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¹ As Jesus was pursuing his journey from Jericho, ² one Zaccheus, a rich man, and collector-general of the customs, ³ was very desirous to see the person of Jesus, but could not for the crowd, he being of a low stature. ⁴ so he ran before, and climb'd up a mulberry-tree to view him; for he was to pass that way. ⁵ as soon as Jesus came at the place, he look'd up, and seeing him, Zaccheus, said he, make haste down; for I intend to dine at your house to-day. ⁶ so down he came in great haste, and gave Jesus a joyful reception. ⁷ upon seeing this, they all murmur'd, saying, he is going to be treated by a dissolute person. ⁸ but Zaccheus address'd himself to Jesus, and said, Lord, half my estate I give to the poor; and if I have wrong'd any man, I will give him four times the value. ⁹ then said Jesus, speaking of him, this day is salvation come to this family, since he is now become a true son of Abraham. ¹⁰ for the son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.

¹¹ Their attention being raised by this, Jesus pursued his discourse with a parable, occasion'd by their thinking, that, because he was advanc'd so nigh to Jerusalem, the kingdom of God would immediately commence. ¹² a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return. ¹³ and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return. ¹⁴ but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king." ¹⁵ upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made. ¹⁶ the first came and said, Lord, your one pound has gained ten more. ¹⁷ he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities. ¹⁸ then the second came, and said, Lord, your pound has produc'd five more. ¹⁹ his master replied, you shall be governor of five cities. ²⁰ but another came and said, Lord, here's your money, which I laid up safe in a napkin. ²¹ for I was in fear of you, knowing you to be a hard master, who exact what you never gave, and reap where you have never sown. ²² wicked slave, said he, from your own mouth will I convict thee. "you knew I was a hard master, exacting what I never gave, and reaping where I never sowed: ²³ " why then did you not lodge my money in the bank, that on my return I might have drawn it out with interest? ²⁴ then he said to his attendants, take the one pound from him, and give it him, that gain'd ten. ²⁵ but they objected, Lord, he has already ten pounds: ²⁶ I tell you, said he, that to every one who improves, more shall be given: and he that makes no improvement, shall be stript of what he has. ²⁷ as for those enemies of mine, who would not have me for their king, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.

²⁸ After this discourse, Jesus pursued his journey towards Jerusalem. ²⁹ when he was advanc'd near Bethphage, and Bethany, to the mountain call'd the Olives, he sent two of his disciples, ³⁰ saying to them, go to the village opposite to you: at your entrance there, you will find a colt ty'd, that was never yet back'd: untie it and bring it here. ³¹ if any one should ask you, why you untie it, let this be your answer, because the Lord has occasion for it. ³² Accordingly the messengers went, and found the colt, as Jesus had told them. ³³ as they were untying the colt, the owners said, why do you untie the colt? ³⁴ they answer'd, because the Lord has occasion for it. ³⁵ so they brought it to Jesus. and throwing their garments upon the colt, they mounted Jesus thereon. ³⁶ and all the way, as he marched, they strewed with their clothes. ³⁷ Just as he advanc'd to the declivity of the mountain of Olives, the whole troop of disciples began to express their joy in loud acclamations, praising God, for the many miracles they had seen. ³⁸ "blessed be he, said they, whom the Lord hath sent to be our king. prosperity from heaven, and glory from the most high." ³⁹ upon this some of the Pharisees, who were in the crowd, said to him, master, rebuke your disciples. ⁴⁰ but he answer'd them, if they should be silent, the stones would exclaim.

⁴¹ as he drew nigh, he beheld the city, and bewail'd its fate, ⁴² in these words, "O that thou hadst consider'd, at least in this very day, the opportunity you had of being happy! but now alas! it is vanish'd from your eyes." ⁴³ for the time will shortly come, when your enemies shall open their trenches before thee, hem you in, and closely besiege you: ⁴⁴ they will level you to the ground, extirpate your inhabitants, and bury your buildings in ruins: because you have not consider'd the overtures I made you. ⁴⁵ As soon as he entred into the temple, he drove out the sellers and buyers there: telling them it is written, ⁴⁶ "my house is a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves." ⁴⁷ and he instructed the people daily in the temple, while the chief priests, the Scribes, and the rulers of the people, were contriving to take away his life. ⁴⁸ but they could not find the means of effecting it; for all the populace were strongly attach'd to his doctrine.