went out, and found others standing | two, he also gained other two. But idle, and saith to them, Why stand he that had received one went and ye here all the day idle? They say digged in the earth, and hid his masto him, Because no man hath hired ter's money. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. us. 5 So when even was come, the master of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first. 10 He also that had received two talents came and said, Master, thou deliveredst to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into thy master's joy. 9 After a long time the master of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Master thou deliveredst to me five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more. His master said 6 And when they came that were to him, Well done, good and faithful hired about the eleventh hour, they servant: thou hast been faithful over received every man a penny. When a few things, I will make thee ruler the first came, they supposed that over many things: enter thou into they should have received more; but thy master's joy. they likewise received every man a penny and when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and II Then he who had received go thy way: I will give to these last, the one talent came and said, Master, even as to thee. Is it not lawful for I knew thee that thou art an hard me to do what I will with mine own? man, reaping where thou didst not Is thine eye evil, because I am good? sow, and gathering where thou didst 7 The kingdom of heaven is as a not scatter: so I was afraid, and man travelling into a far country, who went and hid thy talent in the earth: called his own servants, and deliv-lo, there thou hast what is thine. ered to them his goods. To one he His master answered, Thou wicked gave five talents, to another two, and slothful servant, thou knewest and to another one; to every man according to his several ability: and straightway took his journey. 8 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Likewise he that had received that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter: thou oughtest at least to have put my money at the exchangers: then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who hath ten talents. For to with me; for I have found the piece every one that hath improved shall be which I had lost. given, and he shall have abundance: 5 Likewise, I say to you, there but from him that hath not improved is joy in the presence of the angels shall be taken away even that which of God over one transgressor that he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable repenteth. servant out into the darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. SELECTION XXI. Fesus shows that God will seek for his lost and prodigal children until every one of them is found. THEN HEN drew near all the publicans and sinners to hear him: and the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 2 And he spake this parable unto them: What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 3 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one transgressor that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance. 6 And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 7 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have eaten the pods of the carob tree that the swine did eat: but no man gave even these to him. 8 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have transgressed against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 9 And he arose, and came to his 4 Either what woman having ten father. But when he was yet a pieces of silver, if she lose one great way off, his father saw him, piece, doth not light a candle, and and had compassion, and ran, and sweep the house, and seek diligently fell on his neck, and kissed him. till she find it? And when she hath And the son said to him, Father, I found it, she calleth her friends and have transgressed against heaven, and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father friends heard of it, they went out to said to his servants, Bring forth the lay hold on him: for they said, He best robe, and put it on him; and is beside himself. For neither did put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his brethren believe in him. his feet and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. IO Now the elder son was in the field and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: so he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said, Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in therefore came his father out, and intreated him. : 2 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent a message to him, to call him out. And the multitude sat about him: and it was said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. He answered them, saying, Who is my mother or my brethren? and looking round on them who sat about him, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren! for whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. 3 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the demons casteth he out demons. II And he said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, 4 And he called them, and said neither transgressed I at any time to them in parables, How can thy commandment: yet thou never Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. As soon, however, as this thy son, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, came, thou didst kill for him the fatted calf. be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand: if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand and if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 5 No one can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; then he can spoil his house. 6 Truly I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is in AND the multitude came together danger of eternal condemnation. again, so that they could not (Because they said, He hath an un so much as eat bread: and when his clean spirit.) ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know him and if I should say, I know him not, I would be a liar like unto you: I know him, and keep his word. 14 Your father Abraham desired 8 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart to see my day: and he saw it, and the mouth speaketh. A good man was glad. Then said the Jews to out of the good treasure of the heart him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, bringeth forth good things: and an and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus evil man out of the evil treasure answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, I bringeth forth evil things. am, before Abraham was. Then took they up stones to cast at him but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. 9 I say to you, That every idle word that men speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. IO Which of you convinceth me of error? And if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. SELECTION XXIII. Fesus shows that whosoever will enter into the kingdom of God must be born again of the spirit of boldness, of self-denial, and of willingness to suffer oppositions and persecutions for truth's sake. NEVERTHELESS among the chief rulers even, many believed II Then answered the Jews, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, on him; but because of the Pharisees and hast a demon? Jesus answered, they did not confess him, lest they I have not a demon; but I honor my should be put out of the synagogue: Father, and ye dishonor me. I seek for they loved the approval of men not mine own glory: there is one that more than the approval of God. seeketh and judgeth. Truly, truly, 2 There was a man of the PhariI say to you, If a man keep my say-sees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of ing, he shall never die. the Jews: the same came by night to Jesus, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these wonders that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to thee, Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 12 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know thou hast a demon. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never die. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 13 Jesus answered, If I honor my- 3 Nicodemus said to him, How self, my honor is nothing: it is my can a man be born when he is old? Father that honoreth me; of whom can he enter the second time into his Truly I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven: again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a man who loves riches to enter into the kingdom of God. mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly I say to thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God: for that which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to thee, Ye must be born again: for the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst Jesus said to them, Truly I say to not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 4 Nicodemus answered, How can these things be? Jesus said to him, Art thou a teacher in Israel, and knowest not these things? 7 Then answered Peter, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? you, That ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 8 Then came to him the moth5 And one came and said to him, er of Zebedee's children with her Good Master, what good thing shall sons, bowing before him, and desiring I do, that I may have eternal life? a certain thing of him. And he And he said to him, Why callest said to her, What wilt thou? She thou me good? there is none good answered, Grant that these my two but one, that is, God: however, if sons may sit, the one on thy right thou wilt enter into life, keep the hand, and the other on the left, in commandments. He said to him, thy kingdom. But Jesus said, Ye Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no know not what ye ask. Are ye able murder, Thou shall not commit adul- to drink of the cup that I shall tery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt drink of, and to be baptized with the not bear false witness, Honor thy baptism that I am baptized with? father and thy mother: and, Thou They replied, We are able. And he shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. said to them, Ye shall drink indeed The young man replied, All these of my cup, and be baptized with the have I kept from my youth up: baptism that I am baptized with: what lack I yet? Jesus said to him, but to sit on my right hand, and on If thou wilt be perfect, go sell that my left, is not mine to give, but it thou hast, and distribute it to the shall be given to them for whom it is poor, so that thou shalt have prepared of my Father. treasure in heaven: then come and 9 When the ten heard this, they follow me. But when the young were moved with indignation against man heard that saying, he went the two brethren: but Jesus called away sorrowful: for he had great them to him, and said, Ye know possessions. that the princes of the Gentiles ex 6 Then said Jesus to his disciples, ercise dominion over them, and they |