaua.⁷Lakini mfalme alikasirika. Alituma jeshi lake, akawaua wale wauaji na kuuteketeza mji wao kwa moto.⁸Kisha aliwaambia watumishi wake, ‘Harusi iko tayari, lakini walioalikwa hawakustahili.⁹Kwa hiyo nendeni kwenye makutano ya njia kuu, waalikeni watu wengi kadri iwezekanavyo waje kwenye sherehe ya harusi.’¹⁰Watumishi walienda njia kuu na kuwakaribisha watu wowote waliowaona, wema na wabaya. Hivyo ukumbi wa harusi ulijaa wageni.¹¹Lakini mfalme alipoingia kuwatazama wageni, alimuona mtu mmoja ambaye hakuvaa vazi rasmi la harusi!¹²Mfalme alimwuliza, ‘Rafiki, ulipataje kufika hapa ndani bila vazi la harusi?’ Na mtu huyo hakujibu chochote.¹³Ndipo mfalme alipowaambia watumishi wake, ‘Mfungeni mtu huyu mikono na miguu na mtupeni nje katika giza, huko ambako kutakuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.¹⁴Kwa kuwa watu wengi wanaitwa, lakini wateule ni wachache.’”

¹⁵Ndipo Mafarisayo waliondoka na kupanga jinsi ya kumkamata Yesu katika maneno yake mwenyewe.¹⁶Ndipo walipowatuma wanafunzi wao pamoja na Maherode. Na walimwambia Yesu, “Mwalimu, tunajua kuwa wewe ni mtu wa kweli, na kwamba unafundisha matakwa ya Mungu katika ukweli. Haujali maoni ya mtu mwingine na hauoneshi upendeleo kwa watu.¹⁷Kwa hiyo tuambie, unafikiri nini? Je, ni sahihi kisheria kulipa kodi kwa Kaisari au hapana?”

¹⁸Yesu alifahamu uovu wao na akasema, “Kwa nini mnanijaribu, enyi wanafiki?¹⁹Nionesheni pesa itumikayo kulipia kodi.” Ndipo wakamletea dinari.²⁰Yesu akawauliza, “Sura na jina hili ni vya nani?”

²¹Wakamjibu, “Vya Kaisari.” Ndipo Yesu akawaambia, “Mpeni Kaisari vitu vilivyo vyake na vya Mungu mpeni Mungu.”²²Waliposikia hivyo walishangaa. Kisha walimwacha na kwenda zao.

²³Siku hiyo baadhi ya Masadukayo walikuja kwa Yesu, wale wasemao kuwa hakuna ufufuo wa wafu. Wakamwuliza,²⁴wakisema, “Mwalimu, Musa alisema, ikiwa mtu amefariki bila kuzaa watoto, ndugu yake na amrithi huyo mwanamke na ampatie mtoto kwa ajili ya ndugu yake.²⁵Walikuwapo ndugu saba. Wa kwanza alioa na kisha akafariki bila kuzaa watoto. Akamwachia mke nduguye.²⁶Kisha ndugu yake wa pili naye akafanya vivyo hivyo, kisha yule wa tatu, ikawa hivyo hadi kwa yule wa saba.²⁷Baada ya kufanya hivyo wote, yule mwanamke naye alifariki.²⁸Sasa katika ufufuo huyo mwanamke atakuwa mke wa nani katika ndugu hao saba? Kwa sababu wote walimuoa.”

²⁹Lakina Yesu aliwajibu na kuwaambia, “Mnakosea, kwa sababu hamjui Maandiko wala nguvu za Mungu.³⁰Kwa kuwa katika ufufuo, watu hawaoi wala kuolewa. Badala yake watu huwa kama malaika huko mbinguni.³¹Lakini kuhusu ufufuo wa walio kufa, hamjawahi kusoma kile ambacho Mungu alikisema kwenu, akisema,³²“Mimi ni Mungu wa Ibrahimu, Mungu wa Isaka, na Mungu wa Yakobo? Mungu si Mungu wa waliokufa, bali ni Mungu wa walio hai.”

³³Wakati umati waliposikia hili, waliyashangaa mafundisho yake.

³⁴Lakini Mafarisayo waliposikia kuwa Yesu amewanyamazisha Masadukayo, walijikusanya wao wenyewe kwa pamoja.³⁵Mmoja wao, akiwa mwana sheria, alimwuliza swali kwa kumjaribu.³⁶“Mwalimu, ni amri ipi iliyo kuu kuliko zote katika sheria?”

³⁷Yesu akamjibu, “Lazima umpende Bwana kwa moyo wako wote, kwa roho yako yote, na kwa akili zako zote.³⁸Hii ndiyo amri iliyo kuu na ya kwanza.³⁹Na ya pili inafanana na hiyo. Ni lazima kumpenda jirani yako kama unavyojipenda mwenyewe.⁴⁰Sheria zote na Manabii hutegemea amri hizi mbili.”

⁴¹Na Mafarisayo walipokuwa bado wamejikusanya pamoja, Yesu aliwauliza swali.⁴²Akisema, “Je, mwafikiri nini juu ya Kristo? Yeye ni Mwana wa nani?” Nao wakamjibu, “Ni mwana wa Daudi.”

⁴³Yesu akawajibu, “Ni kwa namna gani Daudi katika Roho anamwita Bwana, akisema,⁴⁴‘Bwana alimwambia Bwana wangu, ‘Kaa mkono wangu wa kuume, hadi nitakapowafanya maadui zako wawekwe chini ya miguu yako.”⁴⁵Kama Daudi anamwita Kristo ‘Bwana,’ jinsi gani atakuwa mtoto wake?”⁴⁶Hakuna aliyeweza kumjibu neno tena, na hakuna aliyethubutu tena kumwuliza maswali zaidi tangu siku hiyo na kuendelea.

Sura 23

¹Baadaye aliongea na umati na wanafunzi wake. Akasema,²“Waandishi na Mafarisayo wanakalia kiti cha Musa.³Kwa hiyo chochote wanacho waamuru kufanya, fanyeni huku mkiwachunguza. Lakini msije mkaiga matendo yao, kwa sababu wao hutamka mambo wasiyoyafanya.⁴Kweli, wao hufunga mizigo mizito ambayo ni vigumu kuibeba, na kisha huwabebesha watu mabegani mwao. Lakini wao wenyewe hawasogezi hata kidole kuibeba.⁵Matendo yao yote, huyafanya ili watazamwe na watu. Kwa sababu wao hupanua masanduku yao na huongeza ukubwa wa mapindo ya mavazi yao.⁶Wao hupendelea kukaa maeneo ya kifahari katika sherehe na katika viti vya heshima ndani ya masinagogi,⁷na kusalimiwa kwa heshima maeneo ya sokoni, na kuitwa ‘Walimu’ na watu.⁸Lakini ninyi hampaswi kuitwa “Walimu,” Kwa kuwa mnaye Mwalimu mmoja, na ninyi wote ni ndugu.⁹Msimuite mtu yeyote hapa duniani kuwa baba yenu, kwa kuwa mnaye Baba mmoja tu, naye yuko mbinguni.¹⁰Wala msije kuitwa ‘walimu,’ kwa kuwa mnaye Mwalimu mmoja tu, yaani Kristo.¹¹Bali aliye mkubwa miongoni mwenu atakuwa mtumishi wenu.¹²Yeyote ajiinuae atashushwa. Na yeyote anaye jishusha atainuliwa.

¹³Lakini ole wenu waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnawafungia watu ufalme wa mbinguni. Nanyi hamwezi kuuingia, na hamwaruhusu wanaoingia kufanya hivyo.¹⁴¹

¹⁵Ole wenu Waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnavuka ng'ambo ya bahari na kufika kumfanya mtu mmoja aamini yale mnayoyafundisha, na anapokuwa kama ninyi, mnamfanya mara mbili mwana wa jehanamu kama ninyi wenyewe mlivyo.

¹⁶Ole wenu viongozi vipofu, ninyi msemao, ‘Yeyote aapaye kwa hekalu, si kitu. Lakini anayeapa kwa dhahabu ya hekalu, amefungwa na kiapo chake.’¹⁷Enyi vipofu wapumbavu, kipi ni kikubwa kuliko kingine, dhahabu au hekalu ambalo limeweka wakfu dhahabu kwa Mungu?¹⁸Na, yeyote aapaye kwa madhabahu, si kitu. Bali anayeapa kwa sadaka iliyo juu yake, amefungwa na kiapo chake.¹⁹Enyi watu vipofu, kipi ni kikubwa kuliko kingine, sadaka au madhabahu ambayo huweka wakfu sadaka zinazotolewa kwa Mungu?²⁰Kwa hiyo, yeye aapaye kwa madhabahu huapa kwa hiyo na kwa vitu vyote vilivyo juu yake.²¹Naye aapaye kwa hekalu, huapa kwa hilo na kwa yeye akaaye ndani yake.²²Na yeye aapaye kwa mbingu, huapa kwa kiti cha enzi cha Mungu na kwa yeye aketie juu yake.

²³Ole wenu, waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Kwa kuwa mnalipa zaka kwa bizali, mnaanaa na mchicha, lakini mnaacha mambo mazito ya sheria- haki, rehema, na imani. Lakini haya mnapaswa kuwa mmeyafanya, na siyo kuacha mengine bila kuyatekeleza.²⁴Enyi viongozi vipofu, ninyi ambao mnachuja mdudu mdogo lakini mnameza ngamia!

²⁵Ole wenu, waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Kwa kuwa mnasafisha nje ya vikombe na nje ya sahani, lakini ndani pamejaa dhuluma na kutokuwa na kiasi.²⁶Enyi Mafarisayo vipofu, safisheni kwanza ndani ya kikombe na ndani ya sahani, ili upande wa nje nao pia uwe safi.

²⁷Ole wenu, waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Kwa kuwa mnafanana na makaburi yaliyopakwa chokaa, ambayo kwa nje huonekana mazuri, lakini kwa ndani yamejaa mifupa ya waliokufa na kila kitu kilicho kichafu.²⁸Vivyo hivyo, nanyi kwa nje mwaonekana wenye haki mbele ya watu, lakini kwa ndani mmejaa unafiki na udhalimu.

²⁹Ole wenu, waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Kwa kuwa mwajenga makaburi ya manabii na kuyapamba makaburi ya wenye haki.³⁰Ninyi mwasema, kama tungeishi siku za baba zetu, tusingekuwa tumeshiriki pamoja nao kumwaga damu za manabii.³¹Kwa hiyo mwajishuhudia wenyewe kwamba ninyi ni watoto wa hao waliowaua manabii.³²Pia ninyi mnakamilisha kujaza sehemu inayostahili dhambi ya baba zenu.³³Enyi nyoka, wana wa majoka, kwa namna gani mtaikwepa hukumu ya jehanamu?³⁴Kwahiyo, tazama, nawatuma kwenu manabii, watu wenye hekima, na waandishi. Baadhi yao mtawaua na kuwasulubisha. Na baadhi yao mtawachapa ndani ya masinagogi yenu na kuwafukuza kutoka mji mmoja hadi mwingine.³⁵Matokeo ni kwamba juu yenu patatokea damu zote za wenye haki zilizomwagwa duniani, kuanzia damu ya Habili mwenye haki hadi kwa damu ya Zakaria mwana wa Barakia, mliye muua kati ya patakatifu na madhabahu.³⁶Kweli, nawaambieni, mambo haya yote yatakipata kizazi hiki.

³⁷Yerusalemu, Yerusalemu, wewe unayewaua manabii na kuwapiga mawe wale ambao wanatumwa kwako! Mara ngapi nimewakusanya watoto wako pamoja kama vile kuku awakusanyavyo vifaranga wake chini ya mabawa yake, lakini haukukubali!³⁸Tazama, nyumba yako imebaki ukiwa.³⁹Nami nakuambia, kuanzia sasa na kuendelea hautaniona, hadi utakaposema, ‘Amebarikiwa yeye ajaye kwa jina la Bwana.”’

¹Zingatia: Msitari wa 14 hauonekani katika nakala bora za kale. Baadhi ya nakala huongeza msitari huu baada ya msitari wa 12. Msitari wa 14 ‘Ole wenu wandishi na Mafarisayo wanafiki! Kwa kuwa mnawameza wajane.’

Sura 24

¹Yesu alitoka hekaluni na kwenda zake. Wanafunzi wake walimwendea na kumuonesha majengo ya hekalu.²Lakini aliwajibu na kusema, “Je, hamuyaoni mambo haya yote? Kweli nawaambia, hakuna jiwe litalobaki juu ya lingine bila kubomolewa.”

³Na alipokaa katika lima wa Mizeituni, wanafunzi wake walimwendea kwa faragha na kusema, “Tuambie, mambo haya yatatokea lini? Kitu gani kitakuwa dalili ya kuja kwako na mwisho wa ulimwengu?”

⁴Yesu aliwajibu na kuwaambia, “Iweni makini kwamba asije mtu akawapotosha.⁵Kwa kuwa wengi watakuja kwa jina langu. Watasema, ‘Mimi ndiye Kristo,’ na watawapotosha wengi.⁶Mtasikia vita na taarifa za vita. Angalieni msije mkawa na wasiwasi, kwa kuwa mambo haya hayabudi kutokea; lakini ule mwisho utakuwa bado.⁷Kwa kuwa taifa litainuka dhidi ya taifa jingine, na ufalme dhidi ya ufalme. Kutakuwa na njaa na matetemeko ya ardhi katika sehemu mbalimbali.⁸Lakini mambo haya yote ni mwanzo tu wa uchungu wa kujifungua.

⁹Ndipo watawatoa kwa ajili ya mateso na kuwaua. Mtachukiwa na mataifa yote kwa sababu ya jina langu.¹⁰Ndipo wengi watajikwaa na kusalitiana na watachukiana wenyewe kwa wenyewe.¹¹Manabii wengi wa uongo watatokea na kuwadanganya wengi.¹²Kwa sababu uovu utaongezeka, upendo wa wengi utapungua.¹³Lakini atakaye vumilia mpaka mwisho, ataokolewa.¹⁴Hii Injili ya ufalme itahubiriwa katika ulimwengu mzima kama ushuhuda kwa mataifa yote. Na ndipo ule mwisho utafika.

¹⁵Kwa hiyo, mtakapoona chukizo la uharibifu, lililosemwa na nabii Danieli limesimama mahali patakatifu (asomaye na afahamu),¹⁶ndipo walioko Yuda wakimbilie milimani.¹⁷Na yule aliyeko juu ya paa la nyumba asiweze kuteremka chini kuchukua kitu chochote kutoka ndani ya nyumba yake,¹⁸naye aliyeko shambani asirudi kuchukua vazi lake.¹⁹Lakini ole wao ambao wana mtoto na wale ambao wananyonyesha katika siku hizo!²⁰Ombeni kwamba kukimbia kwenu kusiwe wakati wa baridi, wala siku ya sabato.²¹Kwa kuwa kutakuwa na dhiki kuu, ambayo haijawahi kuwapo tangu kuumbwa kwa ulimwengu hadi sasa, na wala haitakuwapo tena.²²Kama siku hizo zisingefupishwa, hakuna ambaye angeokoka. Lakini kwa sababu ya wateule, siku hizo zitafupishwa.

²³Kisha ikiwa mtu yeyote atawaambia ‘Tazama, Kristo yuko hapa! Au, ‘Kristo yuko kule’ msiamini maneno hayo.²⁴Kwa kuwa Makristo wa uongo na manabii wa uongo watakuja na kuonesha ishara kubwa na maajabu, kwa kusudi la kupotosha, kama ingewezekana hata na wateule.²⁵Tazameni, nimewatahadharisha kabla ya mambo hayo kutokea.²⁶Kwa hiyo, ikiwa watawaambia, “Kristo yuko jangwani,’ msiende huko jangwani. Au, ‘Tazameni, yuko ndani ya nyumba,’ msiamini maneno hayo.²⁷Kama vile radi inavyomulika kutokea mashariki na kuangaza hadi magharibi, ndivyo itakavyokuwa kuja kwa Mwana wa Adamu.²⁸Popote ulipo mzoga, huko ndiko tai wakusanyikapo.

²⁹Lakini mara baada ya dhiki kuu ya siku zile, Jua litatiwa giza, mwezi hautatoa mwanga wake, nyota zitaanguka kutoka angani, na nguvu za mbinguni zitatikisika.³⁰Ndipo ishara ya Mwana wa Adamu itaonekana angani, na makabila yote ya dunia wataomboleza. Watamwona Mwana wa Adamu akija katika mawingu ya angani kwa nguvu na utukufu mkuu.³¹Atawatuma malaika wake kwa sauti kuu ya tarumbeta, nao watawakusanya pamoja wateule wake kutoka pande nne za dunia, kutoka mwisho mmoja wa mbingu hadi mwingine.

³²Jifunzeni somo kutokana na mti mtini. Mara tu tawi linapochipuka na kutoa majani, mnajua kwamba kiangazi kinakaribia.³³Hivyo pia, mtakapoona mambo haya yote, mnapaswa kujua kwamba amekaribia, karibu na malango.³⁴Kweli nawaambia, kizazi hiki hakitapita, hadi mambo yote haya yatakuwa yametokea.³⁵Mbingu na nchi zitapita, lakini maneno yangu hayatapita kamwe.

³⁶Lakini kuhusu siku ile na saa hakuna mtu ajuaye, hata malaika wa mbinguni, wala Mwana, bali Baba peke yake.³⁷Kama vile ilivyokuwa katika siku za Nuhu, ndivyo itakavyokuwa kuja kwa Mwana wa Adamu.³⁸Kwa kuwa katika siku hizo kabla ya gharika watu walikuwa wakila na kunywa, wakioa na kuolewa hadi siku ile ambayo Nuhu aliingia katika safina,³⁹na hawakujua kitu chochote hadi gharika ilipokuja na kuwasomba wote - ndivyo itakavyokuwa kuja kwa Mwana wa Adamu.⁴⁰Ndipo watu wawili watakuwa shambani- mmoja atachukuliwa, na mmoja ataachwa nyuma.⁴¹Wanawake wawili watakuwa wanasaga pamoja - mmoja atachukuliwa, na mmoja atabaki.⁴²Kwa hiyo, kuweni macho kwa sababu hamjui ni siku gani ambayo atakuja Bwana wenu.⁴³Lakini mjue kwamba, ikiwa bwana mwenye nyumba angejua ni saa ipi ambayo mwizi angekuja, angekesha na asingeruhusu nyumba yake kuvamiwa.⁴⁴Kwa hiyo, pia mnapaswa kuwa tayari, kwa kuwa Mwana wa Adamu atakuja katika saa msiyoitarajia.

⁴⁵Hivyo ni nani aliye mwaminifu, mtumwa mwenye akili, ambaye bwana wake amempa madaraka juu ya walio katika nyumba yake, ili awape chakula kwa wakati unaofaa?⁴⁶Amebarikiwa mtumishi huyo, ambaye bwana wake atamkuta akifanya hivyo wakati ajapo.⁴⁷Kweli nawaambia kwamba bwana atamweka juu ya kila kitu kilicho chake.⁴⁸Lakini kama mtumwa mwovu akisema moyoni mwake, ‘Bwana wangu amekawia,’⁴⁹na akaanza kuwapiga watumishi wake, na akala na kulewa vileo,⁵⁰Bwana wa mtumwa huyo atakuja katika siku ambayo haitarajii, na katika saa ambayo haijui.⁵¹Bwana wake atamkata vipande viwili na kumweka katika nafasi moja sawa na wanafiki, ambako kutakuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.

Sura 25

¹Ndipo ufalme wa mbinguni utafananishwa na wanawali kumi waliochukua taa zao na kuondoka kwenda kumpokea bwana harusi.²Watano miongoni mwao walikuwa wapumbavu na watano wengine walikuwa werevu.³Wanawali wapumbavu walipochukua taa zao, hawakuchukua mafuta yoyote.⁴Bali wanawali welevu walichukua vyombo vyenye mafuta pamoja na taa zao.⁵Sasa wakati bwana harusi amechelewa kufika, wote walishikwa usingizi na wakalala.

⁶Lakini wakati wa usiku wa manane kulikuwa na yowe, ‘Tazama, bwana harusi! Tokeni nje mkampokee.’⁷Ndipo hao wanawali waliamka wote na kuwasha taa zao.

⁸Wale wapumbavu waliwaambia wale werevu, ‘Mtupatie sehemu ya mafuta yenu kwa sababu taa zetu zinazimika.’⁹Lakini wale werevu waliwajibu na kuwaambia, ‘Kwa kuwa hayatatutosha sisi na ninyi, badala yake nendeni kwa wanaouza mjinunulie kiasi kwa ajili yenu.’¹⁰Wakati wameenda huko kununua, Bwana harusi alifika, na wote waliokuwa tayari walienda naye kwenye sherehe ya harusi, na mlango ulifungwa.

¹¹Baadaye wale wanawali wengine pia walifika na kusema, ‘Bwana, bwana, tufungulie.’¹²Lakini alijibu na kusema, ‘Kweli nawaambia, Mimi siwajui.’

¹³Kwa hiyo angalieni, kwa kuwa hamjui siku au saa.

¹⁴Kwa kuwa ni sawa na mtu alipotaka kusafiri kwenda nchi nyingine. Aliwaita watumwa wake na kuwakabidhi utajiri wake.¹⁵Mmoja wao alimpatia talanta tano, mwingine alimpa mbili, na yule mwingine alimpa talanta moja. Kila mmoja alipokea kiasi kulingana na uwezo wake, na yule mtu alisafari kwenda zake.¹⁶Mapema yule aliyepokea talanta tano alienda kuziwekeza, na kuzalisha talanta zingine tano.¹⁷Vile vile yule aliyepokea talanta mbili, alizalisha zingine mbili.¹⁸Lakini mtumwa aliyepokea talanta moja, alienda zake, akachimba shimo ardhini, na kuificha fedha ya bwana wake.

¹⁹Na baada ya muda mrefu, bwana wa watumwa hao alirudi na kutengeneza mahesabu nao.²⁰Yule mtumwa aliyepokea talanta tano alikuja na kuleta talanta zingine tano, akasema, ‘Bwana, ulinipa talanta tano. Tazama, nimepata faida ya talanta zingine tano.’

²¹Bwana wake akamwambia, ‘Hongera, mtumwa mzuri na mwaminifu! Umekuwa mwaminifu kwa vitu vidogo. Nitakupa madaraka juu ya vitu vingi. Ingia katika furaha ya bwana wako.’

²²Mtumwa aliyepokea talanta mbili alikuja na kusema, ‘Bwana, ulinipa talanta mbili. Tazama, nimepata faida ya talanta zingine mbili,’

²³Bwana wake akamwambia, ‘Hongera, mtumwa mzuri na mwaminifu! Umekuwa mwaminifu kwa vitu vichache. Nitakupa madaraka juu ya vitu vingi. Ingia katika furaha ya bwana wako.’

²⁴Baadaye mtumwa aliyepokea talanta moja alikuja na kusema, ‘Bwana, najua kuwa wewe ni mtu mkali. Unachuma mahali ambapo hukupanda, na unavuna mahali ambapo hukusia.²⁵Mimi niliogopa, nikaenda zangu na kuificha talanta yako katika udongo. Tazama, unayo hapa ile iliyo yako.’

²⁶Lakini bwana wake alijibu na kusema, ‘Wewe mtumwa mwovu na mzembe, ulijua kwamba ninachuma mahali ambapo sijapanda na kuvuna mahali ambapo sikusia.²⁷Kwahiyo ulipaswa kuwapa fedha yangu watu wa benki, na wakati wa kurudi kwangu ningeipokea ile yangu pamoja na faida.²⁸Kwa hiyo mnyang'anyeni hiyo talanta na mpeni yule mtumwa aliye na talanta kumi.²⁹Kila mtu aliye nacho, ataongezewa zaidi-hata kwa kuzidishiwa sana. Lakini kwa yeyote asiye na kitu, hata alicho nacho atanyang'anywa.³⁰Mtupeni nje gizani huyo mtumwa asiyefaa, ambako kutakuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.’

³¹Wakati Mwana wa Adamu atakapokuja katika utukufu wake, na malaika wote pamoja naye, ndipo atakapokaa juu ya kiti chake cha utukufu.³²Mataifa yote yatakusanyika mbele zake, naye atawatenganisha watu, kama vile mchungaji anavyowatenganisha kondoo na mbuzi.³³Atawaweka kondoo mkono wake wa kuume, bali mbuzi atawaweka mkono wa kushoto.

³⁴Kisha mfalme atawaambia wale walio mkono wake wa kulia, ‘Njoni, mliobarikiwa na Baba yangu, urithini ufalme ulioandaliwa kwa ajili yenu tangu kuwekwa msingi wa ulimwengu.³⁵Kwa kuwa nilikuwa na njaa na mlinipa chakula; Nilikuwa mgeni na mlinikaribisha;³⁶Nilikuwa uchi, na mlinivika nguo; Nilikuwa mgonjwa na mkanitunza; Nilikuwa kifungoni na mkaniijia.’

³⁷Ndipo wenye haki watamjibu na kumwambia, ‘Bwana, lini tulikuona ukiwa na njaa, na kukulisha? Au una kiu na tukakupa maji?³⁸Na lini tulikuona ukiwa mgeni, na tukakukaribisha? Au ukiwa uchi na tukakuvisha nguo?³⁹Na lini tulikuona ukiwa mgonjwa, au katika kifungo, na tukakujia?

⁴⁰Na mfalme atawajibu na kuwaambia, ‘Kweli nawaambia, mlichotenda hapa kwa mmoja wa ndugu zangu wadogo, mlinitendea mimi.’

⁴¹Ndipo atawaambia hao walio mkono wake wa kushoto, ‘Ondokeni kwangu, mliolaaniwa, nendeni katika moto wa milele ulioandaliwa kwa ajili ya shetani na malaika zake,⁴²kwa sababu nilikuwa na njaa lakini hamkunipa chakula; Nilikuwa na kiu lakini hamkunipa maji;⁴³Nilikuwa mgeni lakini hamkunikaribisha; nikiwa uchi lakini hamkunipa mavazi; nikiwa mgonjwa na nikiwa kifungoni, lakini hamkunitunza.’

⁴⁴Ndipo wao pia watamjibu na kusema, ‘Bwana, lini tulikuona ukiwa na njaa, au una kiu, au u mgeni, au ukiwa uchi, au ukiwa mgonjwa, au ukiwa mfungwa, na hatukukuhudumia?

⁴⁵Kisha atawajibu na kusema, ‘Kweli nawaambia, kile ambacho hamkutenda kwa mmoja wa hawa wadogo, hamkunitendea mimi.’

⁴⁶Hawa watakwenda katika adhabu ya milele bali wenye haki katika uzima wa milele.”

Sura 26

¹Wakati Yesu alipomaliza kusema maneno yote hayo, aliwaambia wanafunzi wake,²“Mnajua kwamba baada ya siku mbili kutakuwa na sikukuu ya pasaka, na mwana wa Adamu atatolewa ili asulibiwe.”

³Baadaye wakuu wa makuhani na wazee wa watu walikutana pamoja katika makao ya Kuhani Mkuu, aliye kuwa anaitwa Kayafa.⁴Kwa pamoja walipanga njama ya kumkamata Yesu kwa siri na kumuua.⁵Kwa kuwa walisema, “Isifanyike wakati wa sikukuu, kusudi isije ikazuka ghasia miongoni mwa watu.”

⁶Wakati Yesu alipokuwa Bethania katika nyumba ya Simoni mkoma,⁷alipokuwa amejinyoosha mezani, mwanamke mmoja alikuja kwake akiwa amebeba mkebe wa alabasta iliyokuwa na mafuta yenye thamani kubwa, na aliyamimina juu ya kichwa chake.⁸Lakini wanafunzi wake walipoona jambo hilo, walichukia na kusema, “Nini sababu ya hasara hii?⁹Haya yangeweza kuuzwa kwa kiasi kikubwa na kupewa maskini.”

¹⁰Lakini Yesu, akiwa anajua hili, akawaambia, “Kwa nini mnamsumbua mwanamke huyu? Kwa kuwa amefanya kitu kizuri kwangu.¹¹Masikini mnao siku zote, lakini hamtakuwa pamoja nami daima.¹²Kwa sababu alipomimina mafuta haya juu ya mwili wangu, alifanya hivyo kwa ajili ya maziko yangu.¹³Kweli nawaambieni, popote Injili hii itakapohubiriwa katika ulimwengu mzima, kitendo alichofanya huyu mwanamke, pia kitakuwa kinasemwa kwa ajili ya kumkumbuka.”

¹⁴Ndipo mmoja wa wale Kumi na wawili, aliyeitwa Yuda Iskariote, alienda kwa wakuu wa makuhani¹⁵na kusema, “Mtanipatia nini nikimsaliti?” Wakampimia Yuda vipande thelathini vya fedha.¹⁶Tangu muda huo alitafuta nafasi ya kumsaliti.

¹⁷Hata siku ya kwanza ya mikate isiyotiwa chachu, wanafunzi walimwendea Yesu na kusema, “Wapi unataka tukuandalie ule chakula cha Pasaka?”

¹⁸Akawaambia, “Nendeni mjini kwa mtu fulani na mwambieni, Mwalimu anasema, ‘Muda wangu umekaribia. Nitaitimiza Pasaka pamoja na wanafunzi wangu katika nyumba yako.’”¹⁹Wanafunzi walifanya kama Yesu alivyowaagiza, na waliandaa chakula cha Pasaka.

²⁰Ilipofika jioni, aliketi kula chakula pamoja na wale wanafunzi kumi na wawili.²¹Walipokuwa wanakula chakula, alisema, “Kweli nawaambia kwamba mmoja wenu atanisaliti.”

²²Walihuzunika sana, na kila mmoja alianza kumuuliza, “Je, hakika siyo mimi, Bwana?”

²³Akawajibu, “Yule ambaye anachovya mkono wake pamoja nami katika bakuli ndiye atakaye nisaliti.²⁴Mwana wa Adamu ataondoka, kama alivyoandikiwa. Lakini ole wake mtu ambaye atamsaliti Mwana wa Adamu! Ingekuwa vizuri kwa mtu huyo kama asingezaliwa.”²⁵Yuda, ambaye angemsaliti alisema, “Je, ni mimi Rabi?” Yesu akamwambia, “Umesema jambo hilo wewe mwenyewe.”

²⁶Walipokuwa wakila chakula, Yesu aliutwaa mkate, akaubariki, na kuumega. Akawapa wanafunzi wake akisema, “Chukueni, mle. Huu ni mwili wangu.”²⁷Akatwaa kikombe na kushukuru, akawapa na kusema, “Kunyweni wote katika hiki.²⁸Kwa kuwa hii ni damu ya agano langu, inayomwagwa kwa ajili ya wengi kwa msamaha wa dhambi.²⁹Lakini nawaambieni, sitakunywa tena matunda ya mzabibu huu, hadi siku ile nitakapokunywa mpya pamoja nanyi katika ufalme wa Baba yangu.”

³⁰Walipokuwa wamemaliza kuimba wimbo, walitoka kwenda Mlima wa Mizeituni.

³¹Kisha Yesu akawaambia, “Usiku huu ninyi nyote mtajikwaa kwa sababu yangu, kwa kuwa imeandikwa, Nitampiga mchungaji na kondoo wa kundi watatawanyika.³²Lakini baada ya kufufuka kwangu, nitawatangulia kwenda Galilaya.”

³³Lakini Petro alimwambia, “Hata kama wote watakukataa kwa sababu ya mambo yatakayokupata, mimi sitakukataa.”

³⁴Yesu akamjibu, “Kweli nakuambia, usiku huu kabla jogoo hajawika, utanikana mara tatu.”

³⁵Petro akamwambia, “Hata kama ingenipasa kufa na wewe, sitakukana.” Na wanafunzi wengine wote wakasema vivyo hivyo.

³⁶Baadaye Yesu alienda nao mahali panapoitwa Gethsemane na aliwaambia wanafunzi wake, “Kaeni hapa wakati nikienda huko na kuomba.”³⁷Akamchukua Petro na wana wawili wa Zebedayo na akaanza kuhuzunika na kusononeka.³⁸Kisha akawaambia, “Roho yangu ina huzuni kubwa sana, hata kiasi cha kufa. Bakini hapa na mkeshe pamoja nami.”³⁹Akaenda mbele kidogo, akaanguka kifudifudi, na kuomba. Akasema, “Baba yangu, kama inawezekana, kikombe hiki kiniepuke. Isiwe kama ninavyotaka mimi, bali kama utakavyo wewe.”⁴⁰Akawaendea wanafunzi na akawakuta wamelala usingizi, na akamwambia Petro, “Kwa nini hamkuweza kukesha nami kwa saa moja?⁴¹Kesheni na kuomba kusudi msiingie majaribuni. Roho i radhi, lakini mwili ni dhaifu.”

⁴²Akaenda zake mara ya pili na kuomba, akasema, “Baba yangu, kama jambo hili haliwezi kuepukika na ni lazima nikinywee kikombe hiki, mapenzi yako yatimizwe.”

⁴³Akarudi tena na kuwakuta wamelala usingizi, kwa kuwa macho yao yalikuwa mazito.⁴⁴Kisha akawaacha tena akaenda zake. Akaomba mara ya tatu akisema maneno yaleyale.⁴⁵Baadaye Yesu aliwaendea wanafunzi wake na kuwaambia, “Bado mmelala tu na kujipumzisha? Tazameni, saa imekaribia, na Mwana wa Adamu anasalitiwa mikononi mwa wenye dhambi.⁴⁶Amkeni, tuondoke. Tazama, yule anaye nisaliti amekaribia.”

⁴⁷Wakati alipokuwa bado anaongea, Yuda mmoja wa wale kumi na wawili, akafika. Kundi kubwa lilifika pamoja naye likitokea kwa wakuu wa Makuhani na wazee wa watu. Walikuja na mapanga na marungu.⁴⁸Tena mtu aliyekusudia kumsaliti Yesu alikuwa amewapa ishara, akisema, “Yule nitakayembusu, ndiye yeye. Mkamateni.”⁴⁹Mara hiyo alikuja kwa Yesu na kusema, “Salamu, Mwalimu!” Na akambusu.

⁵⁰Yesu akamwambia, “Rafiki, lifanye lile ambalo limekuleta.” Ndipo wakaja, na kumnyoshea mikono Yesu, na kumkamata.⁵¹Tazama, mtu mmoja wa wale waliokuwa pamoja na Yesu, alinyosha mkono wake, akachomoa upanga wake, na akampiga mtumishi wa kuhani mkuu, na kumkata sikio lake.⁵²Ndipo Yesu akamwambia, rudisha upanga wako pale ulipoutoa, kwa kuwa wote watumiao upanga wataangamizwa kwa upanga.⁵³Mnadhani kuwa siwezi kumwita Baba yangu, naye akanitumia makundi ya majeshi zaidi ya kumi na mawili ya malaika?⁵⁴Lakini basi jinsi gani maandiko yangeweza kutimizwa, hivi ndivyo inapasa kutokea?”

⁵⁵Wakati huo Yesu akauambia umati, “Je! Mmekuja na mapanga na marungu kunikamata kama mnyang'anyi? Kila siku nilikaa hekaluni nikifundisha, na hamkunishika!⁵⁶Lakini yote haya yametendeka ili Maandiko ya manabii yatimie.” Ndipo wanafunzi wake wakamwacha na kukimbia.

⁵⁷Wale waliomkamata Yesu walimpeleka kwa Kayafa, Kuhani Mkuu, mahali ambapo waandishi na wazee walikuwa wamekusanyika pamoja.⁵⁸Lakini Petro alimfuata nyuma kwa mbali hadi katika ukumbi wa Kuhani Mkuu. Aliingia ndani na kukaa pamoja na walinzi aone kitakachotokea.

⁵⁹Basi wakuu wa makuhani na Baraza lote walikuwa wakitafuta ushahidi wa uongo dhidi ya Yesu, kusudi wapate kumuua.⁶⁰Ingawa walijitokeza mashahidi wengi, lakini hawakupata sababu yoyote. Baadaye mashahidi wawili walijitokeza mbele⁶¹na kusema, “Mtu huyu alisema, “Naweza kulivunja hekalu la Mungu na kulijenga tena kwa siku tatu.”

⁶²Kuhani Mkuu alisimama na kumwuliza, “Hauwezi kujibu? Hawa wanakushuhudia nini dhidi yako?”⁶³Lakini Yesu alikaa kimya. Kuhani Mkuu akamwambia, “Kama Mungu aishivyo, nakuamuru utwambie, kama wewe ni Kristo, Mwana wa Mungu.”

⁶⁴Yesu akamjibu, “Wewe mwenyewe umesema jambo hilo. Lakini nakuambia, toka sasa na kuendelea utamwona Mwana wa Adamu ameketi mkono wa kulia wenye nguvu, na akija katika mawingu ya mbinguni.”

⁶⁵Ndipo Kuhani Mkuu alirarua mavazi yake na kusema, “Amekufuru! Je, twahitaji tena ushahidi wa nini? Angalia, tayari mmesikia akikufuru.⁶⁶Je! Mnawaza nini? Wakajibu na kusema, “Anastahili kifo.”⁶⁷Kisha walimtemea mate usoni na kumpiga ngumi, na kumchapa makofi kwa mikono yao,⁶⁸na kusema, “Tutabirie, wewe Kristo. Ni nani amekuchapa?”

⁶⁹Wakati huo Petro alikuwa amekaa nje katika ukumbi, na mtumishi wa kike alimwendea na kusema, “Wewe pia ulikuwa pamoja na Yesu wa Galilaya.”

⁷⁰Lakini alikana mbele yao wote, akisema, “Sijui kitu unachosema.”

⁷¹Alipoenda nje ya lango, mtumishi mwingine wa kike alimwona na kuwaambia waliokuwepo hapo, “Mtu huyu pia alikuwa pamoja na Yesu wa Nazareti.”

⁷²Akakana tena kwa kiapo, “Mimi simjui mtu huyu.”

⁷³Muda mfupi baadaye, wale waliokuwa wamesimama karibu, walimwendea na kusema na Petro, “Kwa hakika wewe pia ni mmoja wao, kwa kuwa hata lafudhi yako inaonesha.”

⁷⁴Ndipo alianza kulaani na kuapa, “Mimi simfahamu mtu huyu,” na mara hiyo jogoo akawika.

⁷⁵Petro alikumbuka maneno aliyoambiwa na Yesu, “Kabla jogoo hajawika utanikana mara tatu.”

Sura 27

¹Muda wa asubuhi ulipofika, wakuu wote wa makuhani na wazee wa watu walikula njama dhidi ya Yesu wapate kumuua.²Walimfunga, walimwongoza, na kumfikisha kwa Liwali Pilato.

³Kisha wakati Yuda, ambaye alikuwa amemsaliti, aliona kwamba Yesu amekwisha kuhukumiwa, alijuta na kurudisha vipande thelathini vya fedha kwa mkuu wa makuhani na wazee,⁴na akasema, “Nimefanya dhambi kwa kuisaliti damu isiyo na hatia.” Lakini wakajibu, “Inatuhusu nini sisi? Yaangalie hayo mwenyewe.”⁵Kisha alivirusha chini vile vipande vya fedha katika hekalu, na kuondoka zake na kujinyonga mwenyewe.

⁶Mkuu wa makuhani alivichukua vile vipande vya fedha na kusema, “Si halali kuiweka fedha hii katika hazina, kwa sababu ni gharama ya damu.”⁷Walijadiliana kwa pamoja na fedha ikatumika kununulia shamba la mfinyazi la kuzika wageni.⁸Kwa sababu hii shamba hilo limekuwa likiitwa, “Shamba la damu” hadi leo hii.

⁹Kisha lile neno lililokuwa limenenwa na nabii Yeremia lilitimia, kusema, “Walitwaa vipande thelathini vya fedha, gharama iliyopangwa na watu wa Israel kwa ajili yake,¹⁰na waliitumia kwa shamba la mfinyanzi, kama Bwana alivyokuwa amenielekeza.”

¹¹Sasa Yesu alisimama mbele ya Liwali, na Liwali akamwuliza, “Je! Wewe ni mfalme wa Wayahudi?” Yesu alimjibu, “Wewe wasema hivyo.”

¹²Lakini wakati aliposhitakiwa na wakuu wa makuhani na wazee, hakujibu chochote.

¹³Kisha Pilato akamwambia, “Hujayasikia haya mashitaka yote dhidi yako?”¹⁴Lakini hakumjibu hata neno moja, hivyo Liwali alijawa na mshangao.

¹⁵Sasa katika sikukuu ilikuwa desturi ya Liwali kumfungua mfungwa mmoja anayechaguliwa na umati.¹⁶Wakati huo walikuwa na mfungwa sugu jina lake Baraba.

¹⁷Hivyo wakati walipokuwa wamekusanyika pamoja, Pilato aliwauliza, “Ni nani mnataka tumfungue kwa ajili yenu?” Baraba au Yesu anayeitwa Kristo?”¹⁸Kwa sababu alijua kwamba wamekwisha kumkamata kwa sababu ya chuki.

¹⁹Wakati alipokuwa akiketi kwenye kiti chake cha hukumu, mke wake alimtumia neno na kusema, “Usitende jambo lolote kwa mtu huyo asiye na hatia. Kwani nimeteswa mno hata leo katika ndoto kwa sababu yake.”

²⁰Ndipo wakuu wa makuhani na wazee waliwashawishi makutano wamwombe Baraba, na Yesu auawe.²¹Liwali aliwauliza, “Ni yupi kati ya wawili mnataka mimi nimwachie kwenu?” Walisema, “Baraba.”

²²Pilato akawaambia, “Nimtendee nini Yesu anayeitwa Kristo?” Wote wakajibu, “Msulibishe”²³Naye akasema, “Kwa nini, ni kosa gani ametenda?” Lakini walizidi kupaza sauti hata juu mno, “Msulibishe.”

²⁴Hivyo wakati Pilato alipoona hawezi kufanya lolote, lakini badala yake vurugu zilikuwa zimeanza, alitwaa maji akanawa mikono yake mbele ya umati, na kusema, “Mimi sina hatia juu ya damu ya mtu huyu asiye na hatia. Yaangalieni haya wenyewe.”

²⁵Watu wote wakasema, “Damu yake iwe juu yetu na watoto wetu.”²⁶Kisha akamfungulia Baraba kwao, lakini alimpiga mijeredi Yesu na kumkabidhi kwao kwenda kusulibiwa.

²⁷Kisha askari wa Liwali wakamchukua Yesu mpaka Praitorio na kundi kubwa la maaskari wote wakakusanyishwa.²⁸Wakamvua nguo zake na kumvika kanzu ya rangi nyekundu.²⁹Kisha wakatengeneza taji ya miiba na kuiweka juu ya kichwa chake, na walimwekea mwanzi katika mkono wake wa kuume. Walipiga magoti mbele yake na kumkejeli, wakisema, “Salamu, Mfalme wa Wayahudi?”³⁰Na walimtemea mate, na walitwaa mwanzi na kumpiga kichwani.³¹Wakati walipokuwa wakimkejeli, walimvua ile kanzu na kumvika nguo zake, na kumwongoza kwenda kumsulibisha.

³²Walipotoka nje, walimwona mtu kutoka Krene jina lake Simeoni, ambaye walimlazimisha kwenda nao ili apate kuubeba msalaba wake.³³Walipofika mahali paitwapo Galigotha, maana yake, ‘Eneo la fuvu la Kichwa.’³⁴Walimpa siki iliyochanganywa na nyongo anywe. Lakini alipoionja, hakuweza kuinywa.³⁵Wakati walipokuwa wamemsulubisha, waligawana mavazi yake kwa kupiga kura.³⁶Na waliketi na kumwangalia.³⁷Juu ya kichwa chake waliweka mashitaka dhidi yake yakisomeka, “Huyu ni Yesu, mfalme wa Wayahudi.”³⁸Wanyang'anyi wawili walisulubiwa pamoja naye, mmoja upande wa kulia wake na mwingine wa kushoto.³⁹Wale waliokuwa wakipita walimdhihaki, wakitikisa vichwa vyao⁴⁰na kusema, “Wewe uliyekuwa unataka kuliharibu hekalu na kulijenga katika siku tatu, jiokoe mwenyewe! Kama ni Mwana wa Mungu, shuka chini utoke msalabani!”

⁴¹Katika hali ile ile wakuu wa makuhani walikuwa wakimkashifu, pamoja na waandishi na wazee, na kusema,⁴²“Aliokoa wengine, lakini hawezi kujiokoa mwenyewe. Yeye ni Mfalme wa Wayahudi. Na ashuke chini toka msalabani, ndipo tutakapomwamini.⁴³Alimtumaini Mungu. Acha Mungu amwokoe sasa kama anataka, kwa sababu alisema, ‘Mimi ni Mwana wa Mungu.’”⁴⁴Na wale wanyang'anyi waliokuwa wamesulubiwa pamoja naye pia walisema maneno ya kumdhihaki.

⁴⁵Sasa kutoka saa sita kulikuwa na giza katika nchi yote hadi saa tisa.⁴⁶Ilipofika saa tisa, Yesu akalia kwa sauti kuu, “Eloi, Eloi, lama thabakithan?” akimaanisha, “Mungu wangu, Mungu wangu, kwa nini umeniacha?”⁴⁷Wakati huo baadhi yao waliokuwa wamesimama pale walisikia, wakasema, “Anamwita Eliya.”⁴⁸Mara moja mmoja wao alikimbia kuchukua sifongo na kuijaza kinywaji kichungu, akaiweka juu ya mti na kumpa apate kunywa.

⁴⁹Nao waliosalia wakasema, “Mwacheni peke yake, acheni tuone kama Eliya atakuja kumwokoa.”⁵⁰Kisha Yesu akalia tena kwa sauti kuu na akaitoa roho yake.⁵¹Tazama, Pazia la hekalu lilipasuka sehemu mbili kutokea juu hadi chini. Na ardhi ikatetemeka na miamba ikapasuka vipande.⁵²Makaburi yalifunguka, na miili ya watakatifu wengi waliokuwa wamelala usingizi walifufuliwa.⁵³Walitoka kwenye makaburi baada ya ufufuo wake, waliingia mji mtakatifu, na wakaonekana na wengi.

⁵⁴Basi yule akida na wale ambao walikuwa wakimtazama Yesu waliona tetemeko na mambo yaliyokuwa yakitokea, walijawa na woga sana na kusema, “Kweli huyu alikuwa Mwana wa Mungu.”

⁵⁵Wanawake wengi waliokuwa wakimfuata Yesu kutoka Galilaya ili kumhudumia walikuwa pale wakitazama kutoka kwa mbali.⁵⁶Miongini mwao walikuwa Mariamu Magdarena, Mariamu mama yake Yakobo na Joseph, na mama wa watoto wa Zebedayo

⁵⁷Ilipofika jioni, alikuja mtu tajiri kutoka Arimathayo, aliyeitwa Yusufu, ambaye pia alikuwa mwanafunzi wa Yesu.⁵⁸Alimwendea Pilato na kuuomba mwili wa Yesu. Kisha Pilato aliagiza apate kupewa.⁵⁹Yusufu aliuchukua mwili akaufunga na sanda ya sufi safi,⁶⁰na akaulaza katika kaburi jipya lake alilokuwa amelichonga mwambani. Kisha akavingirisha jiwe kubwa likafunika mlango wa kaburi na akaenda zake.⁶¹Mariamu Magdalena na Mariamu mwingine walikuwa pale, wamekaa kuelekea kaburi.

⁶²Siku iliyofuata ambayo ilikuwa siku baada ya maandalio, wakuu wa makuhani na Mafarisayo walikusanyika pamoja kwa Pilato.⁶³Wakamwambia, “Bwana, tunakumbuka kuwa wakati yule mdanganyifu alipokuwa hai, alisema, ‘Baada ya siku tatu atafufuka tena.’⁶⁴Kwahiyo, agiza kwamba kaburi lilindwe salama mpaka siku ya tatu. Vinginevyo, wanafunzi wake wanaweza kuja kumwiba na kusema kwa watu, ‘Amefufuka kutoka kwa wafu.’ Na udanganyifu wa mwisho utakuwa mbaya kuliko ule wa kwanza.”

⁶⁵Pilato akawaambia, “Chukueni walinzi. Nendeni mkafanye hali ya usalama kama muwezavyo.”⁶⁶Hivyo walikwenda na kufanya kaburi kuwa salama, jiwe liligongwa mhuri na kuweka walinzi.

Sura 28

¹Baadaye jioni siku ya Sabato, jua lilipokuwa likichwa kuelekea siku ya kwanza ya juma, Mariamu magadalena, na yule Mariam mwingine walikuja kuliona kaburi.²Tazama kulikuwa na tetemeko kubwa, kwa sababu malaika wa Bwana alishuka na kulivingirisha lile jiwe, kisha akalikalia.³Sura yake ilikuwa kama ya umeme, na mavazi yake yalikuwa meupe kama theluji.⁴Wale walinzi walijawa na hofu na kuwa kama wafu.

⁵Yule malaika akawafafanulia wale wanawake akisema, “Msiogope kwa maana najua kuwa mnamtafuta Yesu, aliyesulubiwa.⁶Hayupo hapa, lakini amefufuka kama alivyowaambia. Njooni muone mahali ambapo Bwana alilala.

⁷Nendeni haraka mkawaambie wanafunzi wake, ‘Amefufuka toka wafu, tazama amewatangulia Galilaya. Huko ndiko mtamwona.’ Tazama mimi nimewaambia.”

⁸Wale wanawake waliondoka pale kaburini haraka wakiwa na hofu na furaha kubwa, na wakakimbia kuwaambia wanafunzi wake.⁹Tazama Yesu akakutana nao na kusema, “Salamu.” Wale wanawake walikuja na kushika miguu yake, na kisha wakamwabudu.¹⁰Kisha Yesu akawaambia, “Msiogope, nendeni mkawaambie ndugu zangu watangulie Galilaya. Huko wataniona.”

¹¹Wakati wale wanawake walipokuwa wakienda, tazama baadhi ya walinzi walienda mjini na kuwaambia wakuu wa makuhani mambo yote yaliyokuwa yametokea.¹²Nao makuhani walipokuwa wamekutana na wazee na kulijadili jambo hilo pamoja nao, walitoa kiasi kikubwa cha pesa kwa wale askari¹³na kuwaambia, “Waambieni wengine kuwa, ‘Wanafunzi wa Yesu walikuja usiku wakauiba mwili wa Yesu wakati sisi tulipokuwa tumelala.’¹⁴Kama taarifa hii itamfikia Liwali, sisi tutamshawishi na kuwaondoleeni ninyi mashaka yote.”¹⁵Kwa hiyo wale askari wakazichukua zile pesa na kufanya kama walivyokuwa wameelekezwa. Habari hii ikaenea sana kwa Wayahudi na imekuwa hivyo hadi leo.

¹⁶Lakini wale mitume kumi na mmoja walienda Galilaya, kwenye ule mlima aliokuwa amewaelekeza.¹⁷Nao walipomwona, walimwabudu. Lakini baadhi yao waliona shaka.¹⁸Yesu akaja kwao akawambia akisema, “Nimepewa mamlaka yote duniani na mbinguni.¹⁹Kwa hiyo enendeni mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi. Wabatizeni katika jina la Baba, na la Mwana, na la Roho Mtatkatifu.²⁰Wafundisheni kuyatii mambo yote niliyowaagiza, na tazama, mimi niko pamoja nanyi daima, hata mpaka mwisho wa dunia.

Swahili: Unlocked Literal Bible for Matthew

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Matthew

Mathayo