by Jesus

as edited by Gary Bahr

 

Introduction:

The Word  is the simple message of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to “Love One Another”. To do that means happiness for all mankind. This little book puts “The Word” on your computer, pad, or smart phone and in your head. Read daily and enjoy. You don’t even have to be religious.

Now, The Word According To Jesus took place in this way. Having completed a college course on the New Testament, I noted the “good” and “inspiring” and “loving” teachings of Jesus in the four Gospels. I felt Jesus practiced what He taught in loving one another and in His eternal gentleness. He taught that God loves you, He loves you and that we should all love one another. I  thought all mankind should feel the same gentle love for fellow human beings.

I wanted to write my own orderly account of what Jesus taught. I bought two Bibles and begun to cut and paste the words of Jesus into my own logical arrangement – like a 30 minute sermon. After years of gathering dust, it disappeared and I bought two Bibles and begun again to cut and paste.

~ edited by Gary Bahr

 

THE WORD

by Jesus

IT IS WRITTEN, the good and inspiring teach­ings of Jesus, as arranged from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Copyright   2004

Gary Bahr, Editor

All Rights Reserved

* * * * * * * * * * * *

THE WORD

 FORWARD BY LUKE: 

 “Inasmuch as many have un­der­taken to compile a narra­tive of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the be­ginning were eye-witnesses and minis­ters of the word, it seemed good to me also having fol­lowed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly ac­count for you, that you may know the truth con­cerning the things of which you have been informed.”  

FORWARD BY GARY BAHR:

The life of Jesus cannot be denied, nor can the value of the teachings attributed to Him be minimized. No historian or writer denied the life of Jesus during his life or early years thereafter.

Jesus taught that God loves you, the he loves you and that we should love each other!

I document that simple and most important message by arranging his words in a logical message order from the four gospels.

You can read this book in 30 minutes. It is in large print for easy reading. You can keep it in your shirt pocket or purse and read it daily wherever you are.

FORWARD BY JESUS:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“If any one hears My say­ings and does not keep them, I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

 

T H E   W O R D 

According To Jesus

IN THE BEGINNING.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

And, from His fullness have we all re­ceived grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

THE BIRTH

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be en­rolled. And all went to be en­rolled, each to his own city. And Joseph went to be enrolled in Bethlehem with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swad­dling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus.

CHILDHOOD

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.    

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up ac­cording to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind.

After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them ques­tions; and all who heard Him were amazed at his understand­ing and His answers.

Then Jesus went with His parents and was obedient to them, and He increased in wisdom and stat­ure, and in favor with God and man.

JESUS’ TEACHINGS

When Jesus began His minis­try, He was about thirty years of age. He entered the syna­gogues and taught.    And the people were aston­ished at His teachings, for He taught them as one who had authority. And, He went about among the villages teac­hing the people.

THE WORDS AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS

“You” are the light. “You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heav­en.

“A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house.”

“So let your light so shine before men that they may see your works.”

MY WORDS GIVE STRENGTH

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon the house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.”

BEATITUDES

“Blessed are the poor in spir­it, for theirs is the Kingdom of heav­en.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be com­forted.

 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righ­teousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall have mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peac­emak­ers, for they shall be called the sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the King­dom of heaven.

“Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.”

TITHE AND DO GOOD

“Woe to you who tithe and have neglected the weightier mat­ters of the law, justice, and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, also.”

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

“Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are venous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.

“Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?

“So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.”

ENDURE AND BE SAVED

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be alarmed; this must take place.

 “For nation will rise against nations, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earth­quakes in various places and there will be famines.

“For many will be delivered up to tribulation, and put to death; and hated by all na­tions for my names sake.

“Many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another.

“And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

GOODNESS COMES FROM WITHIN

“Woe to you who cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapaci­ty. First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

“Woe to you hypocrites, for you are like white washed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of uncleanness, outwardly appearing righteous to men, but within you are full of hypoc­risy and iniquity.”

AVOID FALSE PRETENSE

 “Beware of those who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the syna­gogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widow’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnations.

“Practice and observe what the scribes and pharisees tell you, but not what they do, for they preach, but do not prac­tice. They do all their deeds to be seen by men.

“But I say, he who is grea­test among you shall be your ser­vant; whoever exalts him­self will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

FOLLOW ME

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disci­ple.

“Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

“Whoever would save his life will lose it: and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

“For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life?

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury the dead.

“For the son of man came to seek and save the lost. For many are called, but few are cho­sen.”

MY WORDS ARE LIFE

“I am the light. I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.

Therefore do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.

“For it is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

BELIEVERS HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. For truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

“Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not parish but have eternal life.

“For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not con­demned; he who does not believe is con­demned.    

“For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.”

SERVING GOD AND MAN

“Again, it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God. You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the other and de­spise the other.

“You cannot serve God and mammon.

“For every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

“But what is impossible with men is possible with God.”

THE COMMANDMENTS

“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the proph­ets; I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

“For truly, I say to you. Till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

“Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great.

LOVE YOUR GOD

“If you shall be great, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment.”

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS

“And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. A new command­ment I give to you, that you love one anoth­er; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one an­other. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

“There is no other command­ment greater than these. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”

THOU SHALL NOT KILL

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable.’

“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement.

“Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accus­er hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put to prison.

“So if you are offering your gift before the alter, and there remember that your brother has some­thing against you, leave your gift there before the alter and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adul­tery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already co­mmitted adultery with her in his heart.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a cer­tificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulterous; and every­one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adul­tery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

ON DIVORCE

“For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the be­ginning it was not so.

“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and fe­male. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What there­fore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

“But truly I say unto you, not all men can receive these sayings, but only those whom it is given. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it. For in the resurrec­tion they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.”

DO NOT STEAL, FALSELY ACCUSE, DEFRAUD, SWEAR FALSELY

“You have heard that it was said, `Thou shalt not steal’.   But I say to you, collect no more that is appointed you and rob no one by violence or by false accusa­tion, and be con­tent with your wages.

“Do not defraud.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heav­en, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his foot­stool. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”

HONOR YOUR PARENTS

“Honor your father and mother.”

KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS

“If you would enter life, keep the commandments. For it is easier for heav­en and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void.”

GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR OTHERS

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other chealso; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

“Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”

THE GOLDEN RULE

“So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

ASK AND RECEIVE

“Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks re­ceives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

GOD VALUES YOU

“Thereafter I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body what you shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than cloth­ing?

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gath­er into barn, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubic to his span of life?

“Why are you anxious about clothing? Con­sider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS

“For if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?

“O men of little faith?

“Therefore do not be anx­ious, saying, “What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for all nations seek these things.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

“Therefore do not be anx­ious about tomorrow, for to­morrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”

FEAR NOT

“Do not fear those who can kill the body.

“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good plea­sure to give you the King­dom.”

PRAY IN SECRET

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypo­crites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Tru­ly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in se­cret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gen­tiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

LORD’S PRAYER

“Pray then like this:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”

FASTING

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward.

“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fast­ing may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

HYPOCRISY

“Beware of hypocrisy. Noth­ing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

“Therefore what ever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whis­pered in private rooms shall be pro­claimed upon the housetops.”

SEEK TRUE TREASURE

“Woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation.

“Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger.

“Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

“Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust may consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heav­en, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

“Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in heaven that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth de­stroys.”

RICHES NOT HAPPINESS

“Again I tell you it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

“Of one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

“Take heed and beware of covetous-ness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abun­dance of his possessions.

“Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.”

HUMILITY AND EXALTATION

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’

“Thus when you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.

But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.

“For every one who exalts himself will be hum­bled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

SALVATION

“Truly, I say to you, those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means.

“I desire mercy, and not sacri­fice. For I came not to call the righ­teous, but sinners.

“I am the door of the sheep; if any one enter by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shep­herd lays down his life for the sheep.”

HAVE FAITH LIKE A CHILD

“Truly, I say to you, un­less you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever humbles him­self like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Let the little children come unto me, and do not hin­der them; for to such be­longs the kingdom of God.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

“And see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that it is not the will of my Father that one of these lit­tle ones should perish.”           

REPENT AND BE SAVED

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-­nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

“And if he finds it, tru­ly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-­nine that never went astray.

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety‑nine righ­teous persons who need no repentance.”

TEMPTATION

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; for the spirit indeed is will­ing, but the flesh is weak.

“Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come.

“Therefore, enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

PERFECTION

“Thus, if you would be per­fect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.

“Every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or chil­dren or lands, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life.

“Many that are first will be last, and the last first.

“Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.”

bELIEVE IN THE LIGHT

 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of Light.

“Walk while you have the Light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

“I have come as the light into the world, that whoever be­lieves in Me may not remain in darkness.”

YOU CAN CHOOSE LIGHT

“Remember the eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness.

“If the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness? A blind man cannot lead a blind man. For they will both fall into a pit.

“But if your whole body is full of light, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays give you light.”

FAITH MOVES MOUNTAINS

“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, it will be done.

“If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible.  

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

“According to your faith be it done.

“All things are possible to him who believes.”

PERSEVERANCE

And he told a para­ble, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’

For a while he refused; but afterward he said to him­self, ‘Though I neither fear God nor regard man, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her con­tinual coming.’”

EVIL COMES FROM WITHIN

“Not what goes into the mouth de­files a man, but what comes out of the mouth.

“Do you not see that what­ever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on? What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from with­in, out of the heart of man comes evil thoughts, murder, fornication, theft, adultery, coveting, wicked­ness, deceit, licen­tiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolish­ness.

“All these things come from within, and they defile a man.”

GOODNESS PRODUCES GOOD

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”

YOUR WORDS BE YOUR JUDGE

“I tell you, on the day of judgement men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justi­fied, and by your words you will be condemned.”

SERVE OTHERS

“Who­ever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give life as a ransom for many.

“If I then, as your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anoth­er’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.

“If any one would be first, he must be last of all and ser­vant of all.”

GIVE IN SECRET

“When you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the syna­gogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you they have received their re­ward.

“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what the right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in se­cret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

GIVE WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS

“And, when you give a din­ner or a banquet, do not in­vite your friends or your brothers or your kins­men or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid.

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, be­cause they cannot repay you.

“You will be paid at the resurrection of the just.”

POOR CAN GIVE MORE THAN RICH

“Then Jesus sat down oppo­site the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the trea­sury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two pennies.

He called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are con­tributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

“You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who perse­cute you.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?   Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

“And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others?

“But I say to you that hear; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

“Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.”

THE GOLDEN RULE

“And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

“And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

“And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return: and your reward will be great.

“Truly I say to you, what­ever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what­ever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

JUDGE NOT

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you do not see the log that is in your eye?

“First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck in your brother’s.

“Do not judge by appearanc­es, but judge with right judg­ement.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be for­given; give, and it will be given to you.

“For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged.”

FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

“Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, for­give him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heaven­ly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father for­give your trespasses.

 “Therefore I tell you, your sins, which are many, are forgiven, for you loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

HOW TO RECONCILE

“Forgive your brother from your heart.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he lis­tens to you, you have gained your brother.

“But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen to the church, let him be.”

HOW OFTEN TO FORGIVE

Then Peter, a disciple, came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?

And Jesus said, “I do not say seven times, but seventy times seven.

“And if you love me, feed my sheep, tend my sheep and for­give.

“For truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these brethren, you did it to Me, also.

 “And, who is my brother you ask?

“Whoever does the will of God is My brother, and sister, and moth­er.”

HOW TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel on how to entan­gle Jesus in his talk.

And behold a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neigh­bor as yourself.

And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this and you will live.”

THE GOOD SAMARITAN  

But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor”?

Jesus replied, “A man was going to Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Sa­maritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And the next day he took out money and gave it to the inn-keeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

“Which of these three do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”

He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.

And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

DO NOT CONDEMN OTHERS

“Then the scribes and Phari­sees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adul­tery, and placing her in the midst they said to Him, “Tea­cher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.

“Now in the law Moses com­manded us to stone such. What do you say about her?”

This they said to test Jesus to have a charge against Him.

 Jesus bent down in the sand and wrote with His finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them, “Let him who is with­out sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

And once more He bent down and wrote with a finger on the ground.

But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

esus looked up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.”

THE CRUCIFIXION

Then, some of the Pharisees and Herodians came to entrap Jesus in His talk.

They said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care for no man; for You do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of the Lord. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

But knowing their hypocri­sy, He said to them, “Why put Me to the test? Bring Me a coin, and let Me look at it.”

And they brought one. And He said to them, “Whose like­ness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they were amazed at Him.

PASSOVER

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

The disciples brought an ass and put their garments on it, and Jesus sat thereon.

The crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred.

Jesus entered the tem­ple and found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their busi­ness. And making a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple; and He poured out the coins of the moneychangers and over­turned their tables.

And He told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away. For it is writ­ten, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer;’ but you make it a den of rob­bers.”

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were as­tonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the won­derful things that He did, they gathered the council, and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let Him go on thus, every one will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.”

So from that day on they took counsel how to put Jesus to death.

Then, one of the disciples, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said. “What will you give me if I deliver Him to you?”

And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

And Judas sought an oppor­tunity to betray Jesus. And while Jesus was speaking, Judas came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs.

And with them came the chief priests and the elders. Judas, the betrayer, had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him.”

And, he came up to Jesus and kissed Him and they seized Jesus.

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put Him to death, but they found none.

When morning came, they bound Jesus and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate, the Governor.

And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multi­tudes, “I find no crime in this man.” And, he sent Jesus to Herod who treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was per­verting the people; and after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against Him; neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us.

“Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him; I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”

But the crowd cried out together, “Crucify, Him.”

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rath­er that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, say­ing, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

So Pilate, wishing to sat­isfy the crowd, delivered Jesus to be crucified.

And the crowd condemned Jesus as deserving death.

 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetori­um, and they gathered the whole bat­talion before Him, and they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe upon Him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand.

And kneeling be­fore Him they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” And they spat upon Him, and took the reed and struck Him.

And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away, bear­ing His own cross, to the place called the place of the skull.

There they crucified Him.

And Jesus said, “Father, for­give them, for they know not what they do.”

And the people stood by watching…