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¹ In the mean time thousands of people being gather'd about him, so as to trample upon one another, he first address'd himself thus to his disciples, beware of the corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² for there is nothing conceal'd, which shall not be disclos'd; nothing secret, which shall not be made publick. ³ whatever you have utter'd in the dark, shall be brought to light: and what you have whisper'd in a closet, shall be proclaim'd upon the house top. ⁴ As for you, my friends, be not afraid of those, who can kill the body, and after that can effect nothing more. ⁵ but I will inform you whom you should fear: fear him, who after he has kill'd, has power to precipitate into hell; yes, I advise you, fear him. ⁶ are not five sparrows sold for two pence? however the divine providence extends to each of them. ⁷ nay, the very hairs of your head can't fall without being number'd: be not then afraid; there is no comparison between you and sparrows. ⁸ moreover I declare unto you, whoever shall acknowledge me before men, him shall the son of man also own before the angels of God. ⁹ but whoever shall renounce me before men, he shall be renounc'd before the angels of God. ¹⁰ and whoever shall cast a reflection upon the son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but as for him, that shall blaspheme the holy spirit, it shall not be forgiven. ¹¹ when you are brought into the synagogues, and before magistrates and rulers, be not sollicitous what to say in your own defence; ¹² for the holy spirit shall instruct you on the very occasion, what is proper to be said.

¹³ Then one of the company said to him, order my brother to give me my share of our inheritance. ¹⁴ but Jesus answer'd him, who made me a judge, or an arbitrator between you? ¹⁵ then he said to them, take care to be clear of all avarice: for the enjoyment of life does not depend upon the having large possessions. ¹⁶ to which purpose he propos'd to them this parable: a rich man had some land that was very fruitful. ¹⁷ and thus he reason'd with himself, what shall I do for want of room to store up my crop? ¹⁸ this will I do, said he, I will pull down my barns, and build greater: and there I will bestow all my rich product. ¹⁹ then I will say to my soul, soul, you have many enjoyments in reserve for a number of years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. ²⁰ but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided? ²¹ such is he, who heaps up his treasure here, and makes no provision for another world.

²² Wherefore (said he to his disciples,) be not sollicitous for your life, what ye shall eat; nor for the body, what ye shall put on. ²³ the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. ²⁴ consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: nor have cellar or barn: are not you of much greater value than the fowls? ²⁵ but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life? ²⁶ if then you can't effect so small a matter, why are you disquieted about a much longer time? ²⁷ consider the lillys how they grow: they neither toil nor spin: and yet, I tell you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ now if God thus cloaths the flowers, which exist to-day in the field, and to-morrow are thrown into the oven: how much more will he cloath you, O distrustful men? ²⁹ therefore don't be concern'd about what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; but lay aside all your anxiety: ³⁰ for it is enough that the Gentiles are so concern'd about these things: as for you, your father is acquainted with all your wants. ³¹ therefore do you rather seek the kingdom of God, and then all your necessities will be fully supply'd. ³² fear not, ye little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to grant you the kingdom. ³³ sell your possessions and give alms. lay up for yourselves a stock not subject to decay, a treasure in the heavens that will never fail, where no thief can approach, nor moth can spoil. ³⁴ for where your treasure is, there likewise will your affections be. ³⁵ Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning: ³⁶ imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door. ³⁷ happy those servants, whom the master at his arrival shall find thus watching: I assure you, he shall gird himself, and make them sit at table, and will come to serve them. ³⁸ happy are the servants he finds in such a state, whether it be at the second or at the third watch of the night, when he comes. ³⁹ if the master of a house knew at what hour the thief would come, no doubt he would be on his guard, and not suffer him to break into his house. ⁴⁰ be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him.

⁴¹ then Peter said to him, Lord, do you apply this similitude to us, or to all in general? ⁴² Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant, ⁴³ whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd. ⁴⁴ I assure you, he will intrust him with the management of his whole estate. ⁴⁵ but if the servant should say within himself, my master delays his return; and fall a beating his fellow-servants, indulging himself in eating and drinking to excess. ⁴⁶ his master will return on a day he does not expect him, and a an hour he is ignorant of; he will separate him from the rest, and give him a treatment answerable to his infidelity. ⁴⁷ but the servant, who knows his master's will, and prepares not himself, nor executes his orders, shall receive many stripes. ⁴⁸ whereas he that does not know it, and does things worthy of chastisement, shall receive fewer stripes. for to whom much is given, of him shall much be required, and the more a man has been trusted, the greater will be the demand. ⁴⁹ I am come to purify the earth with fire, and how do I wish it were already kindled? ⁵⁰ the baptism, which I am to undergo, how do I long till it be accomplished? ⁵¹ do you imagine that my coming will produce peace on the earth? I tell you, no; but rather division. ⁵² for the future, if there are five persons in one family, they will be divided; three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ the father will be at variance with his son, and the son with the father: the mother with the daughter, and the daughter with the mother: the mother-in-law with the daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law with the mother-in-law.

⁵⁴ Then he said to the people, when you see a cloud rise out of the west, you say, it is just going to rain; and so it happens. ⁵⁵ and when the south wind blows, you say, there will be heat; and so it happens. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites, you can judge of the phoenomena of the earth, and of the sky, but why can't you discern the present times? ⁵⁷ why can't you judge what is proper to be done in your own affairs. ⁵⁸ When you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, pay the interest, and get your discharge, while you are on the way; for fear he should bring you before the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into jail. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you will not get out, till you have paid to the last farthing.