But they were silent; 1 for on the way they had disputed among themselves, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus perceiving the reasoning of their heart, sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, "If any one desireth to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." And he called a child unto him, and set him by him, in the midst of them; and said, "Verily, I say unto you, Unless ye be changed, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." And when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, "Whosoever shall receive this child 2 in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." (But John answered him, saying, "Rabbi, we saw some one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us." But Jesus said, "Forbid him not: for there is no one who shall do a miracle in my name, and soon be able to speak evil of me. For he that is not against you is for you.") "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink on this account, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. But whosoever Ishall cause one of these little ones who believe in me to offend, it is better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and cast 3 with him into the depth of the sea.”

Now he said unto the disciples, "Woe for the world through causes of offending! for it is impossible that causes of offending should not come: but woe for that man by whom the cause of offending cometh! Take heed unto your

1 Mk. At that hour the disciples came unto Jesus, saying, "Which is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" M. 2 L.: one such child, M.: one of such children, Mk. 3 Mk.; plunged, M.: hurled, L.

selves.

And if thy hand be causing thee to offend, cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot be causing thee to offend, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter lame into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.1 And if thine eye be causing thee to offend, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God 2 with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire,3 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire; and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good but if the salt have become saltless, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves; and be at peace with one another."

4

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, Their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.4 What think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them have gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine on the mountains, and go and seek that which hath gone astray? And if he happen to find it, verily I say unto you, He rejoiceth more over that sheep, than over the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. "Now if thy brother should trespass against thee, go, reprove him between thee and him alone: if he will hear thee, 1 Mk. But if thy hand or thy foot be causing thee to offend, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire, M. 2 Mk.: life, M. 3 Lit., the Gehenna of fire. 4 v. H. n. 5 Lev. ii. 13. Ezek. xliii, 24.

thou hast gained thy brother; 1 but if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he

refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church and if he also refuse to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

"Again I say unto you, If two of you shall agree on earth concerning any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

And the apostles said unto the Lord, "Increase our faith.” But the Lord said, "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore 2 tree, 'Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea;' and it should obey you. But which of you is there having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, who, when he cometh in from the fields, will straightway say unto him, 'Come and place thyself at table?' but will not rather say unto him, 'Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?' Doth he thank that servant because he did the things commanded? I think not. So likewise ye, when ye have done all the things commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants: We have done what we ought to do.''

Then came Peter to him, and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother trespass against me, and I forgive him? till

1 M.: Now if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if seven times in a day he trespass against thee, and seven times in a day turn again, saying, 'I repent;' thou shalt forgive him. L. 2 [Or, Sycamine.]

seven times?" 1 Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto thee, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven. On this account the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a king, who chose to reckon with his servants. And when he began to reckon, one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents. Now as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord 2 commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and threw himself at his feet,3 saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant, when he went forth, found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denarii: and he seized him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that which thou owest.' His fellow-servant therefore fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was owed by him. But when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and went and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord, having called him to him, saith unto him, "Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: oughtest not thou also to have had pity on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?' And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the gaolers, till he should pay all that was owed to him. Thus also will my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother."

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee.

1 [Comp. L. xvii. 3: v. n. p. 148.] 2 Or, master: v. H. n. 3 Or, fell down and did him reverence: v. H. n.

PART VII.

OUR LORD'S FINAL JOURNEY FROM GALILEE, THROUGH THE PERÆA, TO HIS ARRIVAL AT BETHANY SHORTLY BEFORE THE PASSOVER.

SECT. I.

Our Lord sets out for Jerusalem-is refused Reception in Samaria-While passing through the Confines of Samaria and Galilee, in order to go into the Perca, he heals Ten Lepers.

LUKE ix. 51-56. xvii. 11-19.

AND it came to pass, when the days were fulfilled in which he was to be received up,1 that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers before his face; 2 and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, in order to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he was going to Jerusalem. Now when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?” But he turned, and rebuked them, [and said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."] 4 And they went to another village.1

1 Lit., the days of his being received up. 2 Or, (without the Hebraism,) before him. 3 Or, because he was going. v. H. n.