The 19th Chapter
     And he entered in, and went through Hericho (Jericho). And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, which was a ruler among the Publicans, and was rich also. And he made means to see Jesus, what he should be: and could not for the press, because he was of a low stature. Wherefore he ran before, and climbed up into a wild fig tree, to see him: for he should come that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him: Zache, come down at once, for today I must abide at your house. And he came down hastily and received him joyfully. And when they saw that they all grudged saying: He is gone in to tarry with a man that is a sinner.
     And Zache stood forth and said unto the Lord: behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have done any man wrong, I will restore him four fold. And Jesus said to him: this day is health come unto this house, for as much as he also is become the child of Abraham. For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
     As they heard these things, he added thereto a similitude, because he was near to Herusalem (Jerusalem), and because also they thought that the kingdom of God should shortly appear. He said therefore: a certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive him a kingdom, and then to come again. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds saying unto them: buy and sell till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him saying: We will not have this man to reign over us.
     And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded these servants, to be called to him (to whom he gave his money) to wit (know) what every man had done. Then came the first, saying: Lord, your pound has increased ten pounds. And he said unto him. Well good servant because you was faithful in a very little thing, take you authority over ten cities. And the other came saying: Lord your pound has increased five pounds. And to the same he said: and be you also ruler over five cities.
     And the third came and said: Lord behold here your pound, which I have kept in a napkin, for I feared you, because you are a strait man: you take up that you laid not down, and reap that you did not sow. And he said unto him: Of your own mouth, judge I you you evil servant. Knew you that I am a strait man taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow? Wherefore then gave not you my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with vantage?
     And he said to them that stood by: take from him that pound, and give it him that has ten pounds. And they said unto him Lord he has ten pounds. I say unto you, that unto all them that have, it shall be given: and from him that has not, even that he has shall be taken from him. Moreover those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them bring hither, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he proceeded forth before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
     And it fortuned, when he was come near to Bethphage and Bethany, besides mount Olivete, he sent two of his disciples saying: Go you in to the town which is over against you. In the which as soon as you are come, you shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat. Loose him and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, why that you loose him: thus say unto him, the Lord has need of him.
     They that were sent, went their way and found, even as he had said unto them. And as they were a loosing the colt, the owners said unto them: why loose you the colt? And they said: for the Lord has need of him. And they brought him to Jesus. And they cast their raiment on the colt, and set Jesus theron. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
     And when he was now come, where he should go down from the mount Olivete, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice, and to laud God with a loud voice, for all the miracles that they had seen, saying: Blessed be the king that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees of the company said unto him: Master rebuke your disciples. He answered, and said unto them: I tell you if these should hold their peace, the stones would cry.
     And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept on it saying: If you had known those things which belong unto your peace, even at this your time? But now are they hid from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you, that your enemies shall cast a bank about you, and compass you round, and keep you in on every side, and make you even with the ground, with your children which are in you. And they shall not leave in you one stone upon another, because you knew not the time of your visitation.
     And he went in to the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought saying unto them, it is written: my house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. The high Priests and the scribes and the chief of the people went about to destroy him: but could not find what to do. For all the people stuck by him, and gave him audience.

The 20th Chapter
     And it fortuned in one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel: the high Priests and the Scribes came with the elders and spoke unto him saying: Tell us by what authority you do these things? Either who is he that gave you this authority? He answered and said unto them: I also will ask you a question, and answer me. The baptism of John: was it from heaven or of men? And they thought within themselves saying: if we shall say from heaven: he will say: why then believed you him not? But and if we shall say of men, all the people will stone us. For they be persuaded that John is a Prophet. And they answered that they could not tell from where it was. And Jesus said unto them: neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
     Then began he to put forth to the people this similitude. A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers, and went him self into a strange country for a great season. And when the time was come, he sent a servant to his tenants that they should give him of the fruits of the vineyard. And the tenants did beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent yet another servant. And they did beat him, and foul entreated him also, and sent him away empty. Moreover, he sent the third too, and him they wounded, and cast out. Then said the lord of the vineyard: what shall I do? I will send my dear son, him peradventure they will reverence, when they see him.
     But when the farmers saw him, they thought in themselves saying: this is the heir, come let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. And they cast him out of the vineyard: and killed him. Now what shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He will come and destroy those farmers, and will let out his vineyard to other. When they heard that, they said: God forbid.
     And he beheld them and said: what means this then that is written: The stone that the builders refused, the same is made the head corner stone? Whosoever stumble at that stone shall be broken: but on whosoever it fall upon, it will grind him to powder. And the high priests and the scribes the same hour went about to lay hands on him, but they feared the people. For they perceived that he had spoken this similitude against them.
     And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves perfect, to take him in his words, and to deliver him unto the power and authority of the debite (deputy). And they asked him saying: Master, we know that you say and teach right, neither consider you any mans degree, but teach the way of God truly. Is it lawful for us to give Cesar tribute or no? He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them: why tempt you me? Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription has it? They answered and said: Cesars. And he said unto them: Give then unto Cesar, that which belongs unto Cesar: and to God that which pertains to God. And they could not reprove his saying before the people. But they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
     Then came to him certain of the Sadduces which deny that there is any resurrection. And they asked him saying: Master, Moses wrote unto us, if any mans brother die having a wife, and the same die without issue: that then his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren, and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took the wife, and he died childless. And the third took her, and in like wise the residue of the seven, and left no children behind them, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Now at the resurrection whose wife of them shall she be? For seven had her to wife.
     Jesus answered and said unto them. The children of this world marry wives, and are married, but they which shall be made worthy to enjoy that world and the resurrection from death, neither marry wives neither are married nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God in as much as they are the children of the resurrection. And that the dead shall rise again, even Moses signified besides the bush, when he said: the Lord God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not the God of the dead, but of them which live. For all live in him. Then certain of the Pharisees answered and said: Master you have well said. And after that durst they not ask him any question at all.
     Then said he unto them: how say they that Christ is Davids son? And David him self says in the book of the Psalms: The Lord said unto my Lord, sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool. Seeing David calls him Lord: How is he then his son?
     Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, beware of the Scribes, which desire to go in long clothing: and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues and chief rooms at feasts, which devour widows houses and that under a colour of long praying: the same shall receive greater damnation.

CONTINUE

God's Truth