The Holy Bible

Part 57 out of 74



be excused from mortal sin by ignorance; or might have repented of
their sin, at least at their death.

12:46. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the
dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the
dead. . .Here is an evident and undeniable proof of the practice of
praying for the dead under the old law, which was then strictly observed
by the Jews, and consequently could not be introduced at that time by
Judas, their chief and high priest, if it had not been always their
custom.



2 Machabees Chapter 13


Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The
king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.

13:1. In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that
Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,

13:2. And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs
of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five
thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots.

A hundred and ten thousand, etc. . .The difference between the numbers
here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for;
if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time
more numerous than at another; either by sending away large
detachments, or being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving
fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or
occurrences.

13:3. Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great
deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country,
but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.

13:4. But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against
the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the
evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be
apprehended and put to death in the same place.

13:5. Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a
heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.

13:6. From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown
down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.

13:7. And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of
the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.

13:8. And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many
sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy:
he was condemned to die in ashes.

13:9. But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself
worse to the Jews than his father was.

13:10. Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call
upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he
would help them:

13:11. Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their
country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the
people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again
in subjection to blasphemous nations.

13:12. So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of
the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for
three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.

13:13. But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should
bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go
out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.

13:14. So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having
exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death
for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he
placed his army about Modin.

13:15. And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of
God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter
by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of
the elephants, with them that had been upon him,

13:16. And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great
fear and tumult, they went off with good success.

13:17. Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and
help of the Lord.

13:18. But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews,
attempted to take the strong places by policy:

13:19. And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong
hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.

13:20. Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within

13:21. But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to
the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison.

13:22. Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his
right hand: took theirs: and went away.

13:23. He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood
that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at
Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and entreating the Jews,
and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable,
and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left
gifts.

13:24. He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from
Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians.

13:25. But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were
much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear
they should break the covenant.

13:26. Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the
reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus
matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.



2 Machabees Chapter 14


Demetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to him to be made
high priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with Judas: his
threats. The history of Razias.

14:1. But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with
him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a
great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for
his purpose,

14:2. And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus,
and his general, Lysias.

14:3. Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully
defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that
there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,

Now Alcimus, who had been chief priest. . .This Alcimus was of the stock
of Aaron, but for his apostasy here mentioned was incapable of the high
priesthood, but king Antiochus Eupator appointed him in place of the
high priest, (see above, 1 Mac. chap. 7., ver. 9,) as Menelaus had been
before him, set up by Antiochus (above chap. 4.), yet neither of them
were truly high priests; for the true high priesthood was amongst the
Machabees, who were also of the stock of Aaron, and had strictly held
their religion, and were ordained according to the rites commanded in
the law of Moses.--Ibid. Mingling. . .with the heathens; that is, in
their idolatrous worship.

14:4. Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty,
presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these,
some boughs that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he
held his peace.

14:5. But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being
called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon,
and what were their counsels,

14:6. He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called
Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise
seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.

14:7. For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the
high priesthood) am now come hither:

14:8. Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but
in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for
all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of these men.

14:9. Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take
care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according
to thy humanity which is known to all men.

14:10. For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state
should be quiet.

14:11. Now when this man had spoken to this effect the rest also of the
king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against
him.

14:12. And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants,
governor into Judea:

14:13. Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all
them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the
great temple.

14:14. Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to
Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to
be the welfare of their affairs.

14:15. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the
nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads,
and made supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for
ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.

14:16. Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed
from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet
them.

14:17. Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor:
but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.

14:18. Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's
companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for
their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.

14:19. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before
to present and receive the right hands.

14:20. And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the
captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind
to consent to covenants.

14:21. So they appointed a day upon which they might come together by
themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.

14:22. But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places,
lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they
made an agreeable conference.

14:23. And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away
the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.

14:24. And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well
affected to the man.

14:25. And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he
married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.

14:26. But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the
covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to
the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a
traitor to the kingdom, his successor.

14:27. Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's
wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly
displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him
nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.

14:28. When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it
grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon,
having received no injury from the man.

14:29. But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an
opportunity to comply with the orders

14:30. But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him,
and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough
manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he
gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.

14:31. But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the
great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the
accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

14:32. And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man
was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,

14:33. And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I
will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down
the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.

14:34. And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests
stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever
the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:

14:35. Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased
that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.

14:36. Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house
for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.

14:37. Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to
Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who
for his kindness was called the father of the Jews.

14:38. This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping
himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body
and life, that he might persevere therein.

14:39. So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the
Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.

14:40. For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.

14:41. Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break
open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he
struck himself with his sword:

He struck himself, etc. . .St. Augustine, (Epist. 61, ad Dulcitium, et
lib. 2, cap. 23, ad Epist. 2, Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias,
says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to
be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or
at least not proper in this time of grace.

14:42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the
wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.

14:43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and
the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and
manfully threw himself down to the crowd:

14:44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the
midst of the neck.

He came upon the midst of the neck. . .Venit per mediam cervicem. In the
Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no
building.

14:45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he
arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was
grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:

14:46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without
blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the
throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to
him again: and so he departed this life.



2 Machabees Chapter 15


Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The
conclusion.

15:1. But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of
Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath
day.

15:2. And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do
not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is
sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:

15:3. That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven,
that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.

15:4. And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in
heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.

15:5. Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to
take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not
to accomplish his design.

15:6. So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to
set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.

15:7. But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help
them.

15:8. And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations,
but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now
to hope for victory from the Almighty.

15:9. And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal
putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made
them more cheerful:

15:10. Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the
falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.

15:11. So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and
spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a
dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.

15:12. Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high
priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his
manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in
virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:

15:13. After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age,
and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:

15:14. Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and
of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people,
and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God.

15:15. Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to
Judas a sword of gold, saying:

15:16. Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt
overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.

15:17. Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very
good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of
the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully:
that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the
temple were in danger.

15:18. For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and
for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal
fear was for the holiness of the temple.

15:19. And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for
them that were to be engaged in battle.

15:20. And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the
enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the
horsemen ranged in convenient places,

15:21. Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the
divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts,
stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh
wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to
the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.

15:22. And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who
didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias, king of Juda, and didst
kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:

15:23. Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for
the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm,

15:24. That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy
holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.

15:25. But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with
trumpets and songs.

15:26. But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them,
calling upon God by prayers:

15:27. So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their
hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly
cheered with the presence of God.

15:28. And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy,
they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.

15:29. Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the
Almighty Lord in their own language.

15:30. And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die
for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand, with
the shoulder, should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.

15:31. And when he was come thither, having called together his
countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that
were in the castle,

15:32. And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which
he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the
Almighty God,

15:33. He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor should
be cut out, and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious
man to be hanged up over against the temple.

15:34. Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that
hath kept his own place undefiled.

15:35. And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it
might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.

15:36. And they all ordained by a common decree, by no means to let
this day pass without solemnity:

15:37. But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called
in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias' day.

15:38. So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from
that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here
make an end of my narration.

15:39. Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is
what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.

If not so perfectly, etc. . .This is not said with regard to the truth
of the narration; but with regard to the style and manner of writing:
which in the sacred penmen is not always the most accurate. See St.
Paul, 2 Cor. 11.6.

15:40. For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but
pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the
speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers.
But here it shall be ended.





THE NEW TESTAMENT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST





THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW



Saint Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, who from being a publican,
that is, a taxgatherer, was called by our Saviour to the Apostleship:
in that profession his name is Levi. (Luke 5.27, and Mark 2.14.) He was
the first of the Evangelists that wrote the Gospel, and that in Hebrew
or Syro-Chaldaic which the Jews in Palestine spoke at that time. The
original is not now extant; but it was translated in the time of the
Apostles into Greek, that version was of equal authority. He wrote
about six years after the Lord's Ascension.



Matthew Chapter 1


The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a virgin.

1:1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the
son of Abraham:

1:2. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas
and his brethren.

1:3. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron.
And Esron begot Aram.

1:4. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson
begot Salmon.

1:5. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And
Obed begot Jesse.

1:6. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon,
of her that had been the wife of Urias.

1:7. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot
Asa.

1:8. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot
Ozias.

1:9. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot
Ezechias.

1:10. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon
begot Josias.

1:11. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration
of Babylon.

1:12. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot
Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel.

1:13. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim
begot Azor.

1:14. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot
Eliud.

1:15. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan
begot Jacob.

1:16. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus, who is called Christ.

The husband of Mary. . .The Evangelist gives us rather the pedigree of
St. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to conform to the custom
of the Hebrews, who in their genealogies took no notice of women; but
as they were near akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the
other.

1:17. So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen
generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are
fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ
are fourteen generations.

1:18. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child, of the Holy Ghost.

1:19. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

1:20. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the
Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in
her, is of the Holy Ghost.

1:21. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name
Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.

1:22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord
spoke by the prophet, saying:

1:23. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.

1:24. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
commanded him, and took unto him his wife.

1:25. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son:
and he called his name Jesus.

Till she brought forth her firstborn son. . .From these words Helvidius
and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary
had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers
examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of
speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only
what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said,
Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and
did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did
not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow
old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first
book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and
gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain
till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or
after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right
hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer
after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome
also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also
called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the
firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith
the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of
Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.



Matthew Chapter 2


The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the massacre of
the Innocents.

2:1. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of
king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,

2:2. Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have
seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him.

2:3. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with
him.

2:4. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of
the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.

2:5. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written
by the prophet:

2:6. And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the
princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that
shall rule my people Israel.

2:7. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of
them the time of the star which appeared to them;

2:8. And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire
after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that
I also may come and adore him.

2:9. Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star
which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and
stood over where the child was.

2:10. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

2:11. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his
mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures,
they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

2:12. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not
return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

2:13. And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord
appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his
mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For
it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

2:14. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and
retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

2:15. That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet,
saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

2:16. Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was
exceeding angry: and sending killed all the menchildren that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and
under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the
wise men.

2:17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet,
saying:

2:18. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel
bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are
not.

2:19. But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in
sleep to Joseph in Egypt,

2:20. Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the
land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.

2:21. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the
land of Israel.

2:22. But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod
his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep
retired into the quarters of Galilee.

2:23. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be
fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a
Nazarene.



Matthew Chapter 3


The preaching of John: Christ is baptized.

3:1. And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert
of Judea.

3:2. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Do penance. . .Paenitentiam agite. Which word, according to the use of
the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance
and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and
such like penitential exercises.

3:3. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A
voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
straight his paths.

3:4. And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern
girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country
about Jordan:

3:6. And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

3:7. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his
baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to
flee from the wrath to come?

Pharisees and Sadducees. . .These were two sects among the Jews: of
which the former were for the most part notorious hypocrites; the
latter, a kind of freethinkers in matters of religion.

3:8. Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.

3:9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our
father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up
children to Abraham.

3:10. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree
therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast
into the fire.

3:11. I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall
come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.

3:12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his
floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn
with unquenchable fire.

3:13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be
baptized by him.

3:14. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and
comest thou to me?

3:15. And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so
it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him.

3:16. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and
lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God
descending as a dove, and coming upon him.

3:17. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.



Matthew Chapter 4


Christ's fast of forty days: He is tempted. He begins to preach, to
call disciples to him, and to work miracles.

4:1. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by
the devil.

4:2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he
was hungry.

4:3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread.

4:4. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man
live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.

4:5. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon
the pinnacle of the temple,

4:6. And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for
it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in
their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot
against a stone.

4:7. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy God.

4:8. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed
him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,

Shewed him, etc. . .That is, pointed out to him where each kingdom lay;
and set forth in words what was most glorious and admirable in each of
them. Or also set before his eyes, as it were in a large map, a lively
representation of all those kingdoms.

4:9. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou
wilt adore me.

4:10. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The
Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.

4:11. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to
him.

4:12. And when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up, he retired
into Galilee:

4:13. And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and of Nephthalim;

4:14. That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet:

4:15. Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond
the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

4:16. The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to
them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.

4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

4:18. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon
who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea
(for they were fishers).

4:19. And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be
fishers of men.

4:20. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him.

4:21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the
son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their
father, mending their nets: and he called them.

4:22. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him.

4:23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of
sickness and every infirmity, among the people.

4:24. And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him
all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and
such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that had the
palsy, and he cured them:

4:25. And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis,
and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.



Matthew Chapter 5


Christ's sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.

5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he
was set down, his disciples came unto him.

5:2. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:

5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.

The poor in spirit. . .That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not
set upon riches.

5:4. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

5:5. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5:6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they
shall have their fill.

5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

5:8. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.

5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children
of God.

5:10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

5:11. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and
speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:

5:12. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For
so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be
cast out, and to be trodden on by men.

5:14. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain
cannot be hid.

5:15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon
a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.

5:16. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

5:17. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets.
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

To fulfil. . .By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and
perfecting all that was imperfect.

5:18. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or
one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

Amen. . .That is, assuredly of a truth. . .This Hebrew word, amen, is
here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists.
It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the
truth.

5:19. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of
heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.

5:20. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of
the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven.

The scribes and Pharisees. . .The scribes were the doctors of the law of
Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a
more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly
esteemed among the people.

5:21. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not
kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment.

Shall be in danger of the judgment. . .That is, shall deserve to be
punished by that lesser tribunal among the Jews, called the Judgment,
which took cognizance of such crimes.

5:22. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall
be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Raca. . .A word expressing great indignation or contempt. Shall be in
danger of the council. . .That is, shall deserve to be punished by the
highest court of judicature, called the Council, or Sanhedrim,
consisting of seventy-two persons, where the highest causes were tried
and judged, which was at Jerusalem. Thou fool. . .This was then looked
upon as a heinous injury, when uttered with contempt, spite, or malice:
and therefore is here so severely condemned. Shall be in danger of hell
fire. . .literally, according to the Greek, shall deserve to be cast
into the Gehenna of fire. Which words our Saviour made use of to
express the fire and punishments of hell.

5:23. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou
remember that thy brother hath anything against thee;

5:24. Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be
reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.

5:25. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in
the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge,
and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into
prison.

5:26. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou
repay the last farthing.

5:27. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not
commit adultery.

5:28. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust
after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.

5:29. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it
from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should
perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell.

Scandalize thee. . .That is, if it be a stumblingblock, or occasion of
sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of
sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye.

5:30. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it
from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should
perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell.

5:31. And it hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him
give her a bill of divorce.

5:32. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife,
excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and
he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

5:33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt
not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.

5:34. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is
the throne of God:

Not to swear at all. . .It is not forbid to swear in truth, justice and
judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or neighbour's just defence:
but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and
without necessity.

5:35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for
it is the city of the great king:

5:36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make
one hair white or black.

5:37. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over
and above these, is of evil.

5:38. You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth.

5:39. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on
thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:

Not to resist evil, etc. . .What is here commanded, is a Christian
patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer
still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is
further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for
neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18., and
Acts 23.

5:40. And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away
thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.

5:41. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two.

5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow
of thee turn not away.

5:43. You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thy enemy.

5:44. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate
you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:

5:45. That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who
maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the
just and the unjust.

5:46. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have?
do not even the publicans this?

The publicans. . .These were the gatherers of the public taxes: a set of
men, odious and infamous among the Jews, for their extortions and
injustice.

5:47. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not
also the heathens this?

5:48. Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is
perfect.



Matthew Chapter 6


A continuation of the sermon on the mount.

6:1. Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by
them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in
heaven.

Your justice. . .that is, works of justice; viz., fasting, prayer, and
almsdeeds; which ought to be performed not out of ostentation, or a
view to please men, but solely to please God.

6:2. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that
they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received
their reward.

6:3. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right
hand doth.

6:4. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret
will repay thee.

6:5. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they
may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

6:6. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having
shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth
in secret will repay thee.

6:7. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For
they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

6:8. Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is
needful for you, before you ask him.

6:9. Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.

6:10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

6:11. Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.

Supersubstantial bread. . .In St. Luke the same word is rendered daily
bread. It is understood of the bread of life, which we receive in the
Blessed Sacrament.

6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

6:13. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Lead us not into temptation. . .That is, suffer us not to be overcome by
temptation.

6:14. For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father
will forgive you also your offences.

6:15. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive
you your offences.

6:16. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they
disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I
say to you, they have received their reward.

6:17. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face;

6:18. That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in
secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.

6:19. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and
moth consume, and where thieves break through, and steal.

6:20. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the
rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor
steal.

6:21. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.

6:22. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole
body shall be lightsome.

6:23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then
the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great
shall it be!

6:24. No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one,
and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

Mammon. . .That is, riches, worldly interest.

6:25. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you
shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life
more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment?

6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they
reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are
not you of much more value than they?

6:27. And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one
cubit?

6:28. And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin.

6:29. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was
arrayed as one of these.

6:30. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is
cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of
little faith?

6:31. Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what
shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed?

6:32. For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father
knoweth that you have need of all these things.

6:33. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and
all these things shall be added unto you.

6:34. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be
solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.



Matthew Chapter 7


The third part of the sermon on the mount.

7:1. Judge not, that you may not be judged.

7:2. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with
what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.

7:3. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and
seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

7:4. Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy
eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?

7:5. Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and
then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

7:6. Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and
turning upon you, they tear you.

7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock,
and it shall be opened to you.

7:8. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh,
findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

7:9. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask
bread, will he reach him a stone?

7:10. Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?

7:11. If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good
things to them that ask him?

7:12. All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to
you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

7:13. Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad
is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in
thereat.

7:14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to
life: and few there are that find it!

7:15. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of
sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

7:16. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil
tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil
tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down,
and shall be cast into the fire.

7:20. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

7:21. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in
heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

7:22. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we
prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many
miracles in thy name?

7:23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, you that work iniquity.

7:24. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them,
shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,

7:25. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a
rock.

7:26. And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not,
shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand,

7:27. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof.

7:28. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the
people were in admiration at his doctrine.

7:29. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the
scribes and Pharisees.



Matthew Chapter 8


Christ cleanses the leper, heals the centurion's servant, Peter's
mother-in-law, and many others: he stills the storm at sea, drives the
devils out of two men possessed, and suffers them to go into the swine.

8:1. And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes
followed him:

8:2. And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou
wilt, thou canst make me clean.

8:3. And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will,
be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed.

8:4. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go, shew thyself
to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a
testimony unto them.

8:5. And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a
centurion, beseeching him,

8:6. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and
is grievously tormented.

8:7. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.

8:8. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that
thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my
servant shall be healed.

8:9. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me
soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and
he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

8:10. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed
him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.

8:11. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west,
and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of
heaven:

8:12. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the
exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

8:13. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed,
so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.

8:14. And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's
mother lying, and sick of a fever;

8:15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose
and ministered to them.

8:16. And when evening was come, they brought to him many that were
possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word: and
all that were sick he healed:

8:17. That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet
Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.

8:18. And Jesus seeing great multitudes about him, gave orders to pass
over the water.

8:19. And a certain scribe came and said to him: Master, I will follow
thee whithersoever thou shalt go.

8:20. And Jesus saith to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of
the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

8:21. And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first
to go and bury my father.

8:22. But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their
dead.

8:23. And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him:

8:24. And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was
covered with waves, but he was asleep.

8:25. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we
perish.

8:26. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little
faith? Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there
came a great calm.

8:27. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the
winds and the sea obey him?

8:28. And when he was come on the other side of the water, into the
country of the Gerasens, there met him two that were possessed with
devils, coming out of the sepulchres, exceeding fierce, so that none
could pass by that way.

8:29. And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee,
Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

8:30. And there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding.

8:31. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence,
send us into the herd of swine.

8:32. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine,
and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the
sea: and they perished in the waters.

8:33. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told
every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils.

8:34. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they
saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coast.



Matthew Chapter 9


Christ heals one sick of palsy: calls Matthew: cures the issue of
blood: raises to life the daughter of Jairus: gives sight to two blind
men: and heals a dumb man possessed by the devil.

9:1. And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into
his own city.

9:2. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a
bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy:
Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

9:3. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He
blasphemeth.

9:4. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in
your hearts?

9:5. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say,
Arise, and walk?

9:6. But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to
forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) Arise, take
up thy bed, and go into thy house.

9:7. And he arose, and went into his house.

9:8. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave
such power to men.

9:9. And when Jesus passed on from thence, he saw a man sitting in the
custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he
arose up and followed him.

9:10. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house,
behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his
disciples.

9:11. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your
master eat with publicans and sinners?

9:12. But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a
physician, but they that are ill.

9:13. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not
sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.

9:14. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the
Pharisees, fast often, but thy disciples do not fast?

9:15. And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn,
as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when
the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

Can the children of the bridegroom. . .This, by a Hebraism, signifies
the friends or companions of the bridegroom.

9:16. And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth unto an old garment. For
it taketh away the fulness thereof from the garment, and there is made
a greater rent.

9:17. Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the
bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But
new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved.

9:18. As he was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler
came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead;
but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

9:19. And Jesus rising up followed him, with his disciples.

9:20. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve
years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.

9:21. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I
shall be healed.

9:22. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart,
daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole
from that hour.

9:23. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the
minstrels and the multitude making a rout,

9:24. He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And
they laughed him to scorn.

9:25. And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and took her by
the hand. And the maid arose.

9:26. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.

9:27. And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men
crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David.

9:28. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And
Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can do this unto you? They
say to him, Yea, Lord.

9:29. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be
it done unto you.

9:30. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them,
saying, See that no man know this.

9:31. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.

9:32. And when they were gone out, behold they brought him a dumb man,
possessed with a devil.

9:33. And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke, and the
multitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like seen in Israel.

9:34. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he casteth out
devils.

9:35. And Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
disease, and every infirmity.

9:36. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because
they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd.

9:37. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but
the labourers are few.

9:38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth
labourers into his harvest.



Matthew Chapter 10


Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of miracles. The
lessons he gives them.

10:1. And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them
power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of
diseases, and all manner of infirmities.

10:2. And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon
who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

10:3. James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and
Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of
Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

10:4. Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

10:5. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into
the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye
not.

10:6. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

10:7. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

10:8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out
devils: freely have you received, freely give.

10:9. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:

10:10. Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a
staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat.

10:11. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in
it is worthy, and there abide till you go thence.

10:12. And when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to
this house.

10:13. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but
if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.

10:14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going
forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.

10:15. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of
Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

10:16. Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye
therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.

Simple. . .That is, harmless, plain, sincere, and without guile.

10:17. But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and
they will scourge you in their synagogues.

10:18. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for
my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles:

10:19. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what
to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak:

10:20. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father that
speaketh in you.

10:21. The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the
father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents,
and shall put them to death.

10:22. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he
that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.

10:23. And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into
another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of
Israel, till the Son of man come.

10:24. The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his
lord.

10:25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord. If they have called the good man of the house
Beelzebub, how much more them of his household?

10:26. Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not
be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known.

10:27. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and
that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.

10:28. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body
in hell.

10:29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them
shall fall on the ground without your Father.

10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

10:31. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.

10:32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will
also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

10:33. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him
before my Father who is in heaven.

10:34. Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to
send peace, but the sword.

10:35. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother
in law.

I came to set a man at variance, etc. . .Not that this was the end or
design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his
doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance
that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should
adhere to him.

10:36. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.

10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of
me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of
me.

10:38. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not
worthy of me.

10:39. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose
his life for me, shall find it.

10:40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me,
receiveth him that sent me.

10:41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall
receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in
the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.

10:42. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a
cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he
shall not lose his reward.



Matthew Chapter 11


John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their
incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens.

11:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his
twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and to preach in
their cities.

11:2. Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending
two of his disciples he said to him:

11:3. Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?

11:4. And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what
you have heard and seen.

11:5. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

11:6. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.

Scandalized in me. . .That is, who shall not take occasion of scandal or
offence from my humility, and the disgraceful death of the cross which
I shall endure.

11:7. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the
multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a
reed shaken with the wind?

11:8. But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments?
Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of
kings.

11:9. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more
than a prophet.

11:10. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel
before my face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

11:11. Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born
of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

11:12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of
heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.

Suffereth violence, etc. . .It is not to be obtained but by main force,
by using violence upon ourselves, by mortification and penance, and
resisting our perverse inclinations.

11:13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:

11:14. And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.

He is Elias, etc. . .Not in person, but in spirit. St. Luke 1. 17.

11:15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

11:16. But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is
like to children sitting in the market place.

11:17. Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and
you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.

11:18. For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath
a devil.

11:19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a
man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and
sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.

11:20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most
of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.

11:21. Woe thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and
Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they
had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.

11:22. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and
Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.

11:23. And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou
shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the
miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto
this day.

11:24. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land
of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.

11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O
Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.

11:26. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.

11:27. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth
the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the
Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.

11:28. Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will
refresh you.

11:29. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek,
and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls.

11:30. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.



Matthew Chapter 12


Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees, and confutes their
attributing his miracles to Satan.

12:1. At that time Jesus went through the corn on the sabbath: and his
disciples being hungry, began to pluck the ears, and to eat.

12:2. And the Pharisees seeing them, said to him: Behold thy disciples
do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days.

12:3. But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was
hungry, and they that were with him:

12:4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the loaves of
proposition, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for them that
were with him, but for the priests only?

The loaves of proposition. . .So were called the twelve loaves which
were placed before the sanctuary in the temple of God.

12:5. Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath days the
priests in the temple break the sabbath, and are without blame?

12:6. But I tell you that there is here a greater than the temple.

12:7. And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.

12:8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath.

12:9. And when he had passed from thence, he came into their
synagogues.

12:10. And behold there was a man who had a withered hand, and they
asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they
might accuse him.

12:11. But he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that
hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the sabbath day,
will he not take hold on it and lift it up?

12:12. How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to
do a good deed on the sabbath days.

12:13. Then he saith to the man: Stretch forth thy hand; and he
stretched it forth, and it was restored to health even as the other.

12:14. And the Pharisees going out made a consultation against him, how
they might destroy him.

12:15. But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed
him, and he healed them all.

12:16. And he charged them that they should not make him known.

12:17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the
prophet, saying:

12:18. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul
hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall
shew judgment to the Gentiles.

12:19. He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear
his voice in the streets.

12:20. The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall
not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.

12:21. And in his name the Gentiles shall hope.

12:22. Then was offered to him one possessed with a devil, blind and
dumb: and he healed him, so that he spoke and saw.

12:23. And all the multitudes were amazed, and said: Is not this the
son of David?

12:24. But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth not out
devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

12:25. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom
divided against itself shall be made desolate: and every city or house
divided against itself shall not stand.

12:26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how
then shall his kingdom stand?

12:27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children
cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

12:28. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then is the
kingdom of God come upon you.

12:29. Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle
his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his
house.

12:30. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not
with me, scattereth.

12:31. Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

The blasphemy of the Spirit. . .The sin here spoken of is that
blasphemy, by which the Pharisees attributed the miracles of Christ,
wrought by the Spirit of God, to Beelzebub the prince of devils. Now
this kind of sin is usually accompanied with so much obstinacy, and
such wilful opposing the Spirit of God, and the known truth, that men
who are guilty of it, are seldom or never converted: and therefore are
never forgiven, because they will not repent. Otherwise there is no
sin, which God cannot or will not forgive to such as sincerely repent,
and have recourse to the keys of the church.

12:32. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it
shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost,
it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to
come.

Nor in the world to come. . .From these words St. Augustine (De Civ.
Dei, lib. 21, c. 13) and St. Gregory (Dialog., 4, c. 39) gather, that
some sins may be remitted in the world to come; and, consequently, that
there is a purgatory or a middle place.

12:33. Either make the tree good and its fruit good: or make the tree
evil, and its fruit evil. For by the fruit the tree is known.

12:34. O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas
you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

12:35. A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things:
and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

12:36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.

Every idle word. . .This shews there must be a place of temporal
punishment hereafter where these slighter faults shall be punished.

12:37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou
shalt be condemned.

12:38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying:
Master, we would see a sign from thee.

A sign. . .That is, a miracle from heaven. St. Luke 11. 16.

12:39. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas
the prophet.

12:40. For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and three
nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days
and three nights.

Three days, etc. . .Not complete days and nights; but part of three
days, and three nights taken according to the way that the Hebrews
counted their days and nights, viz., from evening to evening.

12:41. The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation,
and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of
Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here.

12:42. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon
here.

12:43. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh
through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none.

12:44. Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came
out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

12:45. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last
state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to
this wicked generation.

12:46. As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and
his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.


 


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