The 21st Chapter
     As he beheld, he saw the rich men, how they cast in their offerings into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow, which cast in there two mites. And he said: of a truth I say unto you, this poor widow has put in more than they all. For they all have of their superfluity (excess) added unto the offering of God: but she, of her penury, has cast in all the substance that she had.
     As some spoke of the temple, how it was garnished with goodly stones and Jewels, he said. The days will come, when of these things which you see, shall not be left stone upon stone, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him saying: Master when shall these things be, and what sign will there be, when such things shall come to pass.
     And he said: take heed, that you be not deceived. For many will come in my name saying: I am he: and the time draws near. Follow you not them therefore. But when you hear of war and of dissension: be not afraid. For these things must first come: but the end follows not by and by. Then said he unto them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in all quarters, and hunger, and pestilence: and fearful things. And great signs shall there be from heaven.
     But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues and into prison, and bring you before kings and rulers for my names sake. And this shall chance you for a testimonial. Let it stick therefore fast in your hearts, not once to study before, what you shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, where against, all your adversaries shall not be able to speak nor resist. Yee and you shall be betrayed of your fathers and mothers, and of your brethren, and kinsmen, and lovers, and some of you shall they put to death. And hated shall you be of all men for my names sake. Yet there shall not one hair of your heads perish. With your patience possess your souls.
     And when you see Jerusalem besieged with an host, then understand that the desolation of the same is nigh. Then let them which are in Jewrye fly (orig: flye) to the mountains. And let them which are in the midst of it, depart out. And let not them that are in other countries, enter therein. For these be the days of vengeance, to fulfil all that are written. But woe be to them that be with child, and to them that give suck in those days: for there shall be great trouble in the land, and wrath over all this people. And they shall fall on the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive, into all nations. And Jerusalem shall be trodden under foot of the gentiles, until the time of the gentiles be fulfilled.
     And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and in the earth the people shall be in such perplexity, that they shall not tell which way to turn themselves. The sea and the waters shall roar, and mens hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which shall come on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall move. And then shall they see the son of man come in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to come to pass: then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draws nigh.
     And he showed them a similitude: behold the fig tree, and all other trees, when they shoot forth their buds, you see and know of your own selves that summer is then near at hand. So like wise you (when you see these things come to pass) understand, that the kingdom of God is nigh. Verily I say unto you: this generation shall not pass, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass.
     Take heed to yourselves, least your hearts be overcome with *surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this world: and that, that day come on you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that sit on the face of the earth. Watch therefore continually and pray, that you may obtain grace to fly all this that shall come, and that you may stand before the son of man. *surfeiting : abundance: as for me this would be having a heart for the ungodly spiritual wickedness that is so much in excess these days; as there is all manner of spiritual wicknesses offered to the people. RN
     In the day time, he taught in the temple and at night, he went out, and had abiding in the mount olivete. And all the people came in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

The 22nd Chapter
     The feast of sweet bread drew near which is called *ester, and the high Priests and Scribes sought how to kill him, but they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas, whose sur name was Iscariot (which was of the number of the twelve) and he went his way and communed with the high priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad: and promised to give him money. And he consented, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them, when the people were away. *ester: exactly as it appears
     Then came the day of sweet bread, when of necessity the esterlamb must be offered. And he sent Peter and John saying: Go and prepare us the esterlamb, that we may eat. They said to him. Where will you, that we prepare? And he said unto them. Behold when you be entered into the city, there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water, him follow into the same house that he enters in, and say unto the good man of the house. The master says unto you: where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat mine esterlamb with my disciples? And he shall show you a great parlour paved. There make ready. And they went and found as he had said unto them: and made ready the esterlamb.
     And when the hour was come, he sat down and the twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them: I have inwardly desired to eat this esterlamb with you before that I suffer. For I say unto you: from now on I will not eat of it any more, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup and gave thanks, and said. Take this, and divide it among you. For I say unto you: I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God be come.
     And he took bread, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: This is my body which is given for you. This do in the remembrance of me. Likewise also, when they had supped, he took the cup saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which shall for you be shed.
     Yet behold, the hand of him that betrays me, is with me on the table. And the son of man goes as it is appointed: But woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed. And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it should be, that should do that.
     And there was a strife among them, which of them should be taken for the greatest. And he said unto them: the kings of the gentiles reign over them, and they that bear rule over them, are called gracious lords. But you shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you, shall be as the youngest: and he that is chief, shall be as the minister. For whether is greater, he that sits at meat: or he that serves? Is not he that sits at meat? And I am among you, as he that ministers. you are they which have bidden (remained moved, invited, called) with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my father has appointed to me: that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
     And the Lord said: Simon, Simon behold Satan has desired you, to sift you, as it were wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And when you are converted, strengthen your brethren. And he said unto him. Lord I am ready to go with you into prison, and to death. And he said: I tell you Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, till you have three times denied that you knew me.
     And he said unto them: when I sent you without wallet and scrip and shoes, lacked you anything? And they said, no. And he said to them: but now he that has a wallet let him take it up, and likewise his scrip. And he that has no sword, let him sell his coat and buy one. For I say unto you, that yet that which is written, must be performed in me: Even with the wicked was he numbered. For those things which are written of me, have an end. And they said: Lord, behold here are two swords. And he said unto them: it is enough.
     And he came out, and went as he was wont (as usual) to mount Olivete. And the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them: pray, least you fall into temptation.
     And he got himself from them, about a stones cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying: Father if you will, withdraw this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but your be fulfilled. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, comforting him. And he was in agony, and prayed somewhat longer. And his sweat was like drops of blood, trickling down to the ground. And he rose up from prayer and came to his disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them: Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, least you fall into temptation.
     While he yet spoke: behold, there came a company, and he that was called Judas one of the twelve, went before them, and pressed near unto Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said unto him: Judas, betray you the son of man with a kiss? When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him: Lord, shall we smite with sword. And one of them smote a servant of the highest priest of all, and smote off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said: Suffer (allow) you thus far forth. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
     Then Jesus said unto the high priests and rulers of the temple and the elders which were come to him. Be you come out, as unto a thief with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched not forth hands against me. But this is even your very hour, and the power of darkness. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him to the high Priests house. And Peter followed afar off.
     When they had kindled a fire in the midst of the palace, and were set down together Peter also sat down among them. And one of the wenches, beheld him as he sat by the fire, and set good eye sight on him and said: this same was also with him. Then he denied him saying: woman I know him not. And after a little while, another saw him and said: you are also of them. And Peter said: man I am not. And about the space of an hour after, another affirmed saying: verily even this fellow was with him, for he is of Galile, and Peter said: man I wot (know) not what you say. And immediately while he yet spoke, the cock crew. And the Lord turned back and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how he said unto him, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
     And the men that stood about Jesus, mocked him, and smote him, and blindfolded him, and smote his face. And asked him saying: arede (make known,guess), who it is that smote you? And many other things despitefully said they against him.
     And as soon as it was day the elders of the people and the high Priests and Scribes, came together, and led him into their council saying: are you very Christ? tell us. And he said unto them: if I shall tell you, you will not believe. And if also I ask you, you will not answer me or let me go. Hereafter shall the son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all: are you then the son of God? He said to them: you say that I am. Then said they: what need we any further witness? We ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

CONTINUE