Timeline of the Bible
God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood,
but saves Noah and his family.---
God
chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's
grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.---
The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites
escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and
take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the
Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. ----
David is
Israel's greatest king. -- Israel divides into 2
parts: Israel and Judah.---
The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false
gods.--- God allows the
Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel
and Judah.--- The
Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia.
--- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to
Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.---
Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called
Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans
take control of Israel.---►
This book of the Bible covers this time Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins
his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. ---
◄A
Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.---
Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other
places. In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed
again.
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The Gospel of Luke
Luke was not one of the 12 disciples. Years after Jesus was
crucified, Luke traveled with the apostle Paul. Luke had been a
doctor before he started traveling with Paul. Luke wrote this book of
the Bible based on what Paul and others told him.
Luke also wrote the Book of Acts.
The Gospel of Luke was probably written in 85 - 90 AD.
Luke 4 - 6
The devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days.
Jesus goes to His hometown of Nazareth, but the people reject Him.
Jesus makes a devil spirit leave a man in
Capernaum.
Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law and other people in Galilee.
Jesus picks His 12 apostles.
Jesus says to love your enemies and do not judge other people.
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Luke 4
The devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness for
40 days.
Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. He
left the Jordan River. Then, the Holy Spirit led him to the wilderness.
[1] And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by
the Spirit into the wilderness,
The devil tempted Jesus for 40 days. During that
time, He did not eat anything. At the end of 40 days, Jesus was hungry.
The devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, turn this rock into bread."
[2] Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing:
and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
[3] And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone
that it be made bread.
Jesus answered him, "It is written that man does not
live on food only. He lives by every word of God."
[4] And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word of God.
The devil took Jesus up high on a mountain. In just a
short time, he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. The devil said, "If
you will worship me, I will give you all the power over the kingdoms. I have
power over them, and I can give it to anyone I want."
[5] And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the
kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
[6] And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory
of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
[7] If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Jesus answered him, "Get behind Me, Satan. It is
written that we should worship and serve only God."
[8] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
The devil took Jesus to Jerusalem. He set Him on a high
part of the temple. He said, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down
from there. The scriptures say that God will give angels to protect You. It says
their hands will carry You so that You don't hit your foot on a stone."
[9] And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple,
and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
[10] For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
[11] And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy
foot against a stone.
Jesus answered him, "The scriptures say that you should not tempt the Lord your
God."
[12] And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy God.
The devil finished tempting Jesus, then left Him for a
while.
[13] And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a
season.
Jesus becomes famous.
Jesus had the power of the Holy Spirit. He went to Galilee. He started to
become famous in that area. He taught in the synagogues. Everyone praised Him.
[14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went
out a fame of him through all the region round about.
[15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Jesus goes to His hometown of Nazareth, but the people reject Him.
Then, He went to Nazareth where He grew up. He went
into the synagogue on the sabbath like He always did. He stood up to read.
[16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom
was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
They brought Him the book of Elijah. He opened the book to the place where it
said this:
[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when
he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has made Me
special to preach the gospel to poor people. He sent Me to heal people who are
sad. He sent Me to preach about how to be save to people who are in prison. He
sent Me to help blind people see again. He sent Me to free the people who
have been beaten up. He sent Me to tell that this is the Lord's year.
[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised,
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Jesus closed the book and gave it to the leader. Then,
He sat down. Everyone in the synagogue was looking at Him. Jesus said to them,
"Today, this scripture
comes true.
[20] And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
[21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your
ears.
Everyone who saw and heard Him was amazed at what He
said. They said to each other, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
[22] And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which
proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Jesus said to them, "For sure you will say to me
'Doctor, heal yourself. Do the same things here that we heard that you did in
Capernaum.'"
[23] And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician,
heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy
country.
Jesus said, "Truly, I tell you that no prophet is
accepted in His own country. But I will tell you a true story. Back when Elijah
was living, there were many widows in Israel. There was a time when it
didn't rain for 3 years and 6 months. There was very little food to eat in
Israel. But Elijah wasn't sent to any of them. He was sent to the area of
Sidon to the city of Sarepta. There was a widow there in that area.
There were also many people with leprosy in Israel at that time. None of them
were made clean except for Naaman who was from Syria.
[24] And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own
country.
[25] But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias,
when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was
throughout all the land;
[26] But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,
unto a woman that was a widow.
[27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none
of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
The people in the synagogue got very angry when they
heard these things. They got up and took Him out of the city. They led
him to a steep cliff and planned to throw Him off the cliff. But He just walked
away and left the area.
[28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled
with wrath,
[29] And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of
the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
[30] But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
Jesus makes a devil spirit leave a man in
Capernaum.
He went to the area of Galilee to the city named
Capernaum. He taught them on the sabbath days. The people were amazed at His
teaching. He spoke with power.
[31] And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the
sabbath days.
[32] And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
There was a man in the synagogue that had a devil
spirit in him. He yelled loudly at Jesus, "Leave us alone. We don't have
anything to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth. Have you come to destroy us? I know
who you are. You are the Holy One of God."
[33] And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean
devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
[34] Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?
art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jesus scolded him, "Be quiet and come out of him." The
devil spirit threw the man down in the middle of the crowd. Then, the spirit
came out of him and didn't hurt him."
[35] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And
when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him
not.
Everyone was amazed. They said to each other, "His
words are amazing! He speaks with power and authority. When He talks, He makes
the unclean spirits come out."
[36] And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word
is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and
they come out.
Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law and other people in Galilee.
Jesus started to become famous all around the area.
[37] And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
He left the synagogue and went to Simon's house.
Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. They asked Jesus to help her.
Jesus stood over her and talked forcefully to the fever. The fever immediately
went down. She got up and served them some food.
[38] And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And
Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for
her.
[39] And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and
immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
When the sun was going down, everyone who had sick
people with many different diseases brought them to Jesus. He laid His hands on
each one and healed them.
[40] Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers
diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and
healed them.
Many devil spirits came out, too. They yelled, "You
are Christ the Son of God. He talked forcefully to them and told them not
to talk. The spirits knew that He was Christ.
[41] And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ
the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew
that he was Christ.
When it was day, Jesus left and went into the desert. People went looking
for Him. When they found Him, they stayed with Him so that He wouldn't leave.
[42] And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the
people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart
from them.
Jesus said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God
to other cities. That is why I have been sent here."
[43] And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities
also: for therefore am I sent.
Jesus continued to preach in the synagogues in Galilee.
[44] And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Luke 5
Jesus performs a miracle for the fishermen.
Later, as the people crowded around Him to hear God's
word, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
[1] And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word
of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
He saw 2 boats by the lake. The fishermen were out of
the boats. They were washing their nets.
[2] And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of
them, and were washing their nets.
Jesus got into Simon's boat. He asked Simon to take the boat out in the
water a little ways from the shore. Jesus sat down and that is where He taught
the people on the shore.
[3] And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that
he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the
people out of the ship.
After He finished speaking to the crowd, Jesus said to
Simon, "Go out into the deep water and put your nets down there."
[4] Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep,
and let down your nets for a draught.
Simon said, "Master, we have been working all night and
caught nothing. But I will listen to You and let down the net."
[5] And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and
have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
When they let down the net, they caught a lot of fish.
There were so many fish that the net broke. They called the other fishermen from
the other boat to come and help. They filled both boats with so many fish
that the boats started to sink.
[6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and
their net brake.
[7] And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that
they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so
that they began to sink.
Simon Peter saw this, and fell down at Jesus' knees. He
said, "Go away from me because I am a sinful man, O Lord."
[8] When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from
me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Simon Peter and everyone with him was amazed at how
many fish they had caught.
[9] For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the
fishes which they had taken:
The men with Simon Peter were amazed, too. They were
James and John (their father was Zebedee). They were Simon Peter's fishing
partners. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Don't be afraid. From
now on, you will catch men instead of fish."
[10] And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners
with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt
catch men.
They brought their boats to the shore. They left
them there and followed Jesus.
[11] And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and
followed him.
Jesus heals a man who has leprosy.
Later on, when Jesus was in another town, there was a
man who had leprosy (a skin disease). He saw Jesus and then fell down on
his face. He begged Jesus, "If you want to, you can make me clean."
[12] And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of
leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if
thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. He
said, "I want to. Be clean." And immediately his skin was healthy again.
[13] And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean.
And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Jesus told the man not to tell anyone. He should go to
the priest and offer a sacrifice because he was clean. This was according
to Moses' law. It would show everyone that he has been healed.
[14] And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest,
and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto
them.
Jesus goes into the desert by himself to pray.
Jesus became more famous. Big crowds came to hear
Him and to be healed by Him.
[15] But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes
came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Jesus went by himself into the desert and prayed.
[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Jesus heals a man who comes down to Him through the
ceiling.
One day, Jesus was teaching. There were some Pharisees
and experts in Jewish law sitting near Him. There were people there from every
town in Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem. Jesus had the power to heal them.
[17] And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were
Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town
of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to
heal them.
Some men carried in a bed with a sick man on it.
The sick man had muscle problems. His friends wanted him to see Jesus so that
Jesus could heal him.
[18] And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and
they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
They couldn't find a way to get close to Jesus because
there was so many people there. So, they carried the man and his bed up to the
top of the house. They lowered him through the ceiling so that he was
close to Jesus.
[19] And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of
the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling
with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, "Man,
your sins are forgiven."
[20] And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven
thee.
The scribes and Pharisees started to ask questions.
They asked, "Who is this who is talking against God? Who can forgive sins except
for God?"
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this
which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them,
"What are you thinking about? Which is easier to say - your sins are forgiven or
get up and walk? Just so you know, the Son of man has the power on earth to
forgive sins." Then, Jesus said to the sick man, "I say to you, 'Get up and pick
up your bed and go home.' "
[22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What
reason ye in your hearts?
[23] Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up
and walk?
[24] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive
sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up
thy couch, and go into thine house.
Immediately, the man stood up in front of them. He
picked up his bed and left to go home. He was thanking God and giving God the
glory.
[25] And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay,
and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Everyone was amazed. They gave God glory. They were in
awe of Jesus. They said, "We have seen amazing things today."
[26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with
fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
The tax collector, Levi, follows Jesus.
After He did those things, he went on. He saw a
public official named Levi. He was sitting where they had to pay taxes. Jesus
said to Levi, "Follow me." And Levi left what he was doing and got up and
followed Jesus."
[27] And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi,
sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
[28] And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Levi made a big dinner for Jesus in his own house.
There were many other tax collectors and public officials that ate, too. The
scribes and Pharisees saw this and talked to each other. They talked bad about
Jesus' disciples. They said to Jesus, "Why are you eating and drinking with
public officials and sinners?"
[29] And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great
company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
[30] But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why
do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Jesus answered, "People who are healthy do not need a
doctor. Sick people need a doctor. I did not come to call good people to repent.
I came to get sinners to repent."
[31] And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a
physician; but they that are sick.
[32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Why do John's
disciples fast and pray often? So do the Pharisee's followers. But your
followers eat and drink. Why?"
[33] And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make
prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
Jesus answered. He said, "When the bridegroom is still
at the party, do his friends fast? But the time is coming when the bridegroom
will be taken away from them. Then when that happens, they will fast."
[34] And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast,
while the bridegroom is with them?
[35] But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them,
and then shall they fast in those days.
Jesus also told them this story to make a point. He
said, "No one puts a piece of new cloth on old clothes. The piece of new cloth
would make the old cloth rip. No one puts new wine into old bottles because the
new wine will break the old bottles and spill out. The old bottles would be
destroyed. New wine should be put into new bottles. Then the wine and
bottles are safe. No man drinks old wine and then asks for new wine. He
says that the old wine is better."
[36] And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new
garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the
piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
[37] And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst
the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
[38] But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
[39] No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith,
The old is better.
Luke 6
Jesus and His disciples eat corn on a sabbath.
On a sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples walked
through corn fields. His disciples picked ears of corn and ate them.
One of the Pharisees asked them why they were doing that because it was against
the law.
[1] And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went
through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did
eat, rubbing them in their hands.
[2] And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not
lawful to do on the sabbath days?
Jesus answered them, "Haven't you read about what David
did when he was hungry? He and some of the people with him went into the temple
and ate the shewbread. The shewbread is supposed to be for the priests only. It
is against the Jewish law to eat it."
[3] And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David
did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
[4] How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and
gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the
priests alone?
Jesus also said, "The Son of man is also the Lord of the sabbath."
[5] And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Jesus heals a man's hand on the sabbath.
On another sabbath, Jesus went into a synagogue and was teaching. There was a
man there, and the man's hand was deformed.
[6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the
synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus. They wanted to
see if He would heal the man on the sabbath. They were looking for a way to
accuse Him of doing something against the law.
[7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the
sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to the man, "Stand up." The man
obeyed Jesus and stood up.
[8] But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand,
Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, "I will ask you one question.
Does it obey the law to do good on the sabbath or to do evil? Does it say you can
save life or destroy life?"
[9] Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the
sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Jesus looked around at them all. Then, He said to the man, "Stretch out your
hand." The man stretched out his hand, and his hand was healed. It looked like
his other hand."
[10] And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth
thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
The scribes and Pharisees were very mad. They talked to
each other about what they should do to Jesus.
[11] And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they
might do to Jesus.
Jesus picks His 12 apostles.
Later, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. He stayed all night and prayed to God.
[12] And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to
pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
In the daytime, He called His disciples. He chose 12
to be His apostles.
[13] And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose
twelve, whom also he named apostles;
These were Jesus' 12 apostles:
Simon (Jesus called him Peter)
Andrew (he was Simon Peter's brother)
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James (his father was Alphaeus)
Simon ( he was called Zelotes)
Judas (his brother was James)
Judas Iscariot (the traitor)
[14] Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John,
Philip and Bartholomew,
[15] Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
[16] And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the
traitor.
Jesus says to love your enemies and do not judge other
people.
Jesus and His disciples came down from the mountain.
They were in the flat plain area. A big crowd came to Him from all over Judea,
Jerusalem, and the areas of Tyre and Sidon near the sea. They came to hear
Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. People came to be cleaned from evil
spirits. They were healed.
[17] And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his
disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and
from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed
of their diseases;
[18] And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
The crowd tried to touch Him. When they touched Him,
His power went out and healed them.
[19] And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of
him, and healed them all.
Jesus looked at His followers. He said:
The poor people are blessed because the kingdom of God is for them.
The people who are hungry now are blessed, because they will eat until they are
full.
The people who cry now are blessed because they will laugh in the future.
You are blessed when people hate you, when they stay away from you, when they
scold you, and when they say you are evil because of the Son of man.
Be happy when those things happen. Jump for joy because your reward in heaven
will be great. Their ancestors did the same thing to the prophets long ago.
[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor:
for yours is the kingdom of God.
[21] Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that
weep now: for ye shall laugh.
[22] Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you
from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for
the Son of man's sake.
[23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great
in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
You people who are rich will have bad things happen to
you. You have already received your reward on earth.
You people who are full now will be hungry later.
You people who laugh now will mourn and cry later.
If people say good things about you now, you will have bad things happen. That's
the same thing the ancestors did to the false prophets.
[24] But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
[25] Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh
now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
[26] Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their
fathers to the false prophets.
I am telling you who hear: love your enemies. Be good
to people who hate you. Say good things to people who curse you and people who
only use you.
[27] But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which
hate you,
[28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
If someone hits you on your cheek, turn and offer to
let him hit your other cheek, too. If someone takes your light coat, let them
also have your heavy coat.
[29] And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and
him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to everyone who asks you for something. If
someone takes away your things, don't ask for them back.
[30] Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy
goods ask them not again.
Treat people the way you want them to treat you.
[31] And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
If you love people who love you, that is no reason for
a reward. Even sinners love the people who love them.
[32] For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also
love those that love them.
If you are good to people who are good to you, that is no reason for a reward.
Sinners do the same thing.
[33] And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for
sinners also do even the same.
If you loan something to someone you feel will pay you
back, that is no reason for a reward. Sinners also lend to sinners to get
back what they loaned.
[34] And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for
sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Your reward will be great if you love your enemies and
lend without knowing you will get it back. You will be called children of the
Highest. God is kind to people who are evil and unthankful.
Show mercy to people just like God has shown mercy to you.
[35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;
and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for
he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn people, and you will not be condemned. If you forgive
people, you will also be forgiven.
[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
When you give, it will also be given to you. You will
receive a good size, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. The
same measurement you use to give to other people is the measurement that will be
used for you.
[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Jesus says that we should not criticize other people.
Jesus told this story. Can one blind person lead around
another blind person? Won't they both fall into a ditch?
[39] And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they
not both fall into the ditch?
A follower is not higher than his master. Everyone who
is perfect will be equal to his master.
[40] The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall
be as his master.
Why do you worry about the small piece of wood in your brother's eye when you
don't pay any attention to the large piece of wood in your own eye?
[41] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but
perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
How can you say to another person, "Brother, let me get the small piece of wood
out of your eye" when you don't even notice the large beam in your own eye? You
are a hypocrite. First, get the beam out of your own eye. Then, you can
see clearly enough to put out the small piece of wood in your brother's eye.
[42] Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote
that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine
own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then
shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Jesus tells how to know if a person has a good
heart or an evil heart.
A good tree does not make bad fruit. Also, a bad tree does not make good fruit.
[43] For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
A tree is known as good or bad by the fruit it makes.
Men do not pick figs from a tree with thorns. They don't pick grapes from
a tree with stickers.
[44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather
figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
If a man has a good heart, he will do good things.
If a man has an evil heart, he will do bad things. A person's words show what is
in his heart.
[45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which
is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth
that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
People who obey the Lord.
Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but you don't do what I
say?
[46] And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
I will show you what a person is like who hears My
words and obeys Me. He is like a man who built a house. He dug deep and made the
foundation of the house on solid rock. When there was a flood, the rain
and water beat hard on the house. But the house did not shake because it had a
foundation on strong rock.
[47] Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew
you to whom he is like:
[48] He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the
foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon
that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
A person who hears My words and does not obey they is
like a man who built a house with no foundation. When the water beat on
the house hard, the house immediately fell. The house was totally destroyed.
[49] But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation
built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and
immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.