Luke 3 Cross References - WNT

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene, ² during the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the Desert. ³ John went into all the district about the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for the forgiveness of sins; ⁴ as it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD! 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE YE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAY STRAIGHT. ⁵ EVERY RAVINE SHALL BE FILLED UP, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL LEVELLED DOWN, THE CROOKED PLACES SHALL BE TURNED INTO STRAIGHT ROADS, AND THE RUGGED WAYS INTO SMOOTH; ⁶ AND THEN SHALL ALL MANKIND SEE GOD'S SALVATION.'" ⁷ Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. ⁹ And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire." ¹⁰ The crowds repeatedly asked him, "What then are we to do?" ¹¹ "Let the man who has two coats," he answered, "give one to the man who has none; and let the man who has food share it with others." ¹² There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?" ¹³ "Do not exact more than the legal amount," he replied. ¹⁴ The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, "And we, what are we to do?" His answer was, "Neither intimidate any one nor lay false charges; and be content with your pay." ¹⁵ And while the people were in suspense and all were debating in their minds whether John might possibly be the Anointed One, ¹⁶ he answered the question by saying to them all, "As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing-shovel is in His hand to clear out His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His storehouse; but the chaff He will burn up in fire unquenchable." ¹⁸ With many exhortations besides these he declared the Good News to the people. ¹⁹ But Herod the Tetrarch, being repeatedly rebuked by him about Herodias his brother's wife, and about all the wicked deeds that he had done, ²⁰ now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into prison. ²¹ Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the sky opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit came down in bodily shape, like a dove, upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, "Thou art My Son, dearly loved: in Thee is My delight." ²³ And He--Jesus--when He began His ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (it was supposed) of Joseph, son of Heli, ²⁴ son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, ²⁵ son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, ²⁶ son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, ²⁷ son of Johanan, son of Resa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, ²⁸ son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, ²⁹ son of Joshua, son of Eliezar, son of Jorim, son of Maththat, son of Levi, ³⁰ son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of ³¹ Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, ³² son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon, ³³ son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, ³⁴ son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, ³⁵ son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, ³⁶ son of Cainan, son of Arpachshad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, ³⁷ son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel, son of Kenan, ³⁸ son of Enosh, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

¹ About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

³ For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,

² and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the Governor.

¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent and had had John arrested and had kept him in prison in chains, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her.

¹ Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole Empire.

¹⁹ But Herod the Tetrarch, being repeatedly rebuked by him about Herodias his brother's wife, and about all the wicked deeds that he had done,

⁷ Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was going on; and he was bewildered because of its being said by some that John had come back to life,

¹ Then the whole assembly rose and brought Him to Pilate, and began to accuse Him. ² "We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king." ³ Then Pilate asked Him, "You, then, are the King of the Jews?" "It is as you say," He replied. ⁴ Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, "I can find no crime in this man."

⁶ On hearing this, Pilate inquired, "Is this man a Galilaean?" ⁷ And learning that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent Him to Herod, for he too was in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸ To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle performed by Him. ⁹ So he put a number of questions to Him, but Jesus gave him no reply. ¹⁰ Meanwhile the High Priests and the Scribes were standing there and vehemently accusing Him. ¹¹ Then, laughing to scorn the claims of Jesus, Herod (and his soldiers with him) made sport of Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous costume, and sent Him back to Pilate.

²⁴ So Pilate gave judgement, yielding to their demand.

²⁷ "They did indeed assemble in this city in hostility to Thy holy Servant Jesus whom Thou hadst anointed--Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel--

²⁶ "Claudius Lysias to his Excellency, Felix the Governor: all good wishes.

²⁷ But after the lapse of fully two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and being desirous of gratifying the Jews, Felix left Paul still in prison.

³⁰ So the King rose, and the Governor, and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them;

¹ About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. ² "Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." ³ He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE YE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAY STRAIGHT.'" ⁴ This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley-- ⁶ and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins. ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart; ⁹ and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. ¹⁰ And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.

⁷ When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

³ Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas,

³ "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD: 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT.'" ⁴ So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins. ⁵ There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins.

⁵⁹ And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John." ⁶¹ "There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name." ⁶² They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called. ⁶³ So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.

³ John went into all the district about the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for the forgiveness of sins; ⁴ as it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD! 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE YE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAY STRAIGHT. ⁵ EVERY RAVINE SHALL BE FILLED UP, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL LEVELLED DOWN, THE CROOKED PLACES SHALL BE TURNED INTO STRAIGHT ROADS, AND THE RUGGED WAYS INTO SMOOTH; ⁶ AND THEN SHALL ALL MANKIND SEE GOD'S SALVATION.'" ⁷ Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. ⁹ And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire." ¹⁰ The crowds repeatedly asked him, "What then are we to do?" ¹¹ "Let the man who has two coats," he answered, "give one to the man who has none; and let the man who has food share it with others." ¹² There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?" ¹³ "Do not exact more than the legal amount," he replied. ¹⁴ The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, "And we, what are we to do?" His answer was, "Neither intimidate any one nor lay false charges; and be content with your pay." ¹⁵ And while the people were in suspense and all were debating in their minds whether John might possibly be the Anointed One, ¹⁶ he answered the question by saying to them all, "As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing-shovel is in His hand to clear out His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His storehouse; but the chaff He will burn up in fire unquenchable."

²³ "I am THE VOICE," he replied, "OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE LORD'S WAY IN THE DESERT,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah."

⁴⁹ But one of them, named Caiaphas, being High Priest that year, said, "You know nothing about it. ⁵⁰ You do not reflect that it is to your interest that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish." ⁵¹ It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die for the nation,

¹³ They then brought Him to Annas first; for Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was High Priest that year. ¹⁴ (It was this Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, saying, "It is to your interest that one man should die for the People.")

²⁴ So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest.

⁶ with Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the other members of the high-priestly family.

⁵ Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley-- ⁶ and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.

¹¹ I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.

⁷⁷ To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,

²⁸ This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

³¹ I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water." ³² John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. ³³ I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "'The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

²⁶ they came to John and reported to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you on the other side of the Jordan and to whom you bore testimony is now baptizing, and great numbers of people are resorting to him."

²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John had proclaimed to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance.

⁴ "John," he said, "administered a baptism of repentance, bidding the people believe on One who was to come after him; namely, on Jesus."

¹⁶ And now why delay? Rise, get yourself baptized, and wash off your sins, calling upon His name.'

³ He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE YE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAY STRAIGHT.'"

³ "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD: 'IN THE DESERT PREPARE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT.'"

¹⁶ Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God; ¹⁷ and he will be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn fathers' hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly ready for the lord."

⁷⁶ And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, ⁷⁷ To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins, ⁷⁸ Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us, ⁷⁹ Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct our feet into the path of peace."

⁷ He came as a witness, in order that he might give testimony concerning the Light--so that all might believe through him.

²⁶ "I baptize in water only," John answered, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not know-- ²⁷ He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten." ²⁸ This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and exclaimed, "Look, that is the Lamb of God who is to take away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is He about whom I said, 'After me is to come One who has been put before me, because He was before me.' ³¹ I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water." ³² John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. ³³ I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "'The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴ "This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son of God." ³⁵ Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ when he saw Jesus passing by, and said, "Look! that is the Lamb of God!"

²⁸ You yourselves can bear witness to my having said, 'I am not the Christ,' but 'I am His appointed forerunner.' ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; and the bridegroom's friend who stands by his side and listens to him, rejoices heartily on account of the bridegroom's happiness. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. ³⁰ He must grow greater, but I must grow less. ³¹ He who comes from above is above all. He whose origin is from the earth is not only himself from the earth, his teaching also is from the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. ³² What He has seen and heard, to that He bears witness; but His testimony no one receives. ³³ Any man who has received His testimony has solemnly declared that God is true. ³⁴ For He whom God has sent speaks God's words; for God does not give the Spirit with limitations." ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to His hands. ³⁶ He who believes in the Son has the Life of the Ages; he who disobeys the Son will not enter into Life, but God's anger remains upon him.

⁵¹ He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts. ⁵² He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate. ⁵³ The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away.

¹² Therefore strengthen the drooping hands and paralysed knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put entirely out of joint

⁹ Let a brother in humble life rejoice when raised to a higher position;

¹⁵ Then He said to them, "Go the whole world over, and proclaim the Good News to all mankind.

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Put away all fear; for I am bringing you good news of great joy--joy for all the People. ¹¹ For a Saviour who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in the town of David.

³⁰ Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, ³¹ Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations-- ³² A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel."

¹² Jew and Gentile are on precisely the same footing; for the same Lord is Lord over all, and is infinitely kind to all who call upon Him for deliverance.

¹⁸ But, I ask, have they not heard? Yes, indeed: "TO THE WHOLE WORLD THE PREACHERS' VOICES HAVE SOUNDED FORTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE REMOTEST PARTS OF THE EARTH."

³⁴ O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks.

³³ O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna?

⁴⁴ The father whose sons you are is the Devil; and you desire to do what gives him pleasure. *He* was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth--for there is no truth in him. Whenever he utters his lie, he utters it out of his own store; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

¹⁰ said, "You who are full of every kind of craftiness and unscrupulous cunning--you son of the Devil and foe to all that is right--will you never cease to misrepresent the straight paths of the Lord?

¹⁰ and to await the return from Heaven of His Son, whom He raised from among the dead--even Jesus, our Deliverer from God's coming anger.

¹⁸ He added an oath, in order that, through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for Him to prove false, we may possess mighty encouragement--we who, for safety, have hastened to lay hold of the hope set before us.

⁸ He who is habitually guilty of sin is a child of the Devil, because the Devil has been a sinner from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for the purpose of undoing the work of the Devil.

¹¹ And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens, ¹² while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."

⁴³ "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it.

²⁸ "There will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being driven far away. ²⁹ They will come from east and west, from north and south, and will sit down at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.

²³ And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms. ²⁴ So he cried aloud, and said, "'Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' ²⁵ "'Remember, my child,' said Abraham, 'that you had all your good things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and you are in agony. ²⁶ And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over from your side to us.' ²⁷ "'I entreat you then, father,' said he, 'to send him to my father's house. ²⁸ For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' ²⁹ "'They have Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them hear them.' ³⁰ "'No, father Abraham,' he pleaded; 'but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' ³¹ "'If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham, 'they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise from the dead.'"

⁴⁰ "I tell you," He replied, "that if *they* became silent, the very stones would cry out."

³³ "We are descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and have never at any time been in slavery to any one. What do those words of yours mean, 'You shall become free'?"

³⁹ "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing.

²⁰ but I proceeded to preach first to the people in Damascus, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and to the Gentiles, that they must repent and turn to God, and live lives consistent with such repentance.

¹⁶ All depends on faith, and for this reason--that acceptance with God might be an act of pure grace,

⁷ nor because they are Abraham's true children. But the promise was "THROUGH ISAAC SHALL YOUR POSTERITY BE RECKONED."

¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, a repentance not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world finally produces death. ¹¹ For mark the effects of this very thing--your having sorrowed with a godly sorrow--what earnestness it has called forth in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing affection, what jealousy, what meting out of justice! You have completely wiped away reproach from yourselves in the matter.

²⁸ In Him the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free man, male and female, disappear; you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are indeed true descendants of Abraham, and are heirs in fulfilment of the promise.

²² The Spirit, on the other hand, brings a harvest of love, joy, peace; patience towards others, kindness, benevolence; ²³ good faith, meekness, self-restraint. ²⁴ Against such things as these there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their lower nature with its passions and appetites.

¹¹ being filled with these fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God.

⁷ For land which has drunk in the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sakes, indeed, it is tilled, has a share in God's blessing. ⁸ But if it only yields a mass of thorns and briers, it is considered worthless, and is in danger of being cursed, and in the end will be destroyed by fire.

¹⁰ And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.

¹⁹ Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and thrown aside for burning.

⁷ So he said to the gardener, "'See, this is the third year I have come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?'

⁹ If after that it bears fruit, well and good; if it does not, then you shall cut it down.'"

²⁹ For a time is coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the women who never bore children, and the breasts which have never given nourishment.' ³⁰ Then will they begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us;' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' ³¹ For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"

⁶ If any one does not continue in me, he is like the unfruitful branch which is at once thrown away and then withers up. Such branches they gather up and throw into the fire and they are burned.

²⁸ Any one who bids defiance to the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

²⁹ For our God is also a consuming fire.

⁸ Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.

¹² There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?"

¹⁴ The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, "And we, what are we to do?" His answer was, "Neither intimidate any one nor lay false charges; and be content with your pay."

³⁷ Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Brethren, what are we to do?"

⁶ "But rise and go to the city, and you will be told what you are to do.

³⁰ and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, "O sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

⁴⁰ "But the King will answer them, "'In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you rendered such services to one of the humblest of these my brethren, you rendered them to myself.'

⁵ For that ointment might have been sold for fifteen pounds or more, and the money have been given to the poor." And they were exceedingly angry with her. ⁶ But Jesus said, "Leave her alone: why are you troubling her? She has done a most gracious act towards me. ⁷ For you always have the poor among you, and whenever you choose you can do acts of kindness to them; but me you have not always. ⁸ What she could she did: she has perfumed my body in preparation for my burial.

⁴¹ But as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in you.

²² On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."

⁸ Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said, "Here and now, Master, I give half my property to the poor, and if I have unjustly exacted money from any man, I pledge myself to repay to him four times the amount."

²⁹ Some, however, supposed that because Judas had the money-box Jesus meant, "Buy what we require for the Festival," or that he should give something to the poor.

² He was religious and God-fearing--and so was every member of his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people, and continually offered prayer to God.

⁴ Looking steadily at him, and being much alarmed, he said, "What do you want, Sir?" "Your prayers and charities," he replied, "have gone up and have been recorded before God.

³¹ who said, "'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been put on record before God.

³ For I can testify that to the utmost of their power, and even beyond their power, they have of their own free will given help. ⁴ With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people. ⁵ They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in obedience to God's will they gave their own selves to the Lord and to us. ⁶ This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also. ⁷ Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you. ⁸ I am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the standard of other men's earnestness the genuineness of your love also. ⁹ For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how for your sakes He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow rich. ¹⁰ But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so. ¹¹ And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means. ¹² For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not. ¹³ I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed, ¹⁴ but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may be equalization of burdens.

¹⁸ They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and liberal;

¹⁰ For God is not unjust so that He is unmindful of your labour and of the love which you have manifested towards Himself in having rendered services to His people and in still rendering them.

²⁷ The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time of trouble, and to keep one's own self unspotted from the world.

¹⁵ Suppose a Christian brother or sister is poorly clad or lacks daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, "I wish you well; keep yourselves warm and well fed," and yet you do not give them what they need; what is the use of that? ¹⁷ So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it--so long as it stands alone. ¹⁸ Nay, some one will say, "You have faith, I have actions: prove to me your faith apart from corresponding actions and I will prove mine to you by my actions. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder." ²⁰ But, idle boaster, are you willing to be taught how it is that faith apart from obedience is worthless? Take the case of Abraham our forefather. ²¹ Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac upon the altar? ²² You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND HIS FAITH WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he received the name of 'God's friend.' ²⁴ You all see that it is because of actions that a man is pronounced righteous, and not simply because of faith. ²⁵ In the same way also was not the notorious sinner Rahab declared to be righteous because of her actions when she welcomed the spies and hurriedly helped them to escape another way? ²⁶ For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience.

¹⁷ But if any one has this world's wealth and sees that his brother man is in need, and yet hardens his heart against him--how can such a one continue to love God?

²⁰ If any one says that he loves God, while he hates his brother man, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother man whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

³¹ Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. ³² For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.

²⁹ And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism.

¹ Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him; ² and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying, "He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals!"

¹³ "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'

¹² Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up.

¹⁰ nor theives, nor avaricious people, nor any who are addicted to hard drinking, to abusive language or to greed of gain, will inherit God's Kingdom.

²⁸ He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that, should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he may have something of which he can give the needy a share.

¹¹ For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and all the pleasures of this world, and to live sober, upright, and pious lives at the present time,

¹ Therefore, surrounded as we are by such a vast cloud of witnesses, let us fling aside every encumbrance and the sin that so readily entangles our feet. And let us run with patient endurance the race that lies before us,

⁵ After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and entreated Him.

⁷ So when the angel who had been speaking to him was gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier who was in constant attendance on him,

⁹ For the precepts, "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," "THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER," "THOU SHALT NOT STEAL," "THOU SHALT NOT COVET," and all other precepts, are summed up in this one command, "THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THOU LOVEST THYSELF." ¹⁰ Love avoids doing any wrong to one's fellow man, and is therefore complete obedience to Law.

¹⁵ so that you may always prove yourselves to be blameless and spotless--irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as heavenly lights in the world,

¹¹ I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) I have learned, whatever be my outward experiences, to be content.

⁸ and if we have food and clothing, with these we will be satisfied. ⁹ But people who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many unwise and pernicious ways which sink mankind in destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ For from love of money all sorts of evils arise; and some have so hankered after money as to be led astray from the faith and be pierced through with countless sorrows.

³ In the same way exhort aged women to let their conduct be such as becomes consecrated persons. They must not be slanderers nor enslaved to wine-drinking. They must be teachers of what is right.

⁵ Your lives should be untainted by love for money. Be content with what you have; for God Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER, NEVER LET GO YOUR HAND: I WILL NEVER NEVER FORSAKE YOU." ⁶ So that we fearlessly say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID: WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice speaking in Heaven. It said, "The salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God have now come, and the sovereignty of His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren has been hurled down--he who, day after day and night after night, was wont to accuse them in the presence of God.

¹⁹ This also is John's testimony, when the Jews sent to him a deputation of Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He avowed--he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, "I am not the Christ." ²¹ "What then?" they inquired; "are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?" "No," he answered. ²² So they pressed the question. "Who are you?" they said-- "that we may take an answer to those who sent us. What account do you give of yourself?" ²³ "I am THE VOICE," he replied, "OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE LORD'S WAY IN THE DESERT,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah." ²⁴ They were Pharisees who had been sent. ²⁵ Again they questioned him. "Why then do you baptize," they said, "if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" ²⁶ "I baptize in water only," John answered, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not know-- ²⁷ He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten." ²⁸ This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

²⁸ You yourselves can bear witness to my having said, 'I am not the Christ,' but 'I am His appointed forerunner.' ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; and the bridegroom's friend who stands by his side and listens to him, rejoices heartily on account of the bridegroom's happiness. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

²⁴ when the Jews gathered round Him and kept asking Him, "How long do you mean to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us so plainly."

⁷ His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten. ⁸ I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

²⁶ "I baptize in water only," John answered, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not know--

³³ I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "'The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

³⁸ He who believes in me, from within him--as the Scripture has said--rivers of living water shall flow."

⁵ For John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

³ and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing themselves over the assembly, and on the head of each person a tongue alighted. ⁴ They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in foreign languages according as the Spirit gave them words to utter.

¹⁷ "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, GOD SAYS, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL HAVE DREAMS; ¹⁸ AND EVEN UPON MY BONDSERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, AT THAT TIME, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT, AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY.

³³ "Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you see and hear.

⁴⁴ While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the Message.

¹⁵ "And," said Peter, "no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first. ¹⁶ Then I remembered the Lord's words, how He used to say, "'John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.'

²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John had proclaimed to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance. ²⁵ But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "'What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.'

⁴ "John," he said, "administered a baptism of repentance, bidding the people believe on One who was to come after him; namely, on Jesus." ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus;

¹³ For, in fact, in one Spirit all of us--whether we are Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free men--were baptized to form but one body; and we were all nourished by that one Spirit.

¹² His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire."

³⁰ Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.'"

⁴³ If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better for you to enter into Life maimed, than remain in possession of both your hands and go away into Gehenna, into the fire which cannot be put out. ⁴⁴ OMITTED TEXT ⁴⁵ Or if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better for you to enter into Life crippled, than remain in possession of both your feet and be thrown into Gehenna. ⁴⁶ OMITTED TEXT ⁴⁷ Or if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out. It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, ⁴⁸ where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE AND THE FIRE DOES NOT GO OUT. ⁴⁹ Every one, however, will be salted with fire.

¹⁵ John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me,' for He was before me."

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and exclaimed, "Look, that is the Lamb of God who is to take away the sin of the world!

³⁴ "This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son of God."

⁴⁰ And with many more appeals he solemnly warned and entreated them, saying, "Escape from this crooked generation."

² Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:

³ For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, ⁴ because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent and had had John arrested and had kept him in prison in chains, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had repeatedly told Herod, "You have no right to be living with your brother's wife."

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene,

³⁵ but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. ³⁶ Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner. ³⁷ Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "'They will respect my son.' ³⁸ "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' ³⁹ "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰ When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" ⁴¹ "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season."

⁶ and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them. ⁷ So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.

³¹ "So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets. ³² Fill up the measure of your forefathers' guilt. ³³ O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna?

³¹ Just at that time there came some Pharisees who warned Him, saying, "Leave this place and continue your journey; Herod means to kill you." ³² "Go," He replied, "and take this message to that fox: "'See, to-day and to-morrow I am driving out demons and effecting cures, and on the third day I finish my course.' ³³ "Yet I must continue my journey to-day and to-morrow and the day following; for it is not conceivable that a Prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee, how often have I desired to gather thy children just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come!

²⁴ (For John was not yet in prison.)

¹⁵ Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets, and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind; ¹⁶ for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles so that they may find salvation. They thus continually fill up the measure of their own sins, and God's anger in its severest form has overtaken them.

⁶ For they poured out the blood of Thy people and of the Prophets, and in return Thou hast given them blood to drink. And this they deserved."

¹³ Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" ¹⁵ "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented; ¹⁶ and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him, ¹⁷ while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."

²³ When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone.

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan; ¹⁰ and immediately on His coming up out of the water He saw an opening in the sky, and the Spirit like a dove coming down to Him; ¹¹ and a voice came from the sky, saying, "Thou art My Son dearly loved: in Thee is My delight."

¹⁶ but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and there prayed.

¹⁸ One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were present; and He asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?"

²⁸ It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And while He was praying the appearance of His face underwent a change, and His clothing became white and radiant.

³² John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. ³³ I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "'The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴ "This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son of God."

²⁷ Now is my soul full of trouble; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this purpose I have come to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify Thy name." Thereupon there came a voice from the sky, "I have glorified it and will also glorify it again."

¹⁷ while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."

¹⁸ "THIS IS MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY DEARLY LOVED ONE IN WHOM MY SOUL TAKES PLEASURE. I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL ANNOUNCE JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS.

⁵ He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him."

⁴³ His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will have him; for he said, 'I am God's Son.'"

²¹ Then He proceeded to say to them, "To-day is this Scripture fulfilled in your hearing."

³⁴ But while he was thus speaking, there came a cloud which spread over them; and they were awe-struck when they had entered into the cloud. ³⁵ Then there came a voice from within the cloud: "This is My Son, My Chosen One: listen to Him."

³² John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him.

³⁸ It tells how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, so that He went about everywhere doing acts of kindness, and curing all who were being continually oppressed by the Devil--for God was with Jesus.

¹³ It is God who has delivered us out of the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the Kingdom of His dearly-loved Son,

⁴ Come to Him, the ever-living Stone, rejected indeed by men as worthless, but in God's esteem chosen and held in honour.

¹⁷ He received honour and glory from God the Father, and out of the wondrous glory words such as these were spoken to Him, "This is My dearly-loved Son, in whom I take delight." ¹⁸ And we ourselves heard these words come from Heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

¹ The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

⁶ Jesse of David--the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the father of Solomon;

¹⁶ and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of JESUS who is called CHRIST.

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to preach. "Repent," He said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand."

⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

³ Is not this the carpenter, Mary's son, the brother of James and Joses, Jude and Simon? And do not his sisters live here among us?" So they turned angrily away.

²³ And He--Jesus--when He began His ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (it was supposed) of Joseph, son of Heli, ²⁴ son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, ²⁵ son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, ²⁶ son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, ²⁷ son of Johanan, son of Resa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,

³¹ Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,

²² And they all spoke well of Him, wondering at the sweet words of kindness which fell from His lips, while they asked one another, "Is not this Joseph's son?"

⁴² They kept asking, "Is not this man Joseph's son? Is he not Jesus, whose father and mother we know? What does he mean by now saying, 'I have come down out of Heaven'?"

¹ My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which,

¹² After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel; Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel;

³ Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of Hezron; Hezron of Ram; ⁴ Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon; ⁵ Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of Jesse; ⁶ Jesse of David--the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the father of Solomon;

²² After removing him, He raised up David to be their king, to whom He also bore witness when He said, "'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man I love, who will obey all My commands.' ²³ "It is from among David's descendants that God, in fulfilment of His promise, has raised up a Saviour for Israel, even Jesus.

² Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah and his brothers. ³ Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of Hezron; Hezron of Ram; ⁴ Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon;

² Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah and his brothers.

⁸ "Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this Covenant he became the father of Isaac--whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve Patriarchs.

²⁷ Men were eating and drinking, taking wives and giving wives, up to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, and the Deluge came and destroyed them all.

⁷ Through faith Noah, being divinely taught about things as yet unseen, reverently gave heed and built an ark for the safety of his family, and by this act he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which depends on faith.

²⁰ who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God's longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the building of the Ark, in which a few persons--eight in number--were brought safely through the water.

⁵ And He did not spare the ancient world, although He preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a deluge on the world of the ungodly.

²⁶ He caused to spring from one forefather people of every race, for them to live on the whole surface of the earth, and marked out for them an appointed span of life and the boundaries of their homes; ²⁷ that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ For it is in closest union with Him that we live and move and have our being; as in fact some of the poets in repute among yourselves have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' ²⁹ Since then we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of man.

⁴⁵ In the same way also it is written, "THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING ANIMAL"; the last Adam is a life-giving Spirit.

⁴⁷ The first man is a man of earth, earthy; the second man is from Heaven.