Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest." 

He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness, and began to send them out two by two. He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 

Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, "Don't go among the Gentiles, and don't enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff, nor bread: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come."

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! Therefore don't be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." 

"Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven." 

"Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward." 

It happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, they went out and preached that people should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them. 

Jesus also departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see Jesus. 

At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, and all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 

Herod said to his servants, "This is John the Baptizer, whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him." For Herod had laid hold of and arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her. For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 

Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't, for Herod feared John. He would have put him to death, but he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Also, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, Herod kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 

But when Herod's birthday came, he made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 

When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." Whereupon he promised with an oath saying: "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." 

She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" 

She said, "The head of John the Baptizer." 

She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter." 

The king was grieved and was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the dinner table with him, he didn't wish to refuse her. 

Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. 

When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb; and they went and told Jesus.

The apostles, when they had returned, gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him what things they had done, and whatever they had taught. 

Now when Jesus heard of John's death, He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 

They went away in the boat (privately) to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias, to a deserted place (belonging to the) city called Bethsaida, by themselves. 

But the multitude saw them going. 

So, a great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. Many recognized him and they followed him on foot from the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 

Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. Jesus saw that a great multitude was coming to him, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he began to teach them many things and he cured those who needed healing. 

Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 

When evening had come, his twelve disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the surrounding villages, and farms; and lodge and buy themselves food, for they have nothing to eat."

Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to them, "They don't need to go away." 

Then Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?"  This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 

Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may receive a little." 

But he said to them, "You give them something to eat. How many loaves do you have? Go see." 

When they knew, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?" For they were about five thousand men. 

He said, "Bring them here to me." 

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down in groups of about fifty each." Now there was much grass in that place. 

So they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 

He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the multitudes, as much as they desired. 

When they were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost." So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves and also of the fish, which were left over by those who had eaten. Those who ate the loaves were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, "This is truly the prophet who comes into the world." Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king; He immediately made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida or Capernaum, while he himself sent the multitude away. After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, and they entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them. He was alone on the land. 

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the great blowing wind and the waves, for the wind was contrary. 

When they had rowed about 3 or 4 miles, at about the fourth watch of the night; Jesus, seeing them distressed in rowing, came to them, walking on the sea. 

He would have passed by them, But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat, they were troubled, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. for they all saw him, and were troubled. 

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." 

Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." 

He said, "Come!" 

Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. 

(And) when they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. And they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!" Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made (perfectly) well.

On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one in which his disciples had embarked, and that Jesus hadn't entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone. However boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn't there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 

Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him." 

They said therefore to him, "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?" 

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 

They said therefore to him, "What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'" 

Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." 

They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." 

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don't believe. All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 

The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down out of heaven." They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, 'I have come down out of heaven?'" 

Therefore Jesus answered them, "Don't murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'They will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father. Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." 

The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 

Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don't have life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven-not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 

Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?" 

But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who don't believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him. He said, "For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father." 

At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?" 

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.

Jesus came to Capernaum. (Then) there arose an argument among His disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus, perceived the reasoning of their hearts and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?" 

But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. (And) He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, (and) taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great."

John answered, "Master, we saw someone who doesn't follow us casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn't follow with us." 

Jesus said to him, "Don't forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me, for he who is not against us is for us. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ's, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he was thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea."

"Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into (Hell), into the eternal unquenchable fire. 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the (Hell) of fire. 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. See that you don't despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost." 

"What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

"If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them." 

Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" 

Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!' The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt."

"But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'"

"So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you!' He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?' His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."

As they went on the way, a scribe came, and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 

Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 

Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." 

But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God." 

Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house." 

But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. His brothers therefore said to him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world." For even his brothers didn't believe in him. 

Jesus therefore said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world can't hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled." 

Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee.