Daily Readings

[17] For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, [19] by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, [20] who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

[1] When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. [2] And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. [3] Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, [4] saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” [5] Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. [6] But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” [7] And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. [8] Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. [9] Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, [10] and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” [11] Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “ It is as you say.” [12] And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. [13] Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” [14] But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. [15] Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. [16] And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. [17] Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” [18] For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. [19] While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” [20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” [22] Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” [23] Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” [24] When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” [25] And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” [26] Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. [27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. [28] And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. [29] When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” [30] Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. [31] And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. [32] Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. [33] And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, [34] they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. [35] Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” [36] Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. [37] And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. [38] Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. [39] And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads [40] and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” [41] Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, [42] “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. [43] He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” [44] Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. [45] Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. [46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [47] Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” [48] Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. [49] The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” [50] And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. [51] Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, [52] and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [53] and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. [54] So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” [55] And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, [56] among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

[66] As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, [67] “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. [68] And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. [69] Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” [70] Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” [71] And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” [1] Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” [3] Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “ It is as you say.” [4] So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” [5] But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” [6] When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. [7] And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. [8] Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. [9] Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. [10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. [11] Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. [12] That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. [13] Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, [14] said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; [15] no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. [16] I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” [17] (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). [18] And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— [19] who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. [20] Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. [21] But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” [22] Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” [23] But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. [24] So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. [25] And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will. [26] Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. [27] And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. [28] But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. [29] For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ [30] Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ [31] For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” [32] There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. [33] And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. [34] Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. [35] And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” [36] The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, [37] and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” [38] And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. [39] Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” [40] But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” [42] Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” [43] And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” [44] Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. [45] Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. [46] And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. [47] So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” [48] And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. [49] But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

[11] For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, [12] saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” [13] And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” [14] Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. [16] For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. [17] Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18] For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

[17] And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, [18] where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. [19] Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. [20] Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. [21] Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” [22] Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” [23] Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. [24] They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. [25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” [27] Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. [28] After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” [29] Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. [30] So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. [31] Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [32] Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. [33] But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. [34] But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. [35] And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. [36] For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” [37] And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

[9] The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. [10] “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings. [11] Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him. [12] As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” [13] The Lord stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people. [14] The Lord will enter into judgment With the elders of His people And His princes: “For you have eaten up the vineyard; The plunder of the poor is in your houses. [15] What do you mean by crushing My people And grinding the faces of the poor?” Says the Lord God of hosts.

[14] But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. [16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. [17] From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. [18] Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

[19] Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and having a High Priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. [26] For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. [28] Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

[11] But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. [12] Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, [14] how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [15] And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. [16] For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. [18] Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. [19] For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, [20] saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” [21] Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. [22] And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. [23] Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; [25] not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— [26] He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. [27] And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, [28] so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” [20] Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. [22] For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; [23] but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [26] For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. [27] But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; [28] and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, [29] that no flesh should glory in His presence. [30] But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— [31] that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

[28] Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. [29] Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” [30] They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” [31] Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” [32] that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. [33] Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” [34] Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” [35] Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” [36] Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” [37] Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” [38] Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. [39] “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [40] Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. [1] So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. [2] And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. [3] Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. [4] Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” [5] Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” [6] Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” [7] The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” [8] Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, [9] and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. [10] Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” [11] Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” [12] From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” [13] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. [14] Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” [15] But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” [16] Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.

[1] For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave. [2] For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart: [3] which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air, [4] and our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof. [5] For our time is a very shadow that passeth away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again. [6] Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth. [7] Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us: [8] let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered: [9] let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this. [10] Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged. [11] Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth. [12] Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education. [13] He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself the child of the Lord. [14] He was made to reprove our thoughts. [15] He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion. [16] We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father. [17] Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. [18] For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. [19] Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. [20] Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected. [21] Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them. [22] As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.

[1] Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. [2] And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. [3] Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. [4] So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. [5] And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. [6] So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. [7] Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. [8] And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” [9] So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” [10] And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. [11] Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ [12] Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” [13] So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. [14] When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. [15] Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; [16] for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” [17] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; [18] for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” [19] And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” [20] Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. [21] But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. [22] And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” [23] Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. [24] Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. [25] And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ [26] But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. [27] For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. [28] “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. [29] And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, [30] that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [31] And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” [33] But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” [34] Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” [35] And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” [36] Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. [37] For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” [38] So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” [39] Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. [40] When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” [41] And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, [42] saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” [43] Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. [44] And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. [45] When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. [46] Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” [47] And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. [48] But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” [49] When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” [50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. [51] But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. [52] Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? [53] When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” [54] Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. [55] Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. [56] And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” [57] But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” [58] And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” [59] Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” [60] But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. [61] And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” [62] So Peter went out and wept bitterly. [63] Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. [64] And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” [65] And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

[27] Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’ [28] “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” [29] Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” [30] Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” [31] But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. [32] Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” [33] And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. [34] Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” [35] He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. [36] And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. ” [37] Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? [38] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [39] Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. [40] And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. [41] Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” [43] And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. [44] Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” [45] As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. [46] Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. [47] And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [48] Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? [49] I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” [50] Then they all forsook Him and fled. [51] Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, [52] and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. [53] And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. [54] But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. [55] Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. [56] For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. [57] Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, [58] “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” [59] But not even then did their testimony agree. [60] And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” [61] But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” [62] Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” [63] Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? [64] You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. [65] Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands. [66] Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. [67] And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” [68] But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. [69] And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” [70] But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” [71] Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” [72] A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

[31] Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [32] But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” [33] Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” [34] Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” [35] Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples. [36] Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” [37] And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. [38] Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” [39] He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” [40] Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? [41] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” [43] And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. [45] Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” [47] And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. [48] Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” [49] Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. [50] But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. [51] And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [52] But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. [53] Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” [55] In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. [56] But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

[2] And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. [3] Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. [4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” [5] They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He. ” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. [6] Now when He said to them, “I am He, ” they drew back and fell to the ground. [7] Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” [8] Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” [9] that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” [10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. [11] So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” [12] Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. [13] And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. [14] Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. [15] And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. [16] But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. [17] Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” [18] Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. [19] The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. [20] Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. [21] Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” [22] And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” [24] Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. [25] Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” [26] One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” [27] Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

[4] “TheLord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. [5] The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. [6] I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. [7] “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. [8] He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. [9] Surely the Lord God will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.

[1] Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?— “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” [2] Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? [3] “I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. [4] For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. [5] I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me. [6] I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury, And brought down their strength to the earth.”

[13] I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, [14] that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, [15] which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

[57] Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. [58] This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. [59] When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. [61] And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

[1] Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. [2] Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “ It is as you say.” [3] And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. [4] Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” [5] But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. [6] Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. [7] And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. [8] Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. [9] But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [10] For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. [11] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. [12] Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” [13] So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” [14] Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” [15] So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. [16] Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. [17] And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, [18] and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” [19] Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. [20] And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. [21] Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. [22] And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. [23] Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. [24] And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. [25] Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. [26] And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. [27] With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. [28] So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” [29] And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, [30] save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” [31] Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. [32] Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. [33] Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [35] Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” [36] Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” [37] And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. [38] Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. [39] So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” [40] There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, [41] who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

[13] Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. [14] Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men; [15] So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider. [1] Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [2] For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. [3] He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. [4] Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. [9] And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. [10] Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. [11] He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

[5] Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You. [6] It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. [7] It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord— Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. [8] And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. [9] And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The Lord is one,” And His name one. [10] All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. [11] The people shall dwell in it; And no longer shall there be utter destruction, But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

[16] Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. [18] “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ [19] Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. [20] Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” [21] When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [22] Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. [23] Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. [24] Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. [25] Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” [26] Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it. ” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. [27] Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” [28] But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. [29] For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. [30] Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. [31] So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. [32] If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. [33] Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [36] Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” [37] Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” [38] Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. [1] “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And where I go you know, and the way you know.” [5] Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. [7] “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” [8] Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. [11] Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. [12] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. [13] And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. [15] “If you love Me, keep My commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. [19] “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. [20] At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. [21] He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” [23] Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. [24] He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. [25] “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [28] You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. [29] “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. [30] I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. [31] But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. [1] “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. [5] “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. [7] If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. [8] By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. [9] “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. [10] If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. [11] “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. [12] This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. [14] You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. [17] These things I command you, that you love one another. [18] “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] He who hates Me hates My Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. [25] But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ [26] “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. [27] And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. [1] “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. [3] And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. [4] But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. [5] “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. [8] And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] of sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; [11] of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. [12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. [15] All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. [16] “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” [17] Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” [18] They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” [19] Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? [20] Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. [21] A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. [22] Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. [23] “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. [24] Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. [25] “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. [26] In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; [27] for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. [28] I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” [29] His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! [30] Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” [31] Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? [32] Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. [33] These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [1] Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, [2] as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. [3] And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. [4] I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. [5] And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. [6] “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. [7] Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. [8] For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. [9] “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. [10] And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. [11] Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. [12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. [13] But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. [14] I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [18] As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. [20] “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; [21] that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. [22] And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: [23] I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. [24] “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. [26] And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” [1] When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

[9] “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; [10] I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day. [11] “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. [12] They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it.

[57] And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. [58] But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. [59] Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, [60] but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward [61] and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” [62] And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” [63] But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” [64] Jesus said to him, “ It is asj you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [65] Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! [66] What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” [67] Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, [68] saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?” [69] Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” [71] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” [72] But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” [73] And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” [74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

[11] So it was broken on that day. Thus the poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. [12] Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter. [14] Then I cut in two my other staff, Bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

[5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[18] Now the Lord gave me knowledge of it, and I know it; for You showed me their doings. [19] But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.” [20] But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause. [21] “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, lest you die by our hand’— [22] therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; [23] and there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring catastrophe on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their punishment.’ ” [1] Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? [2] You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind. [3] But You, O Lord, know me; You have seen me, And You have tested my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, And prepare them for the day of slaughter. [4] How long will the land mourn, And the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, For the wickedness of those who dwell there, Because they said, “He will not see our final end.” [5] “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? [6] For even your brothers, the house of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you; Yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, Even though they speak smooth words to you. [7] “I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies. [8] My heritage is to Me like a lion in the forest; It cries out against Me; Therefore I have hated it.

[8] In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. [9] It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. [10] “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. [11] In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. [12] And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; [13] the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; [14] all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.