| It happened on an after Sabbath, that he went through the corn field, and that his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and ate, and rubbed them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them: Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Saboth days? And Jesus answered them and said: Have ye not read what David did, when he himself was an hungered and they which were with him: how he went into the house of God, and took and ate the loaves of hallowed bread, and gave also to them which were with him: which was not lawful to eat, but for the Priests only. And he said unto them: The son of man is Lord of the Saboth day.
And it fortuned in another Saboth also, that he entered into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man whose right hand was dried up. And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Saboth day, that they might find an accusation against him. 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 stepped forth. Then said Jesus unto them: I will ask you a question: Whether is it lawful on the Saboth days to do good or to do evil? to save life or for to destroy it? And he beheld them all in compass, and said unto the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored, and made as whole as the other. And they were filled full of madness, and communed one with another, what they might do to Jesu.
And it fortuned in those days, that he went out into a mountain for to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And as soon as it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, which also he called Apostles. Simon whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother. James and John, Philip and Bartlemew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas James son, and Judas Iscarioth, which same was the traitor.
And he came down with them and stood in the plain field with the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all parts of *Jurie and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases: and they also that were vexed with foul spirits, and they were healed. And all the people pressed to touch him: for there went *vertue out of him, and healed them all.
And he lifted up his eyes upon the disciples, and said: Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you out of their company, and rail, and abhor your name as an evil thing, for the son of mans sake. Rejoice ye then, and be glad: for behold, your reward is great in heaven. After this manner their fathers entreated the Prophets.
But woe be to you that are rich: for ye have therein your consolation. Woe be to you that are full: for ye shall hunger. Woe be to you that now laugh: for ye shall wail and weep. Woe be to you when all men praise you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear: Love your enemies. Do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you. And pray for them which wrongfully trouble you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy gown, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee. And of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you: so do ye to them likewise.
If ye love them which love you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners love their lovers. And if ye do for them which do for you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners do even the same. If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive: what thank shall ye have: For the very sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Wherefore, love ye your enemies, do good and lend, looking for nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest: for he is kind unto the unkind and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not: and ye shall not be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosoms. For with what measure ye mete, with the same shall men mete to you again.
And he put forth a similitude unto them: Can |
